Just as Nie Yong and Hu Mei'er stepped out from the cover of the trees, only a few meters from the main road, they both halted in their tracks.
Standing there, faces flushed crimson, were two familiar figures—He Yue and Lan Chu Die.
Hu Mei'er's heart nearly stopped. How could I have forgotten how close we were to the main road? she thought, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. It was plain from their expressions—those two had heard everything.
Shit! Nie Yong cursed inwardly. Of all people, why did it have to be them? Especially Lan Chu Die! She's going to rip me apart—
He didn't even finish his thought before a sharp, indignant voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"You two! What in heaven's name do you think you're doing, defiling broad daylight like this?! Have you no sense of shame?!" Lan Chu Die shouted, her mortification twisting swiftly into fury.
Her eyes locked onto Nie Yong with scorn, though she did not yet recognize him. "And you!" she spat. "How dare someone from the High Heaven Pavilion engage in such indecency with her! A member of the Blood Battle Group?!"
She jabbed a finger toward Hu Mei'er with venom. "Especially with this... filthy bitch!"
Hu Mei'er flinched at the insult, but before she could speak, He Yue, standing quietly at Lan Chu Die's side, tried to intervene with a gentle voice.
"Elder sister... perhaps you're being a bit too harsh—"
"No!" Lan Chu Die snapped, silencing her with a single word. He Yue exhaled a soft sigh and lowered her head. She had spent much time with Lan Chu Die after that awkward misunderstanding with Nie Yong—though in truth, she no longer recognized him as well.
I wonder what Nie Yong is doing right now… she thought idly, just as the heated exchange flared anew.
"How dare you call me a bitch?!" Hu Mei'er barked back, stepping forward with her fists clenched. "Do you even know who I am?!"
"Oh, I know exactly who you are…" Lan Chu Die growled, stepping in close until her impressive chest pressed against Hu Mei'er's. "You're the wench who opens her legs for any man who so much as smiles your way."
"That's a lie!" Hu Mei'er yelled. "I've just had my first time!"
"And who would believe tha—"
"And I gave it to Nie Yong!" Hu Mei'er cut her off, her voice clear and fierce.
The name struck like thunder.
He Yue's eyes widened. "Nie Yong?" she echoed, turning to face the man beside Hu Mei'er. "You're… that Nie Yong?"
Nie Yong gave her a lazy smile. "Come on, He Yue, you can't recognize me?"
His tone was casual, but there was a glint of pride in his eyes. Though the structure of his face remained similar, the changes were undeniable. He had shed the awkward, forgettable features of his former self—he now looked like a young master descended from the heavens. Especially now that he had copied Hu Mei'er's abilites and his charm had risen to Super Handsome.
Lan Chu Die stood frozen, her lips slightly parted. "Wait… you're Nie Yong?" she asked, as if questioning reality itself.
She had known him since they were children. They had entered the sect together, grown alongside one another. And now—now he stood before her as a man transformed, no longer the ugly fool she had once known.
Lan Chu Die's expression darkened further as she stared at Nie Yong. She had known him for so long and she knew all too well that Nie Yong had always had a crush on her. He had confessed his feelings to her multiple times, and each time, she had rejected him. It was easy to dismiss it back then. He was just a shy, awkward boy with no real presence. But now, standing in front of her, more handsome than she ever thought possible, it felt like a slap in the face.
Now he had even had sex with another girl! It angered her more than she wanted to admit.
"Nie Yong!" Lan Chu Die spat, her voice trembling with rage. "Just because you've become more handsome now doesn't mean you can hook up with girls from other sects! And don't get the delusion that Hu Mei'er really likes you—she's a wench!"
Her words were harsh, meant to hurt. But before she could continue her tirade, Nie Yong interrupted her, his voice sharp and filled with frustration. "Oh, Sister Die... are you done venting all the failures of your life on us?" he said, his gaze turning cold.
Lan Chu Die froze, her body going stiff as his words struck a nerve she hadn't even realized was there. Her eyes widened in disbelief. He'd hit her where it hurt most.
Unable to hold it in anymore, tears welled up in her eyes, and with a choked sob, she turned and ran off, leaving the scene in haste.
Nie Yong stood there, utterly confused. He had no idea what had just happened. He didn't even know Lan Chu Die that well. His time in Nie Yong's body had been short, and he hadn't inherited the memories or feelings of the original. He didn't understand what had triggered her sudden breakdown.
Hu Mei'er, however, wasn't confused. She crossed her arms and looked at him with a proud smile. "My man's really amazing."
He Yue, on the other hand, was standing there in shock, still processing what had just happened. The Nie Yong she knew had always been gentle, kind-hearted, and joyful. He would never intentionally hurt anyone, especially not like this. It wasn't in his nature. She had always seen him as a little, cute naive, but now, seeing him act so coldly toward Lan Chu Die—it was like a different person entirely.
Her chest ached as she realized the depth of her own feelings for him. It wasn't until she heard someone have sex so passionately and then realized that it was Nie Yong, that the weight of her own emotions hit her. She felt betrayed, hurt. And though she wanted to be understanding, she could only stare at him with a mix of disgust and pain.
Without another word, He Yue turned on her feet and ran after Lan Chu Die, her heart torn between confusion and sorrow.
Nie Yong, still baffled, muttered to himself, "Why do I seem like the villain now?"
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? This was just to open both the Lan Chu Die path and the He Yue path.
Also, the chapter probably wasn't great, but that's because I am quite sleepy.
I am getting better each day by the way.