Chapter 52 Redemption Requires Effort
Faced with this so-called "heartfelt vow".
Zhu Zhuqing's face showed no shyness, only a chilling coldness and an unprecedented resolve.
"Shut up!"
A sharp shout drowned out all the jeering.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward, and the cold glint in her eyes made Ma Hongjun and Oscar shut their mouths instantly.
She looked at Dai Mubai as if he were a pile of unrecyclable trash:
"Fiancée?"
"Dai Mubai, do you have any shame?"
"That was nothing more than a so-called 'family marriage' imposed on us by the Star Luo Empire! It was a political contract, not a matter of affection!"
"And..."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice rose a few decibels, each word piercing the heart:
"Even if there was this marriage agreement, years ago, when you abandoned your family and responsibilities like a coward and ran away here to live a life of debauchery..."
"You've already given up that qualification!"
"Since you chose to run away and become a good-for-nothing who just loafs around and waits to die, what face do you have to jump out now and use the identity you abandoned long ago to restrain me?"
These words were like a series of resounding slaps to Dai Mubai's face.
Dai Mubai's face turned deathly pale instantly, and his body swayed precariously.
It had been exposed.
His past, which he least wanted to face, and his most cowardly side, were laid bare in public.
But Zhu Zhuqing did not stop.
She recalled the suffering she had endured over the years, and Ye Liuyun's words from last night, "It's simple to live," and her last shred of hope for the man before her was shattered.
"Dai Mubai."
"Look carefully."
"I, Zhu Zhuqing, am a living, breathing human being, a Soul Master with dignity."
"I am not your pet, I am not your property!"
"When you're happy, you remember I'm your fiancée; when you're unhappy, you go find the twins or other women."
Zhu Zhuqing pointed at Dai Mubai's nose, tears welling in her eyes, but stubbornly refusing to fall, and roared, word by word:
"Am I a plaything you can summon and dismiss at will?"
"From today onwards, you go your way, and I'll go mine."
"Stop using that disgusting word 'fiancée' to disgust me!"
After saying that.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't even glance at Dai Mubai, whose face was ashen, before turning around and running ahead with long strides.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun looked at each other, so embarrassed they were practically digging their toes into the ground, and dared not make a fuss anymore.
Dai Mubai stood there, watching Zhu Zhuqing's resolute back, his originally pale face gradually turning into a liver color.
Shame, indignation, embarrassment, and even a touch of absurd injustice.
In his aristocratic upbringing, he learned that men had to maintain a certain "face" in public.
Even if they argued fiercely in private, a fiancée should still maintain basic decorum and submissiveness in front of her brothers and colleagues.
Zhu Zhuqing was so insensible.
Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, cursing inwardly.
I am the Star Luo Prince, with so many brothers watching. How dare you make me lose face?
Do you even know what the Three Obediences and Four Virtues are?
He turned his head and met Oscar and Ma Hongjun's awkward yet somewhat sympathetic gazes.
"Cough..."
Dai Mubai coughed lightly, forced a stiff smile, and waved to everyone as if explaining a trivial matter:
"Please excuse my tantrum. My fiancée has a rather strong personality and is currently throwing a tantrum. But women are always unreasonable for a few days; she'll be fine after a couple of days of coaxing."
Oscar and Ma Hongjun, upon hearing this, knew in their hearts that this "temper" had gone a bit too far, but in order to save face for their elder brother, they still echoed his sentiments.
"Yes, yes, girls are shy, please be more understanding, Boss Dai."
"Hey, our Shrek monsters' families have to have personality too!"
The jeers and cheers from the surroundings started again, and Dai Mubai felt a little better.
He took a deep breath, a flash of malice crossing his eyes, and quickly chased after her.
...
"Zhuqing! Listen to me!"
Relying on the powerful stamina brought by his offensive beast martial soul, Dai Mubai quickly caught up with Zhu Zhuqing and ran alongside her.
He was panting, but he managed to put on an "affectionate yet restrained" demeanor and said in a low voice:
"I was wrong before. I gave up on myself and went to brothels... but that was because I couldn't see a future and I was under too much pressure!"
"But now that you're here! I promise you, from today onwards, I will never touch another woman. I will work hard to cultivate for you, let's work hard together, okay?"
"You have to be understanding of me and stop getting entangled with that Ye Liuyun. I'm a man, I get jealous, and besides, you have to give me some face in front of the brothers..."
"Shut up!"
Zhu Zhuqing felt nauseous.
This condescending "guarantee not to cheat," coupled with that disgusting "face-saving theory," felt like a fly getting into her throat.
She remained silent, her pace quickening as she tried to shake off the man who disgusted her.
"Zhuqing! Don't run so fast! You're a woman, your body can't take it!"
Dai Mubai was like a piece of chewing gum that she couldn't shake off, continuing to follow closely:
"I know you're angry, you can hit me or yell at me. But your current stubbornness will only make you a laughingstock. Listen to me, slow down, let's talk this out…"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, but frantically squeezed out the soul power and physical strength in her body.
Hurry up.
Faster.
But she was only a Great Soul Master, while Dai Mubai, a level 37 Soul Elder, seemed to be handling things with ease.
That cat-and-mouse-like sense of control left Zhu Zhuqing feeling a deep sense of powerlessness and despair.
Her pace gradually slowed down.
Just then.
A series of light footsteps came from behind.
Ye Liuyun, carrying a bamboo basket, still looked lazy as he ran past Xiao Wu, gradually catching up with Dai and Zhu, who were running side by side.
The moment Zhu Zhuqing saw Ye Liuyun, a hint of anticipation unconsciously flashed in her cold eyes.
She knew that Ye Liuyun was stronger than Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai could scare away any harassment he wanted.
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze fell on Ye Liuyun's profile, a look that was almost pleading.
He noticed that gaze.
Ye Liuyun turned his head and glanced at Zhu Zhuqing calmly.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
However, the expected help did not appear.
Ye Liuyun neither mocked nor offered assistance.
He only glanced at her.
Immediately afterwards.
He withdrew his gaze, not even disrupting his breathing, and ran past the two, heading further ahead.
Don't interfere in other people's lives or make decisions for them easily.
Just as Zhu Zhuqing could have joined other forces to break free from the Zhu family of the Star Luo Empire.
Was it that she didn't have it, or that she didn't want to?
After Zhu Zhuqing arrived at Shrek Academy, wasn't she extremely disappointed in Dai Mubai, but in the end, didn't she forgive him?
If she really didn't want to die, she could join Spirit Hall.
If she really didn't want to deal with Dai Mubai, just go for it and sever all ties.
Being subservient and placing all hopes and decisions on others.
She said she was unwilling, but she was actually just observing the other's expressions and looking for something better while keeping her options open.
Such people cannot be saved, nor do they deserve to be saved.
Ye Liuyun could indeed help Zhu Zhuqing get away with this, but what about in the future? What if he wasn't around?
If the two reconciled, what role would he play in the process?
The clown?
In this world, the only person who can truly save you is yourself.
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[end of the chapter]