5 Chapter 5 I Can Help You_1

Zhu Zhuqing was held in Xu Ran's embrace, a trace of redness flashing across her cool features, and she couldn't help the frantic pounding of her heart.

From childhood to now, she hadn't had much contact with boys, let alone been held so intimately.

"Let go of me now," Zhu Zhuqing's jade hand forcefully pushed against Xu Ran's chest, but seeing that she couldn't push him away, her pretty face turned even redder, and listening to the murmurs and gossip of the people around, she felt so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

After today, there might be many rumors about her and Xu Ran within the Zhu Clan.

It was a pity that he and Zhu Qing didn't have that kind of relationship yet; he would have to fully win Zhu Qing's heart first before he could hold her without any reservations.

By then, not only would he be able to hold Zhu Qing, but once he won Zhu Qing over, he could do whatever he wanted. Zhu Qing might appear cold, but she had a warm heart and was a fiercely loyal person. If he won her heart, it would mean he had won her everything.

"Be more careful next time. If I hadn't been here, you could have fallen today," Xu Ran said with a gentle smile, releasing Zhu Zhuqing's slender waist.

"It seems like you don't have much actual combat experience. You should have sparring instructors in your family as well," Xu Ran wondered. He could tell that Zhu Zhuqing's practical experience was insufficient, even the simplest techniques of deflecting force weren't perfectly mastered. In the original story, Zhu Zhuqing slowly improved through continuous training at Shrek Academy.

"I do have combat instructors, but they are all very fierce," Zhu Zhuqing said softly, looking down at her beautiful legs, her voice low. She was a bit afraid to look at Xu Ran, still able to feel his masculine scent on her, making her body feel somewhat feverish.

Bowing her head, her dainty toes tapped lightly on the ground, somewhat at a loss. A breeze blew by, making her ink-like hair flutter with the wind.

In the Zhu Clan, her special status meant that even the instructors who taught her cultivation would try their best to show some distance, keeping apart from Zhu Zhuqing.

Thinking about this, a slight pain tugged at Xu Ran's heart.

Zhu Zhuqing had always silently endured grievances within the Zhu Clan, and he had seen it all. Just now, in the square, while so many people were sparring and cultivating, Zhu Zhuqing was alone. If he hadn't been there, who knows how many more grievances Zhu Zhuqing would have had to endure.

And Dai Mubai, at this time, was reveling at Shrek Academy, not only having run away, but he had even betrayed Zhu Qing, doing those things with twin beauties.

Such a person could actually be redeemed in the end—it was utterly ridiculous.

If becoming a strong person meant one could write history, then starting from now, let him, Xu Ran, be the one to write it.

In the original story, Zhu Qing ultimately accepted everything and ended up with Dai Mubai. But since he had arrived in this world, he would not allow such things to happen.

Zhu Qing, from now on, would be under his protection.

Xu Ran stepped forward slowly, looking at the girl in front of him, wanting to touch Zhu Qing's hair.

"With me here, no one will dare to bully you," Xu Ran said, his voice sincere. In a few days, he would petition the Family Head to annul Zhu Zhuqing's arranged marriage with Dai Mubai. Under the heavens, such a treasured girl could only belong to him, Xu Ran.

Zhu Zhuqing sidestepped, not letting Xu Ran's hand touch her.

Hearing Xu Ran's bold words, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help feeling a bit flustered inside. Faced with such matters, no girl could remain calm. Even if she was Zhu Zhuqing, she was still a normal girl.

"I can protect myself, you don't need to worry about me," Zhu Zhuqing said, still not daring to look at Xu Ran, but her voice had softened a bit.

"I'm already engaged to be married, so it's better for us to keep our distance in the future," Zhu Zhuqing retracted her Martial Soul, her beautiful eyes gazing into the distance.

There was also a wave of resentment in her heart.

Why was she betrothed to someone else at birth?

Other girls can choose the person they like, but she can't, her fiancé had been determined from the moment she was born.

Why should this be?

And Dai Mubai's character is so poor, womanizing everywhere, even abandoning her to escape alone. Why should she have to marry someone like him?

But what can be done about it?

The Dai and Zhu Families' generations of intermarriage won't change just because of her feelings. Moreover, Dai Mubai is a Prince, and his marriage represents the dignity of the royal household, how could she possibly resist?

"I can help you," Xu Ran said softly, looking at Zhu Zhuqing, the desire to protect her intensely present in him at that moment. He knew the girl before him had borne too much alone.

"You don't need to worry about my affairs. You don't have to come looking for me in the future; I have my own combat teacher and don't need you to spar with me," Zhu Zhuqing said, a mist forming in her eyes. Her fate was already sealed; there would be no changes.

She could feel that Xu Ran might have those kinds of thoughts about her, but she wouldn't accept them, let alone drag Xu Ran down with her.

Xu Ran didn't understand the relationship between the Dai and Zhu Families; he didn't realize yet the dangers he would face if he got involved. She wouldn't allow herself to be the cause of trouble for others.

For many years, even the sister who had always cared for her no longer liked her.

Each person knows their own situation best, like one feeling the temperature of the water they drink. Only she knew the suffering she endured in her family. No one talked to her, let alone listened to her troubles.

But now it's different, with Xu Ran here. Knowing there was someone who still cared for her was enough.

Nothing else mattered, and she wouldn't let Xu Ran's feelings for her develop any further. That was the only way to ensure his safety.

"Let's end the sparring here for today; I'll be going now. You shouldn't come looking for me anymore," Zhu Zhuqing said, running towards the distance, tears welling up in her eyes. In the Zhu Clan, she had always been alone. Even if someone truly wanted to treat her well, she would keep her distance voluntarily; she didn't want anyone who was kind to her to be hurt, not even a little bit.

Watching Zhu Zhuqing's retreating figure, Xu Ran couldn't help but sigh.

He knew Zhu Zhuqing's heart was in turmoil and she couldn't accept him for now. But he hadn't expected to win over Zhu Qing so quickly; they had plenty of time in the future, and sooner or later, she would be his.

As Zhu Zhuqing walked further away, Xu Ran left the square as well. He knew that only by truly proving his strength, proving that he could protect her, would Zhu Zhuqing stop pushing him away. Only then would she be willing to get closer to him.