Apocalypse Circular

"Me looking at your dad? Of course, it's different. We're husband and wife."

"Lu Luo and I are also husband and wife; we've had our wedding."

If men typically discuss strength, power, and the state of the world, then women inevitably talk about emotions, marriage, and the trivialities of their relationships. This difference stems from their distinct ways of thinking.

Seeing Qi Xinzhu so resolute, Fang Jing's heart instantly softened, and she adopted a different tone. "So, what was your wedding like? Let me tell you, don't be fooled by how stodgy your dad is; he was very romantic when he was young."

Hearing her mom brag about her dad, Qi Xinzhu immediately giggled. "You call Dad stodgy? You're way more stodgy than he is!"

Fang Jing's expression instantly darkened. "You little brat, always taking your dad's side! You haven't even answered my question yet! Tell me, where was your wedding held? What was it like?"

A reminiscent look appeared in Qi Xinzhu's eyes as she mentioned their wedding.

"Mom, do you know that the Nightmare Demon held the Twilight Ceremony last year on December 19th and launched the Black Tide to attack the Fourth Ring?"

"I know. What about it?"

"My wedding day was December 19th."

"What?!"

"Before that, I had been captured by the Nightmare Demon and imprisoned in its Red and White Castle. It was an interesting time. There, I learned a lot about makeup techniques, many things a wife should do, and how to love someone earnestly. I also met a very special little girl named Da Tian..."

Qi Xinzhu began to talk about the time she was captured.

Fang Jing was taken aback. As an ordinary person, she truly couldn't imagine what her daughter had experienced. So, at that moment, she could only be a quiet listener.

"Mom, while I was in the Nightmare Castle, I hesitated too. I hoped, yet didn't hope, that he would come for me. The hope was emotional; the lack of hope was out of concern for him. But he still came for me, fighting his way through, rushing all the way, and finally arrived before me."

Qi Xinzhu then looked at her mother. "Mom, true affection is always mutual, with both people striving towards each other, right?"

Fang Jing nodded. "Yes, true affection is always mutual. One person's affection is just a simple liking, but when two people feel it, that's love."

As they reached this point in their conversation, Fang Jing already knew her daughter's choice. The emotion shining in Qi Xinzhu's eyes definitely couldn't be swayed by mere persuasion. Fang Jing knew very well that if she tried to stop Qi Xinzhu now, it was highly probable that Qi Xinzhu and Lu Luo would elope. It might sound ridiculous, but ever since she was little, her daughter had been someone who would chase the Holy Light, no matter the cost.

"So, Mom, you agree to me and Lu Luo?" Qi Xinzhu looked at Fang Jing, pleasantly surprised. In her perception, her mother was even harder to deal with than her father. As long as she won over her mother, she could simply act spoiled with her father to get her way.

"What's this about agreeing or not? Let's see how things go at dinner."

Though Fang Jing said this, she was inwardly already leaning towards agreement.

Just as they were happily cooking, Fang Jing and Qi Xinzhu heard Qi Lin's furious shouts.

"You bastard! I'll beat you to death..."

They exchanged glances, thinking Qi Lin had fallen out with Lu Luo.

Fang Jing said, puzzled, "That doesn't make sense. Given your dad's temperament, even if he dislikes the boy, he'd most likely just give a subtle warning. To lose his temper like that, what on earth did that boy you like say to your dad?"

"I have no idea!"

Qi Xinzhu was also very puzzled. Lu Luo's abilities were considered quite excellent. According to her father's way of thinking, talent outweighed background, so Lu Luo should have passed his scrutiny. But why was her father so furious?

The mother and daughter hurried into the living room, just in time to see Qi Lin furiously hitting Lu Luo on the head with a stick.

Although with Lu Luo's current defensive power, such attacks would have absolutely no effect...

[Your Constitution is 200; you are immune to this attack.]

[Your Constitution is 200; you are immune to this attack.]

However, to Qi Xinzhu and Fang Jing, Lu Luo still looked like he was in a wretched state.

"Qi Lin, what are you doing?" Fang Jing rushed over to pull Qi Lin away. After all, this was Lu Luo's first visit. Even if Qi Lin found Lu Luo unsatisfactory in some way, he shouldn't resort to hitting him!

Qi Lin looked at his wife, at a loss for how to begin. Should he really tell Fang Jing that this bastard Lu Luo had other women besides Qi Xinzhu? Though powerful and influential people often had more than one woman, under Alliance law, monogamy was mandatory. Both of them were highly educated intellectuals who adhered to this rule. Now his daughter's man actually had several women, including one with a dangerous status like Bai Yuetong! What should he do? Tell Fang Jing? No, this absolutely had to be kept from her.

"It's nothing," Qi Lin grumbled. "I just found this boy annoying and wanted to hit him a few times to let off some steam."

Fang Jing gave Qi Lin a suspicious look. She knew his temper too well; trying to deceive her with such an excuse was pointless. However, she didn't press further. She simply took the stick away and said gently, "Let it go. It's time to eat. Let's tidy up and get ready. Our daughter hasn't been home in so long, and you're still making a scene."

Qi Lin then looked at Qi Xinzhu. Seeing her pitiful expression, his heart softened again. "Sigh, alright. Let's eat."

"Lu Luo, what are you still looking at? Come over here," Qi Xinzhu beckoned to Lu Luo, and Fang Jing also nodded at him.

However, Lu Luo still looked at Qi Lin; he didn't dare come to the table without his father-in-law's approval.

"Alright, come eat," Qi Lin relented.

Only then did Lu Luo lower his head and walk over. Truthfully, meeting parents was something he'd only ever theorized about. The actual outcome always depended on the in-laws. Besides, his own situation was so unique it couldn't be judged by common standards!

At the dinner table, Qi Lin seemed to have calmed down. "Want some wine?"

"Dad, as a judge, you drink wine?" Qi Xinzhu asked.

"Who told you judges can't drink?"

"Um, then I'll have a little too," Lu Luo said.

Due to his physical Constitution, Lu Luo found it difficult to get addicted to substances like tobacco and alcohol. Besides, his time was extremely limited; he had to make time for everything he did. Consequently, he rarely indulged in time-wasting habits like smoking and drinking.

The dishes Fang Jing cooked were exceptionally fragrant and sweet. If there was one thing Lu Luo wasn't entirely satisfied with, it was the small portions. Ultimately, Qi Xinzhu understood him best; she always prepared ample food for him.

After a few rounds of wine, the real family discussion began. Qi Lin already had some understanding of Lu Luo, but Fang Jing did not. So, naturally, Fang Jing started asking Lu Luo detailed questions.

"Lu Luo, how old are you this year?"

"Lu Luo, what do you do for a living now?"

"Lu Luo, what's your current strength like?"

"Lu Luo..."

Fang Jing had many questions, even asking about the wedding date for him and Qi Xinzhu in the Inner Ring again.

Lu Luo answered each one, though some of his answers differed from what he'd told Qi Lin. He kept his views on the future development of the Alliance, his foresight, and similar topics entirely to himself.

Qi Lin was already a bit tipsy, but he was still keenly aware that Lu Luo's answers were different, and he understood the implication. Some things truly weren't meant for everyone to know. Especially the significance of the Fifth Ring ceasing its rotation—that would be a cataclysmic change for the entire Wasteland Alliance. This kid...

At the end of the dinner, Fang Jing looked at Lu Luo with some satisfaction.

"Lu Luo, where are you staying tonight?"

"I haven't figured out where to stay yet."

"Since you haven't figured it out, why not stay here?"

"Ah?"

Lu Luo was somewhat surprised. Had he passed the mother-in-law's test?

"Is that not okay?" Fang Jing asked calmly.

"Uh, of course, it's okay, as long as I don't disturb you."

"You won't. I'll have Xinzhu prepare a room for you in a bit."

"Okay."

Lu Luo didn't quite grasp his mother-in-law's intention at that moment, but he could only agree readily.

Across from him, Qi Xinzhu winked slyly at Lu Luo. Passed!

「After dinner」

Once Qi Xinzhu had prepared a room for Lu Luo, everyone went to rest. Although they all had their own thoughts, they certainly wouldn't continue conversing at this hour.

Fang Jing pulled Qi Lin back to their bedroom. As soon as they entered, Fang Jing asked Qi Lin, "Tell me, why did you hit Lu Luo earlier? What are you hiding from me?"

Fang Jing's expression was very cold. The usually articulate Judge found himself stammering before his wife.

How should he explain this to Fang Jing? Tell her Lu Luo has other women? And more than one? No, absolutely not! He had to deflect!

"I already told you," Qi Lin said, "I just couldn't stand seeing Lu Luo corrupting Xinzhu. I find him disagreeable."

"Qi Lin, we've been together for so many years. Do you really think a lie like that can deceive me? Tell me, what's the real reason?"

"Uh..."

"If you don't tell me, I'll go ask Lu Luo right now. I'll have you two confront each other."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't do that! Spare Xinzhu some embarrassment!"

Fang Jing looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"An outstanding man naturally possesses attractive qualities," Qi Lin began, surprisingly. "Take me, for example. Even at my age, I still draw admiration from many younger people. Lu Luo is a very fine young man, so..."

It was very strange that Qi Lin was actually starting to praise Lu Luo now. Fang Jing was no fool; she quickly grasped the implication in his words.

"Qi Lin, are you saying Lu Luo has other women?"

"Er... yes!" After some hesitation, Qi Lin decided to tell Fang Jing about Lu Luo.

"Qi Lin! You knew Lu Luo had other women, yet you still agreed to his relationship with Xinzhu? What kind of father are you? How could you let him eat in our home, stay overnight? Are you going senile?"

"Fang Jing, please don't make a scene, okay? This matter... it's really different."

Although their family background was very affluent, compared to Bai Yuetong's, it was truly insignificant. The Luo Family was a top-tier major family in the Inner Ring and allies with Speaker Shi Haoxuan. As for Bai Qingshuang, there was even less need for words; she was already the uncrowned queen of the Church, merely waiting for the Pope to draw his last breath. Compared to Bai Yuetong, Xinzhu's family background and status were undoubtedly far less significant.

Lu Luo's connections to the Luo Family and the Church couldn't be hidden. So, he decided not to keep it from Fang Jing any longer.

"Different? What's so different? If you don't explain this clearly today, you can forget about sleeping. Get out!" Fang Jing retorted.

Qi Lin knew Fang Jing was furious, but he still decided to explain Lu Luo's situation.

"I've said it before: outstanding people naturally attract each other. Lu Luo is outstanding, which is why he attracted our daughter. Our daughter is also outstanding, which is why she attracted Lu Luo. It's mutual."

"You don't need to be cryptic. Just tell me who the other woman is."

"The Judgment Chief's daughter, Bai Yuetong."

Fang Jing was stunned. Her boiling anger rapidly dissipated; the mere mention of the name made her accumulated fury vanish completely. Or perhaps it hadn't vanished, but compared to this information, even her daughter's lifelong happiness seemed less significant. Bai Qingshuang is too dominant right now. Many speculate that if she truly comes to power, the Inner Ring might see the rise of a true supreme ruler—the Pope!

"The Judgment Chief's daughter! Bai Yuetong?!"

As the Minister of Education, Fang Jing had met Bai Yuetong once. Setting aside her looks, disposition, or even cultivation talent, purely based on academic achievements and contributions to the Inner Ring, Bai Yuetong's name was virtually legendary in educational circles. This name carried the hopes and attention of so many in the Inner Ring. For such a person to be with Lu Luo... this...

Fang Jing calmed down. Arguing was pointless. She had to think of a reasonable solution. "So, what do you plan to do about this? That is the Judgment Chief, after all..."

"I know it's the Judgment Chief. Right now, we can only take things one step at a time."

"You know our daughter's temperament. The best thing for us to do now is to stop interfering."

"Qi Lin, at a time like this, you're still thinking about your official position? If we don't support Xinzhu, what if she gets bullied later?"

Qi Lin couldn't tell Fang Jing many things Lu Luo had secretly shared, like his vision for the Outer Ring's future. If this information leaked, it would be a catastrophe for Lu Luo and Xinzhu's small family. This absolutely couldn't be told to Fang Jing; the fewer who knew, the better.

"Not intervening in Xinzhu's affairs is the greatest support we can offer them," Qi Lin said firmly. "They have their own path and future. If we pay them too much attention, it will only draw more unwanted attention from others. Eventually, it will only bring them endless trouble. Fang Jing, if you truly want Xinzhu to have a good future, then stop asking these questions."

"Qi Lin, do you know something I don't?"

"Yes."

"Can't you tell me?"

Qi Lin's expression was grave. After a moment of silence, Fang Jing finally sighed softly. "If I tell you, our whole family could be in danger."

"Sigh, as long as Xinzhu herself is happy, that's enough. Our talking about it here doesn't help," Fang Jing conceded.

"It's not entirely useless," Qi Lin replied. "We do our jobs well, live our lives well. If trouble really does strike one day, perhaps then we can offer some help."

"Sigh, I suppose that's all we can do."

The elderly couple leaned against each other, finally reaching a consensus.

「Later that night」

Lu Luo lay in the room Xinzhu had prepared. The simple bed and blankets carried the faint scent of laundry detergent. The comfort and warmth brought a rare wave of drowsiness over him.

However, just as he was about to drift off to sleep, his eyes narrowed slightly.

[Someone is sneaking close.]

Lu Luo frowned at first, then his expression gradually turned peculiar.

He saw Xinzhu tiptoeing in, pushing the door open just enough to slip inside quickly. She was in her pajamas, her hair down, and didn't immediately approach Lu Luo. Instead, she poked her head out to check the hallway. Only after confirming no one had seen her did she pull her head back in and grin, whispering, "Husband, I'm here!"