Chapter 223
Let's follow along and see what the Third Prince is up to!
Lin Xia felt the coldness of her fingertips and the slight trembling, and sensed the deep fear and relief of surviving a disaster in her words.
He felt a surge of pity, and all his teasing disappeared; his gaze became incredibly gentle yet firm.
He reached out his other hand and gently, lovingly brushed away a strand of her hair that had been ruffled by the wind, his movements as tender as if he were touching a rare treasure.
"Yes, Zhu Qing."
Lin Xia's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an undeniable promise and a reassuring magic.
“It will never happen again. You will no longer have to bear the heavy shackles of that marriage contract, nor will you have to pay the price for his stupidity and cowardice, nor will you have to live in fear of being abandoned or erased at any time.”
He leaned slightly forward, his deep gaze piercing into the depths of Zhu Zhuqing's watery eyes, and said clearly, word by word:
"You will soon be able to sit down with your sister Zhu Zhuyun, your father Zhu family patriarch, and even Emperor Dai Tianxing of Xingluo, and have a calm and peaceful conversation."
Zhu Zhuqing's body jolted violently, and the ice in her eyes seemed to crack open instantly, revealing an unbelievable light.
"Sit down together...and have a calm and peaceful talk?"
She murmured the same words over and over, her voice as soft as a dream.
This scene was once so unattainable for her, like a fairy tale.
Lin Xia's words were like a warm key, unlocking the deepest longing in her heart—the longing for family affection, the warmth of home, equal dialogue, and respect.
The anger and coldness in her eyes receded like the tide, replaced by a complex light that mixed with vulnerability, hope, and uncertainty.
Deep within that light lies a little girl's longing for "home," a yearning for her father to acknowledge her existence, and a desire to break the curse between her and her sister that is one of life and death.
Lin Xia clearly caught the fleeting tenderness and longing in her eyes, and his conviction that he had chosen the right path grew stronger. He tightened his grip on her hand, conveying his unwavering confidence.
"Yes, Zhu Qing."
His voice was more resolute, carrying a sense of confidence that he was in control of the situation.
"Not as Dai Mubai's fiancée, not as a vassal of the Star Luo royal family, but as yourself—Zhu Zhuqing!"
"As the most trusted and most important partner of Lin Xia, the city lord of Gengjin City!"
"In the face of this identity, whether it is the head of the Zhu family or the emperor of Xingluo, you need to be given the respect you deserve and the right to have an equal dialogue."
"This annulment of the engagement is not a humble plea, but an equal declaration."
Zhu Zhuqing listened quietly, her eyelashes trembling slightly, as if she could feel the power and warmth contained in Lin Xia's words, a power that could melt everything.
That warm current dispelled the disgust and coldness she felt upon witnessing Dai Mubai, and also calmed the turmoil in her heart.
The tears in her eyes did not fall, but instead transformed into a more resilient and brighter light.
She took a deep breath, as if she wanted to inhale all the strength and courage that Lin Xia had given her.
She straightened her back, and the cold arrogance belonging to the Netherworld Cat Martial Soul returned, but with an unprecedented confidence born from Lin Xia.
She looked at Lin Xia and nodded forcefully and earnestly. Her voice, though still cold, contained an unwavering firmness and complete trust.
"Yes! Brother Lin Xia, I believe in you! I believe we can do it!"
She paused, then turned her gaze back to the direction where Dai Mubai had disappeared, her eyes now clear and calm, without the slightest ripple.
"Perhaps...that day really will come. I'll be able to have a proper talk with my sister...and my father."
Lin Xia smiled with relief and gently squeezed Zhu Zhuqing's hand. "Then, let's follow him and see what the Third Prince is up to!"
As Lin Xia finished speaking, she took Zhu Zhuqing's soft yet slightly cool hand and stepped steadily into the lobby of the Rose Hotel, which was filled with the rich fragrance of flowers and perfume.
Upon entering, the dramatic scene of conflict unfolded before their eyes like a scroll painting.
Dai Mubai stood arrogantly at the front desk, arms crossed, a cold smile playing on his lips. His sinister eyes looked down at the pale-faced young waiter behind the counter.
His voice, carrying an undeniable arrogance, echoed clearly in the lobby:
"Are you new here?"
The waiter was so overwhelmed by that gaze and aura that he could barely breathe. He nodded subconsciously, his throat feeling blocked, and he could only make a muffled "uh".
Dai Mubai's sneer intensified, tinged with understanding and disdain.
"No wonder. Why did you give my room to someone else?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "my," revealing the familiarity in his words.
Clearly, this wasn't his first time visiting, nor was it his first time enjoying that particular romantic suite.
The waiter was completely dumbfounded, looking helplessly at Dai Mubai, then at Tang San with a gloomy face and Xiao Wu with an angry expression like a cat with its fur standing on end. His mind went blank, and he had no idea how to handle the situation. He could only stammer.
"I...I'll go get the manager!"
After saying that, he practically tumbled and crawled towards the back office area.
The moment the waiter turned around, Tang San's eyes turned completely gloomy.
The room he booked, and the considerate waiter even hinted that he could arrange for him and his beloved Xiao Wu to share a room—was it all about to be snatched away by this arrogant, domineering blond man with a single, nonchalant remark?!
A surge of anger, stemming from feeling slighted, insulted, and outmaneuvered, suddenly erupted.
When has Tang San ever suffered such humiliation?
Especially when it comes to things related to Xiao Wu!
"Brother."
Tang San's voice, deliberately lowered, yet carrying a sharp and cold tone, rang out clearly, interrupting Dai Mubai's imposing manner.
"It seems we arrived first."
Dai Mubai didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, as if Tang San were just a buzzing fly. His tone was extremely contemptuous, revealing his inherent arrogance and disregard.
"So what?"
Those five light words were like adding fuel to the fire!
At that tense moment, a glint flashed in Lin Xia's eyes from the corner.
His movements were extremely natural and fluid. Using the slight side of his body to shield himself from Zhu Zhuqing's hand, his other hand seemed to casually brush across his chest, and a faint, almost imperceptible fluctuation of soul power flashed by at his fingertips.
A dark gold button, about the size of a button, was cleverly attached to the inside of his shirt.
This is one of the top-secret achievements of the Gengjincheng Communications Research Institute—a portable, high-precision image-recording soul guide!
Its core soul power sensing crystal can silently capture surrounding images and sounds.
Lin Xia's actions were lightning fast, completed in an instant.
The soul-guided device's camera was discreetly aimed at the heart of the conflict, clearly capturing Dai Mubai's arrogant demeanor, Tang San's gloomy face, Xiao Wu's anger, and the two flamboyant twin sisters beside Dai Mubai, who were covering their mouths and secretly laughing as they watched the scene unfold. (End of Chapter)