NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 357
Lin Zaozao stood on her tiptoes, forcefully draping her arm over Murong Hai's shoulder, and said mischievously:
"My dear Comrade Hai! We need to open up our minds just a little bit. How can we shortchange ourselves in this one life we have, harboring such negative and self-deprecating thoughts?
If you feel you're not good enough for me, just think hard about how pitiful I used to be, and you'll instantly realize you're worth two of me.
If that doesn't work, give yourself a pep talk. So what if you're not good enough? No matter how awesome you were before, aren't you mine now?
If you're still not convinced, we can find a place to seal the deal. But definitely not here: it's way too cold to lie down on this ground."
As she spoke, Lin Zaozao couldn't help but shiver.
Good heavens! It's freezing!
"Zaozao, let me take you back first. We'll leave this place tomorrow," said Murong Hai.
He scooped up Lin Zaozao like a child and strode forward.
"Hai, where are we? Why is it so cold here?"
"Zaozao, this is the Land of Bitter Cold. Because of the grand formation set up by the Female Emperor of Canglan Country in Lan City to absorb spiritual energy, this place has been artificially cut off from the world. Once you remove the barrier isolating this place, it won't be so cold anymore, and we'll be able to leave."
"Is that so?"
Lin Zaozao nestled in Murong Hai's arms, lifting her head to look around.
As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a vast expanse of white, a scene of utter desolation.
This place was so similar to the Sacrificial Hall from her previous life!
"Hai, are there any other people here?"
"No, I'm the only one left."
Murong Hai held Lin Zaozao tighter and continued walking forward.
Hearing Murong Hai's answer, Lin Zaozao's heart clenched. Living alone in such a desolate place, wasn't he afraid of being trapped here forever?
"Murong Hai, when Han Ye sent you a message back then, why didn't you leave with the rest of your clan?"
"Zaozao, I deliberately waited here. This place is so cold, so quiet, just an endless white expanse: how similar it is to the Sacrificial Hall from your previous life. I wanted to stay in a place like where you once were, to feel the pain you once endured. Only by doing this could I constantly remind myself that it was my own incompetence that caused the girl I love to suffer so much.
So I've been here, practicing martial arts relentlessly, just waiting for the day you might need me, so I can protect you and ensure you never get hurt again."
Listening to Murong Hai's words, Lin Zaozao thought of the giant snake whose head he had severed with a single stroke earlier.
At that moment, she felt a warm sensation welling up in her eyes.
Murong Hai, you big fool!
"Murong Hai!"
"I'm here, Zaozao!"
"You know, the past is already behind us. We should look to the future now. And I don't want you to suffer even a fraction of what I went through before. Not even a little bit.
You'll feel cold, lonely, pain, sadness, and so many other negative emotions.
Hai, I... I can't bear the thought of it!"
Lin Zaozao's words made Murong Hai pause in his steps. He stopped for a moment, pulled her closer, and then continued walking with his head bowed.
Murong Hai's dwelling was a massive cave. Because it had once housed the Murong Clan, he had kept the enormous cavern neat and tidy.
Lin Zaozao observed the many smaller caves partitioned within the main one, and the huge bonfire in the center that kept the cave warm and cozy.
"Zaozao, sit here for a moment. I'll get you something to eat."
Murong Hai set Lin Zaozao down on an animal hide and turned to walk deeper into the cave.
"Hai, don't bother. I have food with me."
Lin Zaozao casually pulled out a box of self-heating hotpots from the supplies she had brought.
"Hai, let's eat this today. It's something from my hometown, and it tastes pretty good."
Lin Zaozao deftly prepared the self-heating hotpot and gestured for Murong Hai to sit down and eat together.
"How is it? Tastes good, right?"
Lin Zaozao picked up some food with her chopsticks for Murong Hai, tilting her head proudly as she asked.
"It's delicious!"
"Of course it is. Hai, my mom can't cook, so when I was at home, we either ate out or had convenient meals like this. Otherwise, we'd order takeout.
Oh! Takeout is when you pay money and someone brings tasty food right to your door.
Here, try this. It's my favorite type of convenience food."
Lin Zaozao held up a red ball and placed it in Murong Hai's bowl, speaking with her mouth full.
"Zaozao, now that you're back, will you return to your original world?"
"Of course! My parents are there, so I definitely have to go back."
"Is that so?"
"Hai, after Little Treasure of Lonely Mountain has his baby, I'll secretly take you all back to my home for a visit."
Lin Zaozao put down her chopsticks and leaned close to Murong Hai's ear, whispering conspiratorially.
"Hai, I'm now a nominal space-time manager, practically a real mystic.
When the time comes, I'll sneak you all back to my place to get red envelopes from my parents.
After my parents see the baby, we'll grab the red envelopes and make a run for it. That way, my superiors won't find out and punish me."
"Zaozao, you're willing to take me back with you?"
Murong Hai asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Of course! They say even an ugly bride must meet the in-laws, and you're so handsome.
I'll bring my husband and children back, sit in front of my parents, and act all lovey-dovey to make their teeth itch with annoyance!"
Imagining her parents watching them being affectionate, Lin Zaozao burst into laughter.
Hahaha...