Chapter 54 – Liu Erlong

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu exchanged glances as they watched Liu Erlong affectionately pull Lin Jie into the Shrek Academy compound by the hand.

"Lin Jie knows Aunt Erlong?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, slightly puzzled as she looked at Xiao Wu.

"I don't know either. My godmother never mentioned it."

That's right—Xiao Wu had formally recognized Liu Erlong as her godmother.

"And they seem to have known each other for a long time," Zhu Zhuqing added thoughtfully.

—

The truth was, Lin Jie's connection with Liu Erlong went back to his childhood. Back then, he and his family had been out shopping in Heaven Dou City when his father accidentally collided with the royal convoy. As a result, his father died on the spot. If it hadn't been for Liu Erlong's intervention, Lin Jie, his mother, and his younger sister would likely have faced dire consequences as well.

After that, Lin Jie took the initiative to call Liu Erlong his elder sister. She had sympathized with his situation and accepted him as a foster younger brother. As for why she didn't take him in as a godson—well, at the time, Liu Erlong was only in her thirties. Becoming someone's mother out of nowhere would have made her feel old. Even if she had agreed, Lin Jie wouldn't have gone along with it.

Over the years, their bond had only grown stronger. Lin Jie would often visit Blue Tyrant Academy to see Liu Erlong, and the two would talk often—about anything and everything.

As for why he never enrolled in Blue Tyrant Academy? Precisely because they were too close. Lin Jie found it a bit awkward.

—

Meanwhile, in the new Shrek Academy's female dormitory, Ning Rongrong sat in her room, resting her chin in her palm as she murmured softly to herself:

"When is Lin Jie coming back…"

The new academy boasted far better facilities than the original Shrek—every girl had her own private room. Xiao Wu's room was next to Ning Rongrong's, with Zhu Zhuqing across the hall. Another girl named Jiang Zhu also lived on the same floor.

Earlier, Xiao Wu had invited Ning Rongrong to go out, but Rongrong wasn't feeling well, so she stayed behind while the other two left.

—

Back in Liu Erlong's guest quarters, she and Lin Jie were deep in conversation, reminiscing about the past. In fact, they'd gotten so caught up in it that they'd completely forgotten about Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing still waiting nearby.

Eventually, Xiao Wu couldn't hold back anymore and blurted out, "Godmother, when did you and Lin Jie meet?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Liu Erlong smiled.

"Oh! I nearly forgot. Well, since you're all from the same academy, I won't go into too much detail. But Xiao Wu is my goddaughter now, so Lin Jie—you'd better take good care of her."

"Goddaughter?" Lin Jie repeated with mock surprise. He glanced at Xiao Wu, then turned teasingly to Liu Erlong. "So you're my foster sister, and Xiao Wu is your goddaughter… does that make me her god-uncle?"

Liu Erlong paused for a second. Huh. That actually made sense.

"Lin Jie, what nonsense are you talking about? Who's calling you god-uncle?" Xiao Wu shot him an embarrassed glare.

Grinning, Lin Jie stepped closer, eyes full of amusement. "Who would've thought—just two months away and suddenly I'm her god-uncle?" He emphasized the last two words deliberately.

"No one's calling you that!" Xiao Wu huffed. She hurried over to Liu Erlong and tugged her hand like a wronged child. "Godmother, you see? He's bullying me already."

"Alright, alright, Xiao Jie, don't tease her so much," Liu Erlong said with a gentle scolding tone, looking at Lin Jie with a hint of reproach.

Lin Jie sighed at Xiao Wu's triumphant expression. So Erlong-jie gets a goddaughter and forgets all about her godbrother, huh…

He shifted the subject. "By the way, Sister Erlong, where's Dean Flender and the others?"

"They took Dai Mubai and the rest out to hunt for Spirit Rings," Liu Erlong replied.

After chatting a while longer, Liu Erlong arranged a guest room for Lin Jie. Then, for reasons she didn't specify, she left in a bit of a hurry.

Since Lin Jie was her foster brother, she arranged for him to stay in the room right next to hers. The room was spacious and tastefully decorated, clearly meant for important guests.

Once Liu Erlong left, Xiao Wu gave Lin Jie a look, harrumphed softly, and dragged Zhu Zhuqing away with her—leaving Lin Jie alone to rest.

—

Knock knock.

Just as Lin Jie finished his bath and was still in his robe, he heard a knock at the door. He walked over and opened it.

Standing there, dressed in her signature sleek black outfit, was Zhu Zhuqing.

"I knew you'd come," Lin Jie said with a smirk, stepping forward to gently embrace her and pull her inside before closing the door behind them.

Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks immediately flushed red. Earlier, when she and Xiao Wu had left the room, Lin Jie had made a small gesture toward her. She'd understood his intent, and after returning to her room with Xiao Wu, she quietly waited until it got late before telling Xiao Wu she had something to do—and then came here.

"Zhuqing," Lin Jie whispered as he wrapped his arms around her graceful, curvaceous figure, "Did you miss me these past few days?"

"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded shyly, her voice soft.

But Lin Jie wasn't quite satisfied with that little "mm." Zhu Zhuqing was still reserved, her nature cool and distant. Lin Jie figured the best way to warm her was with his own fire.

He gently lifted her hand and placed it on his chest, teasing, "Here… did you miss this too?"

Zhu Zhuqing seemed to understand his intent, and her face turned crimson. Memories of their past moments together, coupled with the longing she'd felt over their time apart, surged in her heart.

She leaned in of her own accord, kissed him on the cheek, then buried her head against his chest, her body radiating a gentle, orchid-like fragrance that made Lin Jie feel lightheaded.

Seeing her this shy and affectionate, Lin Jie couldn't help himself—he leaned down and kissed her soft, warm lips.

Zhu Zhuqing froze for a heartbeat before melting into his embrace. Her lips trembled slightly, parting under his kiss.

No more words were needed.

After months of separation, the two quickly found themselves wrapped in one another, falling back onto the soft bed behind them. The silken curtains of the canopy bed draped down around them like a misty veil. Lin Jie stared deeply into Zhu Zhuqing's stunning face—so beautiful it felt almost divine. Overcome with emotion, he reached out and gently caressed her cheek.

Zhu Zhuqing blushed furiously under his gaze but didn't dare meet his eyes. She looked shy and helpless—but did not resist.

Lin Jie pulled her into his lap, earning a surprised gasp from her as she instinctively threw her arms around his neck. Looking into her eyes, he whispered with quiet conviction, "I want to make you the happiest woman in the world."

He drew her close, one hand resting around her slender waist, the other sliding over her flat, flawless stomach. He pressed his face gently to her cheek before once again finding her lips—this time with even greater passion.

Zhu Zhuqing clung to him tightly, kissing him back with growing fervor. Her lips moved against his like a blooming flower opening to the sun, sweet and intoxicating.

—

At that very moment, Liu Erlong had returned to her room, her business apparently concluded. Feeling nostalgic, she thought to visit her godbrother, whom she hadn't seen in over a year.

She stepped out and headed for his room next door.

Just as she raised her hand to knock… she paused.

Inside, she could faintly hear whispers and murmurs—the kind no one needed to explain.

Liu Erlong stood frozen, her hand hanging mid-air.

She was a grown woman who'd lived alone for years—she wasn't naïve. She didn't need to guess what those sounds meant.

Curiosity got the better of her. She extended her Soul Power into the room for just a moment… and what she saw instantly turned her cheeks a deep crimson.

Face burning, she quickly pulled back, retreating to her own room in a flustered rush. Back in her bed, she muttered under her breath:

"Hmph… who would've thought Zhuqing and Xiao Jie had that kind of relationship. And Xiao Jie… that little brat…"

Just recalling what she'd glimpsed made Liu Erlong's face flush all over again.

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