Chapter 66: Please Punish Me!

Having made up her mind, Dugu Yan returned to her room. She resolved to avoid Meng Bei for the next couple of days. As long as they didn't meet, nothing could go wrong.

Meanwhile, Dugu Bo, having tricked Dugu Yan into leaving, went directly to find Meng Bei.

"What's going on, kid? Why did Yan Yan suddenly tell me she wants to leave early?" he demanded.

Meng Bei calmly recounted everything he had done to Dugu Yan earlier.

Hearing this, Dugu Bo was momentarily stunned, his gaze toward Meng Bei becoming a mix of astonishment and admiration.

"You've got some skills, kid. It's been such a short time, and you've already managed to get this far? From what I know of Yan Yan, she must have some feelings for you. Otherwise, she'd have attacked you outright instead of choosing to leave!"

Dugu Bo nodded thoughtfully. He was genuinely surprised that Meng Bei had left such an impression on Dugu Yan in such a short period.

Unfortunately, time was not on their side. If they had another ten days or so, perhaps something could truly develop. But with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's next offensive imminent, Dugu Bo couldn't afford to give Meng Bei any more time.

After some consideration, Dugu Bo said to Meng Bei, "Kid, we're running out of time. After today, we only have two days left. Don't overthink it—just spend more time with Yan Yan and try to win her over. That way, when I step in, things will go more smoothly for you two."

Meng Bei shook his head.

Though he knew little about relationships, he understood that excessive appeasement wouldn't work. Trying to win over Dugu Yan now would only backfire and provoke her rebellious instincts, yielding poor results.

The correct approach would be…

Meng Bei leaned close and whispered his plan into Dugu Bo's ear.

Dugu Bo looked utterly shocked. "Will this really work?"

Meng Bei's expression was resolute. "Trust me—just do as I say."

Reluctantly, Dugu Bo agreed to carry out the plan.

At that moment, Dugu Yan was in her room, attempting to meditate. She struggled to clear her mind of distractions, particularly the lingering taste of her first kiss with Meng Bei.

No matter how hard she tried to focus, her thoughts kept drifting back to that moment. Desperate to banish Meng Bei from her mind, she held a photograph of herself with Yu Tianheng, taken during their time at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. She stared at it repeatedly, hoping to overwrite her memories of Meng Bei.

Suddenly, a furious roar echoed from outside, shattering her thoughts.

"Damn it! So it was you who bullied Yan Yan. No wonder she wanted to leave early. Let's see how I deal with you, you little brat!"

Dugu Yan's heart sank.

Grandpa wouldn't seriously hurt Meng Bei, would he?!

Panic gripped her. She rushed to the door but hesitated before opening it.

What should I say when I see Meng Bei? Should I show concern? Or say something else?

Would going out now make Meng Bei misunderstand my intentions?

Conflicted, Dugu Yan pressed her ear against the door, listening intently to the commotion outside.

Maybe Grandpa won't be too harsh—just a light punishment. If that's the case, I don't need to interfere.

She tried to reassure herself.

But then came the unmistakable sound of something heavy striking flesh, followed by sharp cracks of a whip cutting through the air.

The harsh noises reverberated in the otherwise silent surroundings, making her ears sting.

"Grandpa is going too far!"

Dugu Yan's face turned pale with fear. What terrified her even more was the absence of any sound from Meng Bei amidst the whipping.

He couldn't have passed out, could he?!

Unable to contain herself any longer, she bolted out of her room toward the source of the sounds.

When she arrived, she saw Meng Bei tied to a tree, his back a mess of torn flesh and blood.

His tattered clothes clung to him, soaked in blood that dripped onto the ground. Even Dugu Bo, who was wielding the whip, looked uneasy and whispered, "Kid, you holding up? Don't push yourself too hard."

Dugu Bo was genuinely worried about Meng Bei.

He wanted Meng Bei to win over Dugu Yan, but not at the cost of such suffering. After all, they were bound to become family sooner or later—this was too much.

Meng Bei gritted his teeth, lifting his head to flash a weak smile.

"Don't worry. This little injury is nothing to me."

It was all part of the "Injured Hero" act. Some injuries were inevitable.

Besides, Meng Bei's physique was extraordinarily strong. These wounds were superficial at best, and if not for him suppressing his body's natural healing abilities, they would've already begun to heal.

"Crack!"

Another lash landed, flesh and blood spraying through the air. Meng Bei remained silent, as if the shredded skin on his back didn't belong to him.

From a distance, Dugu Yan caught the scent of blood before she even saw the scene. Her face turned ashen as she rushed forward.

"Grandpa, what are you doing?!"

Her voice trembled with sobs.

Seeing her finally arrive, Dugu Bo heaved a sigh of relief. Any longer, and he might've actually killed the boy.

Maintaining a stern expression, Dugu Bo tossed the whip aside and walked over to her.

"Yan Yan, don't worry. Grandpa has avenged you."

With that, he left without looking back.

Dugu Yan ignored her grandfather and turned her attention to Meng Bei, staring blankly at his bloodied back. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Meng Bei! Meng Bei! Are you okay?!"

She rushed forward and untied the ropes binding him.

The moment the ropes were undone, Meng Bei collapsed into her arms.

He opened his dull, blue eyes, his pale face making her heart ache. But what scared her most was the fleeting glimpse of fear in his eyes when he looked at her.

Although it lasted only a moment, it was painfully clear to her.

She had seen joy in his eyes countless times before when they met, a joy she had taken for granted.

But now, that joy had turned to fear. Only after losing it did she realize how precious it was.

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