Chapter 222: A Comfortable Paradise

Suddenly, peace returned to daily life, and it lasted for a long time.

After this battle, the Black Star Cult’s forces within Central City were completely wiped out.

Two months later, the interrupted piano competition was restarted. Previously, participants had been injured and the venue destroyed. This time, no one could disrupt the competition’s progress, and it went smoothly from start to finish.

Perhaps due to the two-month buffer, or some other reason, Lu Yunze lived up to expectations and claimed the championship.

When he stood on stage to receive the award, Lu Yunze’s expression still looked dazed, as if he couldn’t believe he had actually become first place.

Feeling the weight of the certificate in his hand, he realized this wasn’t a dream—he had really won.

At the same time, he greeted the second-place contestant beside him.

“I remember now. We met at the competition venue two months ago.”

The young man with the short, flat hair was the formidable opponent Luo Yao and Luo Heng had repeatedly warned him to watch out for. He was also the one who had deliberately picked a fight with him in the restroom back then.

Originally, the flat-haired guy just wanted to leave quickly after receiving his award. He hadn’t expected Lu Yunze to initiate a conversation, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

“Back then, you said we’d settle the score. Though it’s two months late, are you convinced now?”

Hearing this, the flat-haired guy could only force a smile.

“Yeah, I guess you really are more skilled. I admit defeat.”

Returning home with the first-place certificate and scholarship, Lu Yunze became the most dazzling person in the entire Luo Family Residence.

The main reason was that when Luo Tianyu inspected his certificate in the hall, he revealed a satisfied smile.

“I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”

Luo Tianyu laughed and patted his shoulder as he spoke.

“As expected, human potential needs to be pushed to be unlocked. You really surprised me.”

The cause of Baigui Shitu’s death remained a mystery, but Lu Yunze had helped Luo Yao and Luo Heng survive the attack of a powerful enemy. Otherwise, Luo Tianyu would have lost two children.

Luo Tianyu had asked him privately more than once.

“You actually took care of that enemy, didn’t you?”

Each time, Lu Yunze replied with a helpless smile.

“It really wasn’t me.”

Luo Tianyu frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed.

“If I gave you a battlefield without interruptions, do you think you could do it?”

Lu Yunze briefly recalled the situation at that time, then shook his head decisively.

“No.”

“I see. Alright, go do your thing.”

“Okay.”

After Lu Yunze took his leave, Luo Tianyu waited in his library for another servant to arrive.

All the warmth on Luo Tianyu’s face disappeared. His expression turned as cold as frost, and his voice became low.

“Old Master, the investigation has results.”

“How is it? Who is that person?”

“For now, we can’t find anyone matching the face you described.”

“Then it must have been disguised.”

Luo Tianyu’s clenched fists trembled slightly.

“Could that man’s accomplice have killed Lu Chang?”

For some reason, Luo Tianyu thought of the Hidden One he had eliminated in the cave, and his irritable mood improved slightly.

Knowing that someone who knew his secrets had died in an unknown corner was always a pleasant thing, no matter the time.

Luo Tianyu gazed at the bright moon outside the window, his smile rich with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Lu Yunze was still walking down the corridor of the residence.

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but it seemed the household servants respected him even more now.

Was it because he had received Luo Tianyu’s praise in public, or because he had led Luo Yao and Luo Heng to survive that battle?

Thinking back on it, Lu Yunze was still baffled.

He didn’t remember how he had passed out.

When he woke up, he found himself lying in a temporary refugee camp, with no idea who had brought him there.

However, one thing he could be certain of was that the person’s strength was extraordinary. Otherwise, they couldn’t have done something like that.

Why did they go out of their way to save me?

This question had troubled Lu Yunze for a long time.

The only figure that came to mind was a purple-haired girl in a grey-white robe.

Could it be that because I helped her escape from the police station last time, she came back to save me?

That Hidden One was actually pretty nice.

Lu Yunze snapped back to reality and realized there were still two people sitting with him in the hall.

“Brother Lu, are you even listening to me?”

“Huh? Yes, what’s wrong?”

On one side was Luo Yao, who looked displeased because of his inattentiveness.

“Brother Lu seems to have something on his mind. Since you won the championship, you should be happy.”

On the other side was Luo Heng, who had once worried everyone that he was about to kick the bucket but had recovered surprisingly fast.

“Sis, what do you know? The adult world is full of worries. I have to think about a lot of things every day too.”

“Second Brother, when you say ‘thinking,’ do you mean pondering your Secret Art?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

With his workshop shut down, Luo Heng could only spend his time on his Secret Art.

Explosion Art was incredibly powerful, but considering its tremendous consumption, it could basically be used only once in a battle.

Lu Yunze had assumed Luo Heng was figuring out how to make Explosion Art more practical—like reducing its power and consumption, allowing it to be used twice in a fight.

But Luo Heng’s thought process was too peculiar for him to predict.

“Since it’s already sold on its massive power, why would I lower the consumption? Shouldn’t I be figuring out how to increase its power even more? Someday, my Explosion Art will grow to the point where it can decide any battle in a single strike!”

Luo Heng was very confident in himself, but others couldn’t understand him, and he couldn’t understand others.

As they chatted, the topic turned to Explosion Art.

Luo Heng was absorbed in boasting about his Explosion Art, while Luo Yao kept trying to talk to Lu Yunze.

“I knew Brother Lu would shine with his own light.”

Lu Yunze waved his hand.

“But the credit really goes to you. You’ve been helping me since we were kids. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Hearing this, Luo Yao rested her cheek on her hand and smiled.

“Not at all. I’ve just been working harder than before. I didn’t slack off.”

“Then, Brother Lu, if you become successful one day, will you forget me? Will you leave me behind?”

“What are you saying? We’re…”

A thought flashed through Lu Yunze’s mind, and his voice trailed off.

“What’s wrong?”

Luo Yao tilted her head.

“Aren’t we family? How could I forget you? My dear little sister!”

Lu Yunze rumpled her hair vigorously.

“Brother Lu, you’re so annoying.”

Luo Yao pouted, slapped his hand away, and started fixing her hair.

After chatting with them a bit longer, Lu Yunze stood up, said goodbye, and returned to his bedroom.

Just as he gently closed the door, a gentle voice sounded behind him.

“Welcome back, Young Master. I thought you were too busy having fun with Miss to remember me.”

There she was—the maid who had a high probability of spawning in the room!

Lu Yunze was already used to her sudden appearances.

But in front of Jiang Sui was a basin filled with hot water.

“What’s that for?”

“To wash Young Master’s feet.”

“Young Master has been outside all day. I specially brought a basin of water.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if I just took a shower?”

Lu Yunze sniffed himself. He didn’t smell that bad.

“Shall I help Young Master bathe? I understand.”

Jiang Sui nodded seriously.

“Then please give me a moment. Taking off a maid uniform is quite troublesome.”

“Forget it. Just help me wash my feet.”

Despite his words, Lu Yunze thoroughly enjoyed the foot-washing process.

Jiang Sui’s small hands were soft and agile, and her kneading pressure was just right—it almost made Lu Yunze’s soul leave his body.

“Young Master won the championship.”

“Yeah.”

“Did the Old Master not give Young Master any reward?”

“Does praise count?”

“That’s it?”

The expression on Jiang Sui’s face looked like she was pitying him.

“Oh well, what matters is that I can prove my strength with this. Rewards aren’t important.”

“Then does Young Master want my reward?”

As soon as she said that, Lu Yunze froze.

He stared into her pale purple eyes for several minutes before letting out an “Mm” and slowly nodding.

Jiang Sui smiled, with a seductive charm that Luo Yao could never replicate in her lifetime.

Lu Yunze wondered if he was hallucinating.

It was almost November, and the weather had already cooled down. Why did the room still feel so stiflingly hot?

Was it because of the foot bath?

He was starting to sweat.

Jiang Sui stood up and leaned forward slightly.

Her palms rested on Lu Yunze’s shoulders, her movements as intimate as a cat’s.

Just as Lu Yunze’s heartbeat reached its limit, she cupped his face and brought her lips to his.

Lu Yunze’s eyes widened, but he quickly surrendered to the softness of her lips.

The kiss was light, but it lasted a long time—until Jiang Sui was satisfied and pulled away.

“Jiang Sui, you…”

“Young Master, did you like it? That was my first kiss.”

“I did.”

The girl’s lips were slightly parted, her small tongue not yet fully retracted.

She didn’t move away from Lu Yunze; instead, she continued leaning against his shoulder.

“Young Master, keep working hard. I’ll always be watching you.”

“If you need comfort, you can come to me. If you need a reward, you can come to me too.”

“After all, that’s my duty as a maid, isn’t it?”

With every word, she blew a soft breath into Lu Yunze’s ear, and then mischievously bit his earlobe.

“Ouch.”

Lu Yunze yelped, but couldn’t escape.

Unconsciously, he had already sunk into this comfortable paradise.

Although she had given away her first kiss, Jiang Sui’s post-event embarrassment wasn’t as intense as she had imagined. Instead, the next day, she found herself wanting more.

Was it because she had crossed that wall, so her acceptance had increased?

Jiang Sui continued their small daily routines—the routines that Luo Yao knew nothing about.

They left Central City and returned to Lan City, and so a year passed.

In October of the following year, Lu Yunze and Luo Yao received a message from Luo Tianyu.

“What’s up?”

Lu Yunze asked.

“Father told us to suspend our studies and go help him.”

“Go back to Central City?”

“No, it’s to help big sister.”

“Huh?”

At the mention of “big sister,” the name Luo Qiaoying surfaced in Lu Yunze’s mind.

She had been handling family affairs for Luo Tianyu. Had she run into some major trouble?

“Qiaoying is currently located in Donghai City.”

Jiang Sui, who had been eavesdropping, squinted slightly.

If she remembered correctly, Lu Yunze’s hometown was…