Chapter 31: Come Back, Tang Hao. Come Back to Gotham
Tang Xiao picked flowers from the field and carefully wove them into a fragrant bouquet.
When he was satisfied, he hid the bouquet behind his back, quietly channeling his soul power as he stepped lightly toward Ah Yin from behind. "Ah Yin, you can turn around now."
"Yes, Brother Xiao," Ah Yin said softly as she turned. The sight of Tang Xiao's tall, steadfast figure made her cheeks flush scarlet as she felt the warmth of his presence.
Tang Xiao knelt on one knee, raising the bouquet before her and declared with deep affection, "Ah Yin, from the moment I first saw you, I knew I had fallen helplessly in love. You are the light that warms my heart, the spring that blossoms in my world. These flowers cannot match your smile, and my life would stop gladly at this moment if it meant being by your side. Ah Yin, will you marry me?"
Hearing his sincere confession, Ah Yin's delicate body trembled. She covered her mouth, unable to hide her overflowing emotions. Her eyes shimmered with tenderness—her affection for Tang Xiao plain as day.
With trembling hands, she took the bouquet from him and replied, "Brother Xiao, I will."
The two gazed into each other's eyes as the golden sunlight fell upon them, casting radiant halos. A soft breeze carried petals swirling around them.
For a moment, time itself seemed to freeze on this perfect scene—the two of them the only protagonists in the world.
Oh no, wait… there was still one "extra dish" standing off to the side, ruining the harmony.
When Ah Yin accepted Tang Xiao's confession, Tang Hao's mind crashed. He just… succeeded?
Tang Hao felt his past-life memories glitching. Clearly, he didn't belong in the Douluo Continent. He should have been in Gotham, trading wits with some guy called Batman instead.
When his brain finally rebooted, the first thing he did was—
"No!"
Tang Xiao and Ah Yin, immersed in their romantic moment, were abruptly interrupted by Tang Hao's ill-timed outburst.
Tang Hao looked desperately at Ah Yin. "Ah Yin, you haven't accepted my confession yet! I love you—choose me!"
Ah Yin looked at him apologetically. "Brother Hao, I'm sorry. You're a good person, but I only see you as my younger brother. The one I truly love is Brother Xiao."
Tang Hao froze completely.
"Come back, Tang Hao. Come back to Gotham. I promise I won't kill you," whispered a voice in his mind that sounded suspiciously like that bat-themed lunatic.
"No… Ah Yin, you're not like this…" Tang Hao muttered, eyes wide, voice trembling. "You should love me. It's supposed to be me! It's supposed to be me!"
He took an unsteady step forward, reaching toward her.
Just as he was about to touch Ah Yin, Tang Xiao pulled her behind him, standing protectively in front of her. His voice was sharp. "Hao, Ah Yin has already accepted my confession. She's my woman now. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."
"I'm the one clinging?" Tang Hao growled, rage consuming him, his eyes bloodshot. "Tang Xiao, Ah Yin was supposed to love me! You must have used some vile trick to make her fall for you!"
"Hao…" Tang Xiao stared at him in disbelief. He could hardly imagine his brother accusing him so cruelly.
Tang Hao's fury burned brighter. The Killing God Domain erupted around him, and he summoned the Clear Sky Hammer, pointing it straight at his brother. "Duel me, Tang Xiao! Today, we fight as men. The victor wins Ah Yin's love!"
"I refuse," Tang Xiao said coldly. "Ah Yin is a person, not a prize."
That answer only fueled Tang Hao's anger further. "What, are you afraid!?"
But before the tension exploded, a delicate hand came to rest on Tang Xiao's side. Ah Yin's voice rose behind him. "Brother Xiao, step aside. I want to say something to Brother Hao."
At those words, Tang Hao's boiling rage instantly cooled. His heart raced with expectation. Could it be… was this the turn of fate he'd been waiting for? Her words calmed his breath, and his glowing red eyes cleared.
Tang Xiao stepped aside, allowing Ah Yin to approach.
"What do you want to tell me, Ah Yin?" Tang Hao asked, his voice trembling with hope. In his mind, he saw what should have been—the devoted woman walking toward him, ready to confess her love.
Slap.
Ah Yin's palm struck Tang Hao's cheek with a sound sharp enough to shatter the Killing God Domain itself. Tang Hao froze, his face turned to the side, stunned by the impact.
"Tang Hao," she said coldly, "I only ever saw you as a friend—as a younger brother. Love can't be forced. If you can't handle losing, then I'll only despise you more."
Tang Hao stood motionless, unable to even process what had just happened.
"Hao," Tang Xiao said quietly, "do you remember our agreement? We'd both confess, and the one she refused would step back. Ah Yin chose me. I won't give her up. Are you saying that as men of the Clear Sky Sect, we no longer keep our word?"
Humiliation flooded Tang Hao's chest.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go! In his past life, Ah Yin had chosen him. Why? Why was it different this time?
But he couldn't afford to antagonize her now—not if he wanted to preserve even a shred of dignity. He swallowed his fury, burying it deep inside.
That confession marked a turning point. Ah Yin and Tang Xiao's relationship grew more intimate, while Tang Hao became little more than a shadow.
As he watched them together—smiling, affectionate, inseparable—Tang Hao's eyes turned crimson again. He clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked, grinding his teeth hard enough to draw blood.
Because of Tang Hao's angry, hostile gaze, even Tang Xiao began feeling uneasy. Holding Ah Yin in his arms, he said, "Hao, Ah Yin and I are planning to travel the continent. Our next destination is Coconut Grove City. Where do you plan to go?"
Tang Hao heard the dismissal behind his words as clearly as if it had been spoken. It cut deeper than any blade. Bitterness surged through him, and memory returned vividly—
In his previous life, it was the opposite. Ah Yin had refused Tang Xiao's confession and chosen him. Tang Xiao had stepped away on his own, returning to the sect.
Before leaving, Tang Xiao had grasped Tang Hao's hand, eyes full of sorrow. "Hao, since Ah Yin chose you, it's not right for me to stay. I entrust my love to you. Cherish her—for both of us."
Tang Hao had laughed brightly, scratching his head. "Don't worry, Brother. No one will love Ah Yin more than I do."
"You're too rough, Hao. Be gentle with her. Don't hurt her when… doing that. My heart couldn't take it," Tang Xiao had said softly.
(END CHAPTER)
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