"Be more careful next time," Xu Tian said gently as he released her slender waist. "If I hadn't been here, you might have fallen."
"You don't seem to have much practical combat experience. Don't you usually train with sparring partners in your family?" he asked thoughtfully.
From their brief exchange, he could already tell her real combat experience was lacking. She had not fully mastered even basic techniques for redirecting force.
In the original story, Zhu Zhuqing only truly grew stronger after undergoing constant battles at Shrek Academy.
"I do have sparring partners," Zhu Zhuqing replied softly, lowering her gaze toward her long, beautiful legs. She avoided looking directly at Xu Tian. Even now, she could still feel his masculine presence lingering around her, making her body feel strangely warm.
Her head lowered slightly, her toes lightly brushing the ground as she stood there somewhat absent-minded. A gentle breeze passed, lifting her ink-black hair into the air.
Within the Zhu Family, her status was too special. Even her cultivation instructors deliberately kept their distance from her.
Thinking of this, Xu Tian felt a sharp ache in his heart.
Zhu Zhuqing had silently endured countless grievances within the family, and he had just witnessed it himself.
Moments ago, the square had been filled with disciples sparring together, yet she had remained alone.
If he had not approached her, she would likely have continued bearing everything in silence.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai was enjoying life at Shrek Academy.
Not only had he fled, abandoning his responsibilities, he had even betrayed Zhu Zhuqing, indulging himself alongside twin beauties.
How could such a person still receive a happy ending? It was utterly absurd.
If strength allowed one to rewrite history, then from this moment onward, Xu Tian would become the one to write it.
In the original story, Zhu Zhuqing eventually accepted her fate and ended up with Dai Mubai. But now that Xu Tian had arrived in this world, he would never allow that future to happen again.
"Zhuqing… from now on, I'll protect you."
Xu Tian stepped forward slowly, gazing at the girl before him as he instinctively reached out, wanting to touch her hair.
"With me here, no one will dare bully you," he said sincerely. In a few days, he planned to request the family head to annul Zhu Zhuqing's engagement to Dai Mubai. Such a precious girl could only belong to him.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately stepped aside, preventing his hand from touching her.
Hearing his bold declaration, her heart grew flustered. No girl could remain completely calm under such circumstances. Even Zhu Zhuqing, despite her cold exterior, was still an ordinary young girl.
"I can protect myself," she said softly, avoiding his gaze. "You don't need to worry about me."
After a brief pause, she added quietly, "I already have a fiancé. It would be better if we kept our distance in the future."
Her martial spirit faded as her beautiful eyes drifted toward the distant horizon.
A trace of resentment surfaced within her heart.
Why had her marriage been decided from birth?
Other girls could choose the person they loved, but she could not. Her future had been predetermined before she even understood what love meant.
Why?
Dai Mubai's character was flawed—constantly flirting with others and even abandoning her to escape alone. Why should she marry such a man?
Yet what choice did she have?
The Dai and Zhu families had been bound by marriage for generations. Her personal wishes meant nothing. As a prince, Dai Mubai's marriage represented royal dignity. How could she possibly resist?
"I can help you," Xu Tian said softly, his eyes filled with determination as he looked at her. He knew this girl had carried far too much pain alone.
"My matters have nothing to do with you," Zhu Zhuqing replied, her voice trembling slightly as tears gathered in her eyes. "You don't need to come looking for me anymore. I already have sparring partners. I don't need you to train with me."
Her fate felt unchangeable.
She could sense Xu Tian's feelings toward her, but she could not accept them—nor would she drag him into danger.
He did not yet understand the true relationship between the Dai and Zhu families, nor the risks he would face by becoming involved with her. She refused to let anyone else suffer because of her.
Over the years, even her sister, who once cared deeply for her, had grown distant.
Only she knew how lonely her life within the family truly was. No one spoke with her. No one listened to her feelings.
But now, something had changed.
Xu Tian had appeared.
Knowing that at least one person still cared about her was already enough.
Nothing more was needed, and she would not allow his feelings to grow further. Keeping distance was the only way to protect him.
"Let's end the spar here," Zhu Zhuqing said softly. "I'm leaving… and please don't come looking for me again."
She turned and ran into the distance, tears shimmering in her eyes. Within the Zhu Family, she had always been alone.
Even when someone showed kindness, she would push them away.
She refused to let anyone who treated her well suffer harm because of her.
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