Chapter 255 Epilogue - New World Arc (52)
Isn't this a good thing?
Yu Qingzhou said this, and as expected, he received a puzzled look from the boy.
[…Good news?]
Li Xiao repeated Yu Qingzhou's words in a low voice, his brows furrowed as if trying to understand, but ultimately he failed.
【Why? 】
Curiosity finally triumphed over that insignificant bit of pride.
Or rather, it's because of this person that...
Because you're becoming more and more understanding of other people's feelings, aren't you?
Is that so...?
Li Xiao was still puzzled.
The boy was really not good at thinking about these convoluted things.
Yu Qingzhou then patiently explained it to him.
It's like you giving up on asking Junior Sister Zhen for help...
Upon hearing this, Li Xiao paused for a moment before realizing who the other person was referring to as Junior Sister Zhen—he rarely heard anyone address Zhen Zhu in such a formal and formal way.
Most people would simply call her Zhuzhu, just as the girl always referred to herself.
At most, I'd add a junior sister at the end...
So why should Yu Qingzhou be called differently from everyone else?
Thinking of this, Li Xiao couldn't help but feel a subtle unease.
I can't quite put my finger on why, but I just suddenly felt unhappy.
The boy's furrowed brows and thoughtful expression took on a different meaning in Yu Qingzhou's eyes—
Yu Qingzhou felt that Li Xiao was genuinely taking this matter seriously.
This is extremely rare for Li Xiao, who has always disliked using his brain.
The reason why such an exception occurred is obviously inseparable from the other protagonist of the event.
Because Li Xiao... seems to care a lot about Zhen Zhu's feelings.
This was something that had not been seen in any of the other humans besides Yu Qingzhou.
After all, according to Li Xiao's logic, humans are roughly equivalent to food.
As for food, as long as it tastes good and fills you up, that's enough.
Instead of worrying about whether a piece of char siu or a sweet cake is making you feel good or bad today, you might as well close your eyes, clear your mind, and have a comfortable nap.
As for Yu Qingzhou, he was all too aware of his uniqueness as a sample, and therefore could not be included in the scope of reference.
Therefore, to date, Zhen Zhu can be considered the only person who has entered Li Xiao's inner world as a human being...
So...that's great.
After explaining Li Xiao's motivation for giving up seeking the girl's help—that he didn't want to cause her unnecessary trouble—Yu Qingzhou couldn't help but sigh again.
Li Xiao remained in that bewildered state, only vaguely understanding the situation.
It seems that they are not yet able to properly connect their behavior with their motivations.
Yu Qingzhou thought, there's nothing that can be done about it.
After all, the other party grew up in such a harsh environment where if they didn't eat others, they might be eaten by something else at any time.
Therefore, many things that seemed commonplace to him and many others were completely new and unfamiliar to Li Xiao.
Therefore, we have to be more patient and start teaching from scratch.
However, ingrained habits are hard to break.
Correcting a person's long-standing habits and beliefs is often more difficult than drawing on a blank sheet of paper.
Therefore, Yu Qingzhou had long been prepared for a protracted battle. However, she did not expect that her opponent seemed to be more insightful than she had anticipated.
Perhaps... it's thanks to that senior who has long since passed away?
Yu Qingzhou had no idea, but he still remembered his senior brother Chang's teachings.
If we take this as a starting point and guide it properly...
So when the day comes that their soul bond is broken, I can say goodbye without any burden.
[...Yu Qingzhou?]
Yu Qingzhou suddenly snapped out of her thoughts and met the boy's slightly suspicious gaze.
The afternoon sun filtered through the woods, dappling the half-demon's excessively beautiful features.
The real, emerald-green eye shone brightly like fine jade, while the prosthetic eye on the other side, truly crafted from jade, was as deep and dark as the night.
Why have you suddenly stopped saying a word?
Seeing that Yu Qingzhou remained silent, Li Xiao waved his hand in front of her eyes, then hesitated before adding, "She looks so dazed, like she's lost her soul. It's kind of scary."
These were clearly words spoken by the boy after careful consideration.
Although it wasn't very pleasant to hear, Yu Qingzhou still sensed the concern contained within it.
I was just thinking that seeing you like this puts my mind at ease.
Yu Qingzhou answered calmly.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiao suddenly became inexplicably nervous.
He suddenly straightened up, and the tips of his fair ears twitched faintly in his hair.
Then, staring intently into Yu Qingzhou's eyes, he asked, "What do you mean?"
What does it mean to feel at ease...?
What kind of heart do you have...?
It sounds like someone's about to die...
Yes, it means you're exceptionally talented and have made rapid progress.
Compared to the younger man's anxiety, Yu Qingzhou was much calmer, and even smiled as he spoke.
Is...that's how it is?
Seeing the other person smile, Li Xiao also relaxed a little, and a faint blush appeared in her light-colored hair.
It was impossible for him not to be happy to receive such a straightforward compliment from Yu Qingzhou for the first time.
I felt a little embarrassed.
While feeling a sweet warmth in his heart, the boy also vaguely felt...
Something seems off.
Where is it...?
Just then, a cloud drifted by, obscuring the dappled shadows of the trees that had fallen upon each other.
Li Xiao was standing facing the light, and without the shimmering halo, he could be seen much more clearly.
So he saw it—
And he blurted it out as Yu Qingzhou turned around.
Why do you look so unhappy?
[...]
That face—
She was clearly smiling, but her eyes didn't convey any corresponding emotion.
Why……
Why...?
Because you misread it.
Because of him—
"Can you really let go?"
"..."
"Bearing the stigma of a traitor, and being arbitrarily expelled after being squeezed dry by the sect that has always treated him as home since he can remember, is Senior Brother Yu really willing to accept this?!"
Zhenzhu finally revealed what was on her mind.
Such treasonous words would never have been uttered by the Zhenzhu of the past.
She simply had to speak out about what she had seen and heard during this period of time.
Of course, Zhen Zhu's words were not simply to stand up for Yu Qingzhou.
Along with the words, what came out of my mouth was also a lingering sense of unease that had been weighing on my heart.
Doubts about the true nature of those around you...
Doubts about the choices already made...
And then there's the doubt about one's own unknown fate...
Zhenzhu finally managed to vent all her doubts and pent-up emotions.
It's like throwing a stone forcefully with a wide swing of your arm towards a calm body of water.
However, the expected splashing of water did not materialize.
It's too peaceful...
The young man's quiet gaze reminded her for a moment of the legendary Senior Sister Shen, who was said to have encountered and killed demons, but ultimately succumbed to demonic possession due to her excessive killing.
It was just a fleeting moment.
The lingering chill of death suddenly vanished completely.
It was as if... everything that had just happened was nothing more than a hallucination that the girl had inexplicably had.
"You flatter me, young lady. Since I am no longer a disciple of your sect, I have no reason to linger here. As for what I seek in the rest of my life, it is nothing more than a small peace of mind, and I have no question of whether I am willing or not."
The young man spoke casually, then paused and added, "I know Miss Zhenzhu means well, but my mind is made up. Please don't waste your breath and let others overhear, spreading rumors and causing unnecessary trouble."
After knowing each other for so long, Zhenzhu finally understood the complaints that Li Xiao used to always make about Yu Qingzhou's pretentious nature.
In the past, in order to please the boy, Zhenzhu would verbally agree with him, but in her heart she didn't really believe it.
Now that I've experienced it firsthand, I know what they said was true.
"you……"
Faced with the somewhat unfamiliar Yu Qingzhou, Zhen Zhu was momentarily speechless.
Yu Qingzhou spoke again.
"If there's nothing else to ask, let's take our leave here. I don't think your purpose in coming here was to see me off. Having already kept me occupied for so long, it's time to say goodbye—"
After saying that, he turned to leave.
Upon hearing this, Zhen Zhu seemed to suddenly remember something and hurriedly called out to the young man's back.
"What about Li Xiao?!"
"..."
"Are you really okay with leaving him here alone?!"
After shouting that sentence with all her might, Zhenzhu suddenly lost her voice as if all her strength had been drained.
"You know perfectly well... you know perfectly well that the person Li Xiao can't live without in this world is you, Yu Qingzhou..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com