Hearing Huo Yu'er's words, Ye Wen fell silent for a long while.
In the era Ye Wen had lived in during his past life, love had long been materialized, stripped of its supposed purity. Everything seemed tied to money—a harsh and brutal reality.
But liking someone or loving them should be selfless, requiring no return. Simply knowing that the other person was doing well could be akin to heaven.
Still, Ye Wen couldn't shake the strangeness he felt—being strongly confessed to by a six-year-old girl?
He could only sigh. This truly was the continent of romance.
However—
Ye Wen's eyes carried a sense of loss. What if he was starting to feel something? Ye Wen himself wasn't combative or bloodthirsty; he simply sought a peaceful and stable life.
But the high-pressure environment of his past life had made even that modest wish nearly impossible to fulfill. He had died from overwork in that rat race.
It was then that Ye Wen began yearning for the intangible concept of love. Even fictional stories could captivate him, offering an escape.
To some adults, Douluo Continent might seem childish, but the pure, life-sacrificing love within it was the fantasy Ye Wen had always dreamed of.
At this moment, Ye Wen—who had kept his head bowed, appearing gloomy—finally raised his head with dignity.
His calm, autumn-water-like eyes met Huo Yu'er's starry, shimmering gaze.
"Let me ask you one last time—are you sure you won't regret this?"
At this moment, Huo Yu'er's cheeks flushed red as she sensed the unwavering determination in Ye Wen's eyes.
The hand Ye Wen had passively allowed to be held suddenly tightened. With firm resolve, Ye Wen looked at Huo Yu'er and said:
"If that's the case, then so be it.
But if, in the future, you no longer like me, please tell me immediately. I won't cling to you or interfere with your path.
This is the only guarantee I, in my weakness, can offer."
Huo Yu'er's lips curved into a faint smile, her eyes equally resolute as she replied:
"Don't worry. This girl will only ever recognize one person in her lifetime. Once I've set my sights on you, no matter what the future holds, I'll never abandon you!"
In that moment, the young boy and girl made a lifelong vow—pure and beautiful.
Though Ye Wen had accepted the relationship, he had intended to keep things low-key. However, that very night, Huo Yu'er kicked Xiao Wu out of their shared bed.
With great fanfare, Huo Yu'er declared: "Xiao Wu, Sister has a boyfriend now. You'll have to sleep alone."
With that, Huo Yu'er pushed her bed next to Ye Wen's and shared his blanket. Her original, more expensive bedding was handed over to Xiao Wu.
Even though Huo Yu'er's bedding was of finer quality, she decisively chose her lover!
And though Ye Wen's blanket was of poorer material, it still belonged to her beloved! How could she possibly give it to another girl? That would be tantamount to green-lighting herself!
Seeing her solitary bed, Xiao Wu's eyes instantly reddened.
"Sister Yu'er~ Don't do this! I don't want to sleep alone!"
"No, you can sleep alone. And look carefully—you already have a brother-in-law! Don't try to take my spot!"
"Sniff sniff... Sister Yu'er, don't do this. Even if you don't want to sleep with me, can't I at least cuddle up next to you? Please, I'm scared to sleep alone~"
"Hmm..." Huo Yu'er subtly glanced at Tang San before finally nodding. "Fine."
This exchange instantly exploded in the dormitory. Everyone stared at Huo Yu'er in disbelief.
The strongest woman in the entire school had fallen for a waste like Ye Wen—and was even sharing a bed with him!?
Ye Wen's face twisted in bitterness as he regretted agreeing to Huo Yu'er's pursuit. He wanted to slap himself—why had he impulsively agreed to her?
Moreover, though Huo Yu'er hadn't said anything vulgar, Ye Wen couldn't shake the feeling that this six-year-old girl was acting like a seasoned flirt.
If not for her body-type martial soul, Ye Wen might have suspected she was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in disguise, just like Xiao Wu.
However—
Though they were still young and unburdened by societal taboos, Ye Wen felt uneasy about the situation.
No matter how mature Huo Yu'er's mind seemed, in his eyes, she was still a little girl. As someone with the soul of a nearly 30-year-old man inside him, Ye Wen knew he couldn't allow himself to engage in such inappropriate behavior.
Otherwise, wouldn't he become just another Tang San?
They had to separate beds—it was non-negotiable.
However, Huo Yu'er was not only powerful but also skilled in being stubborn and manipulative. In the end, they compromised by using separate blankets, each sleeping on their own side of the bed—not quite sharing it fully.
Tang San, calm as ever, silently observed everything.
Tang San's original plan was the same as Ye Wen's—to remain as low-profile as possible.
But watching this display of romantic affection left Tang San feeling unsettled.
"Hmph, someone with such limited talent already entangled with a girl at such a young age. Ye Wen's future achievements are bound to be limited. My future self will surely surpass him. For now, I must focus on cultivation."
Yet the more Tang San thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He wanted to experience this sweet kind of love too!
Sure enough, news of Huo Yu'er and Ye Wen officially dating swept through the entire campus the next day.
There was no helping it—even though Ye Wen was a nobody, Huo Yu'er was the most prominent figure in the academy. Any movement involving her was bound to be magnified.
Though many students gossiped about Ye Wen, after being disciplined by Huo Yu'er's merciless fists, they quickly fell in line and offered their blessings.
Most of the male students, however, felt their teeth ache with envy. They wanted a girlfriend as fiercely protective as Huo Yu'er too!
The teachers naturally heard about this as well, but since Huo Yu'er's mysterious family hadn't said anything, they saw no reason to intervene.
Meanwhile, in Yu Xiaogang's private study, he watched Ye Wen through the window, a distant look in his eyes.
"With only half a level of innate soul power yet diligently cultivating and reading extensively… this child really reminds me of myself back then," Yu Xiaogang mused, patting himself on the back mentally.
Tang San, who was reading nearby, noticed Yu Xiaogang's odd expression and curiously asked: "Teacher, what's wrong?"
Yu Xiaogang quickly composed himself, resuming his usual deadpan demeanor. Sitting down with authority in front of Tang San, he asked:
"Tang San, is it true what they're saying about Ye Wen from your village?"
Tang San naturally knew what Yu Xiaogang was referring to. Though the idea of "once a teacher, always a father" made him slightly uncomfortable, he answered honestly:
"Yes, Teacher."
Yu Xiaogang's expression grew more complicated.
A talentless individual paired with an exceptionally gifted girlfriend—they were becoming more alike than ever.
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