Chapter 274: Feeling Backstabbed
Ever since the incident involving Feng Yi a week ago allowed Qi Han to gain a story related to gourmet food, he had specifically instructed Fu Ya to notify him immediately if she noticed any patrons in the restaurant showing similar emotional anomalies.
Although this approach somewhat resembled "waiting for the rabbit," Qi Han had no better alternatives.
After all, he couldn't go around asking people, "Do you have a story to share?"
That would be way too embarrassing.
So, when the girl sitting across from Mo Qi and Yan Xi suddenly started crying, Fu Ya, noticing the situation, promptly informed Qi Han.
By the time Qi Han rushed over after finishing his work, the girl was already lying face down on the table, sobbing more audibly.
Well…
To avoid disturbing their meal, Mo Qi and Yan Xi, with Fu Ya's help, had moved their food to another table. However, their attention was clearly still on the commotion, as they ate while frequently glancing in the direction of the crying girl.
Before Qi Han arrived, Mo Qi and Yan Xi had tried to ask what was wrong, but no matter how they inquired, the girl remained silent, sobbing into her arms, while the boy next to her sighed quietly.
"Excuse me, may I ask what's going on?"
As he spoke, Qi Han observed the two individuals. The boy had a bundle placed in front of him that quickly caught Qi Han's attention. A corner of the bundle revealed a sleeve of a red uniform, which bore the insignia of Shrek Academy.
A red Shrek Academy uniform.
This was a special uniform only worn by students in the inner court.
Strange, Qi Han thought. He had no memory of this boy. Was he also an inner-court student of Shrek?
Doubts surfaced in Qi Han's mind.
"Hello, Boss Qi." Although Qi Han didn't recognize the boy, the boy's expression suggested he knew Qi Han. With an apologetic smile, the boy spoke softly, "I'm sorry if we've disrupted your business."
"Not at all," Qi Han replied decisively, shaking his head.
If anything, he was a little excited.
After all, this couple clearly had a story to tell.
"But… could you tell me what happened?" Qi Han's expression was sincere. "I'd be happy to help my customers resolve their troubles if I can."
"Well…" The boy glanced at the sobbing girl beside him, whose cries had softened but who still wouldn't lift her head. He sighed and began to speak.
"My name is Song Qiluo, and this is my…" He paused as he looked at the girl next to him. "Girlfriend, Yan Ling."
Everyone's attention was focused on Song Qiluo. No one noticed the slight tremble in Yan Ling's delicate frame when she heard the words "girlfriend."
Oblivious to her reaction, Song Qiluo continued.
"Yan Ling and I have been together for six years now. We're from the same hometown and grew up together. We're of similar age and trained at the same primary spirit master academy after awakening our martial spirits. Later, we attended the same intermediate spirit master academy. You could say… we're childhood sweethearts."
"My innate spirit power was higher, so my spirit power level has always surpassed Yan Ling's, and my strength has always been greater." Song Qiluo paused before continuing.
"Our small village didn't have many children our age who had the talent to become spirit masters. In our year, only the two of us had the potential. When we were sent to the primary spirit master academy, I still remember the village chief telling us to look out for each other as we ventured out."
"When I was a kid, I was very obedient. Because of the chief's words, I always protected Yan Ling. No one could bully her." Song Qiluo glanced at Yan Ling, who was still lying on the table, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "But as we grew up and spent so much time together, it was inevitable that feelings developed between us. By the time we entered the intermediate spirit master academy, we were already together."
"Back then, we were only about ten years old. We didn't really understand what being in a relationship meant. We just clumsily imitated the older kids." He gave a bitter laugh. "By the time we were twelve, my spirit power had reached level 27. With that level, it wasn't hard for me to get into Shrek Academy. But Yan Ling's spirit power was only level 18 at the time, making it much harder for her to get in."
"Although the admission threshold for Shrek Academy had changed from requiring level 20 spirit power before the age of twelve to level 15, meeting the requirement was just the basic qualification. It didn't guarantee entry." Song Qiluo let out a bitter chuckle. "This is the best spirit master academy on the continent. Every year, countless young spirit masters from all over the land come here to compete for a spot."
"The competition is fierce."
"Even though Yan Ling insisted on accompanying me to take the Shrek Academy entrance exam, in the end…" Song Qiluo glanced at the girl beside him with a pained expression. "Yan Ling didn't make it, while I was accepted."
"To be honest…" Song Qiluo smiled wryly. "In that moment of youthful impulsiveness, I even considered giving up Shrek Academy to stay with Yan Ling…"
"Finally, it was Yan Ling who stopped me," Song Qiluo shook his head. "She was so considerate, even back then."
"With a spirit power of level 18 at the age of twelve, getting into Shrek Academy was incredibly difficult. However, entering other schools wasn't as challenging. Yan Ling chose Tiancang Academy, which was closer to home. For the next six years, we were separated most of the time."
Tiancang Academy…
Qi Han blinked. He vaguely remembered this school. Its predecessor was a prestigious spirit master academy named Blue Sunshine Academy, which had merged with several other advanced spirit master academies over time. After many ups and downs, it had become a reputable institution.
During the Advanced Spirit Master Academy Fighting Tournament held in Star Luo City, this academy had even made it to the top eight.
"The competition in advanced spirit master academies is intense. Although we reunited during school holidays, we rarely had opportunities to meet during the school term," Song Qiluo continued, a trace of bitterness flashing in his eyes. "We could only exchange letters to update each other about our lives and express our longing. It was such a tormenting way to maintain a relationship."
"At Shrek Academy, the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival is held annually on Sea God Lake. The day after the event, the inner court admissions take place," Song Qiluo gestured toward the bundle on the table. "I was lucky enough to be admitted to the inner court today. But right now, I can't feel happy at all."
"Because… this is the last day Yan Ling and I will be together as a couple."
The other diners, who had been intently listening to Song Qiluo's story, suddenly looked at him with expressions of disbelief.
Even Qi Han felt a twinge of unease in his heart.
What was this?
The Douluo Continent version of an unfaithful lover leaving his partner after gaining success?
Was he planning to break up with Yan Ling right after being admitted to the inner court?
However, Qi Han refrained from passing judgment. These were just his assumptions, and the truth hadn't been revealed yet.
Before Qi Han could speak, Yan Xi, whose fiery temper was well-known, couldn't hold back any longer. She abruptly stood up, glaring angrily at Song Qiluo. "You scumbag! Yan Ling has supported you for so many years, and now that you've made it into the inner court, you're already thinking of dumping her? Are you even human?"
Song Qiluo smiled wryly. Before he could respond, Yan Ling, who had been silently crying, suddenly raised her head. Her delicate face, streaked with tears, resembled a rain-drenched pear blossom. Although her bright eyes were slightly swollen from crying, they stared earnestly at Yan Xi.
"You can't talk about Qiluo like that. He's not that kind of person!"
Huh?
Yan Xi was stunned. She hadn't expected that the first person to oppose her standing up for Yan Ling would be Yan Ling herself.
Talk about being stabbed in the back.
The other diners also exchanged puzzled looks.
Was there more to this story?
Qi Han blinked, sensing that things weren't as simple as they seemed.
"Because…" Two streams of tears slid down Yan Ling's cheeks.
"I was the one who proposed breaking up."
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