Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 375 - Where Exactly Was Xu Ming Out of Line?

Zhu Cici didn’t ask Xu Ming any more questions.

Her eyes felt sore, as if she was on the verge of tears.

But she held them back.

If she really cried now, that would be far too embarrassing.

Sensing the suffocating tension in the room, Yu Wen Xi quickly changed the topic to something lighter—like who would be attending the Four Seas Grand Ceremony, what kinds of events would be held, and even discussions about the legendary Empress and what she might look like.

With Yu Wen Xi taking the lead, the others hurriedly followed along, chiming in to keep the conversation going.

The atmosphere in the private dining room gradually returned to normal.

But between Zhu Cici and Xu Ming, the air was still heavy with tension.

It was as if Zhu Cici had been completely wounded.

Ling Bisheng watched Zhu Cici’s expression, feeling a sharp pang in his heart.

But more than pain, what he felt was a sense of melancholy and loss.

He had confessed to Zhu Cici more than once.

She had rejected him every time—without hesitation, without any room for ambiguity.

Yet, despite that, Ling Bisheng had never stopped liking her.

And now, watching this man before him—someone who, with just a few casual words, had hurt Zhu Cici so deeply—Ling Bisheng suddenly realized just how much she meant to him.

He also realized that no matter what he did, it would never be enough.

Zhu Cici was someone who loved and hated with absolute clarity.

If she liked someone, she liked them.

If she didn’t, she didn’t.

No matter how much he did for her, it would never compare to a single word from this man.

And yet, this man had the love of such an incredible woman—only to hurt her in return.

Ling Bisheng felt a quiet anger simmering in his heart.

“Everyone, please continue eating. I’m feeling a little unwell—probably just exhausted from all the traveling. I’ll be heading back first.”

Half an hour later, after finishing her meal, Zhu Cici made an excuse to leave, saying she needed to return to the Dragon Palace to rest.

“Of course, of course. Take care, Cici,” the others quickly responded, not exposing her obvious pretense.

Ling Bisheng wanted to accompany her back, but she refused.

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Once Zhu Cici was gone, the atmosphere noticeably lightened.

Yet, when the others looked at Xu Ming, their gazes were complicated.

After another incense stick’s time had passed, the group slowly dispersed.

Xu Ming, Yu Wen Xi, and Miao Feng left the restaurant and wandered through the streets of Longdu (Dragon Capital).

As they walked together, both Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng wore conflicted expressions.

They seemed like they wanted to speak but kept hesitating.

Meanwhile, Xu Ming’s expression remained perfectly composed, as if nothing had happened.

“Brother Xu...”

Yu Wen Xi finally couldn’t hold back anymore and spoke up.

“About what you said to Cici earlier... it just feels... feels...”

Halfway through, he couldn’t quite find the right words to describe it.

“Feels a little cruel?” Xu Ming said with a smile.

Yu Wen Xi, Miao Feng: “...”

Neither of them knew how to respond.

Was what Xu Ming said to Cici cruel?

Well... yeah, it definitely seemed cruel.

Cici had waited for Xu Ming for so many years, only for him to keep his distance from her—and then, right in front of her, openly express admiration for another woman.

If they put themselves in Cici’s shoes, they wouldn’t be able to take it either.

But then again... was Xu Ming actually in the wrong?

Thinking about it carefully, he really hadn’t done anything wrong.

He and Cici had never had much deep interaction—aside from that one childhood poem he had given her.

Beyond that, there was nothing substantial between them.

And honestly, even if he had promised to marry her as a child... so what?

Children’s words are meaningless.

Who takes childhood promises seriously?

Even if Cici had taken them to heart... how could that possibly be Xu Ming’s fault?

“I know exactly what you two are thinking,” Xu Ming said with a smile, shaking his head.

“The young lady from your esteemed academy, Zhu Cici, does seem to have some feelings for me. I’m well aware of that—I’m not an idiot, after all. But the real question is... which version of me does she actually like?”

Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng: “...”

Xu Ming let out a soft sigh.

“We all keep moving forward. Who stands still at the crossroads forever? Some people... they don’t truly love the person—they just love the scenery at that particular moment in time.”

—

Elsewhere, Fang Yu and his two companions walked down the street, their expressions complicated.

“That Xu Ming! He was way out of line!” Ling Bisheng said angrily.

Fang Yu chuckled. “Out of line? How so? I don’t think Brother Xu did anything wrong at all.”

Ling Bisheng turned to glare at Fang Yu, his voice unconsciously rising.

“You’re seriously asking that? You don’t think he was out of line? Didn’t you see that Cici was on the verge of tears?”

But Fang Yu didn’t get angry. He simply smiled and looked at Ling Bisheng.

“So tell me—just because Cici was about to cry, that automatically makes Brother Xu wrong? Then explain to me why he was out of line.”

“It’s obvious—!” Ling Bisheng started to argue, but the moment he opened his mouth, the words caught in his throat.

Try as he might, he couldn’t actually put his reasoning into words.

Chen Kun, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, shook his head and finally spoke.

“Bisheng, haven’t you realized it yet? Xu Ming said all of that on purpose. Or rather, he deliberately laid all his thoughts bare.”

“Think about it—Zhu Cici isn’t just any girl. She’s one of the top ten beauties on the Hongyan (Beauty) List. If a man were to win her heart, it would be an immense boost to his pride.

“Not to mention, even a fool could see that Cici has feelings for Xu Ming.

“If he were the kind of man with impure intentions, he could’ve easily said a few sweet words, strung her along, and won her over before showing his true colors.

“But did he do that? No, he didn’t.

“Instead, he kept his distance from Cici while making sure to show her his real self.

“It’s as if he’s telling her: ‘I may not be the same person I was back then. You loved me as a child, but whether or not you love who I am now... that’s something you need to think carefully about.’

“From start to finish, Xu Ming never took advantage of Cici’s feelings. Not even once.”

Ling Bisheng: “...”

“Bisheng,” Fang Yu sighed, patting him on the shoulder.

“I know you like Cici. I know you’ve always compared yourself to Brother Xu in secret.

“But this time... Xu Ming acted like a true gentleman.

“And at the very least, Cici’s love—her feelings—aren’t something so cheap that they can be won over by mere words.”