Chapter 246: Chapter 231: In Your Eyes, I See No Trace of Love for Me
"Could we have a word in private?"
Chen Zhixing raised an eyebrow and then casually replied, "I have no objections, as long as your Dao companion agrees."
Xu Qingzhou nodded, looked at Zhang Wanyi nearby, and said softly:
"Wanyi, I have some things to discuss with the Third Young Master, wait for me here."
Zhang Wanyi hesitated at her words, wanting to stop her. After all, what could be so secretive as to need a private conversation? Am I not allowed to listen?
However, as the words came to his lips—
He was afraid of seeming petty, so he nodded and forced a smile, saying:
"Go ahead."
"I’ll be back soon."
Xu Qingzhou smiled at Zhang Wanyi and then walked off with Chen Zhixing.
The two walked side by side on the cobblestone path of the Qianyang Academy, the scent of gardenias filling the air.
"Third Young Master, the miracles of life are truly endless. Two years ago, who could have imagined you achieving what you have now?" Xu Qingzhou’s eyes revealed a look of reminiscence, and she sighed with emotion.
"Isn’t life exciting precisely because of its uncertainties?"
Chen Zhixing smiled and said.
"Indeed."
Xu Qingzhou returned his smile.
The two passed through corridors of carved railings and jade inlays, eventually reaching a large lake.
A line of black birds flew over the surface of the lake, creating a long ripple.
"Third Young Master, I’ve had a question in my heart for the past two years, seeking an answer. Can you tell me?"
"Go ahead."
Chen Zhixing nodded.
"What exactly happened to Ning Changyu when he mysteriously disappeared back then..." Xu Qingzhou looked at Chen Zhixing.
Before Xu Qingzhou could finish speaking—
Chen Zhixing calmly said, "He died. I killed him."
Hearing this, Xu Qingzhou was momentarily stunned, then nodded knowingly.
She had actually known the answer to this question in her heart for a long time.
But today, getting Chen Zhixing’s confirmation allowed her to completely let go of the past.
She had originally thought that the moment she got the answer, she would become emotionally unstable.
However, she found herself even calmer than she had imagined.
"Perhaps when he planned to send me away, I had already let go completely," Xu Qingzhou murmured to herself.
Chen Zhixing casually grabbed a bag of fish food from the corridor railing and tossed it into the lake, causing a scene of thousands of koi churning.
"Miss Xu, did you come alone just to discuss this matter?"
Chen Zhixing said lightly.
"Of course not."
Xu Qingzhou brushed aside a lock of hair, tucking it behind her ear, then stepped closer and whispered:
"Third Young Master, are you aware of the Embers?"
"Embers?"
In an instant, a flash passed through Chen Zhixing’s eyes.
Xu Qingzhou said gravely, "Two years ago, I killed a demon from Yunzhou. Since then, the Demon Faction of Yunzhou has been causing me trouble in secret."
"Recently, I secretly destroyed a gathering point of the Demon Faction, where I found a piece of intelligence."
"During the East Profound Domain competition, the organization called Embers plans to cause an upheaval and kill the prodigies!"
"And their primary target is... you!"
Chen Zhixing remained silent upon hearing this, a shadow passing in his eyes.
He had wondered why the Embers Organization hadn’t made a move on him in the past two years.
Turns out they were plotting the East Profound Domain competition?
Just think.
The East Profound Domain competition gathers the top prodigies from the entire domain.
If these prodigies were killed by the Embers Organization and transformed into vessels for the reincarnations of ancient powerhouses—
Who knows what terrifying existence could emerge?
"Third Young Master?"
Xu Qingzhou’s soft call pulled Chen Zhixing back from his thoughts.
"Understood, thank you."
Chen Zhixing smiled at Xu Qingzhou.
"Well, as long as the Third Young Master is aware, just be more prepared."
Xu Qingzhou smiled slightly and then, as if remembering something, spoke with a bit of embarrassment:
"Oh right, Third Young Master, there’s one more thing..."
Chen Zhixing saw the implication in Xu Qingzhou’s words and asked, "Are you referring to the proposal affair?"
"Indeed!"
When she heard Chen Zhixing take the initiative to mention it, Xu Qingzhou, who was unsure how to broach the topic, felt a slight relief.
"My grandmother meddled in matchmaking, causing trouble for the Third Young Master. I’m truly sorry."
"The Third Young Master is a world-shattering genius, a peerless prodigy of the ages, backed by two top-tier Daoist traditions. From every perspective, I am miles apart from the Third Young Master, and we are likely ill-suited for each other..."
"Also, I have no intention of becoming a concubine, so truly..."
"I’m sorry, Third Young Master, you are excellent, so excellent you’re like the dazzling sun in the sky, but we... are not meant to be."
Like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, Xu Qingzhou quickly expressed what was on her mind.
She then lowered her head, afraid to look at Chen Zhixing.
Hearing this, Chen Zhixing was slightly taken aback.
He had guessed that Xu Qingzhou would do this.
Xu Qingzhou was always a woman very clear about her life’s planning and very aware of her own self.
She knew very well that if she truly married into the Ziwei Chen Family, she would merely be a tool for Chen Zhixing to continue the family line.
And that...
was not the life she wanted.
Chen Zhixing could understand.
There are all sorts of people in this world.
In life, everyone lives their own way.
He was not arrogant or naive to think that every woman in this world must marry him.
Not everyone is vain, and not every woman wants to marry into a powerful family with overwhelming influence.
Choosing the life one wants to live is a right everyone has.
Moreover.
Xu Qingzhou’s words also gave Chen Zhixing a sense of relief, perfectly aligning with his own desires.
He harbored no romantic feelings for Xu Qingzhou.
Especially when he truly looked at her, even if he forced himself to imagine life with her as a Dao companion—
The face that appeared in his mind was Moo Yuemei’s instead.
This made Chen Zhixing completely realize.
If he and Xu Qingzhou were forcibly bound together, they would slowly drift apart.
Chen Zhixing found it somewhat amusing.
Did he just get the "good person card"?
"Third Young Master..."
Taking a deep breath, Xu Qingzhou lifted her head, summoning the courage to look at Chen Zhixing.
"Most importantly, in your eyes, I see not a trace of affection for me." She spoke her final piece with complete candor.
"So, rather than force something where we end up strangers, it’s better not to start at all."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhixing just gently nodded, "Alright."
"Thank you."
Xu Qingzhou gave Chen Zhixing a deep bow and then walked toward Zhang Wanyi.
Her steps light, her smile blossoming like a flower, as if the heavy weight in her heart had fallen away.
Whether it’s the Longevity Family or the peerless prodigy—
Everything others seek and desire but cannot attain, she can abandon easily.
This life, she wants only Zhang Wanyi!
...
...
Chen Zhixing looked at Xu Qingzhou’s departing figure, shaking his head slightly.
Xu Qingzhou was a good girl, it’s just a pity that.....
He had already discerned the meaning behind Xu Qingzhou’s words.
A typical phoenix male fate.
If Xu Qingzhou could continue holding him down, it might be fine for now.
But if his repressed nature suddenly expands into arrogant audacity when he finds success, becoming overbearing and condescending—
I fear Xu Qingzhou will not have a good ending.
Of course.
None of this has anything to do with him.
He wouldn’t be foolish enough to sully his own reputation with petty slander just because they couldn’t unite.
"Autumn has arrived."
A wisp of autumn breeze lifted Chen Zhixing’s hair as he walked away.
The world is vast, but for one man, it was a solitary journey.