Chapter 35: The Incompetent Best Friend

"Feng, what do you think of Ning Wuque?"

The river of time was stirred by a finger, flowing backward to a night several days prior. As always, Ning Tian and Wu Feng lay together in bed, tucked under the quilt, sharing whispers before sleep. Ning Tian turned on her side, watching the faint shyness and anticipation on Wu Feng’s small face. Her eyes sparkled with an inexplicable light, as if she were daydreaming about something blush-worthy.

"Wuque? That guy is fine, I suppose, but he’s too full of sweet talk. I don't like it." Wu Feng complained with a hint of jealousy, not bothering to wonder why Ning Tian was bringing this up today. She simply vented her own opinions: "But the elders really like him. My father is always saying to me, 'If only you were half as diligent as Wuque!' What is that supposed to mean? I’m working hard, too! It’s impossible that I’m not even half as good as him. My old man is getting senile! When I become a Titled Douluo, I’m going to beat him until he has no choice but to retire!"

She didn't hate Ning Wuque anymore, though she still felt a surge of jealousy whenever he used the scenery to compliment Ning Tian. Even though it was always Ning Tian who prompted him to do so, did that bad guy really have to follow through? It made her worry that her "Tian-jie" would be snatched away by that scoundrel. Fortunately, Ning Tian still cared for her and hadn't stopped their bedtime chats because of her relationship with Ning Wuque. At the thought of this, Wu Feng snuggled a little closer to Ning Tian.

"You, oh you... So, Feng, do you think Ning Wuque is suitable as a partner? I mean... as a boyfriend, the kind you’d eventually marry."

"He’s suitable enough! It’s not like you don't know, Ning Tian; that bad guy always has smooth words slipping out of his mouth. How could an ordinary girl resist that kind of flattery? Besides, even though he seems cold, he’s actually quite considerate. When I first started training, I thought he was incredibly heartless—like that sharp tongue of his—but he’s unexpectedly been encouraging me to keep going..."

As she spoke, it was as if she had opened a floodgate; Wu Feng couldn't stop: "And there’s more: he’s strong, he looks good, and he knows how to return favors without being demanding. Aside from being a bit too obsessed with training, there’s nothing wrong with him. If I weren't so indifferent to his type, my father would have already dealt with him! And Ning Tian, you surely think he isn't good enough for you, right?"

The person who knows you best is often your greatest rival. Wu Feng understood Ning Wuque’s advantages all too well. Aside from a certain eccentricity that made him seem abnormal to his peers—leading him to keep others at a distance—he completely outperformed all other boys his age. If one had to put a label on it, Ning Wuque was a "specialist," specifically targeting little heiresses!

Mysterious, eccentric, knowledgeable, diligent, emotionally intelligent, ambitious, persistent, and full of personality—these traits struck right at the hearts of those bored, naive, wealthy young ladies. It was precisely because she understood this so well that she always worried about her Tian-jie being spirited away by the detestable Ning Wuque. Fortunately, Ning Tian’s standards were much higher than those of typical girls; she regarded Ning Wuque only as a partner and friend, never showing any romantic intent. That was why Wu Feng had been so happy until now.

*Ning Wuque, oh Ning Wuque, he’s just so-so,* she thought with a smug, dismissive pout.

"I see. Then, Feng, if I wanted to be with Wuque, would you support me?"

"Of course... wait! Ah—!"

Wu Feng sat bolt upright, letting out a sharp, piercing cry. Fortunately, the room was soundproof enough, or she would have been disturbing the peace. She stared at Ning Tian. Ning Tian was wearing pale yellow pajamas, the moonlight catching her profile as she lay against the pillow. Her expression toward Wu Feng was sheepish, like a mother trying to confess to her child that she had secretly found them a stepfather. She looked embarrassed, afraid that the child wouldn't be able to accept it.

"Tian... Tian..." Wu Feng stuttered, pointing at her friend in utter disbelief. This wasn't right. Why? They were only ever at their most intimate when holding hands, and even then, it was always with Wu Feng’s hand held as well; there was no favoritism. Beyond that, she had never seen anything more intimate between them. How could it be so sudden?

"I... I have actually been considering this. Just as you said, not only is Wuque popular with girls, but he is a genius beyond geniuses. Being born into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, it’s not like I wouldn't consider such things." Ning Tian sat up slowly and continued, "But I know you’d be very bothered by this. Still, I have to marry eventually. That is something I have had to follow since birth, even without the innate full soul power; the only difference is between an arranged marriage and choosing for myself. Ning Wuque is a wonderful person. His character and conduct are perfect in my eyes. If I truly must sacrifice for the family... I think choosing him would be better and make me happier than choosing some stranger."

Ning Tian didn't care much for her family’s arrangements, but she understood gratitude and obligation. Besides, the family had vetted the character of potential matches. But... she was human, a person with her own thoughts.

She looked at Wu Feng. It was precisely because she knew how possessive Feng was that she had never provoked the conflict between them to avoid damaging their fragile trio. She only communicated with Ning Wuque using codes, phrases, and behaviors that only they understood. The naive Wu Feng could neither see nor hear it.

But times had changed. She was about to fulfill her duties, heading to Shrek Academy to recruit talent for the sect, just like her predecessors, and to choose her future partner. Thus, some things were bound to be revealed; Wu Feng had to know, and Ning Tian had to make her choice.

But... would the family agree? She didn't know. Yet, love makes one impulsive, so she wasn't planning to worry about that for now. Instead, she asked for Wu Feng’s opinion. At worst, the three of them could run away together. They were expected to stay at Shrek until they were twenty anyway, so what was a dozen years? Once they grew strong enough, they’d see who dared to say anything! Strength was the only true voice of authority. Wu Feng could grow into a Titled Douluo, and she firmly believed that after growing up, Ning Wuque would also be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with one.

"I... I..." Wu Feng collapsed limply onto the bed, her red hair hanging down. She looked at Ning Tian, seeing the anticipation in her eyes, and finally gritted her teeth. "As long as it’s what you want, Ning Tian, I will stand by your side!"

Having said that, she turned her head away, unable to bear looking at Ning Tian any longer. It was just like the sunset a few days later, after the graduation ceremony had ended. She leaned against a tree, looking away, unable to bear watching the interaction between Ning Tian and Ning Wuque.

It was exactly the same!

*I was the one who came first,* she thought to herself as the sound of their conversation drifted to her ears. *Being friends with Ning Tian, growing up with Ning Tian... why...*