Chapter 240: I Don’t Want to Always Be Your Burden
Chapter 240: Chapter 240: I Don’t Want to Always Be Your Burden
After Yun Sheng agreed, Su Yuanzhou glanced at her and turned toward a private room inside the cabin.
Yun Sheng released Si Jin’s hand and whispered, "I’ll be right back."
Si Jin frowned slightly but didn’t stop her.
Just then, Xing Che was also staring at Su Yuanzhou’s back, and his gaze darkened.
’I still remember what Su Yuanzhou sought me out to say before. Did he fail to convince me, so now he plans to go straight to Yun Sheng?’
’The Su Family wants to officially recognize Yun Sheng, and they don’t want her entangled with Bai Ye. If Bai Ye were to find this out, I’m afraid...’
Xing Che glanced at the silent Bai Ye out of the corner of his eye, the edge of his lips twitching into a barely-there smirk.
Si Jin happened to catch his expression.
Si Jin took two steps closer, his gaze darkening as he lowered his voice. "Do you know something?"
Xing Che raised an eyebrow and chuckled, clearly enjoying the drama. "Can’t you see how terrible the White War God looks? You should be asking *him* if he knows something."
Stung by his passive-aggressive jab, Bai Ye’s expression grew even darker.
He didn’t look at Xing Che. His gaze was fixed on the closed door of the private room, a storm brewing in his eyes, but he offered no rebuttal.
’I’m an Admiral of the Star Alliance. Of course I know who Su Yuanzhou is—Yun Sheng’s biological uncle.’
’But Yun Sheng has been back on the Capital Star for so long, and the Su Family never contacted her. What does it mean for him to suddenly appear now?’
’Could this be related to me breaking off our engagement?!’
These thoughts rose one after another, making Bai Ye’s chest tighten, but he revealed nothing on his face.
He didn’t want to explain anything to Si Jin or Xing Che, nor did he need to.
Seeing that he wasn’t going to say anything, Xing Che lost interest and fell silent as well.
Si Jin moved a few steps away, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He waited quietly for Yun Sheng to emerge, a hint of vigilance ever-present in his eyes.
Inside the private room, Su Yuanzhou closed the door and turned to face Yun Sheng.
He didn’t rush to speak. Instead, he looked her up and down, his gaze scrutinizing and inquisitive.
"Yun Sheng, allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Su Yuanzhou, your mother Su Wan’s brother. You should call me Uncle."
Yun Sheng raised an eyebrow.
’Telling me to call him Uncle right off the bat?’
’Hah, the nerve of this Su Yuanzhou!’
’I haven’t even addressed Lin Zhenye and Su Wan as anything other than ’Sir’ and ’Madam’ to this day.’
Perhaps because he saw her cold expression and her failure to address him as ’Uncle’, Su Yuanzhou’s face fell. When he spoke again, his tone held an added layer of pressure.
"What? You don’t want to acknowledge me as your uncle?"
A faint smile touched Yun Sheng’s lips, but her voice was flat. "And why should I? I’ve never met you, and I’ve never heard of any uncle."
She paused, her gaze fixed on Su Yuanzhou. "Just because you say it’s so? I can’t just start calling someone ’Uncle’ based on a single sentence from you."
Hearing this, Su Yuanzhou simply handed over his terminal.
On the screen was his identification. In the section for family members, the name of his sister, Su Wan, was clearly listed.
Yun Sheng glanced at it, her expression still unchanged.
She had already learned from Li Wen and Cheng Nian that Su Yuanzhou was her uncle. What she didn’t understand was why he was seeking her out now and pointedly revealing his identity.
"Instructor Su," she said, her voice cool and distant. "I’ve been back with the Lin Family for a long time, and Mrs. Lin never mentioned anything about the Su Family. It seems she has no intention of me acknowledging them. I’m not sure what you want by coming to me now. I have things to do soon, so let’s not waste each other’s time, shall we?"
Su Yuanzhou looked at her and suddenly smiled.
It was a faint smile, yet it held an indefinable meaning.
This was his second interaction with Yun Sheng. The first time, in the command tent, she had completely snubbed him.
Now, sitting face-to-face, she was just as sharp-tongued, refusing to yield an inch.
’She’s smart—smarter than I imagined. And cautious. She doesn’t trust anyone easily.’
"Fine, I’ll be direct." Su Yuanzhou’s smile vanished, his expression turning serious. "I’m sure you’ve seen the statement Bai Ye was holding. The primary target of those men in grey is you. This area is crawling with rampaging pollutants and men in grey who could attack at any moment. For your safety, I plan to take you back to the Capital Star immediately."
Yun Sheng froze, subconsciously repeating, "You’re taking me back to the Capital Star?"
"Yes." Su Yuanzhou’s tone left no room for argument. "It’s too dangerous for you to remain here."
Yun Sheng shook her head decisively. "I can’t leave now! My friends are here, and the Sentinel assigned to my team is still missing..."
"Bai Ye will naturally send men to protect your friends," Su Yuanzhou cut in. "As for the one who’s missing, he’ll dispatch a full search party. You should know what kind of man he is; he would never abandon anyone. Besides, it doesn’t seem like you can be of much help by staying. In fact, aren’t you just distracting the three men outside, forcing them to protect you?"
Yun Sheng’s brow furrowed. She pressed her lips together but didn’t argue.
’He’s right. If I stay, I really can’t help much.’
’Si Jin, Xing Che, and Bai Ye are all SSS-level, while I’m just a Preparatory Guide whose spiritual power has only recently seen some improvement.’
’If we run into danger, not only would I be unable to help, I’d become a burden to them.’
’But I can’t accept that.’
’I can’t accept going back like this. I can’t accept leaving my friends behind. I can’t accept being like a caged bird, protected but useless.’
"I understand how you feel."
Su Yuanzhou’s voice softened, taking on a rare, gentle tone.
"You don’t want to abandon your friends. You don’t want to be a deserter. I understand all that. But think about it: what would happen to those three if you were captured? They would do anything to save you, and they could even get hurt in the process...
Besides, I’ve been observing you for a while. Your spiritual power is... unusual. You absolutely cannot let those people capture you, understand?"
Yun Sheng’s pupils contracted. Her gaze instantly became razor-sharp, like an unsheathed blade aimed right at him.
Su Yuanzhou met her gaze without another word. There was no guilt in his eyes, no evasion—only a frank, inscrutable calm.
"You’ve been observing me, and now you conveniently appear, acting like you want to help... Instructor Su, what’s your objective?"
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Yun Sheng refused to believe Su Yuanzhou was being this kind for no reason.
’He must be after something. I just haven’t figured out what it is yet.’
Su Yuanzhou watched her, silent for a moment before saying flatly, "I can only tell you that I mean you no harm. After I bring you back to the Capital Star, the Su Family will hold a formal banquet to acknowledge your identity. So, Yun Sheng, I hope you’ll consider your decision carefully."
Yun Sheng lowered her gaze. After a few seconds of silence, she said quietly, "I need time."
Su Yuanzhou nodded, not pressing her. "Fine. But I hope you don’t take too long. Time waits for no one."
He stood and walked to the door. Just as he reached it, he heard Yun Sheng say from behind him, "Instructor Su, could you please ask Lin Mo to come in?"
Hearing the unfamiliar name, Su Yuanzhou froze for a second before realizing who she meant. He agreed with a simple "Alright," then pushed the door open and left.
A moment later, Si Jin walked in.
The moment Yun Sheng saw him, her eyes suddenly began to sting.
She shot to her feet and threw herself into his arms.
The impact knocked him back half a step, but he immediately wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her steady.
He didn’t ask what was wrong. He didn’t say a word. He just held her quietly, stroking her back again and again, as if soothing a small, wounded animal.
Yun Sheng buried her face in his chest, her muffled voice rising from his embrace.
"Si Jin, I’m so useless. I’ve been trying so hard to improve my combat skills and spiritual power, so why am I still so helpless when it really matters? I... I don’t want to be a burden to you all forever."