Chapter 376

Chapter 376: How Dare You!

“Since that year passed, have you been well?”

When Zhu Cici’s words fell silent, everyone bowed their heads and quietly ate their meal, not a single soul daring to utter another word.

While Ling Bisheng harbored feelings for Zhu Cici, the others, though they found her attractive, admired her beauty only at a surface level—far from the depths of “love.”

Thus, when Zhu Cici spoke these words, it was only Ling Bisheng who felt a pang in his heart. Despite Zhu Cici always keeping him at arm’s length and outright rejecting his confessions, they shared no real connection, not even amounting to heartbreak.

But now, Ling Bisheng wanted nothing more than to drink himself into oblivion, drowning his sorrows in a haze of intoxication.

The pain—it was unbearable!

Ling Bisheng had expected to lose, but never imagined losing so completely. The other man hadn’t even said a word, merely appearing before Zhu Cici, and yet her entire being seemed lost in him.

As for the others, they felt utterly redundant. They shouldn’t be at the table; they should be beneath it. And somehow, the air in the private room seemed thick with the sour scent of unrequited love.

“I’ve been fine,” Ming nodded, replying. “Not long after you left that year, I went to the Blood Floating Pagoda. I remember writing to you then, Cici, you know that.”

Zhu Cici nodded, recalling the poem Ming had once written to her, her cheeks reddening further.

Zhu Cici gazed at Ming with concern. “Isn’t Blood Floating Pagoda very arduous?”

Ming nodded. “It’s bearable. In Wu Kingdom’s Blood Floating Pagoda, everyone risks their necks daily. Just surviving is a stroke of luck, so the hardship doesn’t matter much. The tougher the training, the higher your chances of survival when facing dire straits.”

Zhu Cici tightly pressed her lips, imagining all the life-and-death situations Ming must have endured at Blood Floating Pagoda, feeling sorrow for him.

“And you, Cici? I heard you went to White Deer Academy and became the Dean’s personal disciple.” Ming asked, “Have these years treated you well?”

“Hmm…”

Zhu Cici nodded, her bashful expression resembling a maiden during an arranged meeting, already smitten at first sight.

“I’ve adapted well to academy life. My seniors treat me kindly, and my teachers are very considerate. Even when I’m capricious, they tolerate my little tantrums.”

“Not only that, after Cici grew up, countless proposals came her way, but she rejected them all! She even placed…!”

Just as Yu Wen Xi began speaking, Miao Feng stepped on his foot hard.

Yu Wen Xi gasped, looking at Miao Feng in confusion, as if asking, “Why did you step on me? What did I do wrong?”

Miao Feng gritted his teeth and whispered fiercely, “If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute!”

Yu Wen Xi: “…”

“As long as you’re doing well, that’s fine.” Ming acted as if he hadn’t heard Yu Wen Xi’s words. “Back then, the first time I met you, you were so small.”

Zhu Cici pouted unhappily. “I’m two years older than you!”

Ming looked at Zhu Cici’s slightly stubborn expression and couldn’t help but smile. “That’s true.”

“But even back then, I couldn’t imagine Miss Zhu growing up to be so elegant.” Ming praised. Hearing his praise, Zhu Cici’s face turned even redder, and she shyly took a sip of wine.

Everyone watching Zhu Cici couldn’t help but feel something.

There were certainly no shortage of people praising Zhu Cici, men and women alike, almost everyone who saw her was amazed by her striking appearance.

Yet Zhu Cici always smiled confidently and calmly at such compliments, without much reaction.

But now, just a casual compliment from Ming made Zhu Cici blush.

What else could this be but affection?

“Did… did the princess of your Wu Kingdom not come?” Zhu Cici asked, her pale, slender fingers nervously twisting under the table.

Hearing Zhu Cici mention her rival, those present originally dared not speak, now didn’t even dare breathe loudly.

They wanted to find an excuse to leave.

But still, they really wanted to hear how Ming would respond next.

“The princess has matters at the Imperial Court, so she didn’t come.” Ming explained briefly, not saying much more.

“How… how did you meet the princess?” Zhu Cici raised her head timidly, looking at Ming.

They could even feel Zhu Cici’s breathing quicken due to nervousness.

“This… it’s a long story. Back when I was at Blood Floating Pagoda, I met some brothers. One of them was the princess, disguised as a man to train there. It wasn’t until we left Blood Floating Pagoda that I discovered she was the princess of Wu Kingdom.” Ming summarized quickly.

“What kind of girl is she?” Zhu Cici continued questioning.

“Uh…” After pondering, Ming described, “She appears aloof but is actually very caring towards others, a bit reckless and somewhat clumsy, but extremely dependable in critical moments. She’s also an incredibly skilled martial artist. If anyone can blaze new trails in the path of martial arts, I believe it’s her.”

“…”

Listening to Ming’s words, everyone was dumbfounded.

Dude! You’re praising another girl right in front of this one!

Even if what you say is true, you shouldn’t say it! How dare you!