Vol 3. Chapter 39: Like
To be honest,
in Yumo's understanding,
the members of the protagonist's party should have gotten along extremely well.
They should respect one another, help one another, work together, and grow stronger side by side.
Then, after becoming powerful enough, they would defeat one formidable enemy after another and ultimately save the world.
As the Child of Destiny, Mengxi,
and as the Son of Destiny, Xue Tianao,
the relationship between these two chosen ones ought to have been exceptionally harmonious.
However,
at today's welcoming banquet,
Yumo discovered that reality seemed rather different from what she had imagined.
When Mengxi had unhesitatingly rejected Xue Tianao's invitation earlier, Yumo had already sensed that something was off.
And now, after hearing Mengxi's words,
she couldn't help revealing a stunned expression.
This girl...
She actually hates Xue Tianao this much?
Ordinarily, poor relations between the chosen ones should have been something that worried Yumo greatly.
After all, if they weren't united, how would they ever complete the trial and ultimately destroy her?
Yet,
after learning that Mengxi despised Xue Tianao,
Yumo was surprised to find that her first reaction wasn't worry.
Instead...
it was...
...secret delight.
The strange feeling caused Yumo to frown.
Her azure eyes became even more puzzled after hearing what Mengxi had just said.
This girl...
She's actually telling me to stay far away from Xue Tianao?
W-Why would she suddenly say something like that?
"W-Why?"
Yumo asked curiously.
At the same time, she also wanted to learn more about how Mengxi truly viewed Xue Tianao.
Hearing the question,
Mengxi let out a helpless sigh before casting an utterly disdainful glance toward the blond man inside the grand hall, who was currently chatting with envoys from the various factions.
"For your own good!"
"Hm?"
"That Xue Tianao is nothing but a walking stallion. A beautiful young lady like you? There's absolutely no way he'll let you go. And he's unbelievably greedy. Every time he sees another pretty girl, he'll think of some way to drag her into his harem. If you end up with him, the moment he gets tired of you, he'll throw you aside without a second thought. Do you know? He even wanted to make a move on his own sister! He's an absolute beast! Just because he's the Son of Destiny, he thinks he can do whatever he wants! And on top of that, he's a complete hypocrite who'll stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Don't be fooled by that respectable appearance—behind everyone's backs, he's scheming day and night. The former emperor of the Snow Night Empire? Nine times out of ten, Xue Tianao had something to do with his death..."
At this moment,
Mengxi unleashed her full firepower and relentlessly roasted Xue Tianao.
She dumped every single piece of black history she knew about him onto Yumo.
Even the things that weren't particularly scandalous got generously embellished.
She even copied the style of BBC and CNN, throwing in a few completely fabricated stories for good measure.
At this moment,
Mengxi had only one thought in her mind.
She wanted Sister Yumo's favorable impression of Xue Tianao to fall all the way to zero.
Better yet,
she wanted it to drop so low that no matter how many flowery love confessions Xue Tianao made in the future, it would never recover.
She intended to completely eliminate every possibility of Xue Tianao ever winning Sister Yumo over.
There was no way Sister Yumo could ever find happiness with someone like Xue Tianao.
Besides,
Xue Tianao certainly wouldn't be as tolerant toward Abyss Demons as she was.
If he ever learned Sister Yumo's true identity,
the consequences would likely be unimaginable.
For Sister Yumo's safety,
Mengxi absolutely couldn't allow her to have too much contact with Xue Tianao.
Sister Yumo has saved me so many times...
There's no way I can just stand by and watch her walk down the wrong path...
...
Thus,
thanks to Mengxi's relentless efforts,
Yumo's favorable impression of Xue Tianao dropped even further.
Meeting Mengxi's eyes, which were filled with sincere pleading,
Yumo finally nodded helplessly.
"I understand. I'll try my best to stay away from him."
"Mhm."
Only after hearing that answer did Mengxi finally stop recounting Xue Tianao's countless "great achievements."
Then,
the silver-haired girl sighed softly.
"I don't really care about anyone else. But you're a member of the Black Rose Family. Before this, the Black Rose Family rescued me from the forest while I was unconscious. Your family has shown me kindness. Naturally, I don't want to watch you get deceived by someone like Xue Tianao."
Of course,
Mengxi deliberately said this to dispel Yumo's doubts.
After all, from Yumo's perspective, they were complete strangers.
If she suddenly ran up to Yumo and told her to stay away from Xue Tianao without any explanation, it would definitely arouse suspicion.
Putting it this way made everything seem much more reasonable.
And as it turned out,
Mengxi's judgment was absolutely correct.
After hearing those words,
the doubt in Yumo's eyes gradually disappeared.
She nodded in complete agreement, clearly accepting Mengxi's explanation.
Seeing that the timing was finally right,
Mengxi took a deep breath before speaking slowly.
"Um... Miss Yu. To tell you the truth, I've actually always been rather interested in the Sadik Empire in the south, as well as the Black Rose Family. Since nothing much is happening right now... would you be willing to chat with me for a while? Tell me about the southern part of the continent. And... I'd also like the chance to properly thank you."
"Chat?"
Yumo was somewhat surprised by the suggestion.
After all, in her impression,
Mengxi rarely showed such enthusiasm toward someone she had supposedly just met.
A trace of confusion arose in Yumo's heart.
However,
faced with Mengxi's sparkling eyes filled with expectation,
and having no desire whatsoever to continue entertaining all those scheming representatives,
Miss Yumo slowly nodded.
Continue dealing with representatives from every faction, each harboring their own hidden agenda...
or spend time chatting with the adorable heroine.
If Yumo had to choose between those two options,
she would naturally pick the latter without the slightest hesitation.
"Alright then, Miss Mengxi."
Yumo responded with an elegant and beautiful smile.
Seeing this,
Mengxi also revealed a sweet smile.
"Miss Yu... may I make a rather presumptuous request?"
"Hm? Go ahead, Child of Destiny."
"W-Well..."
Mengxi hesitated slightly.
Seeing this,
Yumo comforted her gently.
"It's alright. I won't mind if it's something presumptuous. Just say it, Miss Mengxi."
"W-Well... Miss Yu... could you stop calling me 'Child of Destiny' or 'Miss Mengxi'? Just... call me Mengxi."
"Hm? Is that alright?"
"Yes! Please do!"
"Then... alright."
"And..."
After hesitating for another moment,
Mengxi blinked and looked at Yumo with pleading, puppy-like eyes.
"Um... Miss Yu... may... may I call you Sister Yu? I-I mean... I don't really like all those complicated formalities. Calling you that in private feels much more relaxed. Hehe~"
"I see..."
After her heart trembled ever so slightly,
Yumo hesitated for a moment before finally nodding under Mengxi's joyful gaze.
"Then alright, if it makes you happy."
"Really? That's wonderful, Sister Yu!"
The moment Yumo agreed,
Mengxi's face blossomed into an incomparably sweet smile overflowing with happiness.
Without another word,
she threw herself forward and affectionately wrapped both arms around Yumo's.
"Then, Sister Yu, let's go look around together~"
Faced with Mengxi's sudden intimacy,
Yumo froze once again.
A faint blush gradually spread across her beautiful face.
She had to admit,
being held by Mengxi like this,
hearing her call her "Sister,"
filled her with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia.
It couldn't help reminding her of the days they had spent together in the Great Winter Forest,
back when Mengxi had been in her childlike state.
However,
nostalgia aside,
a trace of doubt still surfaced within Yumo's heart.
"Mengxi... this should be our first meeting, shouldn't it?"
"That's right, Sister Yu."
"Then why..."
"Why am I suddenly being so close to you? Is that what you're asking, Sister?"
"Uh... yes."
"About that... honestly, I don't know either."
"Huh? Even you don't know?"
"That's right."
Mengxi nodded gently.
Then she lifted her head and looked directly into Yumo's eyes with complete sincerity.
"For some reason, Sister Yu... you just give me this overwhelming feeling of familiarity and warmth. Being by your side makes me feel incredibly comfortable~ Umm... anyway..."
"Anyway?"
Showing a somewhat embarrassed expression,
Mengxi smiled shyly.
Then,
under Yumo's astonished gaze,
Mengxi leaned close,
bringing her lips right beside Yumo's ear,
and whispered softly,
"Even though this is our 'first' meeting... I think I've already fallen for you, Sister Yu~"
"Huh?"
The unexpected confession reached Yumo's ears without the slightest warning.
Miss Yumo's pupils suddenly contracted,
and her beautiful face instantly turned bright red at a speed visible to the naked eye,
becoming as red as a ripe apple...