Shen An listened intently to Zhu Zhuqing's voice, now slightly hoarse and lacking its usual clarity. Sohow, her words resonated deeply within him.
"Zhuqing, not at all," Shen An replied softly. "To , you've always been an amazing, hardworking girl. Without you, I might have already perished in that wolf attack."
As he spoke, Shen An carefully sat beside Zhu Zhuqing. Silence enveloped them in the tranquil night, broken only by the chirping of insects and occasional bird calls. The cool night breeze brushed past them, adding to the calm yet somber atmosphere.
After a long pause, Zhu Zhuqing spoke:
"Shen An, did you know? I co from a large family with a tradition akin to a curse."
She paused, her tone laced with both fear and resignation, before continuing:
"Our family has always been bound to another powerful family through arranged marriages. It's a way to ensure that every generation produces warriors as strong as Titled Douluo, thanks to the compatibility of our martial souls."
"How ridiculous it is," she chuckled bitterly, "to be betrothed to soone I've never t. In this generation, the other family has two sons, while I have an elder sister."
Shen An nodded silently, fully committed to being a good listener despite already knowing parts of her story.
"By family rules, only the most outstanding heirs can survive. I have to compete with my betrothed, and the loser... either loses their martial soul or is confined forever."
Shen An asked gently, "Then you must have a fiancé. Why are you here alone?"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned cold, a scoff escaping her lips.
"Because my cowardly fiancé ran away to Soto City, convinced that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't surpass his elder brother."
Then, with a sudden shift in tone, she looked at Shen An.
"Shen An, do you think I'm too cold and distant? Perhaps even unfeeling?"
"How could I?" Shen An replied with warmth. "I think you're wonderful just the way you are."
Her story shed light on the coldness and determination Zhu Zhuqing often displayed. It wasn't by choice but a necessity born from her circumstances. A young girl, abandoned by the one person ant to stand by her, forced to fend for herself amidst countless dangers—what else could she do but seal her heart away to protect it?
"I understand," Shen An said. "In such a cruel and heartless family, you had no choice but to harden yourself."
"But I also know that deep down, you're kind and caring. Otherwise, you wouldn't have stayed to face the wolf pack with that day."
"Zhuqing, I get it. I was alone in this world until I found Tom. Then I t you, and for the first ti, I began to feel a sense of belonging."
"So, Zhuqing, please continue to live bravely and steadfastly. I'll always be here for you."
"Thank you..." A faint whisper reached Shen An's ears. Zhu Zhuqing's tear-filled eyes sparkled in the dim light as her tears stained her white garnts.
Just then, a small feline head peeked into view—Tom. Sohow, it had climbed up unnoticed.
The cat swiftly produced a small white board and scribbled sothing before waving it enthusiastically above its head. Shen An's enhanced vision, honed by his martial soul and soul rings, caught the words clearly:
"Move closer, then gently hug her. Let her rest her head on your shoulder!"
After a brief hesitation, Shen An decided to trust Tom's judgnt. Most of the ti, the cat's advice was surprisingly reliable.
He shifted closer to Zhu Zhuqing, their proximity so close that he could feel her warmth. A faint, pleasant fragrance surrounded him as he carefully reached out and guided her head to rest on his shoulder.
From a distance, Tom observed with paws over its face, shaking its head. This guy has no finesse. Shouldn't he have cracked a joke or said sothing clever first? Too direct!
Despite its doubts, Zhu Zhuqing visibly relaxed against Shen An. Her tension faded as she leaned into his shoulder, finding comfort and solace.
Tom stared, utterly dumbfounded. What? That worked? How did my hopeless master succeed so easily?
anwhile, Shen An, unsure of what to do next, anxiously glanced at Tom for guidance. Unfortunately, Tom was lost in its own reflections on past romantic failures.
Never mind. I'll figure this out myself, Shen An thought.
Breaking the silence, he asked tentatively, "Zhuqing, did you co all this way to Soto City just to find your fiancé?"
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, then nodded slightly.
"I ca here to confront him," she said softly. "I wanted to ask him why he chose to run away like a coward instead of facing our fate head-on. I just wanted an answer."
"I have no feelings for him, nor do I like him," she added firmly.
Hearing this, Shen An felt an inexplicable sense of relief—then quickly wondered why he even cared.
"Zhuqing, don't be afraid. I'll protect you. Do you trust ?" Shen An said, gently patting her shoulder.
Zhu Zhuqing looked up at him, her teary eyes filled with trust and vulnerability. For the first ti since learning of her family's grim tradition, soone was willing to stand before her and shield her from harm.
She buried her face in his chest, quietly sobbing. Shen An sighed deeply. Beneath her icy exterior, Zhu Zhuqing was just a lonely, frightened girl in need of comfort.
The night stretched on, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the two figures. Beneath the vast sky, Zhu Zhuqing nestled against Shen An's chest, finding warmth and safety in his embrace.
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