Xu Xin’s sudden action caught me off guard—it came with no warning at all.
“What’s wrong?” I wanted to pull away, but being embraced by a beautiful woman and rejecting her would make me seem pretentious. So, I accepted it willingly. However, with two soft mounds pressing against my back, I found it quite tormenting.
“Shhh…” Xu Xin whispered softly. “Don’t talk. Just let me hold you quietly.”
“This… isn’t it a bit inappropriate to do this in public?” I felt my blood rushing up. If I had a mirror to see myself, my face would probably be bright red.
Xu Xin didn’t respond, and I didn’t know what to say either. So, I kept silent.
Around us, a few elderly people out for their evening exercises began whispering.
“These young people today, getting intimate right out on the street!”
“Do you think everyone’s as old-fashioned as you? Even our granddaughter says this is romantic!”
“We can’t keep up with the times anymore!”
Romantic? Damn it! There’s nothing romantic about this situation!
Honestly, I did feel something for Xu Xin. However, my heart was already occupied by Mei’er, leaving little room for anyone else.
Every man dreams of being like Lord Wei, with countless wives and endless riches. I’m no different—after all, I’m no saint. But Lord Wei exists only in stories, and I lack the power to indulge in such fantasies. I’m not qualified to embrace multiple lovers.
“Will we never meet again?” Xu Xin finally spoke, though my heart was still pounding so loudly that I could hear nothing else.
Feigning calmness, I smiled. “Of course not!”
“I hope we can get into the same university…” Xu Xin sighed, her hands still holding me tightly. The place where her chest pressed against me was drenched with sweat—whether from the heat or my own nervousness, I couldn’t tell.
I gave an awkward laugh. “We will. Didn’t I copy off you the entire time during the last exam?”
“What’s your girlfriend’s name?” Xu Xin asked suddenly, ignoring my joke.
“Su Mei’er…” I admitted, feeling strangely pleased she’d asked, even though Mei’er had never officially acknowledged she was my girlfriend.
“Mei’er… That’s a beautiful name.” Xu Xin smiled softly, finally letting go of me.
Relieved, I forced a smile. “Xu Xin is a great name too!”
“But it didn’t capture someone’s heart…” Xu Xin said wistfully.
My heart, which had just calmed, began to race again. Could she really have feelings for me?
But how could that be? Our interactions were so limited. Was it just because I saved her once? That wasn’t even deliberate—it had been a spur-of-the-moment act. I’d only shouted a line from a Stephen Chow movie, and in the end, it was Xu Xin herself who escaped from Zhou Feng. I still remember the vicious look on Zhou Feng’s face after her attack. Who would’ve thought this quiet girl could strike so ruthlessly?
Hero saves beauty, and beauty offers herself in gratitude… I’d daydreamed about scenarios like this often—it was my fantasy. But now, facing Xu Xin in real life, I was at a loss for what to do.
“You’re joking, right?” I said, although I knew she wasn’t. I figured playing dumb was the safest choice.
The sky was devoid of stars, and even the moon had hidden away, leaving only streetlights casting a faint glow. The atmosphere felt heavy.
Xu Xin said nothing, and I was lost in my thoughts.
Suddenly, she tiptoed and kissed me lightly on the lips, then turned to leave.
I grabbed her hand and forced a smile. “Let me walk you home.”
She looked at me silently. After a long pause, she nodded. Holding her hand, I walked her to the street corner and helped her into a taxi.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “Take care…” Then I closed the car door.
I realized just how fickle I was. I liked Sister Qian, Xu Xin, Sister Lin, Sun Jing… and Mei’er. It seemed that every girl I became familiar with stirred my heart.
Though I kept telling myself Mei’er was the one I truly liked, I couldn’t shake the feelings I had for others. Maybe I was just too greedy.
On life’s journey, many people come and go. Xu Xin, Sister Qian, Sister Lin, Sun Jing… perhaps even Mei’er—none might stay with me forever.
I had no say in who would remain by my side. I could only hope these fleeting encounters would accompany me a little farther down the road.
I wandered back to my apartment in a daze, keeping my head down and watching my feet move step by step.
When I opened the door and entered the room, Mei’er materialized behind me, returning to her human form.
“Xia Tian, do you remember what I told you before?” Mei’er asked seriously. She’d been with me the whole time, so she must have witnessed everything that just happened.
“In the human world, deceit is everywhere. If you want both power and love, you must stand at the top of the world! Only by becoming stronger can you protect those you care about!” Mei’er’s words from the hospital bathroom echoed in my mind.
I sighed. “I remember…”
“Do you like that girl, Xu Xin?” she asked.
“Yes…” I answered honestly. I didn’t want to lie to Mei’er or to myself. After all, who wouldn’t like a beautiful woman?
Mei’er paused for a moment, then asked, “Do you like Mei’er?”
I gave a bitter smile. “Yes…”
Before she could respond, I continued, “But sometimes, I can’t tell which version of you is the real Mei’er.”
“Even I don’t fully understand it. It was my mother who told me…” Mei’er’s expression turned somber at the mention of her mother.
Mei’er must have her own story. Despite her innocent demeanor, she possessed the power of a nine-tailed demon fox, which was hard to comprehend.
“Xia Tian, remember what I said—you need to become stronger if you want to protect the people you love!” Mei’er looked at me seriously.
I nodded. “But… you don’t mind that I’m a bit of a philanderer?”
“In the cultivation world, strength is everything. Even the Fox King of our clan has many companions,” Mei’er said with a smile, returning to her usual self.
Did that mean she didn’t mind if I liked other girls in the future?
Where could I ever find a girlfriend as perfect as her? My heart surged with emotion, and I wanted to kiss Mei’er. But just as I was about to act, my phone rang.
When I answered, Qin Shousheng’s voice came through. “Xia Tian, everything is ready. I’ll send someone to pick you up tomorrow.”
So, the training was finally about to begin…
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