Chapter 14: A Banquet with the Crimson Phoenix
After the class ended, Ji Lin and Wang Dong'er were walking back toward the dormitory when their steps suddenly came to a halt midway down the path.
Ma Xiaotao was standing there quietly. Her long crimson hair swayed gently behind her in the light breeze while her sharp gaze rested directly on Ji Lin without paying the slightest attention to anyone around them.
Ji Lin let out a faint sigh before turning toward Wang Dong'er and speaking in a calm tone.
Alright, wait for me at the dormitory. I'll go see what she wants. There's no need to worry, okay?
The moment she heard his words, Wang Dong'er lightly bit her lip before quickly turning her face away, as though trying to hide the irritation visible in her eyes.
Hmph… do whatever you want. It has nothing to do with me.
Yet the tension in her voice made her words sound completely different from the indifference she was trying to show.
In the very next moment, she turned around and hurried off toward the dormitory, to the point that even her steps looked slightly flustered.
Ji Lin watched her for a few moments with a faint smile lingering on his lips before finally shifting his gaze toward Ma Xiaotao.
He stepped closer to her calmly before speaking in a low voice filled with obvious flirtation.
Well… it seems there's a beautiful and fiery girl willing to spend some time with me. Do you want to talk here, or should we go somewhere else?
Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow slightly as she looked at him, as though wondering for a moment whether he was joking or if he naturally spoke with such shameless confidence, before quietly exhaling.
Follow me.
After that, the two headed toward a restaurant located just outside Shrek Academy's campus.
The moment they sat down, luxurious dishes quickly began filling the table one after another, personally ordered by Ma Xiaotao herself. The aroma of roasted meat and steaming food spread through the air until Ji Lin's stomach immediately let out a silent protest.
And naturally… he was not shy in the slightest.
He directly reached for the food and began eating without any hesitation, as though he had not eaten properly for many days.
In truth—
That was not far from reality.
After enduring five entire days in the far north and then suddenly being thrown into the Douluo World, he had not yet had the chance to eat real food of this level. Even Shrek Academy's cafeteria did not serve meat of such luxurious quality.
Across from him, Ma Xiaotao had been quietly observing him from the very beginning.
She watched his calm movements while eating and the natural way he behaved in front of her without any nervousness or attempts to put on an act. Even when he picked up his cup and took a sip, his actions felt strangely relaxed, as though he were sitting with someone he had known for a very long time.
Her eyes lingered on his face for a few extra moments before she finally spoke in a calm and beautiful voice.
You're Ji Lin… Elder Mu's disciple, correct?
Ji Lin answered without lifting his eyes from the food while calmly cutting another piece of meat in front of him.
Yes, that's me.
Only then did he finally raise his gaze toward her, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
And you? Why did you invite me to this feast?
Ma Xiaotao let out a light sigh before interlocking her fingers on top of the table, the sharpness in her crimson eyes softening slightly.
My name is Ma Xiaotao. I'm from the inner court, and I'm also the captain of Shrek's Seven Monsters team. My teacher is the academy dean, Yan Shaozhe.
She paused for a few short seconds, as though organizing her next words in her mind, before continuing in a more serious tone.
I invited you because I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier. I didn't mean to attack you.
Her gaze lowered slightly toward the table as a crimson strand of hair slipped near her soft cheek.
My martial soul is the Evil Phoenix… and because of it, I sometimes lose control of myself and act recklessly.
For a brief moment, her voice sounded softer than before, as though admitting such a thing was not something she liked saying in front of others.
Then she finally raised her eyes toward him again and added quietly:
I'm truly sorry.
Ji Lin's hand finally stopped moving.
He slowly set the utensils aside before lifting his head and looking directly into her eyes. Resting one elbow against the table, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Well, there's no need to apologize, dear Ma Xiaotao.
Ma Xiaotao paused slightly at the way he addressed her, while he calmly continued.
In any case, I already accepted your apology.
Then he leaned slightly forward, his voice lowering into a calm tone carrying a trace of playful teasing.
My heart wouldn't be satisfied if I didn't forgive a beautiful girl like you for an unintentional mistake.
Ma Xiaotao's eyes widened slightly at his words, and one of her brows lifted faintly, as though she was not used to someone speaking to her with such ease.
But before she could respond, Ji Lin continued immediately.
The teasing gradually disappeared from his eyes, replaced instead by a deeper and calmer gaze.
But I don't think that's the only reason you invited me here.
He tapped a finger lightly against the surface of the table only once. The sound was soft, yet it clearly broke the silence between them.
If it were only an apology… then saying it when we first met would've been enough.
Then he fixed his gaze directly on her, as though trying to read whatever she was hiding behind her current calmness.
Tell me…
A faint smile appeared once more at the corner of his mouth.
What is it that you really want?
Ma Xiaotao let out a slow sigh while the restaurant's warm lights reflected within her crimson eyes. She looked hesitant for a few moments, as though the words she was about to say were something she had hidden for a very long time.
My martial soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix… but it carries a dangerous flaw.
She lowered her gaze slightly, her fingers moving faintly along the rim of the cup in front of her.
It's true that it grants me immense spiritual power, but the stronger I become… the more violent the flames inside my body grow as well. And sometimes, I completely lose control.
Silence lingered between them for several short seconds before she raised her eyes toward him again.
That's why I need someone who possesses the attribute of Ultimate Ice to help suppress those flames… and it seems you have that ability.
Ji Lin's eyes rested on her face for a long moment.
Those beautiful features, the flowing crimson hair draped over her shoulders, and the strong gaze mixed with hidden exhaustion… everything about her carried a dangerous charm resembling fire itself.
Then he slowly smiled.
Well… I can help you.
The moment she heard those words, Ma Xiaotao's shoulders relaxed slightly, as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted from her heart.
But before she could speak, Ji Lin calmly continued while leaning back against his chair.
However… you understand what that means, don't you?
One of Ma Xiaotao's brows lifted faintly.
Ji Lin looked directly at her without avoiding her eyes for even a moment.
If I'm going to help you with the power of Ultimate Ice, then there will be repeated physical contact between us in order to suppress your Evil Fire. So I only have one condition…
His fingers stilled against the table while his tone became quieter and more serious.
I want you to respect this relationship between us.
Ma Xiaotao's eyes widened slightly, but Ji Lin continued without hesitation.
And honestly… you're a very beautiful girl, Ma Xiaotao.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, yet his gaze remained dangerously steady.
So I won't pretend to be some saint unaffected by you. If you ever fall in love with me…I won't reject you.
Ma Xiaotao's breathing halted for a brief moment.
Meanwhile, Ji Lin leaned slightly closer, his voice lowering even more.
In fact, I'd even be willing to marry you.
Ma Xiaotao's eyelashes trembled lightly the instant she heard those words.
There was no trace of joking in his voice.
Only straightforward honesty that made her heart shake in a strangely unfamiliar way.
Then he calmly continued.
And because of that… as long as this relationship exists between us, I won't accept you being close to other men in ways that cross the line.
Silence filled the space between them for several moments.
Even the sounds of the restaurant now felt incredibly distant.
Ma Xiaotao stared at him for a long time, as though trying to determine whether this man was truly serious or simply unbelievably shameless.
But what unsettled her the most…
Was that she could not find even the slightest hesitation inside his eyes.
She slowly took a breath, then closed her eyes briefly before opening them once more.
Only then did a faint smile appear on her red lips.
You really are an annoyingly bold person.
Ji Lin chuckled softly.
So… is that a refusal?
Ma Xiaotao slowly shook her head while her crimson hair swayed smoothly behind her.
No…I agree.
Then she fixed her eyes directly on him and added in a low voice:
But don't think that simply helping me means I'll fall in love with you that easily.
Ji Lin smiled immediately, as though her words were nothing more than an enjoyable challenge to him.
That's fine.
Then he slowly raised his cup toward her.
I have plenty of time, Miss Ma Xiaotao.