Douluo: Martial Soul White Tiger, I am the White Emperor of Heaven

Chapter 426 You...don't do this...

A gentle breeze blows, the thin mist lingers, and the faint chirping of insects can be heard in the distance.

Meanwhile, inside the villa.

Dai Chengfeng gently placed his hand on Liu Erlong's shoulder. The warmth from his palm seemed to be the only solid support in her shattered world.

She buried her face deeply in Dai Chengfeng's shoulder, as if trying to hide herself completely.

Ever since Yu Xiaogang ran away from his wedding, the grievances, heartbreak, resentment, and anger that had been building up for countless years finally found an outlet, turning into tears that surged forth and quickly soaked Dai Chengfeng's clothes.

She cried so hard her whole body trembled, and she could barely breathe, while Dai Chengfeng just stood there silently, letting her lean on him, without showing the slightest impatience.

For a moment, smelling Dai Chengfeng's unique and refreshing youthful scent, Liu Erlong felt a strange sense of peace.

Time passed quietly.

After a long while, Liu Erlong's loud sobs gradually subsided, turning into soft and suppressed whimpers.

After venting their emotions, reason returned.

At that moment, she seemed to suddenly realize that she had lost her composure in front of a man she didn't know very well, and had even gotten his clothes wet.

Feeling awkward, Liu Erlong shifted slightly, trying to pull away from Dai Chengfeng's embrace.

However, Dai Chengfeng did not let go of her shoulder. Instead, he used the fingertips of his other hand to gently brush away the few strands of wet hair that were stuck to her cheek by her tears.

His movements were careful, the warmth of his fingertips almost tangible, as if he were handling a rare and fragile treasure with tenderness.

"Does crying make you feel better?"

Dai Chengfeng's deep voice rang out, sounding gentler than usual, carrying a calming and reassuring warmth.

"You should have given up on that kind of man long ago. He doesn't deserve your sadness."

Liu Erlong's body stiffened slightly, then he slowly raised his head.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and tiny teardrops still clung to her long eyelashes, but the emptiness and lifelessness that had been in her beautiful eyes before had vanished, replaced by a painful clarity and resolve.

"you're right."

Liu Erlong took a deep breath of the cool air. Her voice was hoarse from crying, but unusually firm. "It's not worth it."

"It's not worth it at all for him."

"I've been so out of my mind all these years!"

As Liu Erlong spoke, he suddenly stood up straight.

Although her eyes were still red and swollen and her hair was a little messy, her spine was straight. The unique, dashing and fierce demeanor that belonged to Liu Erlong had returned to her, and even added a bit of sharpness that broke through and rebuilt, cutting off the past.

Her gaze was icy cold, sharply fixed on the direction where Yu Xiaogang had just disappeared.

"This time, it's really over."

"I, Liu Erlong, hereby swear that I sever all ties with Yu Xiaogang, that we shall never be strangers again, and that we shall have no further connection whatsoever!"

"If I break this oath, may my hair be cut as a result!"

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Erlong suddenly raised his hand, reached into his hair, and precisely cut off a strand of hair.

At that moment, without even looking, she suddenly clenched her fists, and a strand of her black hair slowly began to burn.

As he opened his hand, wisps of bluish-gray dust fell to the ground, reflecting a cold, broken luster in the morning sun.

"call!"

Liu Erlong lowered her head, her eyes resolute, without the slightest hesitation. She lifted her foot and stomped hard on the gray dust, crushing it into the soil with the sole of her shoe. It was as if she were completely crushing and burying that unbearable past.

After doing all this, her chest rose and fell slightly. She took another deep breath before turning around and looking at Dai Chengfeng, who had been standing quietly to the side.

"Dai Chengfeng".

Her eyes were complex, filled with sincere and undisguised gratitude, as well as a hint of vulnerability and bewilderment after experiencing such a dramatic change.

She called out softly, her tone gentler than ever before, having shed all her usual sharp 'shell'.

"Today... I really owe you a lot."

"Thank you for speaking up for me, thank you... for not leaving me when I was at my most vulnerable and embarrassed, and for comforting me like this."

"I, Liu Erlong, will remember this kindness!"

Dai Chengfeng watched quietly as Liu Erlong vented her emotions, made her vows, and crushed her hair. He listened to her choked yet earnest gratitude, and a faint smile slowly crept onto his lips.

"grateful?"

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Liu Erlong's face, which was still streaked with tears yet unusually clean. His voice carried a hint of languor: "Sister Erlong, isn't a verbal thank you too little?"

Liu Erlong paused slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes: "Then... what kind of thank-you gift do you want?"

"As long as it's within my power, as long as I have it..."

Dai Chengfeng took a small step forward, naturally closing the already somewhat ambiguous distance between the two of them due to their earlier leaning on each other.

His gaze was extremely aggressive, landing on Liu Erlong's eyes as if they were solid, then slowly sliding down, passing over her upturned nose, and finally settling firmly on her lips, which were slightly pale from crying but still full and tender.

His gaze deepened. "Thanks, there always needs to be some... concrete actions to show sincerity, doesn't it?"

Dai Chengfeng lowered his voice even further, his languid tone becoming more pronounced, like a feather gently brushing against Liu Erlong's heart, bringing a strange shiver.

Liu Erlong's heart pounded wildly as Dai Chengfeng stared at her, and her blood seemed to rush.

She seemed to sense what Dai Chengfeng wanted, and unconsciously took a step back, her breathing becoming rapid and flustered, her voice carrying a hint of tension.

"What...what do you mean? What...action do you want?"

Dai Chengfeng did not immediately reply.

He took another step closer.

At that moment, the two could almost hear each other breathing.

His unique, clear masculine aura, mixed with a faint hint of bloodlust, became extremely noticeable.

Soon, Dai Chengfeng reached out and gently lifted Liu Erlong's fair chin with his slender fingers.

The warmth of his fingertips seeped through his skin, carrying an irresistible force that compelled Liu Erlong to tilt her head back slightly and meet his deep eyes.

"Dai Chengfeng...you...don't do this..."

Instantly, Liu Erlong's eyes widened as she watched Dai Chengfeng slowly lower his head, his handsome yet not effeminate face magnifying and drawing closer in her vision.

Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. Her hand instinctively rose up and pressed against his firm, warm chest, trying to push him away with a weak effort.

However, her resistance was so faint as to be almost inaudible, more like a weak murmur.

It's less a rejection and more a feeling of confusion and helplessness.

At this moment, countless images flashed through Liu Erlong's mind—Yu Xiaogang's vicious and ugly face, his resolute departure, Dai Chengfeng's upright figure when he firmly defended her, the unwavering vow she had made, and that strand of hair that had been crushed into mud...

(End of this chapter)