Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 223: Fondness

last chapter for today

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To be honest, in Yumo’s understanding, the relationship between the main characters should be quite harmonious. They should respect and help each other, grow together, and eventually defeat powerful enemies to save the world.

As the chosen girl of destiny, Mengxi, and the chosen son of destiny, Xue Tianao, the relationship between these two chosen ones should be quite harmonious. However, at today’s welcoming banquet, Yumo discovered that reality seemed a bit different from her imagination. From the moment Mengxi hesitated and declined Xue Tianao’s invitation, Yumo sensed that something was off. And now, upon hearing Mengxi’s words, Yumo couldn’t help but reveal a look of astonishment.

Mengxi, this girl, actually dislikes Xue Tianao?

A strained relationship between the chosen ones should be a cause for concern for Yumo. After all, if they weren’t united, how could they pass the trials and ultimately eliminate their common enemy?

However, upon learning about Mengxi’s aversion towards Xue Tianao, Yumo was surprised to find that her initial reaction wasn’t worry, but rather a sense of delight. It was a strange feeling that furrowed Yumo’s brow. Upon hearing Yumo’s question, her sapphire blue eyes filled with confusion.

"Why? Why is that?"

Yumo curiously asked, wanting to know more about Mengxi’s perception of Xue Tianao. In response, Mengxi let out a sigh of helplessness and cast a disdainful gaze at the golden-haired man conversing with emissaries from other factions in the grand hall.

"It’s for your own good! This Xue Tianao is nothing more than a roving stallion. A beautiful young lady like you won’t escape his attention. And this guy is insatiable. Once he grows tired of you, he will discard you without a second thought. Do you know? He even has designs on his own sister! He’s an absolute beast, acting as he pleases just because he’s the chosen son of destiny. Moreover, he’s a despicable schemer, always plotting in the shadows despite his seemingly righteous appearance. The death of the previous emperor of the Snow Night Empire most likely has something to do with Xue Tianao..."

In that moment, Mengxi went all out, passionately berating Xue Tianao, and divulged everything she knew about his dark history to Yumo. She exaggerated some details and even fabricated some imaginary stories, emulating the style of BBC and CNN.

In the current state, Mengxi’s mind was fixated on one thought: to completely diminish her sister Yumo’s affection for Xue Tianao and reduce it as much as possible.

Ideally, she wanted it to reach a point where no matter how many sweet words Xue Tianao uttered; he would be unable to win her back. Mengxi was determined to eradicate any possibility of Xue Tianao pursuing Yumo.

If Yumo followed someone like Xue Tianao, she would never find true happiness. Moreover, Xue Tianao might not be as forgiving toward abyssal creatures as her. If he discovered Yumo’s true identity, the consequences would be unimaginable.

For Yumo’s safety, Mengxi couldn’t allow her to have too much contact with Xue Tianao. After all, Yumo had saved her so many times; she couldn’t just stand by and watch her make a wrong choice...

...Thus, with Mengxi’s further assistance, Yumo’s feelings toward Xue Tianao continued to decline. After receiving Mengxi’s pleading gaze, Yumo reluctantly nodded and said,

"Alright, I’ll try to avoid him."

"Good," Mengxi responded.

With this answer, Mengxi ceased recounting Xue Tianao’s "great accomplishments." The silver-haired girl let out a sigh of relief and said,

"I don’t care about others, but you are from the Black Rose Duchy. The Black Rose Family rescued me from the forest when I was unconscious. You have my gratitude. I naturally don’t want to see you deceived by that Xue Tianao guy."

Mengxi said this to dispel Yumo’s doubts. After all, they had never met before, and if she suddenly approached Yumo and asked her to stay away from Xue Tianao without a valid reason, it would surely raise suspicion. Explaining it this way seemed more reasonable.

As it turned out, Mengxi’s estimation was accurate. Upon hearing these words, Yumo’s doubts gradually dissipated, and she nodded in agreement, clearly accepting Mengxi’s explanation.

And when the time was right, Mengxi took a deep breath and slowly spoke to Yumo,

"Um, Miss Yu, to be honest, I’m quite interested in both the Southern Sadik Empire and the Black Rose Dukedom. Since I don’t have much to do right now, would you mind chatting with me? We could discuss matters concerning the southern continent. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to you properly."

"Chatting?"

In the midst of Yumo’s suggestion, Mengxi felt a slight surprise. After all, in Yumo’s impression, Mengxi was rarely so enthusiastic toward strangers. At this moment, a hint of doubt surfaced in Mengxi’s heart.

However, faced with Yumo’s eyes filled with anticipation, Mengxi, who originally didn’t want to continue entertaining these scheming forces or chatting with the adorable heroine, slowly nodded. If Mengxi had to choose between the two options, she naturally chose the latter without hesitation.

"Alright then, Miss Mengxi,"

Yumo responded with an elegant and beautiful smile. In response, Mengxi also revealed a sweet smile.

"Miss Yumo, may I make a bold request?" Mengxi asked.

"Hmm? Please speak, Miss Mengxi," Yumo replied.

"It’s... it’s just...," Mengxi hesitated slightly.

Seeing this, Mengxi comforted her in a gentle voice,

"It’s alright. I don’t mind anything. Just say it, Miss Mengxi."

"Well, Miss Yumo, could you please not address me as ’Miss Mengxi’ or ’Lady Mengxi’? Just call me Mengxi directly."

"Hmm? Only that?"

"Yes! Please, it’s important!"

"Well, alright then."

"Also," after hesitating for a moment, Mengxi blinked her eyes and looked at Yumo with a pleading gaze,

"Um, Miss Yumo, can I call you ’Sister Yu’? I don’t really like all those formalities, and it’s more relaxed to call you that privately, hehe~"

"Is that so?"

After a slight tremor in her heart, Yumo hesitated for a moment and, under Mengxi’s joyful gaze, nodded slowly,

"Alright then, if it makes you happy."

"Really? That’s great, Sister Yu!"

After obtaining Yumo’s agreement, Mengxi’s face lit up with an incredibly sweet and blissful smile. She immediately rushed forward without further ado and intimately hugged Yumo’s arm.

"Then, Sister Yu, let’s go for a stroll together!"

Faced with Mengxi’s sudden affectionate gesture, Yumo was once again taken aback, and a faint blush appeared on her lovely face.

It had to be said that being hugged by Mengxi and hearing her call her ’sister’ made her quite nostalgic, reminding her of the days she spent with the "childified" Mengxi in the depths of the cold winter forest.

However,

a trace of concern involuntarily surfaced in Yumo’s heart.

"Mengxi, I believe this is our first meeting, right?"

"Yes, Sister Yu."

"Then, why..."

"’Why, all of a sudden, are we so close’, right sister? Is that what you want to ask?"

"Well, yes."

"In that case, actually..., I don’t know either."

"Huh? You don’t know either?"

"Yes."

Mengxi nodded slightly and then lifted her little head, earnestly locking eyes with Yumo,

"But somehow, Sister Yu, you are given me a strong feeling of warmth and familiarity. Being by your side feels incredibly comforting. Um, well... in short..."

"In short?"

With a somewhat bashful expression, Mengxi shyly smiled. And to the astonishment of Yumo, Mengxi’s little mouth leaned towards Yumo’s ear and whispered softly,

"Although it’s our ’first meeting,’ it seems like I’ve already fallen for you, Sister Yu."

"Huh?"

Caught off guard by these unexpected words, Yumo’s eyes widened, and her lovely face turned into a visibly blushing red apple.