"Lingling, please don't be like this. All of this is in the past, and besides, we never... Let's not talk about the past anymore, okay? You seem to have changed. By the way, I haven't asked you how you ended up here. What exactly happened?" Ling Yun said helplessly, trying to change the subject, while involuntarily glancing at Xiao Rou, somewhat guilty, wanting to see his girlfriend's expression. He had never mentioned to Xiao Rou that he had a crush on Li Lingling in high school. Firstly, it was all in the past, and secondly, Xiao Rou didn't know about his past experiences, so Ling Yun didn't need to explain these things to his girlfriend unnecessarily.
Even if he was completely clueless about relationships, Ling Yun knew he absolutely couldn't mention another girl in front of a girl, otherwise it could easily lead to his death, especially since his girlfriend was a powerful superhuman. Besides, he didn't think there was anything between him and Li Lingling. He had a crush on her before, but that was in the past, and they had never actually been together. Xiao Rou wasn't a domineering girlfriend, so she naturally wouldn't use torture to interrogate Ling Yun about how many women he had been with before, like a child from elementary school or kindergarten.
This glance was crucial; Ling Yun happened to see Xiao Rou looking at him with some suspicion. Seeing Li Lingling's heartbroken expression, which didn't seem feigned, Xiao Rou's heart began to race. A girl in the throes of love is most sensitive; while enjoying the sweetness of romance, she was also filled with worry for her lover. Despite her faith in Ling Yun, Xiao Rou couldn't help but feel uneasy, asking with apprehension, "Honey, what exactly is she talking about? Did you like her before?"
Ling Yun forced a cough, reluctantly admitting he didn't want to bring up his past crush on Li Lingling in front of Xiao Rou. Although he no longer felt that crush, given his personality, it was best to avoid mentioning it, especially when Lingling and Xiao Rou were standing face to face. This made Ling Yun feel incredibly uncomfortable and embarrassed, as if he were being roasted on a stove – it was a terrible feeling.
"Yun, why are you silent? Don't you want to admit to your new girlfriend that you liked me back in high school? Or are you already enjoying a fresh and sweet love and want to erase the past? I just want you to admit that you liked me in the past. Is that so hard?" Lingling looked at Lingyun sadly and said softly. Her words were like a sharp dagger, piercing Lingyun's heart and causing him immense pain in an instant.
“Lingling, I admit I used to like you, but that’s all in the past. We’ve changed a lot since then, and our circumstances are different. We can’t keep bringing up the past, especially since we haven’t seen each other for so long. Why don’t you ask me how I’m doing? Why do you keep talking about these uncomfortable things?” Lingyun shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He sorted out his thoughts and finally spoke his mind sincerely. In the past, Lingyun would never have said it, but now, he had to consider Xiaorou’s feelings.
"Yun, I know you just hate me. You hate me for rejecting you, for publicly humiliating you by reading your love letters aloud. You're taking revenge on me. You're clever; you used a special method to forget me as revenge, and then used time to make me slowly fall in love with you again to torment me. You didn't do it intentionally, but you did it all without realizing it. You make me miss you every moment. I paid a huge price for my impulsive actions back then. Ever since you left me, the longing for you has tormented me. You're really cruel... Yun." Lingling said softly, each word like a heavy hammer, striking Lingyun's heart.
Ling Yun sighed deeply, knowing that he could no longer communicate with Li Lingling. Did he really have to be forced to shout at Li Lingling in front of her as if severing ties: "I used to like you, but that was before. I don't like you anymore. Stop deluding yourself and go away."
Even if Lingling wasn't his best friend, the kind with whom he could confide completely, Lingyun still couldn't bring himself to say such a resolute thing. His heart was soft; faced with his former friend's heartfelt confession, Lingyun could only remain silent. Deep down, he hoped Lingling would understand this subtle rejection rather than outright resistance. No matter what, Lingyun didn't want to hurt this girl too much. He already had Xiaorou; his heart couldn't accommodate anyone else. However, Lingyun wasn't yet able to say no to Lingling openly. He was torn between reluctance and hesitation, struggling internally, lacking the decisive courage to act.
Xiao Rou glanced at Ling Yun, then at Lingling, a subtle sadness creeping into her expression. Her sensitive heart surged with emotion. Although she knew Ling Yun was devoted only to her, and that he had even acknowledged her as his girlfriend in front of Lingling, Xiao Rou still felt a pang of sadness.
She knew very well how passive Lingyun was when it came to relationships. This guy was great in every way, but he just didn't know how to handle his feelings. It seemed that whenever a girl was interested in him, he would become a different person, completely lacking the courage to refuse and only running away. Although Lingyun had improved a lot now and knew how to save face in front of others, Xiaorou still hoped that Lingyun could firmly say no to all girls except her, instead of gently refusing them like he was now. That would make the girl truly happy.
In reality, every boy or girl in love wants to be the only one in their partner's heart. Having two or more people in one's heart will only cause deep sadness and dissatisfaction to the person they love. No one can be completely unperturbed by their partner having other close friends of the opposite sex. If someone is, it can only mean that he or she simply doesn't care.
The world of emotions is selfish, yet also singular. In Xiaorou's heart, only the one and only Lingyun is the true Lingyun. Even if Lingyun has even a tiny bit of distraction, he is not the perfect lover in the girl's heart.
What truly belongs to me belongs only to me. Xiao Rou said softly.
Ling Yun's body jolted, and he immediately saw Xiao Rou's sorrowful expression. His face instantly contorted with immense sadness, as if a pair of icy scissors had pierced his heart. A sudden, excruciating heartache gripped him; it was an indescribable feeling of suffocation and breathlessness. Every move this girl made filled him with unparalleled concern and longing. Seeing his beloved unhappy, Ling Yun's heart sank, feeling even more pained than Xiao Rou herself. He clutched his chest, strode over, grasped Xiao Rou's hand, and gently pulled her into his arms. He cried out, "Xiao Rou, I love you."
Xiao Rou nestled in his arms, a mixture of grievance and happiness welling in her eyes. Her phoenix eyes were brimming with pearly tears of joy. Even during the days and nights of being hunted by the Heavenly Eye Society, the girl had never felt so heartbroken. For nearly twenty years, she had never experienced love. Now, for the first time, she tasted the bittersweet pain of heartbreak—a complex and indescribable emotion that both captivated and left her feeling utterly lost. Even as a powerful superhuman, Xiao Rou was still troubled by matters of the heart. Superhumans possess strength, which may change many things, but it can never change their fundamental human nature, and emotion remains one of humanity's instincts.
Lingyun gently stroked her hair. There was no need for sweet words to comfort his beloved girl; his actions spoke volumes. Lingling bit her lip, watching everything unfold before her, her bright eyes sparkling. Even though she desperately wanted Lingyun's heart to be with her, his actions were a silent language, a nameless meaning that deeply resonated within her: Xiaorou is my girlfriend. I'm sorry.
"Lingyun!" Lingling was silent for a while, then suddenly, as if she had made up her mind, she called out clearly, her tone filled with an unwavering determination. This immediately made Lingyun and Xiaorou look at her simultaneously.
"What are you going to do now?" Ling Yun asked, his brows furrowed, half-embracing Xiao Rou. He had already shown everything through his actions; he simply didn't want to say those decisive words to Lingling. If Lingling had any sense, she should have silently stepped aside and offered her blessings with a smile, instead of choosing to press them any further.
"I won't do anything. Since you've already chosen Xiaorou, I'll only wish you both well." Lingling said forlornly, her expression suddenly becoming incredibly earnest. "I just have one small request. I know you don't love me, you only love her, so I won't force you to do anything more, nor will I disturb you. However, Yun, considering my deep affection for you, I only ask that you reserve a small place for me in your heart, just a tiny, insignificant place, is that alright?"
Ling Yun silently watched her. He couldn't stand the pleading tone of others, especially Lingling's soft pleas. Clearly, Lingling had given up all hope; reserving a small place for her in his heart was merely a form of emotional support. From any perspective, Ling Yun shouldn't refuse, even if it was just a temporary pretense of agreement—it would be a comfort to the girl. But in this situation, a sudden realization dawned on Ling Yun. A strange feeling, like a sudden awakening, made him understand his own emotional weakness, and now was the best time to overcome it.
Chapter 325 Happiness Blooms Like a Flower
Perhaps after this, he would never have another chance to overcome his emotional weaknesses, Ling Yun thought silently, suddenly making a firm decision. He had a long history with women, from Lingling to Xia Zhen, Yuqi, Bingyan, and Xia Lan. Apart from Xiaorou, whom he truly loved, almost every other woman had fallen for him, and each one was a rare and extraordinary woman, a truly stunning beauty. However, Ling Yun was not blessed with such a multitude of beauties, for the simple reason that his heart could only open to one person: Gu Xiaorou.
However, due to his weakness and tendency to avoid emotions, Ling Yun always evaded the advances of other women, relying on special circumstances or other means. He never responded to their feelings with his true feelings or inner thoughts. He grew up in this cycle of contradiction and avoidance, trying not to hurt others, but only ended up causing them greater heartbreak. He couldn't say no, leaving them with only endless hope and expectation. His procrastination in matters of the heart exhausted everyone. Of course, it's undeniable that Ling Yun also possessed a small amount of vanity; the fact that so many outstanding girls were attracted to him gave him a deep sense of pride.
But now, this feeling, aside from being a fleeting fantasy, can only bring harm to herself and her loved ones. Ling Yun has made up her mind, no longer avoiding the predicament in her relationship, but facing it squarely. Or rather, she only wants what she wants, and makes a clean and straightforward choice for a stable emotional connection, instead of having a vague and ambiguous feeling towards others while deeply loving one person, without any clear or inexplicable feelings.
Once Lingyun felt he had figured things out, he suddenly felt as if a mirror filled with grime had been wiped clean, revealing the crystal-clear depths of his soul. From the inside out, a deep sense of comfort emanated from him. After his emotions stabilized, he no longer experienced any emotional hesitation or struggle, which was precisely the necessary experience for Lingyun's growth.
In a sense, this is another kind of courage—self-examination. Courage isn't just about facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, or being fearless in the face of brutality and cruelty; for those with supernatural abilities, these are commonplace. True courage has many aspects. When a person can recognize their own weaknesses and choose to overcome them, they already possess immense courage—a very rare kind of courage. Few people can examine themselves, and even fewer can truly correct their mistakes after examining themselves. Ling Yun is one of those rare individuals.
Growth is not necessarily about physical strength, but more about the growth of the person themselves.
After gently releasing Xiaorou and giving his girlfriend a trusting look, Lingyun quietly walked up to Lingling and gazed intently at the girl he had known since childhood but never truly understood. Lingyun suddenly felt that she was very mysterious. This feeling was not prominent before he gained his superpowers, but it deepened after he did.
After thinking for a moment, Lingyun said softly, "Lingling, I know and understand your feelings for me. There's no sin in liking someone. I think I understand you. Before the college entrance exam, you know how I felt about you. So, your liking me now is just like how I liked you back then. How could I not understand you? I'm really grateful to you. I'm so happy to have such an excellent girl like you. It's like winning the lottery. This feeling is wonderful and sincere. I hope it can last forever."
Lingling just blinked her bright, sparkling eyes at him.
"But Lingling, my feelings for you faded later. I only considered you a good friend. To avoid hurting you, I never told you anything. But I think you know my heart. Sometimes feelings don't need to be spoken. Just one thing or one action is enough for you to understand what I mean. I just wanted to tell you this way that I didn't want to ruin the pure and beautiful feelings between us. Since we never started, we will remain classmates and close friends, not lovers." Ling Yun said slowly, a strange light flashing in his eyes. Memories flashed through his mind like a movie, giving him a dreamlike feeling.
He continued, "Lingling, if I were single, I might never have confessed my feelings to you. I would have only hinted at them. I don't know how to refuse, or maybe I'm too soft-hearted, but to put it bluntly, it's just because I'm weak. I'm always passive when it comes to relationships and never make my own choices. But now..."
As he said this, he turned and looked affectionately at Xiaorou, who was gazing intently at him: "I already have the girl I love, so I can't accept the feelings of any other girl. Put yourself in my shoes, my love can only be one. Not to mention accepting other girls, even if I were to remain silent about other girls, it would be unfair to the people who love me. So no matter how unwilling or weak I am, I must bravely stand up and say no to others. I've made many mistakes in the past, but this time, I won't make the same mistake again."
Ling Yun suddenly sighed. He suddenly thought of the time when he was with Yuqi and Naimei, and the ambiguous relationship he had with these two girls. At that time, he probably didn't realize that his unintentional actions had already hurt Xiaorou's sensitive heart. This girl who had been lonely since childhood, hadn't he sworn to take care of her and love her for the rest of his life? Why did his heart start to flutter instead of being so firm when his girlfriend was no longer by his side? Ling Yun suddenly felt a deep sense of regret.
"So, Lingling, when it comes to love, I can't give you even a tiny, insignificant piece of my heart. If I did, it would be unfair to Xiaorou, and I believe she would do the same. Put yourself in my shoes, Lingling, if it were you, you would probably also demand that your lover love only you. So, in terms of love, I can only give my whole heart to the girl who loves me, Xiaorou. She will be the person I love most in this life, and the only person I will ever love. If she's not here, I won't live on." Lingyun said calmly, as if she were talking about something completely unrelated, but her tone conveyed an indescribable firmness that made people believe her.
Xiao Rou's thin shoulders trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her phoenix eyes. What could move a young girl more than a lover's most affectionate and direct confession? Hearing Ling Yun's sincere words, Xiao Rou felt that even if she died at this moment, she would have no regrets. She had not misjudged him, nor had she loved the wrong person. Ling Yun, such an outstanding man, loved her so deeply. Xiao Rou suddenly felt that all the bitterness and pressure of the past were worthwhile. All the moments of suffering disappeared at this moment, and happiness was blooming like a flower.
"Yun, you've made me cry again. I haven't shed a tear in twenty years, but I've let it all out for you." Xiao Rou said silently in her heart, smiling through her tears as she looked at Ling Yun. That fleeting moment of sorrow and joyful tenderness set off the girl's stunning beauty, creating an incomparably beautiful and breathtaking silhouette. In the empty hall, her sensitive heart had become incredibly soft and passionate. In the picturesque days and nights, every moment formed the deepest and most vivid memory, shining brightly in the depths of her memory.
Ling Yun finished speaking almost in one breath. Looking at Xiao Rou's happy expression, he suddenly felt incredibly relieved. His expression suddenly froze, and he clearly heard something in his heart make a slight cracking sound, as if something weighing on his heart had suddenly shattered and disappeared, replaced by an incomparably clear and comfortable feeling. After truly lightening the burden on his mind, Ling Yun felt that he had taken a big step forward in his growth.
"I understand, Yun." Lingling listened quietly to him, her expression focused and earnest. Her large, bright eyes occasionally flashed with deep thought, before finally settling into a barely audible sigh. A complex array of emotions flickered across her face—sometimes melancholy, sometimes serenity—but ultimately, calm returned. "Yun, thank you. You've finally shown me what true love is. If you truly love someone, it means letting go, watching them be happy from afar, not excessively possessive and exhausting for either of you. Yun, my feelings for you will never change, but I won't bother you anymore. I will silently wish you and Xiaorou a lifetime of happiness."
As she spoke, Lingling gently walked up to Xiaorou and said, "I'm sorry, Xiaorou. I apologize for my rude and reckless behavior just now. Only you are the one Lingyun loves the most, and only you are worthy of him. I hope you can forgive me and not be angry with my childish actions."
Xiao Rou looked at her and said softly, "As long as he has me in his heart, I will never blame anyone, so you don't need to apologize."
Lingling stared at her intently, then suddenly seemed to understand something and said, “I understand now. I understand why Lingyun likes you so much. It’s because you never put pressure on him, but only give him love. You make him enjoy the happiness of love all the time. In comparison, my love is much more selfish. Alas, I lost. I’m completely convinced of my defeat.”
She suddenly smiled and turned to Ling Yun, saying, "Yun, you're quite the ladies' man, meeting so many beautiful girls. From me to Xia Zhen, Yang Yuqi, Su Bingyan, Xiao Rou, Xia Lan, oh right, there's also Chen Jiaxuan and Mochizuki Nami. Can I ask you a gossipy question: what are your feelings for these girls?"
A glint of light flashed in Ling Yun's eyes, and he said sharply, "You are not Li Lingling, who are you?" Even if Li Lingling appeared in this barrier, she couldn't possibly know so much about Ling Yun. Therefore, Ling Yun immediately concluded that the girl in front of him was definitely not Lingling. In fact, when Lingling forced him to make a choice, Ling Yun had a vague feeling that she was wrong, but at the time he needed to express his thoughts and thus overlooked the true purpose of the Second Hall.
Li Lingling chuckled, like a flower branch trembling in the wind: "You're only just realizing it now? Yun, of course I'm not the real Li Lingling. How could the little class beauty from your memory be here? I'm just a shadow copied from your memory. Otherwise, how would I know so much about your romantic experiences?"
"Then who exactly are you?" Ling Yun and Xiao Rou asked in surprise at the same time. They hadn't expected that this girl would reveal her identity. After thinking about it, the only connection they could have was the assessment of the second hall.
“Who I am is not important. What is important is you, Lingyun, who has passed my test.” Li Lingling said meaningfully, looking deeply at Lingyun. “I think you understand what this hall tests, right? If you are still as timid and hesitant about relationships as before, and dare not be someone who actively chooses to love, then the Lava Sea has already submerged this place.”
Ling Yun was startled. Although he had already had a vague idea, he was still not sure. He did not expect that when the girl in the second hall said it herself, it would indeed confirm his thoughts.
"Is your test of our courage?" Xiao Rou suddenly asked. "This method of testing is quite unique, and it targets Ling Yun's emotional weaknesses perfectly."