Chapter 55 – Zhu Zhuqing’s Heart

Inside Lin Jie's room, Zhu Zhuqing lay weakly in his arms, her charming and alluring features softened by a peaceful smile. Gradually, the two of them drifted off into slumber, still holding each other close.

By the next morning, the first light of dawn stretched across the eastern sky, tinting the heavens with a rosy haze. The air was cool and refreshing, the blue sky gradually unfolding like silk. Birds chirped merrily, their joyful song echoing through the trees. With sunlight spilling across the land, it was the start of a brand-new day—and a beautiful one at that.

As the sun rose, Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing awoke from their dreams, still tangled together in a close embrace. When memories of the night before surfaced, they both exchanged a quiet smile.

Zhu Zhuqing, just awakened, still carried the lingering air of enchantment. After last night's passion, she resembled a lotus after rain—radiant and soft, her cheeks flushed with lingering heat. Her long, dark hair flowed loosely down her shoulders, and her body exuded a charm that could make anyone lose their senses.

Seeing Lin Jie staring at her in a daze, Zhu Zhuqing gave a light laugh, like a flower blooming in spring—captivating in every way. She glanced at him with teasing allure, then rose gracefully from the bed. Her cascading hair flowed like silk across her shoulders and back, and her lithe, elegant figure moved with mesmerizing rhythm as she walked to the window.

She opened it. A burst of fresh air flowed in, and Lin Jie inhaled deeply, finally sitting up.

Looking at her now, Lin Jie realized Zhu Zhuqing had changed. Something about her presence felt new—like she'd transformed overnight.

Then, like the gentlest of wives, she brought him a set of fresh clothes and began dressing him with graceful, quiet care.

Startled, Lin Jie quickly reached for her hands and said softly, "It's alright—I can do it myself."

Zhu Zhuqing shot him a sideways glance and said in a half-mocking tone, "Let go." She chuckled lightly and leaned in to whisper by his ear, "Lin Jie, you know what? I've realized I can't be without you anymore. And now that I'm your woman, it's only natural for me to take care of you. When I help you dress, I feel genuinely happy—like I'm fulfilling my role as your wife. So don't move. Let me enjoy this."

Her words stunned Lin Jie. This sudden transformation left him a little caught off guard. But warmth swelled in his chest, a gentle, fulfilling joy. He couldn't help but lean forward and kiss her lightly on the cheek.

"Zhuqing, I don't know what changed in you, but… it only makes me love you more," he said with heartfelt sincerity.

Zhu Zhuqing smiled like a blooming flower, but her hands didn't pause for a second. "Since last night, I've heard more sweet talk from you than I have in my whole life. But I've made up my mind—from now on, I'm yours, completely. You're not getting rid of me."

Lin Jie burst into laughter and planted another kiss on her cheek. He turned to the mirror and began fixing his collar and robes. Zhu Zhuqing moved behind him, gently tidying his hair.

Then she paused, her voice suddenly quiet and serious.

"Lin Jie… can you promise me something?"

He turned to look at her.

"No matter what happens in the future," she said softly, "no matter how hard things get… please don't ever leave me. Don't abandon me."

In that moment, Lin Jie understood the reason behind her sudden transformation. It was because of the lack of safety and stability she'd felt growing up in her clan. Her heart had always been burdened by that insecurity.

He turned and held her hands tightly, looking straight into her eyes.

"Zhuqing, I swear. Even if you tried to leave me… I wouldn't let you go."

That promise made her smile—not a polite or restrained smile, but a genuine, heartfelt one, the most beautiful expression he had ever seen on her face.

At that moment, Lin Jie knew with certainty: Zhu Zhuqing would never leave him again. Or rather—he would never allow her to.

—

After a bit more time together, they stepped out of the room—just as Liu Erlong was coming out of hers next door. The three of them came face to face in the corridor.

Lin Jie glanced at Liu Erlong, and she looked right back at him. But for some reason, her cheeks flushed red.

Even at nearly forty years old, Liu Erlong looked barely over thirty. Time hadn't touched her face; if anything, it had only added a mature allure. Still, Lin Jie could tell something was off. She seemed… a little drained?

"Morning, Sister Erlong," Lin Jie greeted casually, noting her slightly absent look.

Zhu Zhuqing hadn't expected to run into Liu Erlong so suddenly, and her face turned red with embarrassment as well.

Liu Erlong glanced between the two of them, still wrapped in a half-embrace, and cleared her throat awkwardly. "Xiao Jie… you two…"

"Oh—right," Lin Jie said with a grin. "Sister Erlong, I forgot to mention last night—Zhuqing is my girlfriend."

"I see…" Liu Erlong turned to Zhu Zhuqing, who nodded in acknowledgment, cheeks still pink.

—

Later, with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing leading the way, Lin Jie was brought to the academy's dining hall. Inside, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and another strikingly beautiful girl were already seated and eating breakfast.

Most of the academy's students had gone home for the three-day break, so only a few remained.

When the trio entered, each of the girls reacted differently upon seeing them.

Ning Rongrong's face lit up at first—but quickly turned neutral as she looked away. She'd heard from Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing the night before that Lin Jie had returned, and also learned about his close relationship with Liu Erlong. But what bothered her wasn't that—it was that Lin Jie hadn't come to find her himself.

That left her feeling more than a little sour.

"Dean."

"Mom."

"Dean Erlong."

The three girls greeted Liu Erlong as she approached.

She nodded gently and said, "No need to be so formal—come, sit." She took her seat beside the girls, and Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing sat on either side of her.

As they began eating, Liu Erlong took the opportunity to introduce the girl next to Xiao Wu.

Her name was Jiang Zhu, and she was a Support Branch Spirit Master. Liu Erlong had meant to introduce her to Lin Jie earlier, but got caught up in catching up and forgot. So the conversation naturally shifted to the current state of the new Shrek Academy.

—

Blue Tyrant Academy only had around two hundred students, but its reputation in the Heaven Dou Empire's Spirit Master world was top-tier. Even nobles acknowledged its strength. It had become something of a haven for commoner-born Spirit Masters, and in just ten years, it had already produced numerous impressive graduates.

Even Spirit Hall had once extended an olive branch, hoping to collaborate—but Liu Erlong had rejected the offer without hesitation.

In fact, the facilities and conditions at Blue Tyrant Academy were vastly superior to those of the original Shrek.

About a week earlier, Flender and Yu Xiaogang had brought the team—including Zhu Zhuqing—to Heaven Dou City. Because Dai Mubai had offended Xue Beng, the group was rejected by Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

After leaving, they stumbled upon Blue Tyrant Academy, noticed it was recruiting, and signed up. They were shocked to discover Liu Erlong was the headmistress. After Flender explained the situation, she handed the academy over to him, and the name was changed to Shrek Academy once more.

Over time, Liu Erlong's feelings for Yu Xiaogang had cooled. A large part of that was thanks to Lin Jie's persistent "brainwashing"—feeding her thoughts and advice that had helped her see things more clearly. These days, she truly saw Yu Xiaogang as no more than a brother.

Ironically, Yu Xiaogang himself hadn't realized this. Since arriving, he'd barely spoken to Liu Erlong, and still thought she harbored romantic feelings for him—completely unaware that her heart had already moved on.