Douluo: I have too many clones

Chapter 776 Xu Lizhi: No!!!
He absolutely must be punished!

Gu Yuena slightly raised her chin, her fingertips curling gently inside her sleeve, already beginning to make plans in her mind.

The method of punishment must not be out of proportion. If it is too severe, it will only put the two sides in an adversarial position, needlessly damaging the affection that has been built up over time.

But if she were to downplay it, how could he truly feel her dissatisfaction at this moment?
What she wanted was a well-timed warning, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that were striking enough but not enough to disturb the water or startle the fish.

Thinking this, the gentle smile on her face deepened, but the smile didn't reach her eyes; instead, it conveyed an irresistible meaning.

A moment later, Gu Yuena took a few steps back and stopped beside the carved pear wood table in the center of the room. The tabletop was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the hem of her plain white dress, the subtle patterns embroidered on the hem shimmering in the light.

She turned slightly and gracefully sat on the edge of the table, her legs hanging down naturally. The hem of her white dress rose gently, revealing a section of her calves covered in white stockings.

The stockings were made of a fine material, which made her skin look even more translucent. The silver thread pattern embroidered around the top of the stockings echoed the silver tassels in her hair, showing a touch of unintentional delicacy.

She looked up at Fusheng, who was standing not far away. The turmoil in his purple eyes had vanished, leaving only a calm indifference.

The silver high heels traced a graceful curve at the ankle, their toes lightly touching the ground with a soft sound.

Then, she slightly raised her calf, her heel hovering in the air for a moment, before the silver-haired, purple-eyed girl commanded in an unquestionable tone, "Fusheng, help me take off my shoes."

"Huh? Okay."

Nan Fusheng was clearly not expected to do this. He was slightly taken aback, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. But when he met Gu Yuena's calm purple eyes, which were as deep as a pool, all his hesitation vanished instantly.

He quickly stepped forward, leaning slightly forward. When his fingertips lightly touched the cool heel, he could even feel the delicate texture of the metal surface. His movements were gentle, as if handling a fragile treasure, as he slowly slipped the high heel off the girl's feet.

"Dang~"

After the faint sound of her heels hitting the floor faded, the room was filled with a stillness as quiet as breathing. Gu Yuena gently placed her feet on the soft carpet, the white stockings against the plush carpet creating a warm, smooth feel.

"Lick~"

Gu Yuena's voice rang out again, and the purple halo deep in her eyes flickered faintly, like a firefly quietly lighting up in the dark night. Her gaze fell on Nan Fusheng, a faint smile playing on her lips, her tone still calm, yet carrying an unyielding command.

Although Nan Fusheng didn't quite understand her meaning, given their relationship, the order wasn't too difficult to accept, so he chose to obey and focused his attention on the calf encased in white stockings.

"Lie~ Lie~ Lie~"

Skin touched through a thin layer of stockings, bringing a warm and moist sensation. Gu Yuena felt the subtle movement on her calves, a strange, tingling sensation that spread from her skin to her entire body.

"Hmph~ Haha~ It's so itchy~"

She couldn't help but chuckle softly, her laughter as clear and melodious as silver bells, echoing in the room. Her toes, encased in white stockings, curled slightly, like startled little birds, yet with a touch of indescribable charm.

"She definitely has puppy blood!"

Gu Yuena lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on Nan Fusheng, who was "working hard," her eyes filled with a mischievous smile, yet also with a hint of barely perceptible indulgence.

As the water seeped in, the originally white stockings gradually became transparent, as if covered with a thin layer of mist, making the skin underneath appear even more radiant.

Through the almost transparent white silk, you can even clearly see the delicate texture on the toes, and the slight pink blush that appears when the skin is warm, like newly blooming peach petals, exuding a tender and endearing charm.

The light falls on it, refracting a hazy and warm glow, making this private scene as exquisite as a work of art, so that one dares not have the slightest thought of profanity.

Don't forget the top!

Gu Yuena tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping across the ceiling above her. A layer of hazy mist filled her purple eyes, like a deep pool shrouded in fog, carrying a touch of languid dreaminess.

Her voice was soft and gentle, like a feather brushing against the heart, as she gently reminded Nan Fusheng, the last syllable of her voice carrying a subtle tenderness.

Upon hearing this, Nan Fusheng slowly moved upwards, his fingertips tracing increasingly cautious paths.

However, as the warm touch gradually approached the gap where the white skirt met his skin—that delicate boundary as smooth as the ridge of a snow-capped mountain—his movements involuntarily stopped.

"Why don't you continue?"

Sensing Nan Fusheng's sudden stop, Gu Yuena's previously hazy eyes gradually cleared up, like a mirror having its mist wiped away.

The languidness vanished, replaced by a sharpness, and his tone carried an obvious dissatisfaction, like a cat whose enjoyment had been interrupted, with a barely perceptible anger hidden in the last syllable.

Nan Fusheng took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, and finally raised his head to meet her gaze. His voice was somewhat hoarse: "Gu Yue, let's call it a day. My match is over for today, and Xiao Yan and the others are still waiting for me outside."

"continue."

Gu Yuena remained unmoved. The light in her purple eyes grew even stronger, as if a deep vortex was slowly swirling within them, exuding an almost domineering pressure. Every word she spoke seemed to carry an invisible weight, making it hard for people to breathe.

“But…” Nan Fusheng frowned slightly, still somewhat hesitant.

"Did you fail?"

Seeing Nan Fusheng's obvious break from control, Gu Yuena sighed silently in her heart. The sigh was as light as the wind brushing across the lake, yet it carried an indescribable sense of loss.

In fact, she had a premonition from the very beginning of the plan, but when reality was right in front of her—the Dragon Mystic Magic could not control Nan Fusheng's mind—the disappointment in her heart still spread quietly like a fine spider web.

Yes, she had her eye on him as early as when Nan Fusheng announced his intention to participate in the martial arts contest to find a husband. At that time, she had gently "suggested" that he stay in the Ten Thousand Beasts Platform for a while longer, her tone full of concern, as if she were truly only thinking of his safety.

But only she knew that behind those words lay a scheme to secretly activate the Dragon Mystic Technique by taking advantage of the special energy field of the Ten Thousand Beasts Platform.

She didn't mean any harm; she just wanted to have a backup plan.

After all, she had already seen the existence of Nasida's group of spirits—they could clearly influence and even control some of Nan Fusheng's actions, as if they had planted unpredictable fuses in his soul.

If they can do it, why can't she?

She originally thought that by using the power of the Dragon Mystic Magic, she might be able to occupy a place in his spiritual world, or at least exert some restraint on those souls, so that their powers could reach a delicate balance.

Judging from Nan Fusheng's current state, her plan had clearly failed. Even though he had entered the Ten Thousand Beasts Platform, he was still able to maintain a clear mind and was not affected by the Dragon Mystic Magic in the slightest.

This disappointment, though clear, was nothing more than that. Gu Yuena quickly calmed herself, her gaze falling on Nan Fusheng, her thoughts already wandering.

After all, the souls within Nan Fusheng's body were all formidable, not to mention the presence of Kiana, a deity-level being.

Given the opponent's strength, it might be difficult to remove the Dragon Mystic Magic from everyone, but removing the control from Nan Fusheng alone would probably be a piece of cake.

In addition, there are two other particularly dangerous entities lurking within Nan Fusheng's body. Those two forces are mysterious and domineering, and even she cannot fully comprehend them.

With them around, it's not surprising that he could easily break free from the influence of the Dragon Mystic Magic.

Gu Yuena slowly raised her hand, her smooth, jade-like palm tracing a gentle arc in the air. Her fingertips first lightly brushed against Nan Fusheng's head, leaving a cool sensation on her palm as strands of hair touched her hair.

The next instant, her movements suddenly changed in force. Her five fingers clenched slightly, and with an irresistible force, she pressed down—like a mountain collapsing, pushing Nan Fusheng toward that hidden corner that symbolized the abyss.

"continue!"

Two words escaped her lips, clear and cold, completely shedding her previous languor and dazedness. Since the manipulation of the mind had failed, she would try another method—to forcibly control the situation with absolute power.

She was never a delicate woman who depended on others; she possessed strength and skill. The majesty of a dragon cannot be challenged, and she would never easily back down, even towards the person she cherished most.

"Woooooo~"

Caught off guard, Nan Fusheng let out a suppressed cry of grief, like a lone boat caught in a whirlpool, forced to passively endure the force that was beyond his control.

"Stop resisting~" Gu Yuena turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on the skirt that was rising and falling slightly due to the struggle. Her tone was languid and pleasant, as if she were watching a play whose ending was already predetermined.

“This room is located in the most secluded corner of the stadium, and few people come here on weekdays. Moreover, I have already set up a mental barrier in advance to isolate all the sounds and smells around it. Even if you shout at the top of your lungs, no one will notice the commotion here.”

She leaned gracefully against the edge of the table, her crossed legs swaying gently, her white skirt like blooming petals, softly enveloping that "turbulent" area.

Through the thin fabric, one could vaguely see the restless undulations within, as if confirming the absolute control in her words.

She likes this kind of dynamic—not one-sided domination, but watching the other person go from resistance to submission, from struggle to surrender, under her control.

"Don't rush, there's plenty of time, we can take it slow."

Gu Yuena lowered her eyes slightly, looking at the still undulating shadow beneath her skirt. A dark light flashed in her purple eyes—this "punishment" she was leading was only just beginning to get to the most interesting part.

……

Meanwhile, on a food street in Mingdu, the place was bustling with activity and filled with delicious aromas.

A variety of food stalls were crowded with diners. The sizzling sound of hot oil, the enthusiastic shouts of the stall owners, and the joyful laughter of children mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively scene of everyday life. Amidst this bustling atmosphere, Ye Xinglan stood quietly outside a relatively quiet dessert shop on the street corner, with an unusually obese young man in front of her.

The young man was in his early twenties, with an ordinary, even somewhat unremarkable, appearance. His round face carried a hint of honesty. He was holding a bowl of red bean paste he had just bought, seemingly still savoring the warmth of strolling through the food street with Ye Xinglan.

"Ryuji, let's break up."

Ye Xinglan pursed her lips slightly, her voice not loud, yet it clearly pierced through the surrounding noise.

Her gaze fell on the young man's face. In his usually bright and lively eyes, a trace of undisguised reluctance flashed, but soon that reluctance was replaced by a more resolute emotion, as firm as a rock, without the slightest wavering.

She has never been a woman who likes to procrastinate, especially when it comes to relationships. If she likes someone, she likes them; if she doesn't, she should be honest about it—this has always been her principle.

Now that she already had someone else in her heart, the excitement and longing had long since overshadowed the past tenderness, and she was absolutely unwilling to continue to delay Xu Lizhi—the chubby boy who had been following her ever since she entered Shrek Academy.

Taking advantage of the fact that she was out today and her friends had all dispersed, with no one around to bother her, she made up her mind to settle things with him here.

Cutting the Gordian knot might hurt, but it's better than wasting each other's time and letting the last bit of affection wither away in indecision.

Xu Lizhi's smile froze instantly, and the hand holding the red bean paste trembled slightly, with a few drops of warm bean paste splashing onto the back of his hand, but he was completely unaware.

He looked at Ye Xinglan with a blank expression, as if he hadn't heard what she just said, or as if he couldn't believe his ears.

His eyes, which usually held a hint of a smile, were wide open at this moment, filled with astonishment and confusion. His plump cheeks twitched slightly, and he was speechless for a moment.

The surrounding noise seemed to stand still at this moment, and Ye Xinglan could clearly hear her own heartbeat, steady and firm.

She knew that once those words were spoken, there would be no turning back. All the times they had spent cultivating together, sharing food, and encouraging each other during their low points would become memories to be buried in the dust.

But she doesn't regret it. Feelings can never be forced. Rather than letting him have unrealistic expectations, it's better to draw a clear line now so that he can move on from this relationship as soon as possible and find his own true happiness.

"I...I understand." Xu Lizhi paused for a moment, then quickly forced a broad smile onto his plump, round face. However, there was a hint of stiffness in that smile, as if he was trying his best to maintain his composure.

He raised his hand and scratched his head, his voice still trembling slightly, but he tried his best to sound calm: "But, Sister Xinglan, can we still get along normally like before?"

Seeing that Xu Lizhi did not collapse as she had expected, neither questioning hysterically nor appearing dejected, Ye Xinglan's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and a genuine sense of relief appeared on her face.

She nodded gently, her tone sincere and firm: "Of course, after all, we are the Shrek Seven Devils."

The words "Shrek Seven Devils" acted like an invisible bond, instantly bridging the distance between the two caused by their "breakup".

All those times we fought side by side and entrusted each other with our backs, all those memories of sweating together at Shrek Academy and witnessing each other's growth, are hidden in these five words, heavy with an unbreakable bond.

"That's good."

Xu Lizhi's smile remained bright, as if his earlier disappointment had never existed. He waved the red bean paste he hadn't finished eating and said in a light tone, "It seems your name is on the elimination rounds the next day, Sister Xinglan. You should go back and cultivate to adjust your condition."

"I'm competing on the fifth day, so I still have plenty of time. The food in Mingdu is truly amazing. I'll wander around here for a bit and try a few more delicious dishes."

He deliberately steered the conversation toward the competition and food, as if trying to create an atmosphere of "everything as usual" and make the farewell seem less heavy.

His usual gluttonous demeanor was no different from his usual self, but only he knew that at this moment, his throat felt like it was blocked with a warm cotton ball, and even his favorite red bean paste could not taste sweet at all.

"Ok."

Ye Xinglan looked at his feigned ease, a knowing glint in her eyes. How could she not see the restraint hidden behind that smile? But she didn't point it out; some things didn't need to be said, and some emotions didn't need to be exposed.

She nodded slightly to Xu Lizhi, turned around decisively, and quickly blended into the bustling crowd.

Some pains can only be overcome by oneself.

Xu Lizhi, who remained where he was, only let the forced smile on his face slowly fade away like the tide after Ye Xinglan's figure completely disappeared into the crowd at the street corner, revealing the underlying sadness beneath.

He looked down at the still-warm red bean paste in his hand, and crystal tears rolled down his cheeks without warning, splashing into the porcelain bowl and mixing with the dark red bean paste, making it impossible to tell whether they were tears or sugar water.

"Do not!!!!"

A heart-wrenching roar suddenly burst from Xu Lizhi's mouth. He abruptly knelt down, his heavy body slamming onto the bluestone pavement with a dull thud.

"Sister Xinglan!!!"

His hands instinctively opened as if trying to grab something, but in the end they could only stand futilely in mid-air, his fingertips trembling slightly from the effort.

"Uuuuuu——"

The pain that had been building up in his heart was like a flood that had burst its banks, and could no longer be buried. The moment Ye Xinglan turned to leave, all his restraint and composure collapsed, and he completely lost control of his emotions.

Large tears, like pearls from a broken string, streamed down his chubby, round face, splashing onto the ground and leaving a small, dark stain.

Just then, a desolate and melodious tune suddenly rang out: "Snowflakes are falling~ The north wind is howling~"

The song carried a heart-wrenching sorrow, as if it came from the depths of the universe, perfectly echoing Xu Lizhi's devastated state of mind at that moment.

Even more surprisingly, the world seemed to truly sense this profound sorrow, and fine snowflakes fell from the sky without warning, swirling and drifting down under the dim streetlights, landing on Xu Lizhi's shoulders, in his hair, and in the bowl of red bean paste that was gradually cooling down.

The untimely snow seemed to drape his sorrow in a poignant cloak, making his heartbreak all the more intense.

"Ugh...well..."

Ten minutes passed before Xu Lizhi's sobs gradually subsided, and his reason returned slowly, like a reef exposed after the tide receded. But the tears in his eyes did not stop, silently sliding down his cheeks and dripping onto the cold stone slab.

I love what I love—without regret—this love will forever remain in my heart.

The song continued, and the snowflakes continued to fall.

Xu Lizhi sniffed and turned his gaze to the side—he saw the dessert shop owner standing at the door, holding a small player in one hand and a bag full of artificial snowflakes in the other, which was being continuously sprinkled in his direction.

"Boss, could you please stop this song? Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll start crying again." Xu Lizhi looked at him, his voice thick with nasal congestion, and he said with sobs.

Just now, when he broke down in tears, the boss appeared out of nowhere and not only played this fitting song to accompany him, but also thoughtfully added artificial snowflakes to "set the scene" for him.

Well, the other party's actions didn't seem malicious, and even carried a kind of clumsy enthusiasm, but Xu Lizhi always felt that something was strange, as if someone was deliberately watching this embarrassing and sad scene.

"Hey, young man, you're just unaware of the situation." The dessert shop owner adjusted his monocle, the lenses reflecting the dim light of the streetlamp, and said in a weathered, experienced tone:
"Some things, rather than festering inside, are better vented out. That way you'll feel better. How about it, after this background music and background, do you feel a little better, like that tightness in your chest?"

Xu Lizhi stared blankly at him, subconsciously sniffed, thought for a moment, and honestly replied, "It seems... I feel a little better."

At least the excruciating pain did dissipate somewhat with the tears and the song.

Upon hearing this, the dessert shop owner smiled with satisfaction and handed him a clean tissue: "That's right. Come on, young man, come inside and sit down with me. Tell me your story. It's hard to keep things bottled up inside. It's much better to talk to someone who can listen than to carry it all alone."

He pointed to the shop behind him, which was lit by warm yellow lights and had a faint sweet aroma wafting out.

"Boss, how did you know I have a story? Do you... know me?" Xu Lizhi took the tissue, wiped the tears from his face, and asked with some doubt.

"Silly child, although I have a bad memory and can't recognize any big shots, the look of heartbreak on your face has already clearly written your story."

The owner smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Come on, we just launched a new mung bean soup set meal. It's refreshing and helps to calm your mind. Why don't you try it?"

Xu Lizhi wiped his nose hard with a tissue, his heart still heavy, but he really felt he needed to find a place to sit down and calm down.

Perhaps, as the owner said, eating something could really lift his spirits. He hesitated for a moment, then stood up and walked towards the dessert shop.

As he reached the door, he seemed to suddenly remember something, stopped, looked up at the owner, and asked with a hint of expectation in his eyes, "Boss, is it free?"

Upon hearing this, the boss shook his head, feigning seriousness: "Silly child, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Of course, it costs money, one thousand federal dollars per serving."

"This is a rip-off!!" Xu Lizhi exclaimed instinctively, his eyes wide. A bowl of mung bean soup cost a thousand federal coins—that's outrageous!

"Hey, how can you talk like that, kid!" The owner waved his hand, feigning anger. "If it were a shady business, would I have given you free background music and scenery just now? Look, since you're in a bad mood, I'll give you a chance."

He then changed the subject, pointing to the shop's billboard, "We're having a promotion right now. Anyone who can eat a hundred servings of mung bean soup in one go will get a free 'limited edition green hat.' Do you dare to take the challenge? By the way, no one has succeeded yet."

Xu Lizhi abruptly wiped away his tears, a stubborn glint of defiance flashing in his eyes. When it came to eating, he had never been afraid of anyone. "Let's give it a try!"

Seeing his renewed fighting spirit, the boss's smile deepened, and he stepped aside to make way for the shop: "That's right, young man, it's good to have drive. Come on in, there's plenty of mung bean soup."

Xu Lizhi took a deep breath and stepped into the little shop that smelled sweet.

(End of this chapter)