Well, it seems I can't entirely wash my hands of this either, but for now, isn't it wiser to go with Rong Yi? This violent maniac—once he loses his temper, no one can stop him. I absolutely can't let him hurt Senior Brother Lu again. Last time, it was his violence that triggered Senior Brother's illness. If anything else goes wrong this time, where would I find another Moon Gem to save him?
So, instead of arguing with Rong Yi, she said, "Senior Brother Lu, I'll go back with Rong Yi for now..."
Lu Wei blocked her way, his tone grave: "Qiqi, is what he said true? Are you two—dating?"
His face bore an expression of disbelief. His usually gentle, water-like eyes now held a hint of accusation, even a trace of anger? Pain? Heartbreak?
That overwhelming sense of sorrow surged again, threads of it seeping in everywhere, violently stirring the heart.
Qiqi couldn't resist it and immediately felt as if she'd committed a huge mistake. She quickly waved her hands in denial: "No, no, not yet..."
But after a moment's thought, she nodded: "Well, I am indeed considering it."
A flicker of despair passed through Lu Wei's eyes, and he said recklessly, "Don't agree to it, Qiqi. You can't date a monster."
"I..."
Qiqi didn't know what to say, because she herself hadn't fully figured this out. But Lu Wei's words angered Rong Yi.
What did he mean by "can't date a monster"? This detestable immortal!
The Wolf King's rage erupted, and an invisible pressure swelled around him, even snapping the rubber band holding his long hair. His ink-black hair danced without wind, and his phoenix eyes flickered with green light, looking eerily otherworldly.
"Hey, have you said enough? What right do you have to interfere with her choices?" he roared.
Lu Wei stepped forward to shield Qiqi, his words for the first time so fierce: "I indeed can't interfere with her choices, but is what you're doing right? Qiqi is just an ordinary person, and you're a monster. You two aren't from the same world. If Qiqi stays with you, how will she live? How will she face her friends? What will others think of her? Have you considered any of this?"
Rong Yi's face shifted through several expressions, but his gaze remained stubborn and resolute: "Of course I'll take care of her. I'll protect her for life, keep her from harm. Anyone who dares to oppose us, I'll kill them."
His aura was so fierce that Lu Wei's chest tightened with pain, leaving him speechless.
Had someone, once, said the same words to him?
—Protect her, take care of her, give her a lifetime of happiness?
And yet, what was the final outcome?
His chest constricted, and he took a few heavy breaths before saying, "I don't believe you. I can't trust you. In any case, you can't take Qiqi away. She's sick, and you can't care for her."
Rong Yi let out a disdainful sneer: "Hmph, Lu Wei, do you think you're the only one who knows how to care for the sick? Do you think your medical skills are the best in the world, esteemed Immortal of Medicine?"
He casually revealed Lu Wei's identity, shocking Qiqi—Immortal of Medicine? Senior Brother? Wow, that's so cool. Who was Senior Brother Lu in his past life? Hua Tuo? Bian Que?
She turned to look at Lu Wei, curiosity in her eyes. Still, since Rong Yi had mentioned Senior Brother's past life before, she knew Lu Wei might be a reincarnated celestial being, so she wasn't too surprised.
Lu Wei's face changed at that moment, and he looked nervously at Qiqi. Yet, the girl's eyes held only admiration and curiosity, nothing else. A bitterness welled up in his heart, and he silently swallowed it down.