I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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Dai Chengfeng smiled and took a few steps forward, stopping at a subtle distance from Liu Erlong—neither too close to seem overly familiar nor too far to lose the ability to reach out to her.
His gaze fell on Liu Erlong's slightly trembling shoulders, his tone growing even gentler.
"From the look of you, you must be feeling extremely upset."
Dai Chengfeng paused, lowering his voice even further. "If you don't mind, why not tell me about it?"
"Perhaps speaking your mind will make you feel better."
"No… there's no need…"
At first, Liu Erlong actually felt a flicker of hesitation. After all, she truly felt wronged at this moment.
She had thought of Yu Xiaogang in every possible way, even going so far as to set aside matters at Lanba (Blue Tyrant) Academy to follow Dai Chengfeng to Spirit City, just to obtain the Soul-Forming Pill for him.
But what about Yu Xiaogang?
Not only did he fail to think of her, but he also secretly came to Spirit City to see that wretch Bibi Dong behind her back—and did so every single day.
What exactly did she mean to him?
In the end, however, Liu Erlong shook her head. She didn't want to expose her most vulnerable side to an outsider.
"No need?"
Dai Chengfeng paid no heed to Liu Erlong's refusal. "Liu Erlong, aren't we friends?"
"Between friends, listening to each other's troubles and sharing burdens is perfectly normal. Keeping all your anguish bottled up inside will only drive you mad. That's true torment."
At this point, Dai Chengfeng paused, observing Liu Erlong's reaction.
Seeing that she didn't immediately object this time, he understood that he was making progress. He continued in a gentle yet deeply penetrating low voice:
"As for…"
"Perhaps I can't offer any substantial help, but at the very least, my ears are free right now. Some things, if left unsaid, will weigh on your heart like a boulder. But speaking them aloud…"
"Even if it's just to a tree or the wind, you'll feel somewhat lighter."
"I can tell that this isn't your fault. So why should you bear all of this alone? You shouldn't punish yourself, right?"
Dai Chengfeng's simple yet deeply understanding words acted like a key, gently unlocking the tightly sealed doors of Liu Erlong's heart.
"That's right. This isn't my fault. Why should I punish myself?"
For a moment, the grievance, anger, pain of being ignored, and overwhelming sense of loss within her found an outlet.
Finally, Liu Erlong took a deep breath, turned to look at Dai Chengfeng, tears streaming down her beautiful face, her voice broken and trembling with emotion:
"I… I just don't understand!"
Liu Erlong almost growled, as if questioning someone who wasn't present. "How can someone be so selfish?! So willing to trample on another person's feelings! I did so much for him…"
Liu Erlong choked, unable to say the name. After all, whether it was her blood relationship with Yu Xiaogang or the master-disciple bond between Bibi Dong and Dai Chengfeng, these were matters best left unspoken.
Thus, she simply said, "I've done so much for that man!"
"Even putting aside everything at Lanba Academy, I followed you to Spirit City just to seek a glimmer of hope for him to break through!"
"But him?"
"Has he ever truly thought of me?"
"He'd rather… rather go see that… that woman who once cast him aside, ignoring me!"
"What does he even take me, Liu Erlong, for? A fool who comes and goes at his beck and call?!"
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng reflected inwardly, roughly grasping the crux of the conflict between Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang. "So that's how it is…"
Outwardly, however, he maintained a calm demeanor, quietly listening without interrupting.
Dai Chengfeng understood that Liu Erlong didn't need his judgment on Yu Xiaogang. She simply needed to vent.
Thus, his gaze remained fixed on Liu Erlong's tear-streaked face, his expression attentive.
At the same time, he naturally and considerately handed her a clean silk handkerchief.
"Thank you."
Liu Erlong accepted the handkerchief from Dai Chengfeng, gently wiping away her tears. Her large eyes looked at him, seeking affirmation.
"Dai Chengfeng, give me your opinion. Tell me, whose fault is this?!"
Dai Chengfeng sighed softly. "It's naturally his fault."
"But you're also at fault!"
"I'm at fault too?"
As Liu Erlong wiped her tears, her expression sorrowful and beautiful, she looked at Dai Chengfeng in confusion.
Dai Chengfeng smiled. "Yes, you're also at fault."
"To shed so many tears for someone who doesn't know how to cherish you, and even worse… someone whose character is questionable—is it worth it?"
Dai Chengfeng's voice was soft. "Your goodness, your sincerity—he doesn't deserve them."
"And you mistook a worthless pebble for a pearl while discarding a true gem like trash."
Dai Chengfeng made no attempt to defend "him" in any way, fully siding with Liu Erlong and greatly affirming and soothing her desperate need for validation.
His words seemed to carry a strange magic, making Liu Erlong feel that her anger and sadness were justified and understood.
For a moment, the accumulated grievances and pain in Liu Erlong's heart seemed to find a worthy outlet. Her suppressed sobs broke out again, and her shoulders trembled even more violently.
Just as Liu Erlong sank back into her sorrow, suddenly, Dai Chengfeng's ear twitched.
He heard hurried, stumbling footsteps approaching the secondary residence's gate.
"Someone's coming?"
Dai Chengfeng thought to himself, his invisible spiritual force rippling outward like water, sweeping over the high walls and dense foliage of the courtyard.
At the gate, Yu Tianheng was half-supporting, half-dragging Yu Xiaogang, staggering toward the entrance.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's complexion was ashen, his lips cracked and dry. The once-calm demeanor of a master was completely gone, replaced by an almost collapsing anxiety and disarray.
His sunken eyes were bloodshot, his breathing rapid and uneven, yet driven by a fierce determination that barely kept him standing.
Beside him, Yu Tianheng's brows were tightly knitted, his face openly displaying worry.
He firmly supported Yu Xiaogang's swaying body, his gaze anxiously sweeping over Yu Xiaogang's pale profile. His lips were pressed into a thin line, clearly uneasy about Yu Xiaogang's current state but unsure of what to do, leaving him to simply hold him up as best as he could.
After all, in Yu Tianheng's eyes, the fact that his aunt was with Dai Chengfeng was an ironclad reality.
What could his uncle possibly achieve by coming here?
Meanwhile, within the secondary residence, thanks to the feedback from his spiritual force, the scene outside the courtyard was crystal clear in Dai Chengfeng's mind. He instantly understood. "So it's Yu Xiaogang."
"Although in this world of Douluo Continent, where martial strength reigns supreme, people generally dislike playing intricate schemes, still… no one is a fool!"
"Clearly, neither Yu Xiaogang nor Liu Erlong will behave like characters from TV dramas of my past life, where misunderstandings turn everyone into mutes."
"But still…"
"I happen to love 'helping' others!"
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