The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Childhood Sweethearts

But be that as it may, she had no choice but to stay here for the time being.

As she scanned the living quarters, undisguised disdain flashed in Xie Qingling’s eyes.

She couldn’t be bothered with the team member who had brought her here.

But in order to achieve her goal, she put on a smile and turned to him.

”Thank you for bringing me here. This is for you, as a token of my gratitude for showing me the way, and for taking care of Jing Yu during his time in Zone 9.”

Xie Qingling casually offered another elixir. Although its quality was only average, to an ordinary Sentinel, it was as precious as a treasure.

The moment he saw the elixir, the team member stared, dumbfounded. It wasn’t until Xie Qingling raised her hand, signaling for him to take it, that the man stared intently at her and pointed back at himself.

Xie Qingling smiled and nodded. The man hurriedly extended both hands to receive it, but just as he was about to touch the elixir, he anxiously pulled them back. He wiped them vigorously on his clothes before reaching out again.

”Thank you, Guide Xie! Thank you, Guide Xie!” The member was so excited he became somewhat incoherent.

Xie Qingling smiled and shook her head. ”No, I should be thanking you. I’ll be counting on you in the future. Please also continue to cooperate with Jing Yu and help the Heiyu Alliance clear out the sources of contamination in Zone 9.”

The man was clearly so excited by the elixir that he completely missed what Xie Qingling had said.

Having failed to achieve her goal, Xie Qingling quickly hinted at it again.

This time, the team member understood the meaning behind her words and his eyes widened.

”Guide Xie and our Captain...”

”We grew up together. It’s just that my family, because I’m a girl, never agreed to let me go out with Jing Yu to gain experience. They only recently relented.”

The team member’s pupils dilated as Xie Qingling spoke.

’Grew up together... doesn’t that make them childhood sweethearts?’

’No wonder Captain Lu has always been immune to feminine charms. It turns out his heart was already taken.’

’And she’s such an outstanding S Level guide, too. They’re a perfect match!’

Just as he was thinking this, the team member’s expression suddenly turned strange.

’If Guide Xie is the captain’s childhood sweetheart, then what’s with the recent rumors about the stone-cold captain finally showing interest in someone?’

’Did the captain fall for someone else?’

’But Guide Xie is so beautiful and talented. How could the captain possibly fall for someone else?’

’Guide Xu is nice, but whether it’s her strength or her generosity... she ultimately can’t compare to Guide Xie.’

The team member clutched the elixir from Xie Qingling, already convinced that she was unparalleled.

Seeing the man’s expression change so unpredictably in such a short time, Xie Qingling sneered inwardly.

’Such a low-class person. So easily bought with a small favor.’

”What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Xie Qingling asked, feigning a look of concern.

The team member paused for a moment, then shook his head repeatedly. ”No, I’m just so excited and surprised.”

Looking at Xie Qingling, the team member ultimately decided to help Lu Jingyu keep the secret from this ”Main Palace Lady.”

He calculated that with this ”Main Palace Lady” around, he might get a few more elixirs from her at some point.

As for Xu Qingsui, who had been in the spotlight recently, that was all just speculation. The two involved had never admitted to anything.

Even if there really was something going on, now that the ”Main Palace Lady” had returned, things would go back to normal.

The man made up his mind. Regardless of whether the rumors were true or false, he had to help Lu Jingyu protect his relationship with his childhood sweetheart.

Xie Qingling covered her mouth and chuckled softly. ”What’s so surprising? It seems Jing Yu has never mentioned me to you all! He’s practically forgotten all about me.”

”No, how could that be! Everyone knows the captain has been immune to feminine charms for years. Countless people have thrown themselves at him, only to be rejected. It even led to rumors that the captain wasn’t interested in women. But now it seems he wasn’t uninterested—he was saving himself for you!”

The team member explained hurriedly. It wasn’t exactly a lie; he just left out the part about Xu Qingsui.

Xie Qingling’s smile grew even wider, and the team member watched her, completely mesmerized.

”Don’t be nervous, I was just joking. I know what kind of person Jing Yu is. He wouldn’t mess around.”

The team member visibly relaxed and nodded. ”Guide Xie, you can rest assured. Our captain is definitely not the type of person to love someone and then leave them. Besides, in a place like this, there’s no one who can compare to you!”

Xie Qingling’s face bloomed into a smile. She demurred, saying she hadn’t brought many elixirs this time, but promised to give him another one the next time she returned.

Xie Qingling’s words were exactly what he wanted to hear. The team member immediately broke into a grin so wide his face wrinkled up.

”Then I’ll thank you in advance, Guide Xie! If you need anything in the future, just say the word. I’ll be sure to help.”

Xie Qingling nodded and saw him to the door. But the instant the door closed, her expression changed completely.

The disgust and contempt on her face were practically overflowing.

She despised socializing with such low-class people more than anything, but for the sake of her plan, she could only endure it.

Of course, the results of her forbearance did not disappoint her. After the man left, he spread the news that Xie Qingling and Lu Jingyu were childhood sweethearts.

It immediately caused a huge uproar within the Alliance.

For some time now, everyone had taken it for granted that Lu Jingyu and Xu Qingsui had feelings for each other.

Now, a Xie Qingling had suddenly appeared, and with the title of ”childhood sweetheart” no less. This instantly complicated matters.

And this affair became the topic of everyone’s conversations.

The crowd quickly split into two camps, one supporting Xu Qingsui and the other supporting Xie Qingling.

The ones supporting Xie Qingling were mostly members who were on good terms with the man who had received the elixir.

Upon learning that he had received an elixir as a gift from Xie Qingling, they too began to get ideas.

There was also a small group of women who were already unhappy about the recent interactions between Xu Qingsui and Lu Jingyu.

Knowing they themselves could never catch Lu Jingyu’s eye, they didn’t want to see Xu Qingsui with him either.

Although they were also jealous of Xie Qingling, by comparison, they still directed their animosity toward Xu Qingsui.

In private, they had already labeled Xu Qingsui a ”third party.”

Although these rumors wouldn’t be said directly to Xu Qingsui’s face, they were so widespread that she couldn’t possibly fail to notice the strange looks she received whenever she went out.

After noticing the problem, she found Meng Donghua and immediately asked him to clarify all the rumors.

Because Xu Qingsui had saved him and they had interacted quite a bit, Meng Donghua was firmly on her side.

Some of the comments were very nasty, so he had been reluctant to tell Xu Qingsui.

But in front of his savior, he didn’t dare lie, so he could only tell her everything from start to finish.

As he spoke, he cautiously observed Xu Qingsui’s expression.

His heart leaped into his throat when he saw even a slight frown from Xu Qingsui.

Fortunately, after all that, Xu Qingsui merely frowned and showed no signs of anger.