Chapter 176: The Person You Care About
Chapter 176: Chapter 176: The Person You Care About
"For a young woman, don’t you have any sense of shame? How blunt do I have to be?"
As Xu Qingsui spoke, she pulled Shen Yan directly out of Liang Xiaoxiao’s embrace.
The color drained from Lu Jingyu’s face at the sight.
Everyone had already turned to look the moment Liang Xiaoxiao appeared. After all, word of the drama between Liang Xiaoxiao, Xu Qingsui, and Shen Yan had long since spread throughout the entire safe zone.
Who wouldn’t be thrilled to see it all play out live?
Now, seeing Xu Qingsui not just talk the talk but get physical, everyone’s eyes widened. They were just short of pulling out sunflower seeds, beer, and small stools for a front-row seat to the show.
"And you! Have you no self-respect? Holding a grown man in your arms with no official status between you. Do you not care about your reputation at all?"
Lu Jingyu’s face darkened. Xu Qingsui was saying this to Liang Xiaoxiao, yet she herself was holding Shen Yan.
’Doesn’t she care about her reputation? Or does she actually have an official status with him?’
The scene before him and Xu Qingsui’s words made Lu Jingyu grow agitated.
He just hadn’t found the right chance to confess his feelings back then. He thought he would have plenty of opportunities later, so they had simply agreed to meet here.
’But after just these few days, her heart already belongs to someone else?’
A few days ago, Xie Qingling had suddenly sought him out again. He hadn’t wanted to bother with her, but then she said she had something to tell him about Xu Qingsui.
The moment he heard Xu Qingsui’s name, Lu Jingyu found he couldn’t walk away.
"What do you want to say?"
"I had some business in the 27th District a few days ago. While I was there, I heard about someone named Xu Qingsui. At first, I thought it was just someone with the same name, but then I saw her and realized it was the same person."
Hearing that Xie Qingling had gone to the 27th District, Lu Jingyu’s eyes immediately narrowed.
She had suddenly appeared in Zone 9 and contributed a large number of potions to join the Heiyu Alliance, but all she ended up doing was causing trouble for Xu Qingsui.
He didn’t believe for a second that Xie Qingling had met her by chance. He suspected she was trying to harm Xu Qingsui again.
Sensing the wariness in Lu Jingyu’s gaze, Xie Qingling’s heart sank.
"We grew up together. Do all those years of friendship really mean less than one Xu Qingsui? Do you care about her that much?"
"It’s true we’re friends, but that doesn’t mean you can hurt the person I care about whenever you please."
’The person I care about...’
The short phrase rooted Xie Qingling to the spot.
Xie Qingling gave a bitter smile, then said with a hint of schadenfreude, "Well, I wonder if the person you care about cares about you!"
"Don’t worry, I really did run into her by accident this time. And because of that, I discovered something. I was originally wondering if I even needed to tell you, but seeing how much you care about her, I suppose I really should fill you in."
Lu Jingyu didn’t respond, merely watching Xie Qingling and waiting for her to continue.
"That person you care about is certainly popular! No matter where she goes, there’s always someone to receive her."
"I heard she was brought back to the 27th District by Shen Yan, the owner of the lab there. As for Shen Yan’s situation, you’ve probably heard of him, so I don’t need to give you an introduction, right?"
Someone in Lu Jingyu’s position would have their own network of contacts, always keeping an eye on the situation in various places.
Shen Yan had made a name for himself early on. Although his family had provided him with significant help from behind the scenes, it couldn’t overshadow his own intellect.
Lu Jingyu did indeed know of this person.
"And as soon as she was brought back to the 27th District, Xu Qingsui made an enemy. This person’s situation with Shen Yan is similar to yours and mine." Xie Qingling glanced meaningfully at Lu Jingyu, pausing deliberately to gauge his reaction.
However, Lu Jingyu remained expressionless, which she immediately found boring.
"That girl has clashed with Xu Qingsui multiple times, openly saying that she came between her and Shen Yan."
Lu Jingyu furrowed his brow. Just because he was expressionless didn’t mean he wasn’t listening to Xie Qingling.
Putting everything together, he came to a conclusion: ’That other woman’s feelings must be one-sided!’
’I just don’t know how Xu Qingsui got involved.’
"The interesting thing is, Xu Qingsui didn’t deny it. Later, she even publicly acknowledged her relationship with Shen Yan."
"Jing Yu, you’re completely devoted to her, but the moment she arrived in the 27th District, she latched onto a powerful figure. Doesn’t that make you feel disheartened?"
A thunderclap echoed in Lu Jingyu’s mind. He couldn’t believe Xu Qingsui would get together with someone else so quickly.
"If you don’t believe me, just send someone to the 27th District to ask around and you’ll find out. Just like in Zone 9, she’s a celebrity in the 27th District now. Everyone knows who she is."
Lu Jingyu still said nothing, but Xie Qingling clearly saw the change in his eyes.
After what had happened before, she knew some things couldn’t be rushed.
This time, she hadn’t exaggerated anything. She wasn’t afraid of Lu Jingyu investigating; having him find out the truth for himself would be more effective than anything more she could say.
"I came here this time just to tell you this. We are childhood friends, after all. I don’t want to see your true feelings be wasted."
"It’s like I said, if you don’t believe me, you can investigate it yourself. I hope you can move on from this misplaced love soon. And no matter when you decide to turn back, I’ll be waiting right here for you. Jing Yu, I’ll be waiting for you to come back."
After saying her piece, Xie Qingling left, leaving Lu Jingyu’s heart in a tangled mess.
He didn’t believe Xu Qingsui was the type to be so fickle, but Xie Qingling had been so specific that he figured she probably wasn’t lying.
He began to struggle. ’I just didn’t find the right time to confess... did I really miss my chance?’
’But how could Xu Qingsui get together with someone else so easily in such a short time?’
His heart was in turmoil, and he grew completely agitated.
As a result, he was distracted for the rest of the day. Chen Yunfei called out to him several times, but he didn’t respond.
Finally, Lu Jingyu made a decision. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to go and confirm what was happening with his own eyes.
If Xu Qingsui had truly met someone she fell in love with at first sight, then he wouldn’t say a word. He would only have himself to blame for not confessing his feelings sooner.
Lu Jingyu immediately contacted Chen Yunfei and handed over all Alliance matters to him. He then led a few people toward the 27th District under the pretext of preparing for the Alliance’s future expansion.
Just as he arrived in the 27th District, before he even had a chance to ask about Xu Qingsui, he saw a five-person team rushing toward the infirmary.
Guessing something must have happened, Lu Jingyu immediately followed them to have a look.
Unexpectedly, while at the infirmary, he overheard Xu Qingsui’s name and learned that she had already gone with the Survival Team down below to find the Mutants’ nest.
He immediately forgot about investigating what Xie Qingling had told him and followed the reinforcement team to the scene.