Douluo: Ma Hongjun The Ancestor Phoenix!

Listening to the teasing of the others, Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks turned slightly red, like a plum blossom blooming quietly in the snow.

"You... stop talking already…"

The black-haired girl's long lashes trembled, her ears tinged with pink.

Aside from running away from home to enroll at Shrek Academy, this was probably the boldest thing she had ever done.

As she recalled the emotions she felt at that time, her fingertips clenched unconsciously.

A light breeze blew through the night, brushing across her face with a gentle chill.

Yet her body still felt warm. The blush on her delicate face showed no signs of fading — if anything, it was even deeper.

Soon, Brother Hongjun and I will be alone by the lake...

Zhu Zhuqing was so flustered that even her fingertips seemed to blush.

"Don't be shy. Brother Hongjun might be on his way right now. If he sees you like this, you won't even be able to walk straight."

Xiao Wu poked Zhu Zhuqing lightly in the chest, her voice laced with teasing.

Zhu Zhuqing instinctively lowered her head. She glared at Xiao Wu with eyes like still water in autumn, her gaze soft but flustered.

"You mean…"

Too embarrassed to finish her sentence, she bit her lip lightly with her pearly teeth.

Seeing her red face, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong couldn't help but laugh.

Their giggles made Zhu Zhuqing blush even more. Just imagining the boy's fingertips brushing against her skin made her feel a strange, tingling numbness. Flustered, she turned and fled.

Inside the room—

"Did I take too long and leave Hongjoon alone at the lake? Won't he be upset?"

She frowned, her eyes full of hesitation and self-blame.

Pacing twice around the room, she finally paused, lowered her head in thought, then resolutely opened the door.

Outside, the moon hung low. Ma Hongjun had waited a long time, but Zhu Zhuqing never came, so he returned to the hotel in frustration.

Tonight had been one mess after another.

Just as he sat down, holding his head, thinking over everything that had happened, a soft knock came at the door.

Knock knock knock...

The knock was barely audible, as if the person outside was worried about disturbing others.

Startled, Ma Hongjun stood up and opened the door.

Outside—

The moonlight was hazy and dim.

Zhu Zhuqing stood there, her hands unconsciously gripping the hem of her skirt, wrinkling it in her nervousness.

"Brother Hongjun… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stood you up."

Her voice was soft, filled with guilt, her cheeks flushed with apology.

"It's fine."

Looking at the black-haired girl in front of him, Ma Hongjun could clearly sense her nervousness.

There was a faint, amused glint in his eyes.

And that was exactly what Zhu Zhuqing saw.

Her pupils shimmered. In the next moment, she stepped forward on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms gently around his neck.

Caught off guard, Ma Hongjun suddenly felt a pair of soft arms tighten around him.

They were so close he could smell the faint floral fragrance drifting from her.

Before he could speak, something warm and soft touched the corner of his lips.

Her lashes trembled, her shoulders subtly shook — as if she had summoned all her courage for this moment.

Ma Hongjun gently held her waist.

The moment she felt his touch, her body trembled slightly, as if struck by a silent current.

Under the moonlight—

The black dress she wore outlined her slender waist perfectly, and the gentle curves of her figure were clearly visible.

The hem of her dress fluttered slightly, revealing her long, shapely legs.

Ma Hongjun deepened the kiss. Her waist was soft, like a willow branch swaying in the wind.

From afar—

Ning Rongrong sighed faintly, watching the couple embrace beneath the moonlight. Her eyes were tinged with envy. Brother Hongjun had never held her like that.

A flash of sadness appeared in her eyes — but it faded quickly, replaced by a spark of determination.

"Ning Rongrong, come on! You can do this. You won't lose to Zhuqing."

Clenching her fists, she gave herself a pep talk. Her eyes were now burning with resolve.

Inside a luxurious hotel—

Dugu Yan stepped out of the bathroom, visibly drained. Everything that happened tonight had been far too chaotic.

She couldn't even think clearly anymore.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she was about to turn off the light when a sound came from the door.

The moment she opened it, a tall figure walked in, his presence heavy and oppressive.

Yu Tianheng's face was grim, his teeth clenched, eyes still simmering with rage.

Seeing him, Dugu Yan froze in surprise.

"Who was that man tonight?"

The moment he entered, Yu Tianheng fired the question.

Under the dim moonlight, he hadn't seen the man's face clearly — but the image of his red hair was seared into his mind.

Dugu Yan frowned. She hadn't expected Yu Tianheng to have noticed anything.

Recalling how she had lain in another man's arms in tattered clothes, she unconsciously furrowed her brow.

She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come out. She didn't know where to start.

Seeing her remain silent, Yu Tianheng's anger only intensified.

His face turned even colder, his voice sharp.

"You're still trying to hide it from me?"

"We were all out looking for you, and when we found you… you were wearing another man's clothes."

His chest rose and fell violently, veins bulging on his forehead.

No man could accept seeing his woman like that — lying in another man's arms, wearing his clothes.

Even he had never seen Dugu Yan so disheveled.

Facing the furious Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan's face darkened.

"Things aren't like what you think."

Her tone was annoyed, and her brows stayed furrowed.

If it hadn't been for Ma Hongjun, she would have ended up in an even more humiliating situation.

And if she hadn't ambushed Ma Hongjun earlier that night, he wouldn't have gotten involved at all. In truth, she had been the one in the wrong from the beginning.

But when Yu Tianheng saw the expression on her face, his own turned icy. A cold glint lit up his eyes.

"You're still defending him?"

"If I'm not mistaken, that guy was Ma Hongjun — from the Shrek team. The one the teacher warned us about."

Yu Tianheng had calmed slightly, but once he recalled the description, he quickly connected the dots.

He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the emotions in his heart. Yet a flicker of ruthless intent still flashed across his eyes.

Dugu Yan, who knew him best, immediately understood what he was thinking.

"There's really nothing between us," she said, her voice frustrated.

She never imagined the man who had been by her side all this time wouldn't believe her.

Furious, her face turned bright red, and she stared directly into Yu Tianheng's eyes.

"If nothing happened, then why were you wearing his clothes?!"

Yu Tianheng's voice was icy and low. His face was pale, and the only thing betraying his inner rage was the killing intent in his gaze.

Dugu Yan stood still, watching the cold aura emanate from him.

In her mind, she recalled Ma Hongjun's gentle smile and the warm breath she had felt when he handed her the coat.

She shook off Yu Tianheng's hand and turned away, walking out with a disappointed look.

Watching her graceful figure disappear, Yu Tianheng felt his blood surge in anger.

He swore he would make that boy pay the price!

Time flew by, and soon, it was time for the two teams to face off.