Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

"Put it on!"

Amidst the storm, the sound of thunder roared.

Yet, the lack of a boy's angry voice oddly comforted the girl, even though no one had ever treated her so harshly before.

For a moment, she was completely stunned.

Qin Jian quietly let out a sigh of relief. Taking advantage of her daze, he quickly wrapped the rain cloak around her and tied it securely. Without a word, he hoisted her onto his back and started running.

Outside, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo both visibly relaxed.

If Ning Rongrong had continued sulking, they weren't sure if they would've been able to resist giving in to her.

After some time, Ning Rongrong finally regained her composure.

"Qin Jian! How dare you scold me just now! Put me down!"

She suddenly began struggling.

"No!"

Not only did Qin Jian refuse, but he also started running faster across the muddy ground.

"Put me down!"

Ning Rongrong kept pounding on Qin Jian's back, squirming so much that he could barely maintain his footing.

Smack!

He suddenly freed one hand and gave a firm slap, producing a sharp sound.

"Stop moving!"

Ning Rongrong froze.

Even Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo outside were dumbfounded.

"You… How could you hit me… there…"

Moments later, Ning Rongrong's voice was full of embarrassment and anger. "A girl's body is not to be touched!"

"I touched it! What are you going to do about it?" Qin Jian had reached his limit.

With the wind and rain howling around him, Ning Rongrong was dragging him down at every step. Anyone would lose their patience.

"I… I…"

Ning Rongrong was momentarily speechless, then suddenly bit down on his shoulder with a resolute heart.

"Ah! You're actually biting me!"

Qin Jian yelled in frustration.

"I'll bite! I'll keep biting! Chomp!…"

Ning Rongrong clamped her teeth down and refused to let go.

After tussling for what seemed like ages, Qin Jian never set her down.

Through the raging storm, the small boy carried the small girl on his back, running endlessly.

Although drenched and disheveled, the scene carried an inexplicable warmth.

"Do you think these two little ones might start developing feelings for each other?" Ning Fengzhi suddenly voiced his concern.

Sword Douluo replied, "Let things take their course. Rongrong is still young. Even if something stirs, it shouldn't have much of an impact."

This was precisely why he had encouraged Qin Jian to act. He didn't believe a bond at this age could truly affect Ning Rongrong deeply.

"You're probably right…" Ning Fengzhi nodded thoughtfully.

Inside the Simulation Training Ground.

Qin Jian had no idea how long he had been running. All he knew was that his legs were growing heavier and heavier with each step.

At last, through the storm, he spotted a large tent.

Summoning his remaining strength, he lifted the flap and burst inside.

The rain, thunder, and wind were instantly cut off.

"Huff… Huff…"

Qin Jian leaned on his knees, panting heavily. It took him a full ten minutes to catch his breath.

"Qin Jian, are you okay?"

Ning Rongrong finally climbed down from his back, her legs wobbling so much she almost collapsed. The prolonged jostling had left them completely numb.

"I… Huff… I'll be fine…"

Qin Jian, drenched in sweat, gestured weakly. "You… Huff… check out the tent… I just need… a moment…"

"Okay…"

After a brief pause, Ning Rongrong quickly recovered her vigor, her attention drawn to the tent's furnishings.

"Wow! There's so much delicious food!"

"Wow! Look at all these clean clothes! And even a bathing area!"

"Wow! Such a big bed!"

"…"

Her endless exclamations brought a faint smile to Qin Jian's lips. "What a little girl…"

He forced himself to stretch his sore legs.

After running so far, skipping a stretch would undoubtedly turn them into jelly tomorrow.

Once his stretching routine was done, Qin Jian collapsed to the ground, completely drained.

"Qin Jian, do you want to take a bath? There's a bath here!" Ning Rongrong called out excitedly.

Qin Jian shook his head and said gently, "You're soaked too. Go first."

"Alright! I'm going then!"

Ning Rongrong ran off cheerfully.

Qin Jian shook his head, noticing a fire pit in the center of the tent.

With difficulty, he crawled over and lit it.

Crackle…

The warm glow of the fire enveloped the space, bringing him some comfort at last.

"La la la…"

From the back of the tent came the sound of splashing water and a girl's cheerful humming.

Qin Jian's eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

He didn't know how much time had passed.

Eventually, the sound of water subsided. Ning Rongrong emerged, glowing with vitality.

"Qin Jian, I'm done! You should take a bath too…"

Her words trailed off as she froze.

At the center of the tent, the boy sat huddled with his knees drawn to his chest, his head resting on them, already fast asleep.

The firelight cast a warm glow over his face, reddened from the heat.

Ning Rongrong's heart inexplicably tightened.

Drip. Drip.

She crept closer and saw droplets of water still falling from Qin Jian's soaked clothes, forming a puddle on the ground.

"Qin Jian…"

Her eyes welled with tears.

This boy had carried her through the storm, enduring exhaustion and the cold rain. His clothes were drenched, his body utterly spent. Yet, he had not uttered a single complaint or blamed her for her stubbornness. He had simply done everything for her, even letting her bathe first, though he clearly needed the warmth more than anyone.

"Qin Jian…"

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Hack, hack…

Just then, Qin Jian coughed suddenly, his face twisting in discomfort, though he didn't wake.

"Is he sick?!"

Alarmed, Ning Rongrong crouched down beside him.

"Qin Jian! Don't fall asleep! You need to change out of your wet clothes! Qin Jian!"

She shook him persistently until his eyes slowly fluttered open, still dazed.

Hack, hack…

The coughing soon brought him back to full awareness.

"Qin Jian, please don't get sick…"

Her tear-streaked face made Qin Jian feel a flicker of warmth despite his fatigue. After a few more coughs, he smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, Rongrong. I'm not sick… cough…"

"Don't lie! You've been coughing nonstop," Ning Rongrong said, her voice trembling.

"It's not that…"

Qin Jian's smile remained gentle. "I just overexerted myself. I'll be fine after a night's rest."

"Really?"

Ning Rongrong blinked in surprise, then hurriedly urged, "Go take a bath and soak for a while. If you don't, you really might get sick!"

"Alright…"

Qin Jian nodded, slowly pushing himself up on shaky legs.

After such exhaustion and a brief sleep, his body felt even weaker.

Seeing him stumble, Ning Rongrong rushed to support him to the back of the tent before returning to the front.

Splash!

A loud splash soon signaled Qin Jian's entry into the bath.

"Eh?"

Ning Rongrong froze, her cheeks gradually turning crimson.

"He… he… he didn't change the water…"

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