manynovel Page 13
Page 13
The predicament she faces is far more complex than just heartbreak.
The Starfall Empire's royal marriage system and the Zhu family's shackles are all factors that need to be considered.
Should we advise her to cancel the engagement or leave the family?
That would only make her think that Jiang Yunzhou had ulterior motives, or even that he was taking advantage of her vulnerability.
These things can't be rushed; they require time and strength to resolve gradually.
Right now, the priority is to sever the ties between her and Dai Mubai, and at the very least, prevent them from deepening!
At the same time, give her a path that offers hope.
When she becomes strong enough, she will be able to say no to fate.
"After you eat, take a bath and get a good night's sleep. I'm uncomfortable looking at you so lifeless," Jiang Yunzhou broke the silence.
"Oh, by the way, remember to get up early tomorrow. I need your help with something."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing was pulled back from her thoughts. She looked up, a hint of confusion in her eyes: "Help?"
"Okay, I'll help."
Jiang Yunzhou met her gaze and said, "I'm planning to establish an academy and recruit disciples. You can come and lend a hand."
"Open, open an academy?" Zhu Zhuqing was stunned, wondering if she had misheard.
This leap seems a bit too big, doesn't it?
Jiang Yunzhou nodded in confirmation, "That's right. Since you haven't decided whether you want to be my apprentice, I'll have to find someone else first..."
These words were like a fine needle, piercing a hidden corner of Zhu Zhuqing's heart, bringing a sense of emptiness.
It was as if something she thought belonged to her was about to be taken away by someone else.
"No!" she blurted out urgently.
"Didn't you promise to give me three days to think it over? The time isn't up yet, why are you..."
She wanted to say, 'Why did you give up so easily?'
But he swallowed the words back, a sense of grievance written all over his face.
Before Jiang Yunzhou returned, she had been sitting for the entire afternoon, forcing herself to think calmly.
Their unexpected encounter, his rescue, and taking her to watch a play in the hotel lobby that afternoon—all seemingly coincidental, actually revealed a carefully calculated scheme.
Therefore, she remained wary of Jiang Yunzhou and dared not make a decision easily.
But deep down, a voice inside me is screaming: Say yes! You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you miss this opportunity.
So what exactly is she struggling with?
These next two days are the days when all the major Soul Master academies begin their enrollment process.
Jiang Yunzhou chose to bring up his plan to open the academy at this moment in order to make her make a choice under pressure!
Anyway, I've already watched the scene about Dai Mubai; it's the same whether it's one day or three days later.
"You do your thing, I'll run my college, and we won't have to do either."
The purpose of opening a college is, of course, to recruit students.
Suddenly, the image of the girl in the pink dress she had seen in the lobby earlier that day flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's mind!
Jiang Yunzhou even made a point of telling me to remember her!
His eyes immediately lit up with a different kind of interest, as if he were very interested.
A strange sense of crisis quietly rose up.
She looked up, her gaze filled with suspicion as she looked at Jiang Yunzhou.
It was as if they wanted to see through his handsome face and understand his true thoughts.
Silence filled the room, broken only by the soft breathing of the two people.
Zhu Zhuqing was torn between reason and intuition.
Finally, she took a deep breath and asked, "Can I...can I trust you?"
After asking the question, she breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help but mutter to herself: This bastard is such a jerk! He promised to give her three days to think it over, but every word he said was like he was pressuring her!
Jiang Yunzhou met her gaze, his eyes deep: "Of course."
"But whether you believe it or not, the choice is yours."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes casting shadows on her fair face, still weighing her options.
Putting aside his stinginess, there didn't seem to be anything about him that she couldn't accept.
But, opening an academy?
It requires funding, filing procedures, and qualification verification. Can he really get it done?
He's so stingy, is he really willing to spend this much money?
Jiang Yunzhou's lips curled into a sly smile. An academy? It's just a convenient name for taking on disciples.
You really want him to be the dean and handle those trivial matters? No way!
What he cared about was never an academy, but rather having nine personal disciples who could help him reach the pinnacle!
All his energy will be devoted to these nine people.
It's just using the name of an academy for convenience.
Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth secretly, and believed him because of his handsome face!
It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with becoming his disciple.
Jiang Yunzhou's strength speaks for itself; he's a genuine level 79 Soul Saint!
No matter how you look at it, you've gotten a great deal.
Just as she was about to blurt out, "I'm willing to become your disciple," something else occurred to her.
If I were to become his disciple, would our relationship be reduced to merely a formal master-disciple relationship?
Yet he is so persistent; it seems that all he wants is the identity of 'disciple'.
Ugh, this is really frustrating.
But if he doesn't become an apprentice, this young and powerful man might really do what he said: turn around and leave his world without hesitation.
Thinking about these things made her heart tighten for no reason.
She was suddenly struck by the fact that, in just one day and one night since they met, she had said more to him than she had in the previous months combined.
That instinctive wariness towards strangers had long since vanished before him.
It seemed that just seeing him and hearing his offbeat yet inexplicably comforting voice could bring a sliver of solace to her broken heart.
"Okay, I believe you."
Chapter 15 The System's Unparalleled Fortune for Zhu Zhuqing
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, made up her mind, and said clearly, "I, I am willing to become your disciple."
The decision has been made, but I still feel like I'm going to lose something.
She shook her head and sighed: Never mind, one shouldn't have it all.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunzhou was visibly taken aback, a hint of unexpected surprise flashing in his eyes.
He thought it would take more time, and he was even prepared to provoke her again tomorrow, but he didn't expect her to give him an answer right away!
I'm so happy! I'm absolutely thrilled!
He tried to suppress the upturned corners of his mouth and asked in a serious tone, "You're not lying to me? You mean it? It was voluntary?"
Zhu Zhuqing always keeps her word and never goes back on her decisions.
But seeing his expectant yet fearful expression, that little bit of unease in my heart resurfaced.
Did I agree too quickly?
"Of course, it's voluntary!"
She slightly raised her chin. "What? You think I'm playing with you?"
"No no no!"
Jiang Yunzhou quickly waved his hand, a bright smile spreading across his face. "I'm just so happy. I was afraid you weren't truly willing. As your teacher, I dislike forcing others..."
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Do you dislike forcing others?
How could he say such a thing? Who was it that kept pressing her, digging traps with every sentence, putting her on the spot, forcing her to make a statement so quickly?
She straightened her back, her curves alluring, and looked directly into Jiang Yunzhou's eyes, clearly declaring, "I, Zhu Zhuqing, voluntarily become Jiang Yunzhou's disciple. Is that alright?"
Jiang Yunzhou's smile deepened, and he toned down his cynicism somewhat.
His expression turned solemn, and he made a grasping motion with his right hand in front of him. A sword-leaf bracelet, shimmering with a warm, turquoise luster, appeared out of thin air in his palm.
The bracelet has a unique yet beautiful design, and its shimmering spiritual energy makes it clear that it is no ordinary item.
"Alright, my disciple is Zhu Zhuqing..."
"Since you sincerely wish to become my disciple, I will bestow upon you the token of my personal discipleship."
He handed the bracelet to Zhu Zhuqing, saying, "This bracelet is not only a token, but also a storage device with a storage space of one hundred cubic meters. You can take it."
Zhu Zhuqing was shocked to hear this. A storage device with a capacity of one hundred cubic meters?
Wanting to confirm, they were surprised to see Jiang Yunzhou looking so serious.
She subconsciously reached out her hand, and when her fingertips touched the warm, jade-like bracelet, a strange coolness spread from her fingertips.
This bracelet must be very valuable!
It's unbelievable that this stingy guy can be so generous at times.
"What are you waiting for? Put it on quickly," Jiang Yunzhou urged.