Chapter 90 Leaving Shrek and Returning to Notting
Ye Liuyun paused for a moment, but ultimately did not turn around.
Ning Rongrong's words were like a thorn, piercing precisely into the most hidden corner of his heart, but he did not stop because of it.
For him, the mission of this external avatar left here was complete.
He came out of consideration for their years of companionship, bringing Xiao Wu that Lovesickness Heartbreak Red that could conceal her soul beast aura.
As for whether Xiao Wu chooses to eat it to increase her strength, or to take it to participate in the unpredictable All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, that is her choice.
He had already given her the confidence to choose; the rest was beyond his control.
Moreover, his true self has never been here; this avatar has other matters to attend to.
Seeing Ye Liuyun's still resolute back, Ning Rongrong panicked completely.
Her burning anger transformed into helpless fear in that instant. She reached out abruptly, trying to grasp the fluttering hem of his clothes, her voice trembling with an almost pleading tone:
"Would you like to stay?"
I don't want you to leave.
Her eyes were red and swollen.
Ye Liuyun stopped.
He turned his head to the side, and the morning light outlined the cool profile of his face.
There was no mockery or emotion in his eyes, only a profound understanding of the ways of the world.
"You're right. Actually, I'm not exactly a good person. I'm just an ordinary person."
Ye Liuyun's voice was very soft:
"There are some things I can't do. I'm sorry, I have other things to take care of."
"Ye Liuyun!"
Ning Rongrong abruptly pulled her hand back, clenched her fist, and finally burst into tears, roaring fiercely.
"Don't come back once you leave."
Seeing that Ye Liuyun still hadn't stopped walking.
I hate you!
She shouted at his retreating back with all her might, her voice sounding particularly jarring in the quiet academy gate.
She stomped her foot angrily, grabbed a stone from the ground, raised it high, and prepared to throw it.
In the end, she managed to control her temper.
Ye Liuyun did not respond, and did not even lose his pace.
His figure gradually faded in the sunlight at the school gate.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, Ye Liuyun's true form frowned and slowed down.
He arrived in Notting in a daze and found a tavern to rest.
He doesn't usually drink, but he really wants to now.
His clone will remain in Heaven Dou Imperial City for a while, until he is ready.
They would then tell Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan the immortal herbs for evolving their martial souls and how to use them.
His belongings were all at Notting Academy, and he planned to hand them over to his old classmate, Wang Sheng.
But he only gave Wang Sheng the address; the real thing was buried inside the Yin Yang Ice and Fire Eyes, beneath Dugu Bo's small wooden house.
This back-and-forth was a waste of Dugu Bo's time, lest the other party develop any inappropriate thoughts.
After all, human nature cannot withstand the test.
He'll be long gone by then.
The noisy tavern was filled with the mingled smells of alcohol and sweat, creating a somewhat somber atmosphere.
Ye Liuyun sat alone at the corner table, staring blankly at the liquid swirling in his glass.
"Boss, the protection fee must be paid in full today. If you keep dawdling, I won't be so lenient."
A rough, somewhat roguish voice suddenly rang out amidst the noise, interrupting Ye Liuyun's thoughts.
He looked in the direction of the sound and saw several burly men surrounding the counter. The one in the lead was very strong and had an impatient look on his face.
Even though the boyishness had faded, Ye Liuyun recognized that face at a glance.
"Wang Sheng".
Ye Liuyun spoke softly, his voice not loud, yet it pierced through the tavern's clamor.
The burly man at the head of the group froze, and subconsciously muttered something:
"Who dares to call me by my full name? They're asking for death!"
He turned his head, his gaze sweeping across the tavern, finally settling on the aloof young man in the corner.
When Wang Sheng met Ye Liuyun's eyes, his imposing aura deflated instantly, like a ball punctured by a needle.
His eyes widened in horror, and his first reaction was to pull his hat brim down sharply, trying to cover his face and slip out the door.
Ye Liuyun moved swiftly, instantly blocking the doorway.
"You've mistaken me for someone else! You've mistaken me for someone else!"
Wang Sheng lowered his head, his voice trembling, and tried desperately to squeeze out to the side.
"Stop covering it up."
Ye Liuyun stood in front of him, his tone calm and decisive.
"How old were you when you graduated? How much could you have changed? I can recognize you. Why are you pretending not to know me?"
Seeing that he couldn't avoid it any longer, Wang Sheng slowly lowered his hand from his face, drooped his head, and his voice revealed a sense of dejection:
"Boss Ye... I have no face to see you."
"What's wrong? Tell me, maybe I can help you."
Ye Liuyun glanced at the diners around him who were pointing and whispering, and then turned his head slightly.
Let's talk somewhere else.
The two went out onto the street outside the tavern and casually leaned against an old wooden railing.
As the evening breeze blew by, Wang Sheng's worn-out leather armor looked rather shabby.
He remained silent for a long time before managing a bitter smile and saying:
"You know I was married before and recently had a child."
"I'm still a Soul Master, and I can receive some money every month. I've settled down in the city with my family, and life is really quite happy."
Ye Liuyun knew about this; he even used the money he earned working at the flower shop to give as a gift.
Wang Sheng was stunned for a moment, then his eyes reddened:
He took a deep breath, as if trying to exhale the pent-up emotions in his chest:
"But my parents were seriously ill a few months ago. They need good medicine, but those expensive medicinal herbs are more expensive than I imagined. The little savings we have at home can't even buy a few doses of good medicine."
"I didn't learn much at the academy, and I didn't have any skills to make big money outside, but I still had a wife and children to support... so I joined a gang and started collecting protection money."
Ye Liuyun was silent for a moment before speaking:
"Take me to meet your uncle and aunt, I can help them with their treatment."
Wang Sheng suddenly looked up, staring intently at the dim sky, trying hard not to let the tears fall, his voice choked with emotion:
"They passed away. In order not to be a burden on my wife and me, they drank pesticide when I was not home. By the time we found out, it was too late. They said... the money for medical treatment could feed our children for many years, and we couldn't waste it on these two old bones of theirs."
Ye Liuyun's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the railing.
He had heard too many tragedies like this, where elders committed suicide so as not to burden their descendants. This heavy feeling made his chest tighten.
"I'm incompetent."
Wang Sheng continued, his tone full of self-deprecation:
"I've thought about it. I need to save money. If my wife and kids get sick in the future, I can't watch them drink pesticide. So… that's how I ended up like this."
Ye Liuyun turned his head, his gaze as sharp as a blade as he stared directly at Wang Sheng.
He really wanted to say:
"Do you still remember the rules of Dormitory 7?"
"To avoid being bullied, the students of Dormitory 7 united. You were the leader of Dormitory 7, to protect those poor children. But now, you've become the one bullying others?"
But he couldn't bring himself to say it; these words were simply easy for Wang Sheng to say without understanding the situation.
He was tongue-tied and didn't know what to say.
Wang Sheng clenched his fists, lowered his head in shame, and remained silent.
The two grown men tacitly chose to remain silent.
Poverty is also a terminal illness.
Loving Book So Far? Check Out 30+ Advanced Chapters At PA Treon
patreon.com/FictionOP
[end of the chapter]