Chapter 256: A Brazen Display of Affection
Chapter 256: Chapter 256: A Brazen Display of Affection
As if sensing Si Jin’s earlier tension and unease, Yun Sheng drew closer again, affectionately nuzzling the side of his neck.
The gesture was soft and trusting, like that of a gentle kitten, silently soothing his taut nerves.
The light nuzzling held a hint of playful affection, and the warmth that passed between their skin was so tender it could melt one’s heart.
Si Jin’s body stiffened for a moment, a flash of surprise in his eyes. But just as quickly, the tension in his shoulders and back completely melted away, and even the last trace of solemnity between his brows vanished.
He lowered his gaze and gently tapped the tip of her nose. With a doting look, he murmured in a low, soft voice, "Mischievous."
They cuddled as if no one else was there, their intimacy creating a tender, ambiguous haze in the air. They had completely forgotten about the two other people standing nearby.
Watching this scene, Xing Che felt a sour bitterness rise in his heart. A dense wave of jealousy spread through him, threatening to drown him completely.
But he didn’t step forward or say a word.
He knew that Si Jin was Yun Sheng’s legitimate Sentinel. He had no right to interfere with such intimacy and could only shove his heart full of jealousy and resentment deep down.
Standing on the other side, Bai Ye’s aura also grew heavy. Intense jealousy churned in his eyes, but he kept it contained, not letting a single trace show.
A moment later, Si Jin turned, still holding Yun Sheng, and headed for the first floor.
His movements were still gentle, carefully protecting the woman in his arms as if afraid she might suffer the slightest bump.
Yun Sheng rested obediently against his shoulder, her fingertips gently hooked on his collar. Her eyes were filled with a trusting reliance as she occasionally glanced up to nuzzle the side of his neck, looking soft and affectionate.
Xing Che suppressed the jealousy in his heart and followed them.
A flicker of light crossed Bai Ye’s eyes as he followed them downstairs. He had already regained his usual composure, but deep within his gaze, a trace of unshed bitterness lingered.
When they reached the ground floor, Luo Cheng hurried over to Bai Ye and reported in a low voice, "General, the wounded have already been sent back to the Capital Star. We’ve swept Zone 10 twice and found no trace of the men in gray. As for the group we captured earlier, we’re short on manpower, so we haven’t begun interrogation. They’re being held in custody for now."
Bai Ye nodded and said gravely, "Arrange for a few people to stay behind and monitor the area. The rest of us will return to the Capital Star."
"Yes, General."
Luo Cheng acknowledged the order and turned to make the arrangements.
Bai Ye glanced back at Yun Sheng, but without a word, he was the first to head for the hatch.
Si Jin set Yun Sheng down, then took her hand and followed behind him. Xing Che brought up the rear, hands in his pockets, his pace unhurried.
Outside the hatch, aircraft were landing and taking off. The distant horizon glowed with the pale light of dawn, and a gray mist slowly dispersed in the morning glow.
...
By the time the aircraft landed at the Capital Star’s First Military Port, the sky had already grown completely dark.
The hatch opened, and a blast of cold wind carrying the city’s distinctive metallic scent rushed in.
Yun Sheng stood at the hatch, squinting at the brightly lit city skyline in the distance, a sense of disorientation washing over her.
It had only been a little over ten days, but it felt like several years had passed.
The wounded had been taken to the hospital ahead of them. Cheng Nian and Li Wen had left on the first transport flight, so Yun Sheng hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye.
As for herself, she had to report to the First Research Institute, which was affiliated with the Tower. The Tower required all personnel returning from Zone 10 to undergo a comprehensive examination.
Si Jin, still using Lin Mo’s identity, also had to be examined, but he needed to go to the Fourth District Central Hospital.
He stood at the military port’s exit, looking down at Yun Sheng. After a moment of silence, he reached out and tucked a few strands of her wind-tousled hair behind her ear.
"Message me when you’re done with your examination. I’ll come find you."
Yun Sheng nodded and obediently murmured, "Mm."
Si Jin gave her one last look, his thumb gently caressing her cheek, before he let go and turned toward the exit.
After a few steps, he glanced back at her again.
Yun Sheng smiled and waved at him.
The corners of Si Jin’s lips curved up slightly before he turned and disappeared into the night.
Xing Che’s identity was still unconfirmed and under further verification, so he couldn’t go to the First Research Institute with Yun Sheng either.
He wasn’t in any hurry, though. He leisurely ambled up beside Yun Sheng and took out his comm-link. "Shengsheng, let’s add each other on the Star Network. Once my identity is sorted out, I’ll come find you."
Yun Sheng glanced at him. Luo Cheng had returned her confiscated comm-link when she disembarked from the aircraft.
She opened her comm-link and scanned Xing Che’s account. The moment she added him, he sent over a long string of stickers.
Yun Sheng’s mouth twitched. She shut off her comm-link and ignored him.
Xing Che didn’t seem annoyed. He just smiled, took two steps back, and waved to her.
"Shengsheng, wait for me!"
Without turning around, Yun Sheng waved a hand in acknowledgment.
Just as his figure receded into the distance, a familiar black hovercar pulled up in front of Yun Sheng.
The door slid open soundlessly. Luo Cheng was in the driver’s seat; he turned his head and gave her a slight nod.
The rear window was halfway down, revealing Bai Ye’s sharply defined profile. His eyes were serene, his thin lips pressed together. Cold white light from above starkly outlined the lines of his jaw and neck.
"Miss Yun, get in the car. We need to go to the First Research Institute together for the security check."
Yun Sheng nodded, pulled open the door, and got in.
The door closed, leaving the cabin silent save for the low hum of the air conditioner.
Bai Ye didn’t speak, and Yun Sheng didn’t initiate a conversation either. Her gaze fell on the rapidly receding lights outside the window.
She could feel his gaze landing on her from time to time. It wasn’t heavy, but it felt like a thin silk thread gently winding around her—not tight enough to constrict, but impossible to break free from.
Her fingers curled slightly. She pretended not to notice and continued to stare out the window.
In the rearview mirror, Luo Cheng’s eyes flicked between the two of them. He said nothing and silently increased their speed.
Before long, the hovercar began to slow down, coming to a smooth stop at the entrance of the First Research Institute.
Yun Sheng pushed the door open to get out, but the moment her foot touched the ground, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. Her body swayed uncontrollably, and she staggered.
The accumulated fatigue from days of training, the aftereffects of her previous loss of control over her spiritual power, and the long flight had all made her reactions much slower than usual.
She instinctively reached out to grab the car door for support, but a warm hand had already closed firmly around her arm.
Bai Ye had somehow moved closer. His palm was pressed firmly against her forearm, his grip not heavy but providing enough support to steady her swaying body.
His brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of concern in his eyes as his gaze rested on her face for a moment.
"Careful."
The voice that reached her ears was soft, yet it carried a reassuring strength. It had shed its usual coldness, replaced by a subtle gentleness.
Yun Sheng slowly steadied herself as the feeling of dizziness gradually subsided.
She lowered her gaze, her long lashes fluttering a few times. She gently withdrew her arm from his grasp and said in a low voice, "Thank you."
Bai Ye pulled his hand back, his fingertips curling slightly. The soft texture of her skin seemed to linger on his palm.
He was silent for a moment before suddenly speaking. "When the examination is over, I’ll take you home."
Yun Sheng’s body stiffened slightly. She finally looked up at Bai Ye, her eyes filled with surprise and hesitation.
"Didn’t you... just go to the Lin Family to break off your engagement? Taking me home right now... wouldn’t that be a bad idea?"
’Bai Ye just broke off his engagement. If he takes me home now and we’re seen by Lin Yueyao or Lin Hao, they’ll inevitably jump to conclusions and cause trouble for me later.’