Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 451: Don’t Touch My Family

Chapter 451: Chapter 451: Don’t Touch My Family

That year was marked by famine; many people went hungry, and some even starved to death. That same year, Qian Ye, then only six years old, was orphaned, having lost both of her parents.

She couldn’t quite recall what exactly happened at that time, only remembered crying for a very long time. Also etched in her memory was the sight of her parents passing her the last morsel of food in their greatly weakened state.

Subsequently, Qian Ye was sold to a place where she met Qian Feng, a meeting that changed her life.

One day, while sweeping the doorway, Qian Ye saw a child younger than herself walking by, hand in hand with two adults. The adults’ extreme affection for the child and the child’s joyous laughter deeply wounded Qian Ye’s heart.

"Stop looking. It’s a life we can never have, maybe in our next life," said Qian Feng, with a sense of desolation and sadness. Watching the family disappear from sight, Qian Ye’s heart was again moved. She murmured to herself, "Next life?".

Time passed swiftly, and Qian Ye and Qian Feng had grown up. Together, they founded the Shennv Xuanhui, but ideological differences led Qian Ye to leave and start her own country in the outskirts, the Qian Ye Empire.

As an empress, Qian Ye wielded great power, determined to change the status of women in the world. She wanted to prove that her way was right and hoped that Qian Feng would understand and forgive her act of treachery.

At one point, a man refused to submit to her rule and led a rebellion, but failed. Offending Qian Ye, he was sentenced to death.

The man’s wife and child were also captured. Holding his wife, the man cried bitterly, begging his wife for forgiveness and blaming himself for their predicament.

Qian Ye remained uncompassionate, sternly questioning him when he knew the consequences of rebellion, why he risked it all, claiming that he was not worthy of having a family.

Despite his predicament, the man remained valiant: "Winners become kings, losers become bandits. I’ve no argument to that. Do as you please with me."

"Fine, as you wish," said Qian Ye, preparing to give the order while her subordinates readied their knives. Hence, there seemed to be no more chance of reprieve.

Just at that moment, a young girl ran out and flung herself into the man’s arms, weeping, "Don’t abandon me, Mom and Dad."

The man looked at her with a bitter smile, "Why did you come back, you silly child?"

The little girl cried out, "Mom, Dad, please don’t leave me, I’m scared. Please don’t cast me alone into this world." After saying her piece, she clung tightly to the man’s arm and refused to let go.

Upon witnessing this scene, Qian Ye’s most painful memories were evoked. Her heart felt as if it were in the throes of a storm. It took her a few moments to regain her equilibrium. Hesitating continuously, she eventually chose not to follow through with the execution, sentencing the man to life imprisonment instead.

Many years passed, and Qian Ye learned that the Shennv Xuanhui was approaching. Thus, she began to seek immortality, but something went wrong and she was reincarnated instead. So, she prayed to the heavens to give her kind, beautiful parents in her next life — ones who could accompany her throughout her life, providing shelter through storms, and warmth through chilly nights. She longed for a blissful and carefree childhood. For such a life, she was content to renounce her queenship and live on simplest fare. She wanted to be an ordinary person.

******

Now, the situation at the factory was dire. Qian Feng continued to hold the upper hand, effortlessly defeating all her adversaries. She was clearly in high spirits, all set to deliver a fatal blow to her opponents.

"No way, are we really finished today?" It wasn’t just Lu Yi who was despairing. The others felt the same; they didn’t even consider running away, seeing how hopeless the situation was.

Just as Qian Feng was about to commence her onslaught, a voice resounded filled with defiance, "Hold on. I haven’t been struck down yet; I’ve not lost. How can you bring this to an end?"

Lin Xi got up, despite her body screaming from soreness, despite wobbling at every step, despite having considerably less strength, and despite not being a match for Qian Feng. Nevertheless, she stood up, looking straight at Qian Feng, without a trace of fear.

Qian Feng scoffed at this, "Qian Ye, Qian Ye, you perfectly comprehend that you’re no opponent of mine. Why bother to resist?"

"For the people who matter to me, for my parents, for my comrades who courageously face danger for me, for those who love me and whom I love, I’ll never give up. I’ll fight, even if I have to put everything on the line," said Lin Xi. At this, Lin Xi let loose all her supernatural power, causing the gusts to intensify and rapidly spread around her while her own aura swelled in power. She looked ready to risk everything in a death-or-glory attempt.

Seeing that Lin Xi was ready to fight to the death, Qian Feng frowned, "Qian Ye, are you really ready to burn away your life force for a temporary boost in power? Have you gone mad? Is it worth it?"

"Yes, it’s worth it, of course it’s worth it. No one can understand better than you how important my parents are to me, they’re not just my family, they’re what I’ve been praying for over countless nights. I won’t allow anyone to destroy it." Having said this, Lin Xi snorted coldly, propelled herself forward by the force of the wind, and headed straight towards Qian Feng.

"What the?" Qian Feng was taken by surprise and got hit by Lin Xi.

"Do you know why I am willing to be just an ordinary person? It’s not only because of Gu Fan, but also my parents. I’m swearing to use everything I have to protect those I treasure the most. No one can harm them, no one." Holding on tightly to Qian Feng, Lin Xi flew straight up into the sky, taking them as far away from the battle zone as she could.

"Damn it! In your eyes, there are only them. What about us, your sisters from the Shennv Xuanhui? What are we to you? Have you forgotten how we came this far? Have you forgotten the numerous wounds on me that I got just for your sake? We sisters from the Shennv Xuanhui have done so much for you, yet you betrayed us. What have these people ever done for you? Have they ever been hurt for you? Why do you choose these people over us?" Qian Feng shouted out question after question, her voice full of accusation and even hatred surfacing in her eyes.

Lin Xi gave no response. Under the propelling force of the wind, they flew higher and higher, disappearing from view.

Lu Yi was at a loss, but there was nothing he could do. He had no idea how he would explain this to Gu Fan.

Du Jun however found some words, "Alright then, let’s not let Lin Xi’s efforts go to waste. Let’s hurry up and get Lin Xi’s parents out of here."

"Alright, there’s nothing else we can do right now," Lu Yi, Jie, Du Jun and Xu Haowen all hurriedly assisted Lin Xi’s unconscious parents to their feet and promptly left the area, which at any moment could still be terrorised by enemies. At the same time, they prayed silently for the safety of Lin Xi.