Chapter 232: Lu Jing's Advantages

"No, what's wrong with you, this love-brain? When you meet a handsome guy your IQ turns negative?"

Zhang Yujie frowned, looking puzzled, "Li Xixi, can you sober up a bit?"

"What's wrong with me?"

Li Xixi gave her a sideways glance, "I'm already wide awake, no need for your reminder."

Having said that, she prepared to follow the tall, slender figure of the boy ahead.

"Wait a minute," Zhang Yujie grabbed Li Xixi, "I used to think you were just bored, flirting for fun, but now it seems you're serious. You're not a child; even when dating, shouldn't you consider matching families?"

Li Xixi blinked, then replied offhand, "Big sis, what era is this now? Still worrying about matching families? As long as two people like each other, that's enough. I think I've found my destined prince."

Seeing the sparkle in Li Xixi's eyes, Zhang Yujie sighed, "This girl is truly possessed."

She and Li Xixi have played together since childhood, so she still knows her personality well.

Don't let Li Xixi's usual big-breasted, airheaded appearance fool you; in reality she's very stubborn, and once she decides on something she rarely changes it.

Although she used to like looking at handsome guys, most of it was just joking; after a chat she'd give up, and even now she's never truly been in a relationship.

I don't know what's good about this boy, but he actually made Li Xixi get serious.

Zhang Yujie stared at the boy ahead, over and over, unable to figure out what attracted Li Xixi to him.

"Xixi, think calmly, you two really aren't suited."

Zhang Yujie said sternly, "Although you didn't get into a prestigious martial university, you're at least a first-tier school, and your talent isn't bad; you're already a Third‑Realm Martial Artist before graduation. Looking at that boy, aside from his decent looks, what does he have that matches you?"

"Yes," Li Xixi blinked, "Besides his looks, he has a kind heart, likes children, has a good personality, and his voice is pleasant—aren't these all strengths?"

"What kind of strengths are those?"

Zhang Yujie frowned even tighter, "Look at him wolfing down food in the cafeteria, as if he hasn't eaten in days—his family situation surely isn't good. Moreover, I sense no Blood Qi fluctuation from him at all, indicating he isn't even a Martial Artist!"

Even if he's handsome as can be, he can't be eaten as a meal; in ten or so years, when his looks fade and you, thanks to martial training, enjoy extended longevity, will your feelings still hold up?

Furthermore, even if you manage to catch him, your uncle and aunt won't agree, because you two could never be happy: you're a Martial Artist, after graduation you'll have a bright future, while he can only find a service job, working hard for a few thousand a month, and you'd have to support him—wouldn't that be exhausting?

Zhang Yujie thought these words would make Li Xixi give up, but instead her gaze became even more determined.

"Sis, actually I've already considered what you said last night; I think these aren't problems. Lu Jing's aptitude isn't good, I can buy him Dan Medicine to raise his Realm. As for supporting him, shouldn't spouses help each other?"

Li Xixi smiled, "Besides, I'm confident I can persuade my parents!"

"You...... sigh!"

Zhang Yujie held her forehead and sighed, not knowing what to say.

"Oh come on, if you ever meet a guy who makes you fall at first sight someday, I believe you'd make the same choice as me."

Li Xixi linked arms with Zhang Yujie, "Come on, the main group is about to disappear from sight—let's hurry and catch up!"

Retracting his mental power, Lu Jing took in all of this.

He shook his head, feeling only that Li Xixi's persistent nagging was a bit annoying.

"Everyone, rest a bit; we'll soon reach the summit of Sleepless Mountain!"

The female tour guide grabbed a megaphone and shouted, "Sleepless Mountain gets its name because the Thunder Pond at its peak is struck by lightning year‑round, lighting the darkness like daytime, and with the thunder booming, the name is quite fitting."

"Once we reach the summit, please don't run around; the scenic area only allows visitors to stand in the safety zone and view from a distance—this is for your own good. From afar it's the scenic area; up close it becomes a restricted zone."

Lu Jing's expression shifted slightly; he had originally wanted to follow the tour group up the mountain to check out the Thunder Pond, but it seemed impossible, and viewing from afar wouldn't reveal any secrets.

Taking advantage of nobody noticing him, Lu Jing's figure flickered, instantly vanishing from the spot and hiding within the forest.

A few minutes later, the female tour guide called everyone to continue upward.

"Everyone rested up, right? Let's keep climbing the mountain, give it our all!"

The young people were fine; they all rose and prepared to follow.

However, some of the elderly folks in the tour group were unhappy.

"I just sat down, why do we have to go again? Can't you show some consideration for the elderly!"

"Oh dear, this old skeleton of mine is about to fall apart from all this tossing!"

"Really, paying to suffer—wouldn't it be better to lie at home? Coming here wears you out like a dog."

Someone spoke up, and others began shouting as well.

Seeing the elderly women sitting on the ground with no intention to move, the female tour guide could only give up.

"Alright then, give everyone another half hour to rest; those who aren't tired can stroll nearby and take photos, but don't wander too far!"

"Great, I'll go find him for a photo together!"

Li Xixi got excited, hugging her camera as she went forward to look for Lu Jing's figure.

However, after searching the entire group, she found no trace of him,

"Where did Lu Jing go?" Li Xixi said anxiously, "It feels like I haven't seen him in a while."

Zhang Yujie caught up and comforted, "Don't worry, we're all adults—what could happen? Maybe he went off to find a secluded spot for a bathroom break."

Li Xixi nodded, thinking it made sense.

Half an hour later.

After everyone gathered again, the female tour guide began counting heads.

"How come we're missing a few people?"

The female tour guide frowned; someone had suddenly gone missing during the trip—a serious matter.

After checking the roll call one by one, it was indeed four people short.

"Lu Jing, Lei Hao, Sun Miao, and a little girl—their phones aren't answering; could something have happened......"

The female tour guide shouted anxiously, "Everyone, listen to me—have you seen that middle‑aged man with a little girl?"

"No, no impression."

"Huh, wasn't he just in the group a moment ago? How did he disappear?"

The female tour guide couldn't continue leading the group either, and hastily dialed the emergency number.

The others also saw that something was wrong and began discussing it.

"In broad daylight, someone still went missing?"

"It can't be that a beast carried them away, right? I heard there are wolves in the mountains; many villagers have encountered them…''