Chapter Seventy-three: Xia Mi, You Don’t Want To…

"Eh?" Watching Xia Mi's emotions surge and shift, a pure and bright smile slowly appeared on Lu Mingfei's face—like a pristine lotus blossom, unsullied by the mud around it. Even when faced with Xia Mi's malice, he was still willing to meet her with a smile.

Chu Zihang looked at his calm junior and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Though he might once have done things to wrong Xia Mi, now he was simply Lu Mingfei, an ordinary high school student.

He was a kind person.

But to Xia Mi, that smile seemed anything but innocent and friendly.

In her eyes, Lu Mingfei was like a devil returned from hell. Even with victory within his grasp, he insisted on wearing a mask of purity, never revealing a single flaw for her to exploit.

Damn, I wish I could record this too.

But I never had the chance.

She clenched her fists in frustration and let out a long, deep sigh. As she walked, she glanced at Lu Mingfei and Chu Zihang beside her, her heart growing ever more entangled.

Though Lu Mingfei hadn't sent any more messages or threatened her further, she was already drenched in cold sweat. If there was one thing she knew about him, it was that he would never let her off so easily—just as he hadn't let go of that dragon bone before.

Sigh...

She sighed again, her gaze drifting unconsciously to Chu Zihang at her side. He wore the same impassive expression as always, as if nothing in the world could move him. But Xia Mi knew she could change his expression with just a little effort.

It was so much fun!

If not for him, if not for him, I would have already reclaimed my dragon bone! I wouldn't have even given it away to begin with!

"Xia Mi."

Chu Zihang gently patted her on the back, a trace of warmth flickering across his usually stoic face. He seemed to want to comfort her, but was at a loss for words—his awkward concern was all the more touching for its clumsiness.

"Hmm?"

Xia Mi's eyes dodged his for a moment, thinking: The situation may be a little awkward right now, but Chu Zihang really is good to me. He even takes the initiative to comfort me. I’m actually quite lucky.

And if only Lu Mingfei would just hurry up and die, I’d be even happier. That guy is such a pain~

She slowly lifted her head, her clear and bright eyes meeting Chu Zihang’s concerned gaze. The sense of collapse that had threatened to overwhelm her eased, and a smile unconsciously crept back onto her face.

Having him by my side... it’s wonderful!

"Lu Mingfei is actually a really good person."

Chu Zihang’s voice was soft and low, his expression solemn, his tone earnest. This was the result of his long observation, and words that came truly from the heart.

Xia Mi’s smile froze. She glanced at Chu Zihang and forced a laugh. "Heh."

She was like a white dandelion, her touched little seeds blown sky-high, leaving only a trembling stalk swaying alone in the wind.

After hearing the first sentence, she wanted nothing more than to tune out the rest. Did she not know what kind of person Lu Mingfei was? He might look like a delicate cherry blossom, but in truth he was a poisonous poppy—stunningly beautiful on the outside, but hiding deadly danger within.

"Uh..."

Seeing her stiff, forced smile, Chu Zihang felt awkward and said nothing more. He could only glance back at Lu Mingfei and offer a look of apology.

That was as much as he could manage—even a little more was impossible.

It’s fine.

Lu Mingfei mouthed the words silently, his eyes conveying reassurance to his senior.

Chu Zihang felt a little better.

Off to one side, Xia Mi watched the two silently communicate, her face darkening by degrees. Honestly, she was almost tempted to just cut Chu Zihang down along with Lu Mingfei.

Who are these people, really? I give up!

"Ping~"

Shortly after, the sound of a text message notification rang out. Xia Mi sucked in a cold breath and picked up her phone with a pained expression, her eyes flickering over to Lu Mingfei like an old lady anxiously watching a subway pickpocket.

She really didn’t want to look, but Lu Mingfei had leverage over her, so she had no choice. If she ignored him, he’d just send that thing straight to Chu Zihang, and then she’d really blow up. If Chu Zihang ever started to hate her, then Xia Mi...

Sigh, what can I do? I have to read it!

Lu Mingfei: Miss Yermengarde, you wouldn’t want Senior Chu Zihang to see this side of you, would you?

Hiss...

Xia Mi instantly put her phone down, staring up at the sky as she took a deep breath. Her mindset felt about ready to explode. That familiar tone reminded her of a certain action film she’d once watched somewhere, one she’d studied in advance for practical experience with a certain someone—after all, she always liked to take the lead.

Who would have thought...

Who would have thought she’d find herself in this kind of plot!

She whipped around to glare at Lu Mingfei, her expression a mix of hatred, anger, grief, and resolve, her eyes burning with undisguised murderous intent—a clear warning.

"Eh?"

Lu Mingfei only kept smiling, his expression unchanged by her warnings, as if purity was simply his nature—unchangeable, regardless of circumstances.

Oh, purely black-hearted! Too pure!

"Hoo..."

Xia Mi took a deep breath and quickly typed back: Delete the video and we’ll leave each other alone from now on.

Lu Mingfei: No way. If I delete it now, how am I supposed to threaten you in the future?

In the future?

You want to blackmail me in the future too?

And you just say it outright?

I’ve never seen someone so shameless!

Xia Mi clenched her fists, her teeth grinding audibly, and glared at Lu Mingfei like a tigress ready to devour him.

"Senior~"

Lu Mingfei turned to Chu Zihang, putting on a pitiful expression full of helplessness, as if he was afraid simply because he didn’t dare strike his senior’s girlfriend.

"Ahem, Xia Mi, don’t be like this," Chu Zihang advised helplessly.

Xia Mi slowly typed a question mark, staring blankly at Chu Zihang and then at Lu Mingfei’s resigned smile. The rage in her heart flared to its peak, but she couldn’t let it explode.

She was like a boiling kettle, cheeks flushed, letting out a furious bubbling sound.

"Xia Mi, I know you have a grudge against him, but he’s no longer the King of the Seas and Water, Neuvillette. He’s just Lu Mingfei now." Chu Zihang patted her on the shoulder again, trying to comfort her.

In the midst of her fury, Xia Mi suddenly realized something. She quickly lifted her head and fixed Lu Mingfei with a piercing stare. "Wait a minute—if you haven’t regained your memories, how do you know you’re Neuvillette? How do you know Chu Zihang is Constantine? How are you so sure Old Tang is Norton? Isn’t that a little too much of a coincidence?"

Lu Mingfei’s smile froze.

Lu Mingze’s smile blossomed.

(End of chapter)