258: Return to Dragon Kingdom

Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi waited in the capital for almost two days, waiting for Zheng Haochen to bring Zheng Jie back.

Also, killing Gu Li wasn't just because she knew too many of his secrets.

He had always suspected she was the one who stole from the treasure vault, and most importantly—

Daring to take Zheng Jie away from him was a complete challenge to his authority as the future King!

His coronation ceremony was the next day, and he actually hoped Zheng Jie could be by his side, even if only waiting for him in the palace.

But Zheng Haochen never returned, which made him feel a bit uneasy.

Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi entered the secret chamber, only to see Zheng Wenhui's already cold corpse.

She clutched a torn piece of cloth from a hem in her hand, leaving a blood-written letter.

“My beloved is gone, I disdain to live alone.”

Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi was almost fuming with rage, his teeth clenched so tightly that veins popped out, and his clenched fists turned white at the knuckles.

He now only had Zheng Wenhui as a trump card; with her dead, the blood letter implied that Zheng Haochen was also dead!

Could Gu Li really be so powerful, capable of killing a mature, eighth-rank God-Rank Pet?

She was clearly on the verge of death, so how could she possess such combat strength?!

Then, would his Jie'er never be able to return to his side?!

Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi clutched his chest, which was throbbing with pain; his anger caused blood to rush up, and he vomited a mouthful of fresh blood before collapsing to the ground—

Gu Xiaoyue disappeared from in front of White Gaze and Zheng Jie because she was summoned by the Fire Phoenix.

This feeling was too familiar, a familiarity cultivated through countless practices—Chu Li's Fire Phoenix!

She closed her eyes, savoring this long-lost sensation for a moment.

When she opened her eyes again, she was in Chu Li's private training ground.

Chu Li, Shui Lingyu, Ye Wanrou, and Chen Yixuan, and even Duan Yao and Charlie, all stood before Gu Xiaoyue, looking at her!

She was back!

She was finally back!

Gu Xiaoyue could even feel her body trembling slightly with excitement!

Everyone looked at each other for a few seconds, then Ye Wanrou cried and stepped forward to hug her.

“Xiao Yue! Oh my goodness, you're finally back, Xiao Yue!”

The others also had red eyes and began to cheer.

Familiar friends, a familiar place, and the familiar scent of Ye Wanrou.

This feeling of security made Gu Xiaoyue's body and mind relax—

She fainted on the spot!

She vaguely heard everyone's exclamations, which made her immensely happy, as if her mischievous desire had been satisfied.

Gu Xiaoyue didn't know how long she had been unconscious; when she opened her eyes again, she saw the ceiling of the infirmary.

She sighed softly and propped herself up to sit.

She missed her own dorm room more than the infirmary bed.

These big straight men and women actually sent her to the infirmary!

Ye Wanrou looked at her with concern, took her hand, and asked,

“Xiao Yue, where have you been for the past year? Why did you cut your hair short?

It looks good, but you've had long hair for so long, doesn't it hurt to cut it?”

Gu Xiaoyue had lived in Damon Country for nearly two years, keeping her hair short for convenience.

Ye Wanrou didn't notice any other changes in her, only asking about her whereabouts and her hair.

“Less than a year?

From the day I was affected by the Mountain Demon's distorted space skill, I went to Damon, but I lived there for two years.

Short hair was easier to manage there, so I cut it.”

She herself hadn't expected that the two spaces would even have a time difference.

Since they weren't synchronized spaces to begin with, a time difference was actually reasonable.

So, that means she did miss the National Competition, but the World Championships were still a few months away.

“How about we get together for dinner later? For now, Shui Lingyu and I have something to say to Xiao Yue.”

Chu Li spoke, trying to dismiss the others, and Ye Wanrou naturally understood his meaning.

Shui Lingyu had provided the blood jade coral, and Chu Li was responsible for summoning Gu Xiaoyue back; a dramatic scene was about to unfold.

“Young Master Chu, Young Master Shui, do you have to be so impatient, putting pressure on Xiao Yue as soon as she returns?”

Ye Wanrou took a deep breath, her tone displeased.

If it was according to family status, she, a concubine's daughter, was indeed several levels below them both.

But protecting Xiao Yue was something she, as the chief best friend, had to do!

Chu Li turned his head, his clenched jaw outlining his sharp jawline.

He didn't want to be so impatient either; he also wanted to quietly listen to Gu Xiaoyue recount her experiences of the past year.

But this blood jade coral was a huge favor, and he didn't want to owe Shui Lingyu.

“Yes, that's right, no rush.

I also want to hear if Xiao Yue has had any interesting experiences during this time.”

Shui Lingyu pulled up a chair and sat next to Gu Xiaoyue.

He didn't seem as sharp as he had been recently, striving for power and gain; he seemed to have returned to his previous gentle state, with a faint smile on his lips, looking at Gu Xiaoyue with hopeful eyes.

Hearing him say this, Chu Li also pulled up a chair and sat down, lowering his gaze and saying nothing more.

“I have too many experiences, no rush.

I do want to ask, Charlie and Duan Yao, how did you two come to Nanya?”

“Of course, I came for the National Competition. Didn't I say last year that I would fiercely mock Cao Yuyang? Naturally, I have to follow through!

Also, I fought on your behalf and won the first place in the National Competition for Nanya again. Shouldn't you thank me?”

Duan Yao eagerly answered, looking smug.

Gu Xiaoyue's mouth twitched; it wasn't her who asked Duan Yao to come, so how did this favor turn into hers?

Since everyone was there, it wasn't good to refuse Duan Yao, so she just said she would treat her to a meal later.

Anyway, everyone had been looking forward to her return, and for this kindness, a meal was well deserved.

Charlie waited for Duan Yao to finish before explaining that he had no interest in the struggle for the peerage.

Rather than living a life of scheming with Vincent, it was better to come to Dragon Country, where there was delicious food and friends.

Life could also be free and unrestrained, so why not?

Gu Xiaoyue nodded in approval; she had indeed seen a lot of striving for fame and fortune in Damon.

Some people tirelessly pursued power, while others disdained it; it all depended on individual choice.

She naturally agreed more with Charlie: live a free and easy life!

When Gu Xiaoyue had rested enough, she called Fang Xiaoyu, and everyone went out for a big meal together.

She also sent a message to He Zhichen, informing him that she had safely returned to Dragon Country.

He Zhichen actually wanted to book an Albatross for tomorrow to come to Nanya to see her!

Gu Xiaoyue wasn't too keen on it, as she had just returned and had too many things to deal with.

She most likely wouldn't have time to accompany He Zhichen to tour Hechuan.

He Zhichen could only say he would come in a couple of days.

Everyone enjoyed a pleasant big meal, during which she also shared some interesting anecdotes from Damon, but she didn't mention anything about the succession struggle.

After dinner, Charlie took Gu Xiaoyue back to the private dormitory he had lived in before.

The conditions here were indeed much better than the student dormitories. Although Charlie was no longer a viscount,

it didn't stop him from having some spare money; he just needed to give Nanya a little more sponsorship.

Gu Xiaoyue greeted Allen and didn't decline, sleeping soundly and refreshed for a night.

The next morning, Gu Xiaoyue greeted Chu Li, Shui Lingyu, and Ye Wanrou.

She also confessed that she had already signed an agreement to sever ties with Gu Yongze early on.

She hadn't had time to properly say goodbye to Gu Yu and Mu Qingning before, and now, a year later, it was time to put an end to it.

As soon as Gu Xiaoyue stepped out of her dorm room, Chu Li and Shui Lingyu were already waiting there, clearly intending to accompany her home.

She wasn't pretentious; anyway, they both knew about her family's messy affairs, so they took a car back together.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance of Gu Xiaoyue's family villa, they heard incessant shouting and cursing from inside.

She frowned, unsure of the situation.

“Gu Yu, do you have the money to pay it back or not? If you don't have money, we'll repossess the house. What's wrong with you?

You don't pay your debts, yet you still want to live peacefully in a big house? Dream on!”

A burly bald man, with a bag tucked under his arm and a cigarette between his fingers, pointed at Gu Yu's nose and roared.

He had three burly subordinates with him, all looking fierce.

Gu Xiaoyang was in Mu Qingning's arms, crying loudly from fright, which made the debt collectors even more annoyed and disgusted.

“Please give us a few more days. Once the company's funds circulate, we'll be able to pay it back!

Please, sir, lower your voice, you're scaring the child—”

Gu Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead, bowing and scraping to the bald man in charge.

“If you don't pay, we'll repossess the house! I don't care if your child is scared or not!

Shouldn't you be more concerned about where you'll live without a house?

But it's fine, even though your wife is a bit older, her looks and figure are still pretty good—”

The bald man rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Mu Qingning with a sinister smile.

“No, no, I'll find a way!”

Gu Yu stepped forward, seemingly wanting to shield Mu Qingning from the bald man's gaze with his body.

But he didn't notice that the eyes of the few followers behind him were also impure!