X-Dragon Era

Chu Rui took small steps to the front of Xin Yun and the other two, her head bowed and her eyes brimming with tears as she choked up and said, "I'm sorry, really sorry. I shouldn't have spoken recklessly without thinking. Punish me."

Faced with such a pitiful little one, Xin Yun couldn't bring himself to be angry, and helplessly shook his head. Xin Yun's thoughts shifted, and he then snorted coldly, "Hmm... So you know you were wrong and are willing to accept punishment. Very well..."

"Ah!" Hearing Xin Yun's words, Po Kong exclaimed in surprise, looking over worriedly. If it had been possible, he would have jumped up to prevent all this based on his own dominance, but Po Kong was well aware that if he really did that, he would just be humiliating himself. Although Xin Yun valued him, he was not afraid of him.

Helpless, Po Kong looked at Xin Yun, then at Chu Rui, vainly opening and closing his mouth before finally sitting back down with a sigh. He clearly understood that if he interjected now, not only would Xin Yun be displeased, but Chu Rui would also find him meddlesome, maybe even blame him.

With a smile, Xin Yun glanced at Po Kong, then resumed his serious expression, saying in a grave tone, "Your words and actions have caused us irreparable harm. Since you are willing to be punished, that makes things simpler."

At these words, Chu Rui's small body suddenly tensed, her eyes shut tightly, bracing herself for the impending punishment. He... he wasn't going to hit her, was he?

Amidst her worries, Xin Yun nodded firmly and said in a low voice, "Since the damage has been done, you'll need to make amends yourself. Therefore, as punishment, from this moment on, you will become the Fantasy Dream Team's new press officer. During the entire World Academy challenge, you must follow the team and seize this opportunity to make up for the negative impact you've caused."

"What!" At Xin Yun's words, Chu Rui looked up in astonishment, looking at Xin Yun. This wasn't punishment at all; it was clearly a great reward!

Lost in thought, Chu Rui looked at Xin Yun, and what met her eyes was Xin Yun sitting there with a trace of a smile, his gaze filled with indulgence and affection. Chu Rui could easily tell, that was the indulgence of a brother, the affection of a relative, clean and pure, without a hint of filth.

As she looked at Xin Yun's warm smile, Chu Rui's nose tingled and tears streamed down her face. The next moment... Chu Rui could no longer control her emotions and threw herself into Xin Yun's embrace, hugging Xin Yun with her slender arms, her face buried in his chest, quickly soaking his shirt with her tears.

Gently hugging Chu Rui, Xin Yun felt a clarity in his heart, without a single stray thought. Only in his first life did Xin Yun have relatives. Apart from his father and mother, he only had two older sisters. Thus... Xin Yun had always wanted a younger brother or a younger sister.

Unfortunately, this wish had never been fulfilled. After all, these so-called younger brothers and sisters couldn't just be picked up randomly. Plainly put, there had to be a feeling of connection; not just anyone would do. It had to be someone who could stir feelings of indulgence and affection in Xin Yun's heart.

Clearly, Chu Rui was such a girl, a girl who could invoke Po Kong's love, a girl who could stir Xin Yun's indulgence and affection. In the case of someone else, like Yi Luo Xiang and Yan Qingying for example, no matter how beautiful or cute they were, the feeling that arose in Xin Yun was definitely not the same. It might be desire, it might be... but certainly not the affection of brotherly indulgence.

After a while, Xin Yun finally patted Chu Rui's shoulder and said with a smile, "Alright, girl, get up now. If you don't, someone might duel me out of jealousy!"

Hearing Xin Yun's words, Chu Rui blushed and lifted her head from his embrace. She didn't know what came over her just now that she dared to throw herself into Xin Yun's arms so boldly. After all... Xin Yun was quite a handsome man.

Recalling the feeling of being in Xin Yun's arms, it was really comfortable, really warm. Apart from her mother's embrace, this was the most enchanting hug for her, and what was most precious was that it felt similar. Within this embrace was an atmosphere filled with familial love, very warm, very peaceful.

However, remembering Xin Yun's words just now, Chu Rui couldn't help but be puzzled. What did her lying in Xin Yun's embrace have to do with others? And who would challenge Xin Yun to a duel?

Lost in thought, Chu Rui looked at Xin Yun with confusion. Then, following his gaze, she saw Po Kong, his face stern, lips pursed tightly. Could it be him?

Chu Rui was no fool, quite the opposite; she was a girl endowed with endless wisdom. Po Kong's intense look was not the first she had encountered, not even the ten thousandth time. She had never paid much attention before, because... a person has the right to decide whether or not to love someone else, but absolutely no right to decide whether someone else loves them.

Fortunately, Chu Rui wasn't a spoiled girl. Although she disapproved of Po Kong's actions, she didn't show it. Straightening her clothes, she said in a low voice, "Thank you, thank you for forgiving me. I will be very careful in the future and definitely won't make such a mistake again."

Chuckling, Xin Yun shook his head and said softly, "Okay, don't be too hard on yourself. After all... you didn't do it on purpose. We won't really blame you. Being cautious in the future is right, but to avoid eating for fear of choking is not advisable. Do you understand?"