Chapter Forty-Five: Xue Xi’s Diary

Fan Caobao arrived at the location Chen Hongxu had mentioned a bit late. Although he had not delayed for a moment after leaving the Fan residence, Beijing was, after all, some distance from the Xue family’s estate.

Flames soared into the sky. Chen Hongxu sat on the edge of a cliff, indifferent to the raging fire around him. He held a thick notebook in his hands, leafing through it with a complex expression.

Fan Caobao glanced at the crimson landscape and the inferno reflecting against the sky. He knew that the Xue family members present had likely been wiped out; a river of blood was probably an accurate description of the scene.

He did not disturb Chen Hongxu, instead sitting down quietly beside him. He caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a diary in Chen Hongxu’s hands, smiled faintly, and turned his head to carefully observe the place where the woman who could never be his had once lived.

It was Xue Xi’s diary.

"After Grandfather passed away, Father’s hair clearly turned much whiter. This whole family is truly tiresome. I’ve felt unsettled all day; perhaps it’s because Uncle De told me this morning that his youngest daughter is sick. Hmph, enough of this melancholy. I’ll go to sleep and recharge. When I wake up, I must remain the little princess of the Xue family, the future Queen Xue."

"..."

"Haven’t written in two days. That bastard is truly no man. Afraid to confront Father, he actually kidnapped me instead. Do I look like the type of girl who would surrender? Hmph, the guy who didn't care whether I lived or died is even more of a bastard. Just you wait; there will be a day when you’ll be the ones crying."

"..."

"Well, I wasted the whole day researching that jerk’s files. He’s actually had such a miserable life, but the files look nothing like the person himself. He is clearly a cold-blooded guy, so how could he be as cowardly as that? I will definitely dig out your secrets. Hehe, I am the future Queen Xue."

"..."

"Today is my first day living at his place. The house is so small. Just thinking about living here from now on makes my hair stand on end. Still, this guy has pretty good taste; the woman on that sofa is very beautiful, only slightly worse than me. Besides, life here will be painful, right? That woman is so calculating, and that jerk’s cooking is so terrible. I’m so pitiful."

"..."

"I waited for that jerk all afternoon until my legs ached. I am a young lady of a wealthy family; I should be delicate, right? Forget it, maybe this will move him? Hmph, the jerk is clearly not cut out for school, still dragging his feet in the classroom until school ends. Jerk, jerk."

"But this guy’s strength is no joke. Although I didn’t think much of those thugs, he actually made them yield just with his presence. So cool—no, just a little bit cool."

"This jerk actually has a cute side. He got drunk and mistook me for his mother. It was hilarious. For the sake of how pathetic he is, I’ll forgive him for staining my clothes. I am a very magnanimous young lady. However, I’ve discovered that the beautiful woman in the red robe is an even bigger jerk than he is."

"..."

"Can feelings really be accumulated through time? I’ve grown accustomed to waiting for him at the door, accustomed to the terrible meals he cooks, and accustomed to many things that once seemed ridiculous to me. Have I changed because of him, or did he change me?"

"..."

"Tsk, those disgusting people at home haven't changed at all. They actually dared to give my man a hard time. Did they think I was dead? He said he would stand in front of me from now on. I’m actually this happy? I must be reserved; I can’t be won over so easily. That woman actually slept with him first. Hmph, just you wait. Mine, eventually it will still be mine."

"..."

"Jerk, the phone won’t go through. Japan... a strange place with no familiar faces, and he has a language barrier. Will he be hungry or cold? If he really dies, what should I do? I suppose I would follow him. It’s rare to meet a fool more pathetic than me; I can’t let him be lonely on the road to the afterlife."

"..."

"Is this what love is? No anxiety or fear of loss, just peace. He is so capable. Does this make me the top sister in HJ now? I’ll find time tomorrow to cram on some 'Young and Dangerous' knowledge with Bing Ling; I can't lose face or substance."

"..."

"Going on another mission. I know he’s doing it for me. If only we were both ordinary people, we’d be happier. It’s only been the first day he’s left, so why is my mood so terrible? I looked so cool at the airport entrance, haha. Thinking of his silly face makes me feel much better."

"..."

"Tomorrow is the college entrance exam, and he’s been gone for nearly half a year. Whoever tells me again that time heals everything, I’ll have someone beat them up. Longing is truly a disease. Where are you? Is the sky beautiful there? Will you miss me in the same way..."

"..."

"Today’s essay for the college entrance exam was awesome. It was about the person I love most. Sorry, Dad. You said yourself that a married daughter is like spilled water, but will he ever know?"

"..."

"Uncle De has seemed different lately, always appearing preoccupied. Could he be having a second spring? Haha, I must ask Dad to help set him up. After all, he’s the uncle who watched me grow up."

"..."

"College is nothing special. Jerk, aren’t you coming back yet? If you don’t come back soon, I’ll be snatched away by someone else. Do you know how many love letters I have to throw away every day?"

"Aren’t you a special enrollment student? How come I can’t find your name in the student directory? I hope I didn’t just misread it that day. Oh Heaven, don’t play with me; this is a sick joke."

"..."

"Father has seemed preoccupied on the phone lately. To think the old man has things to worry about besides me. I really can’t figure it out. When I get back, I’ll have to educate him and let him know that putting all his focus on me is the right thing to do."

"..."

"Liu Yixian suddenly told me to run away in a panic today. What happened? Father’s phone won’t go through either. I feel so restless. Jerk, didn’t you say you would stand in front of me and shield me from the wind? Where are you? Can a man’s words never be trusted? Please, come back. I beg you."

"..."

"HJ City College Entrance Exam Zero-Point Essay: 'The Person I Love Most'."

"Chen Hongxu, I love you..."

At the foot of the mountain, the sounds of fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars rang out. Chen Hongxu slowly closed the diary in his hand, stood up to gaze at the starry sky, and smiled. "Xue Xi was ambushed by a stranger and struck in the head; she has become a vegetable. I left a hidden pawn, Liu Yixian, who cut off his hand and went into hiding. Li Tao and Wang Pangzi are temporarily safe because they are publicly linked to your Fan family."

"In three days, the Lan family will hold an engagement ceremony for this vegetative girl. They calculated that if I returned, I would definitely go. This has nothing to do with you. Your family is large, and you have many concerns, so don't get involved. I also thank your mother for sending people to guard Xue Xi’s body; otherwise, I don’t know what those people would have done."

"The Lan family..." Fan Caobao gritted his teeth. "Brother Chen, I have already severed ties with the Fan family. From now on, I am my own man; they are them."

"Is it worth it?" Chen Hongxu continued to look at the sky.

"I’ve never done anything more profitable in this life," Fan Caobao grinned.

"I might die. Every cultivator in the world is waiting for us."

Fan Caobao did not reply. He patted Chen Hongxu on the shoulder, then soared into the sky. The long staff in his hand transformed into a massive pillar that seemed to prop up the heavens, smashing straight down and collapsing the mountain where the Xue family resided.

Chen Hongxu waved a hand to clear the dust and smoke, murmuring, "Killing and snatching the bride."