Xu Yunhan took Zhu Zhuqing to meet Zhao Wuji and Li Yusong before strolling around the academy together.
"Where are the other students? You said there were a few more—why haven't I seen any?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.
Before arriving at Shrek Academy, Xu Yunhan had deliberately avoided mentioning Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar—especially Dai Mubai.
Now that Zhu Zhuqing had developed some fondness and trust for him, and since she had already joined the academy, even if she learned of Dai Mubai's presence, she likely wouldn't leave.
Xu Yunhan was overthinking it. In the original story, Zhu Zhuqing had stayed even after discovering Dai Mubai was at Shrek Academy. As long as she was handled properly, everything would be fine.
"There are three others," Xu Yunhan said.
*"One is named Oscar—a rare genius with innate full soul power and a food-type martial soul. He's just over thirteen and already a 31st-ranked Soul Elder."*
"Innate full soul power in a food-type martial soul?!" Zhu Zhuqing was stunned. She knew enough about cultivation to understand just how rare such a talent was.
She sighed. "Are all the students at Shrek Academy monsters like you? Don't tell me the other two also have innate full soul power!"
Xu Yunhan chuckled. "Innate full soul power is too rare. Having two in Shrek Academy is already a stroke of luck—the other two don't."
"One is named Ma Hongjun—a chubby, slightly perverted guy. His martial soul is a mutated variant with some phoenix traits, called the Fire Phoenix. He's just over eleven and already at the 29th rank."
Zhu Zhuqing understood mutated martial souls. "Mutations can be good or bad. It seems Ma Hongjun's case is favorable, given how fast he's progressed."
"There's a drawback," Xu Yunhan said.
"What drawback?" she asked curiously.
Xu Yunhan lowered his voice. "His… urges are too strong. He often needs to find girls to help him out."
Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed, and she glared at him. "Disgusting."
Xu Yunhan shrugged. "It's not entirely his fault—he can't help it."
Zhu Zhuqing thought to herself: You'd better not have joined him in those escapades.
But she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud.
Xu Yunhan continued. *"The last one is Dai Mubai. His martial soul is the Evil-Eyed White Tiger. He's fifteen and currently at the 37th rank."*
When he finished speaking and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, she had frozen in place.
She had heard Dai Mubai's name.
She never expected Dai Mubai to be at Shrek Academy.
This…
For a moment, she was at a loss.
"Zhuqing, are you okay? Do you… know Dai Mubai?" Xu Yunhan asked knowingly, taking her hand in his.
Zhu Zhuqing snapped out of her daze, unsure whether to explain. She didn't know if Xu Yunhan would mind.
But she would have to face it eventually.
Now that she was here, she didn't want to leave—didn't want to run away.
After a moment's thought, she realized she had done nothing wrong. Dai Mubai was the one who had abandoned her, fleeing the Star Luo Empire. And now he was here in Suotuo City, living it up with women left and right. If anyone was at fault, it was him.
Her thoughts raced, but she found her courage.
Looking up at Xu Yunhan, she hesitated before speaking. "Yunhan… I do know Dai Mubai."
Xu Yunhan nodded. "That makes sense. Dai Mubai is also from the Star Luo Empire. I didn't realize you two were acquainted."
Zhu Zhuqing sighed. "Yunhan, since you've always been in Suotuo City, you might not know about the Star Luo Empire's affairs."
"Actually, Dai Mubai is a prince of the Star Luo Empire. My family, the Zhu Clan, holds the highest ducal title and has always intermarried with the Dai family."
"In this generation, both my sister and I were part of the arranged marriages. My elder sister, Zhu Zhuyun, is engaged to Prince Dai Weisi. And I… was engaged to Dai Mubai."
She paused, watching Xu Yunhan's reaction.
Xu Yunhan acted as if a realization had just struck him. "Last night at the Rose Hotel… was it because you saw Dai Mubai that you were so upset?"
"I've heard the royal family is heartless. He must have been a coward, abandoning you and fleeing here!"
Zhu Zhuqing was surprised. Xu Yunhan had guessed correctly—and was even indignant on her behalf. She felt touched.
Amidst her sorrow, his words warmed her heart. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Dai Mubai was too cowardly to compete with Dai Weisi and the other princes for the throne, so he ran away."
"I was hunted by assassins sent by Zhu Zhuyun and the others, forcing me to flee to the Heaven Dou Empire."
"I thought I'd never cross paths with Dai Mubai again… only to run into him in Suotuo City."
"Hmph! He's living just fine—drinking, womanizing, as if nothing happened!"
"Being engaged to someone like him is nothing but shameful!"
"But it's fine. The moment he fled the Star Luo Empire, he and I were finished."
She finished speaking and glanced nervously at Xu Yunhan.
Xu Yunhan comforted her gently. "An arranged marriage isn't your fault. You're the victim here."
"Besides, Dai Mubai truly isn't worthy of you."
Zhu Zhuqing's heart swelled with sweetness. Tears spilled over. "Yunhan… thank you."
Xu Yunhan reached out, wiping her tears away. "Zhuqing, as long as I'm here, no one will ever hurt you again."
"And if Dai Mubai dares to harass you—just watch me beat him to a pulp."
As he spoke, he pulled her into an embrace.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't resist—or perhaps she didn't even realize it. Nestled in Xu Yunhan's arms, she felt safe. Warm.
After enduring so much brutality, she desperately needed someone to lean on.
Just then—
"Boss! We heard you brought back a new student—and a beauty at that?"
Oscar's voice suddenly rang out.
Behind him, not far away, were Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
They had run into Flender in Suotuo City and learned the news, rushing back immediately to see just how stunning the girl Xu Yunhan had recruited was.
Of course, that was only Oscar and Ma Hongjun's motivation.
Dai Mubai was different.
The moment Flender mentioned Zhu Zhuqing's name, he had felt uneasy. He strongly suspected this was the fiancée he hadn't seen in years.
Now, he saw her.
Saw his fiancée, Zhu Zhuqing, in Xu Yunhan's arms.
Dai Mubai stopped dead in his tracks, staring intently at Zhu Zhuqing. From this angle, he could clearly see her face.
It's really her.
Though they hadn't met in five or six years, Zhu Zhuqing had grown up—a lot.
But he could still recognize her.
This was his fiancée, Zhu Zhuqing!
And now, she was in someone else's embrace!
Dai Mubai felt his pride take a brutal hit. Rage burned inside him, but he didn't dare lash out—afraid of making an even bigger fool of himself.
Maybe I should pretend I don't know her?
After all, she's just another pretty face with a great body. There are plenty of women like her.
If neither of us says anything, no one will know. I won't lose face.
Dai Mubai cared most about his pride and reputation.
Forcing himself to remain calm, he decided to act as if he didn't recognize Zhu Zhuqing and slowly walked forward.
Meanwhile, Oscar and Ma Hongjun, who had rushed ahead, were already showering Zhu Zhuqing with compliments about her beauty and praising Xu Yunhan's good taste.
Damn bootlickers! Dai Mubai cursed inwardly.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 30 on my patreon, go check it out.
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