Chapter 235: Side Story: Huo Yutong in Ri Yue (Three)

"Yutong, what are you laughing about so happily?"

Juzi approached Huo Yutong and asked in a soft voice.

Huo Yutong laughed excitedly and said to her:

"The vacation is coming up, I plan to go out and have fun this month."

Juzi's mouth twitched, interrupting Huo Yutong's words:

"Stop, no need to say it, I know what's coming, you're planning to go find your boyfriend, right?"

"Mm!"

Watching Huo Yutong nod happily, Juzi felt a mix of emotions.

After Huo Yutong's battle with Ji Juechen, she fell into deep meditation, which lasted a full seven months; she only woke up two months ago, with the result that the time Juzi could spend with Huo Yutong was much shorter than expected.

What's more, she might not have any further chance to continue spending time with Huo Yutong.

Juzi took a deep breath and said, "Yutong, I have something to tell you."

Noticing Juzi's expression was off, Huo Yutong also put away her excited look and nodded seriously.

"Mm, senior, go ahead."

Juzi sat down in front of her and said in a somewhat heavy voice:

"I've decided, starting from this vacation, I'll try to join the army and train myself there."

"..."

Huo Yutong didn't know what to say for a moment.

She knew Juzi's background and also the hatred in Juzi's heart.

As fellow avengers, she found it hard to persuade Juzi to let go.

She frowned and asked, "Can't you wait until you graduate normally from the academy? Not that I'm saying this, but with your current strength it would be hard to make a name for yourself in the army, right?"

At most, Juzi is just an ordinary fifth-rank Soul Engineer; she's not terribly weak, but not particularly strong either—Huo Yutong could easily defeat her with one hand tied behind her back.

Juzi forced a somewhat reluctant smile.

"Can I understand this as you caring about me?"

"Of course." Huo Yutong earnestly said: "We're friends, aren't we?"

Juzi's face stiffened for a moment, she sighed helplessly and laughed:

"Thank you for your concern, but you don't need to worry. First, I'm not completely dropping out; I'll return after the vacation. Actually, formally joining the military probably won't happen until half a year later. Second, I'm not joining the army purely as a combatant—I can secure a command position, which requires more strategic warfare ability than personal fighting strength."

Hearing Juzi say that, Huo Yutong immediately recalled the disabled person Juzi had summoned during the Wang Shaojie incident; she remembered correctly that this disabled person was called the Crown Prince.

From the Extreme Individual Soldier Project, Huo Yutong knew that the current Crown Prince of the Ri Yue Empire is Xu Tianran, a disabled person with extremely strong wrists and a ruthless heart.

Huo Yutong wasn't clear how Juzi had become involved with Xu Tianran, but it was obvious her confidence came from her relationship with Xu Tianran.

Although this senior usually seems carefree, if one really thought she had no ulterior motives, that would be a grave misjudgment.

Huo Yutong silently sighed in her heart and finally asked, "Really, can't you let go of the hatred?"

Juzi's eyes instantly firmed up, and she shook her head.

"No, I will definitely avenge my father."

"Alright."

Huo Yutong heard Juzi's determination from her words and thus smiled.

"Then let me grill you another fish, Senior Juzi—after all, this is a turning point in your life; at such a time, wouldn't it make you happier to set off with the taste of your father?"

Hearing that, Juzi's eyes widened instantly.

Since returning from the Jingyang Mountains last time, Huo Yutong hasn't made grilled fish for her.

One reason is lack of time—Huo Yutong has been busy nonstop before and after her deep meditation, leaving no time to make grilled fish for her; another reason is that Huo Yutong seems not to enjoy playing the father's role.

At this moment, she actually went out of her way to grill fish for her……

Juzi felt a mix of emotions and forced herself to smile.

"I now fully understand why so many people in the academy like you, Yutong—your personality is just too easy to attract others."

"Ah?" Huo Yutong exclaimed in surprise, "Do a lot of people like me?" Juzi's mouth twitched involuntarily.

"That's to be expected, though—it's just that I, Keke, and Professor Xuan have blocked them all; turns out you really had no idea at all."

After Huo Yutong's outstanding performance at the Soul Engineer Tool Testing Field of the Ri Yue Royal Soul Engineer Academy last time, she became widely renowned throughout the academy.

Everyone admires strength, so her great power naturally attracted considerable attention, including many who liked her.

But these affections were all completely blocked by Juzi and the others—though each of the three had their own hidden motives.

Xuan Zhiwen didn't want others to disturb Huo Yutong's study of soul tools; he wanted her to bring him more surprises.

Keke, knowing Huo Yutong's relationship with Tang Wulin, as a die-hard pure-love war goddess, would not allow anyone to interfere with their feelings.

As for Juzi, she simply didn't want to add more rivals—one Tang Wulin was already enough trouble.

The three blocked most of those who liked her, and since Huo Yutong herself hadn't paid much attention to this matter, she didn't even realize that she was popular.

Huo Yutong scratched her cheek.

"What should we do? How about I don't make it for you?"

"No way!" Juzi blurted out, "I want you to make me enough! Now! Immediately! Right away!"

Huo Yutong was startled by her aura and quickly soothed: "Alright, alright, I got it—wait a moment, I need some time to prepare."

She hadn't made grilled fish in a long time, so she hadn't prepared any seasonings.

Juzi let out a hum.

"If you're preparing seasonings, you don't need to worry—you forgot what your senior Juzi likes most? Look."

As she spoke, she shook her bracelet, and an orange-red light shone, from which she took out a series of seasonings.

Huo Yutong stared for a moment, then realized this was Juzi's habit.

She gave Juzi a thumbs-up.

"Awesome, let's go."

"Hehe, okay."

Juzi laughed excitedly, and together with Huo Yutong she walked out of the Academy.

As it turned out, things took an unexpected turn, and while walking they happened to meet a handsome young man.

The moment they saw him, both of their expressions changed instantly.

"Ji Juechen!"

Ji Juechen ignored Juzi, his gaze locked directly onto Huo Yutong, speaking bluntly.

"Come, let's spar."

Huo Yutong twitched the corner of her mouth.

"Today I have urgent business; can we do it another day?"

Since that first sparring session, Ji Juechen has been coming to bother her every few days, like a piece of sticky candy that just won't come off.

Ji Juechen silently shook his head.

Huo Yutong let out a soft sigh and gripped Juzi's hand tightly.

"Juzi senior, sorry to trouble you."

"Huh?"

Juzi froze, then Huo Yutong hugged her, a feeling of soaring through clouds rose, and being held by Huo Yutong she began to rush swiftly out of the Academy.

"Stop!"

Hearing Ji Juechen's frustrated voice from behind, Juzi suddenly realized.

She was being carried away by Huo Yutong's embrace.

How to put it? Being carried away like this by her felt like eloping.

Juzi buried her face in Huo Yutong's chest, wearing a satisfied smile.

Before entering that world, this was her final memory, and her life could be considered complete.

(End of chapter)