"Mu Yijie, I'm so disappointed in you," Yong Shanling said. Then she turned around and was about to leave.
Mu Yijie watched her determined back. Panic welled up in his heart instantly. He felt that if he didn't do something, he would lose her forever.
He strode quickly towards her and tightly grasped her wrist. His voice was tinged with vulnerability as he said, "Ling'er, don't go. I'm sorry. I was wrong."
Hearing this man, who was always so domineering and strong, actually bowing his head to admit his mistake, Yong Shanling stared at him in disbelief, her eyes wide open.
A flicker of wavering flashed in her eyes. But the next second, the terrifying image of him took over her mind. She tightly pursed her lips and silently let him hold her.
"Ling'er, you don't know how painfully I've endured these days," he said. Seeing that Yong Shanling had stopped trying to leave, he couldn't help but take two steps forward and tightly embrace her in his arms. He was so cautious, as if the person in his arms was his most precious treasure.
"At first, our relationship was strained because of my obsession with your feelings for me. That incident created a rift between us. Later, I gradually realized how talented you were. You were almost as good as Yun Shan. You had leveled up one after another in such a short period. I was just afraid that one day when I was gray - haired, you would still be a young girl. I couldn't imagine if our love would still be there then."
Mu Yijie said bitterly. Although his voice showed little emotion, one could still feel the pain in his heart.
Yong Shanling's originally cold expression gradually changed as she listened to his words. She never thought that there were so many things weighing on his mind. She turned around excitedly, her eyes red - rimmed, and whispered, "But I don't care. No matter what you become, I love you. I've always loved only you."
"I know. But even though I know your feelings for me, even if you can accept it when that day comes, I can't," Mu Yijie said in a vulnerable way that Yong Shanling had never seen before.
In Yong Shanling's impression, he had always been confident, powerful, and steady. He had never shown such a vulnerable side. This Mu Yijie made Yong Shanling's heart waver a little. But she still couldn't help pouting and saying, "But you actually wanted to force me. Didn't you say before that we should let things take their natural course?"
Hearing Yong Shanling's words, a flicker of guilt flashed across Mu Yijie's eyes. He said with a bitter smile, "Ling'er, I just couldn't stand seeing you being so intimate with other men. The thought that it wasn't me accompanying you drove me crazy with jealousy. When I saw that scene, I thought of the future. One day, I would grow old or die, and there would be someone else by your side to take my place. At that moment, all my fears and jealousy devoured my heart."
"Shushu, you've always been the one I love the most. That day will never come. You will surely become an ascender with me. You have to believe in yourself. Even if that day really comes, you will still be the only man in my heart," Yong Shanling said, touched. She gently stroked Mu Yijie's angular face, her eyes full of tenderness.
Hearing Yong Shanling's words, Mu Yijie finally felt relieved. He couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her delicate lips. He didn't let go until her lips were tainted with his breath.
On the other side, after Yong Shanling and Mu Yijie left, during the dance - partner exchange, Liang Jing directly pulled Han Jinyu into his arms. He completely ignored her struggle and led her towards the side of the dance floor.
"Liang Jing, you bastard. Let me go. We've broken up. Don't do anything to make me hate you," Han Jinyu said in a low voice, just loud enough for the two of them to hear.
Liang Jing paused slightly. A flicker of hurt flashed across his eyes. "I just wanted to talk to you. I didn't expect you to think of me like this."
Seeing Liang Jing's pained expression, Han Jinyu felt a twinge in her heart. She subconsciously looked up, wanting to ruffle his hair as she used to, but then she remembered what this guy had done and forced herself to hold back.
She turned her head away, not wanting to look at him. Then she pulled him to a secluded corner. She let go of his hand, crossed her arms, and said coldly, "Speak. I'd like to see what you have to say."
"Listen to me. Actually, I've been away from home because I'm a cultivator, just like the ones in the novels. In the cultivation world, if you want better resources, you have to fight with others and eliminate demons. I've been out on adventures, looking for cultivation resources. That's why I always had to leave you," Liang Jing said bravely after setting up a barrier around them.
He thought Han Jinyu would be touched after hearing this. But all she did was give a cold smile. "So this is the reason you've been hiding things from me? The reason you've been lying to me? Didn't you ever think of telling me the truth? Is it really okay to keep me in the dark and make me worry and suspicious?"
As Han Jinyu spoke, tears streamed down her face. She remembered those days when he suddenly disappeared. She was always afraid that he might have done something bad. She was always worried that one day the police would come to arrest him. She was on tenterhooks almost every time. And every time he came back with a lot of money, how could she not be worried and scared?
"Yuer, don't cry. It's all my fault. I've made you cry because of me again," Liang Jing said, at a loss. He reached out his hand and gently wiped the tears from her face, his eyes full of heartache.
"It's not that I didn't want to tell you. It's just that the things in the cultivation world can't be known by ordinary people. Otherwise, the law - enforcers composed of the nine great families will arrest us if they find out. That's why I've been hiding it from you."
"Then is it okay for you to tell me now? If someone reports us, I'll just say I don't know anything," Han Jinyu said, suddenly panicked. She tightly grabbed his arm, looking a little scared.
Seeing her anxious expression, a flicker of joy flashed across Liang Jing's eyes. He grinned stupidly. "Hey. You're so worried about me. Do you still like me? Have you forgiven me?"
Seeing that this guy was still talking about such things at this moment, Han Jinyu shyly punched him. She pouted angrily and said, "Hurry up and answer my question. You're such a fool. If you don't answer quickly, I'll really get angry."
"It's okay. Because I hope you can also become a cultivator. Then we can practice together and be together forever," Liang Jing said seriously, looking into Han Jinyu's eyes. His eyes were clear as a spring.