Douluo Dalu: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

Chapter 178: I Don't Want You to Be Someone Else's Fiancée

Early the next morning, Zhao Ming got up.

As he ate breakfast in the Shrek Academy dining hall, he was thinking about how to tell the girls about his plan.

After all, he had only returned from the Star Dou Forest a month ago, and now he was leaving again. He felt a bit guilty towards them. But if he didn't go, it would be even worse. To improve his strength and provide a better future for them, there were some things he had to do.

"Zhao Ming, what's wrong? Are you troubled?" Xiao Wu asked, her beautiful eyes full of concern as she looked at him.

"I have some matters to attend to, and I need to leave for a while," Zhao Ming said directly when he saw Xiao Wu's concerned expression.

Hearing this, Xiao Wu pouted and remained silent.

Meng Yiran, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing also looked at Zhao Ming with a hint of sadness.

After all, he had just returned, and they were reluctant to part with him.

"Do you really have to go?" Ning Rongrong asked, pouting as she gazed at Zhao Ming with displeasure in her eyes.

"Yes, I must go. Moreover, this time, I'm going to the Star Luo Empire, and I want to take Zhuqing with me." Zhao Ming smiled as he took Zhu Zhuqing's soft hand.

"Really?" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up, and her initial reluctance was replaced by pure joy.

"Of course it's true," Zhao Ming smiled.

"No, I want to go too."

"Me too."

Seeing that Zhao Ming was taking Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran were filled with hope, wanting to accompany him. They didn't want to be apart from him for too long, especially since they had no idea when they would see him again.

"I'm not taking Zhuqing for fun; there's something I need to take care of. So, you two should stay here." Zhao Ming sighed. "Rongrong, you're close to reaching level thirty. Soon, you'll need to return home to acquire your soul ring. It's not suitable for you to follow me. The same goes for you, Yiran. You've only been at the academy for a short time. You need to focus on your cultivation instead of running around with me."

"Alright. But remember, you have to bring us back some gifts," Ning Rongrong said, a little disappointed but understanding Zhao Ming's reasoning. She was indeed on the verge of a breakthrough, and soon she would become a Soul Elder. When that happened, her support abilities would be even stronger. She knew that only by becoming stronger could she stay by Zhao Ming's side and accompany him in his endeavors. She understood this well.

"No problem," Zhao Ming replied with a smile.

"When are you leaving?" Xiao Wu asked with concern. She knew Zhao Ming had many things to accomplish, and the best she could do was not to be a burden to him.

"Tomorrow. The sooner I go, the sooner I can return," Zhao Ming said with a smile.

"Just make sure you stay safe. I'll help you pack your things later," Xiao Wu said gently, her beautiful eyes fixed on Zhao Ming.

"I really love my precious Xiao Wu. You're so sweet." Zhao Ming felt touched and kissed Xiao Wu on the forehead. Xiao Wu blushed at his gesture, playfully hitting his chest with her small fists, though it was light and felt more like a gentle caress.

After some playful banter with the girls, their spirits lifted.

Once the mood was lighter, Zhao Ming took Zhu Zhuqing's hand and walked out of the academy.

Today, Zhu Zhuqing was dressed in a black, tight-fitting outfit that highlighted her graceful figure. Her long, slender legs were perfectly outlined, her curves clearly visible. She was breathtakingly beautiful—such a stunning girl could only belong to Zhao Ming.

"Zhuqing, you look so beautiful," Zhao Ming said, unable to resist complimenting her.

"Hmm." Zhu Zhuqing blushed slightly, looking at Zhao Ming with happiness in her eyes.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Star Luo Empire. I want to take you back to the Zhu family," Zhao Ming said softly, holding Zhu Zhuqing's small hand.

"Back to the Zhu family?" Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes showed a hint of nervousness as she looked at Zhao Ming.

She didn't want to go back. If her father and the others saw her with Zhao Ming, what would they think? She didn't care about how others viewed her, but she couldn't bear the thought of Zhao Ming being put in danger because of her. If the Zhu family knew about their relationship, they might take action against him.

"Yes, I want to take you back to the Zhu family." Seeing the tension and fear in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, Zhao Ming felt a pang of heartache. He knew the Zhu family had always been a burden on her heart.

"But it's dangerous," Zhu Zhuqing said softly, biting her lip.

"You are my precious girl. No matter how dangerous it is, I want to take you back. Besides, I have a Title Douluo accompanying me this time. There's no danger." Zhao Ming smiled as he pulled Zhu Zhuqing into his embrace, taking in her softness and fragrance.

"A Title Douluo?" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened as she looked at Zhao Ming. It reminded her of Zhao Ming's extraordinary background. Someone who could casually give out soul bones like Zhao Ming could not be an ordinary person.

"Yes, and not just any Title Douluo. A very powerful one. Don't worry."

"This time, I want you to return to the Zhu family with pride. From now on, as long as I'm here, no one will dare bully you." Zhao Ming gently stroked Zhu Zhuqing's hair, his voice filled with tenderness.

Zhu Zhuqing was so beautiful, with an incredible figure and such a gentle personality. Yet, she had to endure the pressure of living under the Zhu family's expectations.

From a family perspective, Zhao Ming could understand the actions of both the Zhu and Dai families. But Zhu Zhuqing was his woman now; she was not an ordinary girl and should not bear that burden.

"Why are you so good to me?" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes shimmered with tears as she looked at Zhao Ming. In her heart, she believed that he was going to the Star Luo Empire specifically for her, to face the pressure from both the Zhu and Dai families.

She was just an ordinary girl, and she already had an engagement with someone else. In such a situation, even if she were beautiful, others would hesitate.

But Zhao Ming didn't. He still treated her so well, even giving her soul bones—precious treasures—not just one, but two.

"You are my precious girl. It's only natural to treat you well." Zhao Ming buried his face in Zhu Zhuqing's hair and spoke softly.

"You treat me so well. From now on, whatever you want, I will give it to you," Zhu Zhuqing said, moved to tears. The only thing she had to offer him was her beautiful body. If that was what he wanted, she would gladly give it to him.

As long as it made him happy, she was willing to do anything.

"Silly girl. All I want is for you to be happy every day." Zhao Ming smiled brightly. Although Zhu Zhuqing was beautiful and he did want her to be truly his, it wasn't the right time yet.

Zhu Zhuqing gazed at Zhao Ming with tenderness in her eyes.

She was ready to give herself to him, but he didn't ask for it. She knew now that his love for her went beyond her appearance.

"Zhuqing, when I take you home this time, I want to annul the engagement. I don't want you to be someone else's fiancée. You are my woman, and you belong only to me," Zhao Ming said gently, looking at her beautiful face.

"Annul the engagement?" Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zhao Ming, surprised. After all, the other party was royalty. Annuling an engagement with the royal family was an act of rebellion.

"So what if he's a prince? Dai Mubai doesn't deserve you," Zhao Ming said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

In her heart, she already belonged to him.

In the past, even though Zhao Ming had never mentioned this issue, she always felt a sense of guilt. Now that he brought it up, she had to annul the engagement. She wanted to be completely and entirely his.

As for the danger they might face after the annulment, she knew Zhao Ming would handle everything.

If anything did go wrong, she was prepared to bear the consequences alone.

She could die, face accusations, and endure the scorn of others.

But Zhao Ming couldn't. He had to live like a hero.

She loved that side of him.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.