Chapter Fifty-One: A New Beginning (I)

  "I'm a bastard, growing up under the cold eyes of neighbors and outsiders until my brother fell ill and I had the chance to appear in public, I am my mother's shame, a lifelong shame..."

  "I am cautious and gentle, I fear offending the nobles, but what I fear more is that everything I have now is just a fleeting dream, like Ling'er appearing before me..."

  "You are beautiful and unique, you are like a bright fire that has been burning my whole body from the start, making me feel scorching hot, and also giving me a feeling that I will get hurt if I touch it, so at first I thought we were not on the same path."

  "I chose Xing Xin Yu as my girlfriend simply because she can help me, help me solidify my position in the family. In fact, I know she's not a kind and gentle woman, and I'm actually glad about that, because this way we're on the same path. I'm using her, which is only natural, and we'll only be lovers in name."

  Yi Zheyu's voice was neither fast nor slow, but before he could say a word, his chest heaved violently, as if he was using all his strength to speak.

  "Ling, can you forgive me? Let's start over."

  Yi Zheyu thought of Huo Ling'er's recent family affairs and felt a despicable sense of relief in his heart, relieved that he could still use the identity of the Guardian to protect Huo Ling'er, who was also a fragile girl at this moment and would not make him feel inferior.

  Huolinger slowly raised her head and resolutely hid out of Yizheyu's arms, saying "I forgive you."

  "Really? Ling'er, are you really willing to forgive me?"

  Yì Zhé Yǔ tightly grasped Huǒ Líng ér's hand.

  Yi Zheyu's agitation caused Huo Ling'er to furrow her brow, and she roughly pulled her hand out of Yi Zheyu's palm. "Forgiveness doesn't mean we can be friends. No matter what your intentions are, you're now Xing Xin Yu's boyfriend. You shouldn't be thinking about repeating the mistakes you've made."

  "Why? Ling'er, are you jealous?"

  Yi Zhe Yu almost shouted out loud, he couldn't believe that his sincerity would lead to this outcome, and he didn't expect Huo Ling Er to be so ruthless.

  "Yi Zhe Yu, if you remember what I said to you, you should know that I'm a pseudo princess who yearns to be a shrine maiden. I don't covet wealth that can rival nations, nor do I covet an unparalleled beauty, and even more so, I don't covet the highest power. Just like how I chose you, not for your status, not for your good looks, but because of your warm and heartwarming smile."

  "But my liking for you is not pure, what I want is the missing piece in my family, which you have no right to give me, and I cannot get it from your pretended gentleness. So we must correct this mistake and stop deceiving each other."

  Huolinger took a few steps back, her eyebrows and eyes were clear and bright, her attitude was not as provocative as Wing Zhe Yu's, but rather calm and peaceful like a lotus flower standing tall in the distance of a river, beautiful yet untouchable. It could be seen that she was very calm at this moment.

  "Ling, is it okay to just take back what you like? Everyone makes mistakes. Since you like my gentle side, I'll always be gentle in front of you. I'll give you everything you want and won't let anyone bully you at Anqiya Academy. Can you believe me again?"

  "It's no good because it's unnecessary."

  Huǒ Líng'ér ignored Zī Yuè's excitement and turned around to walk back.

  "Huo Ling'er, you will regret this. You don't understand what a student without money or influence will face in the academy. Without the protection of a high-ranking student, the academy is a personal hell for you."

  Yi Zheyu's eyes turned bright red with excitement, and he couldn't care about his last disguise anymore.

  Huǒ Líng'er lightly laughed, her smile dispelling the last of her weakness. She took a step forward, looking ahead, not fearing yesterday's glory nor tomorrow's beginning.