The Secret to Happiness

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Lu Xian raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by her answer.

"So you're not going to Soto City anymore? Planning to follow me instead?"

Zhu Zhuqing silently nodded.

"Why?"

"You're my only friend."

She spoke softly, "I've often wondered how wonderful it would be if I hadn't been born into that cold, heartless family."

"But I have no power to change my fate, let alone my family. The only thing I can do is escape."

"I've imagined countless times what it would be like to stand freely in the sunlight, to live a simple, happy life like an ordinary person."

"But I knew that was just a fantasy."

"Until I finally escaped from that cold place!"

"I've seen the darkest nights. People who have never truly experienced despair will never understand how precious hope is."

She lifted her head and met Lu Xian's gaze. "You saved me. The past few days with you have been the most relaxed I've ever felt in my life. Even though you always tease me, you're still my only friend, the most important person to me—no one else even comes close."

"Our meeting shouldn't have been just a brief crossing at a fork in the road, only to part ways."

She had finally found a light in her darkness. If she let go, she would be plunged back into that lonely night, walking forward alone. She didn't want to experience that helplessness again.

She wanted to stand in the sunlight!

Lu Xian listened quietly before curving his lips into a smile. "Feeling bold today, huh? Is it because it's raining? The raindrops are hiding your tears, giving you the courage to say all this?"

She glared at him. "I'm not crying!"

"Oh really..."

Lu Xian didn't argue. Instead, he stepped aside. "It's raining hard outside. Come in and talk."

She didn't move. Instead, she asked in a muffled voice, "Why were you angry?"

"What?"

"Back at the crossroads, when we were about to part ways. Why were you angry?"

"I wasn't angry."

"You were!"

"I wasn't."

"You were! You got mad because I wanted to go to Soto City! Because I didn't choose to follow you!"

Lu Xian didn't argue further. Instead, he chuckled. "Do you know the three secrets to happiness?"

Zhu Zhuqing stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.

Lu Xian smirked. "The three secrets to happiness are: 'It doesn't matter,' 'It's unnecessary,' and 'It's not that serious.'"

"The happiest people in the world are those who never feel responsible for anyone else. The second happiest are those who never look back."

"I can't be the happiest person, so I can only be the second happiest. I'm just a traveler in this world, a witness. A lot of things—certain people—I just need to be at peace with myself. As for right or wrong… who in this world can truly say they've never made a mistake?"

Zhu Zhuqing frowned. She didn't fully understand.

Lu Xian explained, "Everyone has the right to make their own choices."

"Going to Soto City was your choice. I wouldn't interfere, and I wouldn't be angry. It simply meant we were taking different paths. I respect your decision, but I also have my own way of doing things."

"If you still don't understand, turn around and look back. Tell me, what do you see?"

Zhu Zhuqing turned her head, a little confused. "I see the road I came from… I see my muddy footprints…"

"Your experiences have trapped your mind, so that's all you can see."

Lu Xian looked at her seriously and said, "Life should be an endless horizon, not a predetermined path, and definitely not the muddy trail behind you."

"You should look further. Look at the forests, the mountains, the sky—look at this vast, boundless world."

"I see myself as a traveler in this world, but you are someone who truly lives it. We see the world differently. When your choices no longer align with mine, I can walk away without hesitation—because I don't need to look back at that muddy path."

This was the first time Zhu Zhuqing had seen him speak so seriously. When he wasn't being his usual playful self, he actually had an undeniable charm. And what he said… had a certain wisdom to it.

She thought about his words, half-understanding.

Following him was responsibility.

Leaving him meant not looking back.

Just like he said, since he couldn't be the happiest type of person, he could only be the second happiest.

His world seemed completely different from ordinary people's.

His mindset… it was as if he was just playing a game with life.

Life should be an endless horizon, not a predetermined path, and definitely not the muddy trail behind you.

That made sense. Zhu Zhuqing realized her vision was too narrow. She had been trapped in her own pain for too long, unable to see far or wide. There was still so much for her to learn.

Softly, she asked, "I want to follow you. Will you still take me with you? If you think I'm a burden…"

"You are a burden. And you're not."

Lu Xian shrugged, cutting her off. "You're too weak, so I have to take care of you. But wandering this world alone can get boring. Having a little cat to tease and pet along the way will keep things interesting. If you can keep up, I'd be happy to have you along. Welcome aboard, little kitty."

Wait, so he's always seen me as a pet cat?

Zhu Zhuqing's face instantly fell.

Seeing her expression, Lu Xian chuckled, pulled her inside, and sat her down by the fire. Taking a towel from his storage ring, he started drying her wet hair.

"To be honest, following me may not be the best choice. Tian Dou City is just a temporary stop for me—I don't even know where I'll go next. I might be constantly on the move, wandering across mountains and rivers. Who knows, I might even go to another world someday. I could be gone for months, maybe years."

"If that's the case, do you still want to follow me?"

She nodded firmly. "I've made up my mind. These past few days with you have been the most at peace I've ever felt. I don't need to gamble on an uncertain future. Besides, traveling the world together? That's exactly what I want. As long as you're willing to take me along, I'll stay with you."

"But I do have one question. Can you really go to other worlds?"

Lu Xian waved his finger, showing off the storage ring on his hand. He smiled. "Take a guess—where do you think this space ring came from? Do I have any reason to lie to you? Everything I've said is true, you just didn't believe it."

This Soul Tool ring… he definitely didn't have it when they first met. Zhu Zhuqing was sure of that.

"Then can I go with you?" she asked, eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation for another world.

Lu Xian hesitated. "I haven't tried it before, so I'm not sure. Maybe you can, maybe you can't. We can test it someday."

"Your hair's dry. Use your spirit power to warm yourself up and dry your clothes. Don't catch a cold. Once the rain stops, we need to get moving."

"Alright…"

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