Chapter 257: Carrying Someone Back to the Apartment
Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Carrying Someone Back to the Apartment
Bai Ye saw the hesitation and concern in Yun Sheng’s eyes. He leaned in slightly, his gaze burning as he looked at her.
"The decision to break off the engagement was mine, and it has nothing to do with you. That is my responsibility, not yours. I won’t let you bear any of the consequences for my actions.
"As for taking you back, I want to do it myself. If anyone has anything to say about it, I will explain it clearly. Yun Sheng, I don’t want to second-guess myself over something as simple as escorting you home."
When he finished speaking, the earnestness in his eyes was almost overflowing.
Yun Sheng could hear the underlying meaning in his words. He didn’t want her to think he was a nuisance, nor would he go so far as to avoid her entirely just to keep his distance after breaking off the engagement. If there was trouble, he would solve it, but he wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing because of other people’s gossip.
She remained silent for a few seconds, then gave a light nod.
"Let’s go."
Hearing this, the corners of Bai Ye’s lips curled up slightly. He stepped aside and raised a hand, gesturing for her to go first.
Yun Sheng lowered her eyes slightly and walked toward the research institute’s entrance. Bai Ye followed behind her, keeping a single step of distance between them—neither too far nor too close. No matter what happened, this was the perfect distance to protect her at a moment’s notice.
Inside the institute, the corridors were bathed in cold, white light, their footsteps echoing softly through the empty hallway.
Bai Ye suddenly took two steps forward to walk by her side. He glanced at her profile and said in a low voice, "Don’t be nervous. I’ve already notified them; it’s just a basic security check."
He told her not to be nervous, yet his own voice was tighter than usual.
Out of the corner of her eye, Yun Sheng caught sight of his fingers curling slightly at his sides. Suddenly, she felt a slight urge to laugh. He was clearly the nervous one, yet he still pretended to be calm to comfort her. It seemed her sudden, severe spiritual power overflow and subsequent fainting during the previous pre-check had truly frightened him.
She pursed her lips slightly and gave a soft "Mm," choosing not to point it out.
The two walked side by side down the corridor. Neither spoke again, but a subtle, indescribable atmosphere lingered around them.
The security check was swift, but they had to wait for the results to confirm they weren’t carrying any contamination sources before they could leave. Yun Sheng finished first. While waiting in the corridor, she received a message on her terminal from Lin Mo.
Lin Mo: Have you finished the checkup? I ran into a bit of a situation on my end, so I might not make it in time to pick you up.
The corners of Yun Sheng’s mouth curved slightly as her fingers tapped lightly on the screen.
Yun Sheng: I’m done. Just waiting for the results. It’s fine, I can head back to the Lin Family first.
Lin Mo: Bai Ye is with you, right?
Yun Sheng paused. Before she could reply, a second message popped up.
Lin Mo: Even though you’re back on the Capital Star, it might not be completely safe. I’ll feel more at ease if Bai Ye escorts you back.
Looking at the two lines of text on the screen, Yun Sheng felt her heart soften. She pursed her lips and replied with an "Mm," before adding: I know.
Lin Mo: Then I’ll come find you tomorrow.
Yun Sheng: Okay.
When Bai Ye stepped out of the testing room, he spotted Yun Sheng from afar. She was looking at her terminal, the corners of her mouth curled into a smile, a gentle light rippling in her eyes. With her head lowered, she tapped her fingers lightly on the screen, seeming to be replying to someone. The smile on her face never faded.
His footsteps paused slightly, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment as a sudden, suffocating tightness welled up in his chest.
It wasn’t jealousy; it was envy. He envied the person who could make her smile so happily.
Bai Ye lowered his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he suppressed those emotions. Then, he strode toward her.
Hearing his footsteps, Yun Sheng looked up, the curve of her lips slightly fading. Bai Ye sat down right beside her. As the seat shifted slightly, she almost subconsciously scooted to the side, putting a small distance between them.
He turned his head, his dark, heavy gaze falling on her tense profile.
"Do you have to sit so far away?"
Yun Sheng’s shoulders stiffened. She kept her eyes downcast, her long eyelashes hiding the emotions within them as if she didn’t want to say more.
Seeing her stay silent and deliberately distant, Bai Ye’s gaze darkened further. He slowly leaned toward her. He propped his arm on the back of the chair behind her, enclosing her within his personal space. The gesture carried an indescribable dominance, yet he deliberately held back his strength, afraid of startling her.
"Yun Sheng, are you going to keep hiding from me like this?"
His voice was pitched extremely low, so soft it felt like a murmur right beside her ear. His warm breath lightly brushed against her skin, carrying a flirtatious undertone, though his eyes were filled with nothing but stubbornness and deep affection.
Instantly, the tips of Yun Sheng’s ears burned, and even her neck flushed a pale pink. Subconsciously averting her gaze to stare at the opposite wall, she said softly, "I’m not hiding."
"Not hiding?" Bai Ye let out a low chuckle, his laughter tinged with a bit of helplessness.
He didn’t press the issue, merely taking the initiative to scoot a bit closer to her again. The distance between them closed in an instant, their shoulders almost touching.
Yun Sheng suddenly stiffened and instinctively tried to shift away again, but Bai Ye’s hand swiftly pressed onto the seat next to her, blocking her path.
"If you move any further, you’ll fall off."
As he spoke, his fingertips inadvertently brushed the back of her hand. The warm contact made Yun Sheng’s body tense even more. She tried to pull her hand back, but Bai Ye gently pinned her fingertips down. His grip was very light, completely devoid of any forcefulness, yet she found herself unable to break free.
"Let go..." Yun Sheng’s voice was muffled, carrying a hint of softness that even she hadn’t noticed.
Bai Ye looked down at her, his fingertips lightly brushing the back of her hand before he slowly let go.
"Okay," he said, his voice hoarse with a touch of enduring restraint.
Yun Sheng withdrew her hand, her fingers curling slightly to hide that scorching sensation within her palm.
"I won’t touch you," Bai Ye said, his voice dropping very soft and soothing as he watched her flustered, stiff demeanor. "But you can’t keep hiding from me forever."
Yun Sheng lowered her eyes, staring at the tips of her shoes. Her heart was beating so fast it felt like it would leap out of her chest. She could feel his body heat through the thin fabric of his clothes—warm and lingering, like a fire that wasn’t blazing but simply refused to dissipate.
Taking a deep breath, she forced down her rising panic.
"I know."
Hearing this, Bai Ye said nothing more. He just sat quietly beside her, their shoulders brushing. Neither of them moved away again.
As they sat there, Bai Ye suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder. He turned his head, only to see that Yun Sheng had fallen asleep leaning against him. Her long eyelashes rested against her eyelids, her breathing even and soft.
Seeing her sleeping so defenselessly, Bai Ye subconsciously lightened his own breathing. The stubbornness and fiery intensity in his eyes completely faded, leaving behind only an unwavering tenderness and a deep desire to cherish her. Relaxing his body, he slowly adjusted his posture, lowering his shoulder to let her lean more comfortably.
An unknown amount of time passed before Luo Cheng walked over with the test results, stopping in front of Bai Ye. Spotting the sleeping Yun Sheng, he instinctively lowered his voice. "General, the test results are out. There are no issues."
Bai Ye nodded but didn’t reply immediately. He looked down at Yun Sheng, who was sleeping deeply against his shoulder. Then, he gently slid one arm behind her neck and placed the other under the crook of her knees. With the softest, most careful movements, he lifted her into his arms.
Yun Sheng shifted in his embrace, her brows furrowing slightly before relaxing again. She buried her face into his chest, her breathing returning to a steady rhythm.
Bai Ye lowered his eyes. Looking at her soft appearance in his arms, the gentleness in his gaze deepened. His footsteps exceptionally light, he slowly walked toward the institute’s entrance.
Luo Cheng followed by his side. Glancing again at the girl in his arms, he asked quietly, "General, are we heading back to the Lin Mansion?"
Bai Ye’s footsteps paused as he glanced at the time displayed on his terminal. 1:00 a.m. It was far too late.
He remained silent for a moment, a trace of hesitation flashing in his eyes before he shook his head. "Not the Lin Mansion. To my apartment."