Chapter 32: The Lonely Young Lady

Fuxiang District, Tao Family Headquarters.

As the owner of the Universal Group, the Tao family’s estate was vast. Sprawling gardens stretched as far as the eye could see, castle-like mansions rose among the greenery, fountains adorned with stone statues gushed ceaselessly, dozens of butlers and maids attended to their duties, and a young lady lingered at home, shrouded in unhappiness.

Near the villa, several maids gathered and whispered.

“Miss returned home last night. Mr. Tao even prepared a dinner that was like a grand banquet for her!”

“But she didn’t seem happy at all. Did something happen?”

“Mr. Tao always said Miss shouldn’t get involved in fighting and violence. She should simply inherit the business.”

“Why? I heard Miss became a member of the organization. That’s something remarkable. If it were my family, she’d be seen as a hero.”

“Actually, I know why,” said a maid, joining the group.

“Is it because of the danger? Is Mr. Tao worried?”

“No, Miss has been gifted since childhood. That doesn’t trouble Mr. Tao,” the maid replied. “But you must understand, once the brain domain develops to a high level, there’s a chance of awakening a foreign bloodline.”

“Oh!”

“I see. If Miss isn’t human, but of another race, she wouldn’t stay in Fuxiang City. She’d go to the region where her race lives.”

“That’s right. There will always be a barrier between humans and other races. If Miss awakens her bloodline, she’ll leave.”

“Because of this, Mr. Tao has always opposed her joining the organization. He only reluctantly agreed after she developed her abilities.”

One day, Tao Lu felt a fear stirring within her.

In this world, many people have suffered real harm, simply because of their race—sometimes her side wounded the other, sometimes the reverse.

She was afraid that, as she grew closer to someone, an unavoidable truth would surface: she was of another race, he was human.

Perhaps, in Tao Lu’s heart, her feelings for Xia Yan were mere fondness, not yet deep.

But in all her years, precious few had ever stirred such affection in her.

She even realized it herself: why, when Xia Yan was unconscious, did she refuse to leave, staying by his side into the deep night?

She wanted—when he opened his eyes, for the first person he saw not to be Gu Yue’er, but herself.

When he said he didn’t love Gu Yue’er, her heart eased, even felt a hint of joy.

But it shouldn’t be like this…

She shouldn’t become captive to her own feelings, shouldn’t lose herself.

So, after returning home, she started to avoid him, agonizing over a future that could never exist.

To prevent tragedy, shouldn’t she nip it in the bud?

Perhaps it wasn’t Xia Yan she lacked faith in, but herself.

Staying beside him, she was unconsciously drawn in, these past few months barely giving her space to breathe… If, one day, her heart finally surrendered, she’d be caught in the most sorrowful tragedy, as if obeying an inescapable law.

Tao Lu’s smile was bitter indeed.

“Father!” Tao Lu turned her head, looking to the far end of the wooden bench, where her father approached.

Mr. Tao gazed at his daughter, a gentle smile on his lips.

“I’ve been running away…” Tao Lu said with a wry smile. “If I don’t avoid him, I fear I’ll truly fall for him.”

“So the day has finally come!” Mr. Tao’s loving gaze became tinged with helplessness.

“He’s human, but I might not be,” Tao Lu said bitterly. “The more my brain domain develops, the more likely I am to awaken a foreign bloodline.”

“Father, am I doing the right thing?” Tao Lu’s eyes were lost, like a helpless child.

“Lu, I’m an ordinary human. I’m afraid I can’t answer that question,” Mr. Tao replied with a rueful smile.

“I am doing the right thing!” Tao Lu insisted. “I crave power. I’ll never give it up, so I developed my abilities. But if one day I awaken a foreign bloodline, I’ll become humanity’s enemy.”

“I’m afraid that, one day, I’ll love him, but have to leave. We might even be forced to kill each other because of our races’ conflicts. The more painful, the more cruel!”

The foreign races were pitiful, divided into ‘ranks’ by the purity of their blood.

Those of lower rank had to submit to higher ones, much like the laws of nature. And such laws often bred countless tragedies.

She could challenge the organization’s management without fear, point a gun at Levin without hesitation, stride forward unafraid—she was never timid.

No matter how hard the road, whether it was a mountain of blades, a hell, or a sea of fire, she would not submit.

But Tao Lu refused, above all, to become another tragedy. She was Tao Lu—never afraid of the future, but unwilling to be consumed by sorrow.

She couldn’t ignore these predetermined ‘laws’, terrified her heart would surrender more terribly, utterly lose herself, so she chose the most rational path.

“Father is gratified. Lu, you’ve grown up.” Mr. Tao smiled at his daughter.

Tao Lu flung herself into her father’s arms, tears pouring uncontrollably as she softly murmured “I’m sorry,” again and again.

“Father, I… I feel it. In a few days, my bloodline will awaken,” Tao Lu whispered. “I’m sorry. I can’t take over the family business. I can’t stay with you.”

“It’s alright. To become someone admired as an ability user, I am proud of you,” Mr. Tao smiled. “No matter what race you become, you will always be my beloved daughter.”

Tao Lu snorted softly, tears flowing down her face.

Just then, her light-brain received a contact—Xia Yan. Though she had already blocked him, notifications still appeared.

Without hesitation, she blocked him again, sealing her resolve.

“Now that he’s joined the organization’s management, our partnership is officially over. I won’t return to the organization. I’ll apply for graduation as soon as possible; my brain domain development is nearly thirty percent,” Tao Lu murmured. “Father, if you hear anything about Gu Yue’er, notify Xia Yan immediately. Don’t delay.”

“Of course, anything concerning my precious daughter is my business.”

These were Tao Lu’s inner thoughts.

Xia Yan, you are truly remarkable, more than I ever imagined…

Just a little bit—only a tiny bit short—and I might have loved you.

But thankfully, it was just a little…

…

Ability Development Organization, central square, near the fountain. Xia Yan opened his light-brain and entered Tao Lu’s contact number, but still couldn’t reach her.

Gong Kui was with him, her clear gaze drifting toward the distance.

“What’s wrong?” Gong Kui asked.

“Tao Lu won’t answer my calls. Since the match ended yesterday, she’s vanished completely,” Xia Yan said dejectedly. “I’m worried about her. I hope nothing happens.”

“It’s fine, she’s alright,” Gong Kui replied with a smile. “You know, Universal Group helped us search for Gu Yue’er because of Tao Lu’s help—she’s the chairman’s only daughter.”

“Mm…” Xia Yan nodded. “I never realized Tao Lu’s family was so wealthy. She once told me, very seriously, that her family was ordinary.”

“Xia Yan, there’s something I need to remind you,” Gong Kui said suddenly. “I used to be as naive as you, and I was deeply hurt.”

“Hm?” Xia Yan was puzzled.

“Even now, you and I are the same,” Gong Kui said with a bitter smile. “If you aren’t human, then we might be enemies someday. But right now, I’m doing everything I can to help you. Tell me, isn’t that hurting me?”

“I’m not of another race,” Xia Yan said, frowning.

“Our standard for bloodline awakening is usually below thirty percent brain domain development. If you reach thirty percent or higher and still don’t awaken, then you are human,” Gong Kui stared at him. “Has your brain domain reached thirty percent?”

Xia Yan shook his head.

“See? That means you could deeply wound me… deepen the knot in my heart,” Gong Kui said bitterly. “That’s why I asked you so seriously in the underground cell—are you human?”

“I never imagined you’d have such experiences,” Xia Yan said, moved.

Gong Kui shook her head, then said seriously, “Xia Yan, you need to be careful! For example, with Gu Yue’er, or with Tao Lu, you could face the same thing.”

Xia Yan was stunned.

“Why is Tao Lu avoiding you? How developed is her brain domain? Perhaps she’s about to awaken a foreign bloodline!” Gong Kui said earnestly. “Xia Yan, think about it! Only with those of the same race can you always stand on the same side—otherwise, it only breeds tragedy and pain, just like I once experienced.”

“Tao Lu… how could it be like this!” Xia Yan lowered his head, smiling bitterly.

“The hierarchy of the foreign races is an unbreakable rule. Some lovers are forced by it to kill each other, sometimes leaving only one, or both perish,” Gong Kui said solemnly. “Xia Yan, don't trust those people—trust only me.”

“I will always trust them,” Xia Yan rejected her words.

“What… what did you say?” Gong Kui was incredulous.

“I will always trust Gu Yue’er. I will always trust Tao Lu,” Xia Yan said firmly. “If they truly are of another race, it doesn’t matter. If anyone tries to command them to submit, I’ll kill the one giving orders.”

“If they ever try to kill me, I won’t fight back.”

“So, I will always… always trust them. I’m not like you, Miss Gong Kui.”

Xia Yan’s expression was resolute; every word he spoke was the law of his heart, impossible to betray.

Gong Kui was stunned, unable to speak.

She thought to herself: this Xia Yan, who declared war on Levin for Gu Yue’er, who fought so fiercely against the organization leader—he really is different from people like us.

And in Xia Yan’s heart, he once loved a woman—Su Zhu. After her, he never loved another.

Yet some people in his heart were no less important than Su Zhu, even if Su Zhu never betrayed him.

People like Ding Li, Gu Yue’er, Tao Lu—these were the ones he cherished most.

No matter what the future held, no matter how cruel, he would use his own hands to smooth the thorns, to make the road ahead forever wide and bright.

He would always be the tree they could rely on.