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Chapter 33: The Empress took the man in a flawless victory, and the fiancée was left in endless regret.

Whoosh!

The entire hall erupted at once.

The spectators, who had been quietly munching on melon seeds, blurted out in unison, “Holy crap!”

“Cough, cough…”

Even Ning Bei choked on his own saliva.

Although he had intended to drag Qin Jiujiu into the mess, he truly had not expected that beneath her shy and reserved exterior lay a heart that could drop such an explosive line.

As expected of a reincarnated Great Emperor, she would never rest until her words shocked everyone.

“Hm…?” Lin Yueyao felt as though lightning had struck, staggering back to the edge of the table with a trembling voice of fury, “Say that again if you dare!”

…

Qin Jiujiu’s gaze flickered for a moment, yet she still mustered her courage and murmured softly to Ning Bei, “Ning Bei, say something~”

“Cough, cough!”

Ning Bei stifled his laughter, placed one hand on her fragrant shoulder, and told the stunned Lin Yueyao, “Yes, we already have a chil… p-tooey, we have pledged our lives to each other.”

Whoosh!

The words set the hall ablaze in an instant.

“They’ve admitted it; those two finally stopped pretending.”

“All my days of shipping them weren’t in vain; sure enough, they had pledged themselves long ago.”

“I’m literally crying…Senior Brother Ning and Senior Sister Qin are a perfect match; they have finally become a couple!”

“Great, great, great! When they get married, I’ll bring Qin Yu’s head as a gift.”

The crowd burst into cheers, their laughter thunderous.

Once they were certain Ning Bei and Qin Jiujiu were an item, they seemed even more excited than if they had found partners themselves.

“…Take me away.”

Qin Jiujiu was so embarrassed she could not lift her head, and she tugged Ning Bei’s hand beneath the table.

The surrounding cheers made her wish she could crawl into a crack in the ground…showing affection this openly was just too shameful.

“No!”

Lin Yueyao shook her head repeatedly, refusing to believe it.

This had to be fake!

Especially when she recalled Ning Bei’s once steadfast promise to love her until death, she could not help rushing up to him:

“Ning Bei, stop deceiving yourself… I know you’re still angry, but I just apologized to you in front of everyone… could you please be reasonable?”

In her eyes, taking the initiative to approach Ning Bei already counted as an apology.

Yet Ning Bei refused to step down and instead pushed Qin Jiujiu forward, which she felt was nothing but childish.

In truth, if it had been the old Ning Bei, he would indeed have been moved by Lin Yueyao and believed he had warmed her heart.

Unfortunately, Ning Bei was no longer that man.

He let out a cold laugh and said bluntly, “The one who needs to be rational is you! Lin Yueyao, we have nothing to do with each other anymore, so please stop coming to me.”

“Because I’m afraid Jiujiu will misunderstand.”

At the end, Ning Bei wrapped his arm around Qin Jiujiu’s delicate shoulder and said gently, “Let’s go.”

“Mm…”

Qin Jiujiu had long wanted to escape.

Under everyone’s eyes, the two left arm in arm.

No matter how Lin Yueyao called or threatened, Ning Bei acted as if he heard nothing and showed not a trace of nostalgia for the past.

Even after they left, the atmosphere did not cool; on the contrary, condemnation filled the hall.

“You humiliated Senior Brother Ning in public for that Crap King, and now you want to get back together?”

“If we hadn’t been afraid of embarrassing Senior Brother Ning, do you think we would have indulged you back then?”

“You dumped Senior Brother Ning and went to fawn over a pants-soiling loser…Lin Yueyao, you really deserve this!”

…

At this moment, Lin Yueyao felt as though the sky had collapsed.

Faced with the crowd’s jeers, she remained motionless, her mind locked in hopeless despair.

Ning Bei… had he really abandoned this relationship?

The Ning Bei who once pampered her and came whenever she called… had he really changed?

No one knew how long had passed.

Lin Yueyao suddenly came to herself, looking around in panic. “Godmother… why am I here with you?”

“Silly child, you walked back with me.”

Seeing the girl’s helpless look, Yun Qing sighed and consoled her, “I know tonight hit you hard… come, rest for now.”

“I want to talk things out with Ning Bei.”

“…He left with Qin Jiujiu; do you think he will still listen to you?”

“I…”

…

At a small courtyard.

Ning Bei escorted Qin Jiujiu back to her residence, still keeping an arm around her shoulder. “I didn’t expect you to be willing to pay such a heavy price.”

“Eh?”

Qin Jiujiu froze.

When she realized what Ning Bei meant, a blush quickly crept up her neck, and she argued half-heartedly, “Don’t get the wrong idea… I just wanted to help you get rid of her pestering… I had no other intentions.”

“I know, I know you only wanted to help me make her give up.”

Facing her transparent excuse, Ning Bei replied as warmly as a spring breeze.

Yet his heart was as clear as a mirror, and he could already sense the feelings the girl could barely hide.

So even a reincarnated Great Emperor could turn into a love-struck fool.

No, it’s my fault for being too outstanding.

“You know, yet you still won’t let go?” Qin Jiujiu glanced at the salty hand on her shoulder and pouted.

“Oh, sorry.”

Ning Bei pretended to realize belatedly and hurriedly withdrew the hand that was enjoying her fragrance.

Qin Jiujiu gently bit her lip, walked into the room, and said, “Hmph, who wants your apology? You were so bad just now.”

When he heard that, Ning Bei followed her into the room. “How was I bad?”

“Forgot already?” Qin Jiujiu tucked her legs under her and shot him a resentful look. “It was clearly your conflict with her, yet you shoved me out as a shield.”

“Ha.” Ning Bei laughed without denying it, closed the door, and sat beside her. “Wasn’t that what we agreed on? You said you’d help me.”

“But you kept bumping me, again and again!”

Qin Jiujiu complained.

Each time Lin Yueyao spoke, Ning Bei nudged her, over and over, so fast she had no time to think.

That was why, in her panic, she had said such an earth-shattering line.

Whenever she remembered those words, she blushed to the point of wanting to dig a hole; the situation had strayed farther and farther from her original plan.

“Then I’ll apologize and won’t rush you in the future.”

“You still want a future?”

“Then… tell me, how should I make it up to you?”

Ning Bei asked with an air of sincerity.

“Emm…” Qin Jiujiu’s eyes flickered before she pouted at him. “Anyway, you’re a big bad wolf, and I’ve seen through you.”

“Ha-ha.”

Faced with such an adorable accusation, Ning Bei couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“You’re still laughing?”

“I’m not, I’m not…”

Ning Bei quickly held his breath and waved his hands.

Bang, bang!

Just as their relationship deepened, knocking sounded outside the door.

Ning Bei went to open it, annoyed.

Qin Jiujiu also frowned slightly, hiding the flush on her face.

“Ning Bei, I have something to say to you two.”

The visitor was Jiang Zhi, a newly promoted Inner Sect Elder, who normally had little interaction with Ning Bei.

Even tonight, he had not spoken a word to Ning Bei.

So seeing him come over, Ning Bei looked curious. “Elder Jiang, what can I do for you?”

Jiang Zhi asked coolly, “You two are together, right?”

…Ning Bei exchanged a glance with Qin Jiujiu and gave a polite smile. “Yes, is there a problem?”

“You two should separate for the time being,” Jiang Zhi ordered flatly.

Ning Bei raised an eyebrow. “I don’t quite understand.”

“You are both chief disciples. The academy has high hopes for you; getting entangled in romance this early will harm its future.”

“?”

Qin Jiujiu was about to speak, but Ning Bei stopped her. He stared straight at Jiang Zhi. “Is this the academy’s stance?”

“No, it is my personal opinion.”

…

Ning Bei’s mouth twitched, and he asked the system in his mind, “Is this guy another Child of Destiny?”

System: [No.]

“Good.”

Ning Bei’s lips curved into a chilly smile.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhi looked gratified. “It’s best if you agree; that proves you’re sensible…”

Slap!

Before Jiang Zhi could finish, Ning Bei suddenly swung a slap at him.

“You think I’m showing you any damn respect?”

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