Chapter 280: Just About to Leave, Si Jin Showed Up
Chapter 280: Chapter 280: Just About to Leave, Si Jin Showed Up
Yun Sheng’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat. Her gaze unconsciously locked onto Bai Ye, and even her breathing grew a fraction lighter. She hadn’t expected him to be waiting for her right at the lobby entrance.
"Yun Sheng? Yun Sheng! Are you coming to get lunch with us or not?" Seeing Yun Sheng remain silent, Cheng Nian tugged her arm and looked at her pitifully. "You don’t want to keep me company? But I’m so sad..."
Yun Sheng’s thoughts were instantly pulled back. She looked at the pathetic-looking Cheng Nian beside her, her heart filled with conflict. On one hand was her good friend, who had just suffered a blow and was looking utterly dejected; she really couldn’t bring herself to reject her. But on the other hand, Bai Ye was already waiting at the door. Furthermore, she was the one who had promised to go to the Advanced Biological Spirit Research Institute with him after the test. Not to mention, Bai Ye had secretly done so much to keep her secret safe this time, and taking her to the institute for a check-up was for her own good.
Yun Sheng pursed her lips slightly, her brows furrowing. Just as she was thinking about how to reply, Bai Ye started walking toward them.
His figure was tall and straight, the military uniform accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His gaze landed squarely on her without the slightest evasion. Covering the short distance in just a few strides, Bai Ye arrived in front of the three girls. His tall figure leaned in slightly, casting a faint shadow that enveloped them.
Li Wen and Cheng Nian instinctively looked up. When they realized the newcomer was Bai Ye, both froze for a moment before speaking in almost perfect unison.
"White War God."
Their voices weren’t loud, but they still drew quite a few stares. Some trainees who were about to leave the Tower turned their heads to look, their eyes full of curiosity and surprise. A few even discreetly opened their terminals to sneak a photo.
"Oh my god, is that the White War God? Why is he here?"
"I have no idea. He seems to be walking toward those three girls. Does he know one of them?"
"They just announced the results, and two of those girls got a B-level. Is the White War God here to congratulate them? But he wouldn’t come personally for that..."
Muted whispers gradually drifted over. Curious gazes locked onto the girls like spotlights, making Yun Sheng incredibly uncomfortable. She looked up at Bai Ye with a hint of reproach in her eyes. Her lips moved, but she was too embarrassed to speak in front of everyone. Instead, she could only shoot him a meaningful look, thinking, "There are too many people here, it’s too conspicuous! Why did you just walk right over!"
Meeting her gaze, a faint hint of a smile flashed through Bai Ye’s deep black eyes, so fast it was impossible to catch. Ignoring the surrounding stares and the murmurs of the crowd, he spoke directly.
"Instructor Shen just found me. She mentioned that the equipment malfunctioned unexpectedly during your test, severely overdrawing your spiritual power, and that you just completed a retest.
"I happen to be heading to the Advanced Biological Spirit Research Institute to handle some matters, so she asked me to take you along for a comprehensive check-up to ensure there are no lingering issues. Can you come with me now?"
As soon as he said this, the surrounding whispers noticeably died down. The curious gazes fixed upon them lost some of their probing intensity, replaced by a sense of understanding.
So Instructor Shen had asked the White War God for a favor. As the person in charge of the spiritual power tests for all the trainees, it made perfect sense for her to care about a student and ask a passing War God to help out. The crowd cast aside their unnecessary speculations and gradually withdrew their gazes.
Yun Sheng’s tense shoulders instantly relaxed, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to Cheng Nian beside her. Just as she was about to speak, Cheng Nian beat her to it with a smile. "Then hurry up and go with the White War God, Yun Sheng. Get a proper check-up so you can have complete peace of mind."
Li Wen remained silent. She just looked up at Yun Sheng, catching Bai Ye in her peripheral vision. A trace of complexity hid in her eyes. She vaguely sensed that Bai Ye coming over specifically for this was far from a simple "favor on the way." However, with so many people still watching them, she had no choice but to suppress her suspicions.
"Nian Nian, I’m sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you with a good meal another day," Yun Sheng said apologetically.
Cheng Nian smiled and patted her arm, waving it off nonchalantly. "Hey, missing a meal is no big deal. Just treat me to something good next time! Go on, don’t delay your check-up."
"Alright, no problem. I’ll definitely treat you and Li Wen to a good meal next time."
With that, Yun Sheng turned and followed Bai Ye toward the exit. Bai Ye deliberately slowed his pace so she could keep up, while maintaining an appropriate distance to avoid gossip. As they passed the scattered trainees along the way, those people merely cast hasty glances, still curious but no longer daring to gossip freely.
It wasn’t until they walked out of the Tower and got into the black hovercar parked at the entrance that Yun Sheng finally let down her guard. As the doors closed, sealing off all external noises and stares, she let out a long breath. Leaning back into the plush seat, she looked up at Bai Ye. "You walking straight over like that just now really startled me."
Bai Ye turned slightly to look at her and explained, "Xu Chengyuan’s people have been watching our every move. The fact that I’m taking you to the institute can’t be kept from them at all. Rather than sneaking around and arousing suspicion, it’s better to take you there openly."
Hearing this, Yun Sheng couldn’t help but ask, "What about Instructor Shen? If she doesn’t know and lets something slip, what then?"
"Don’t worry," Bai Ye nodded slightly, his tone certain. "I’ve already spoken with Shen Tang. She won’t say anything she shouldn’t."
He had already considered every detail. Not only had he given Yun Sheng a valid reason to leave, but he had also smoothed things over with Shen Tang, ensuring there would be no loopholes. Hearing this, Yun Sheng was finally completely at ease, sinking bonelessly into the soft cushions.
Seeing her like this, Bai Ye knew she was relieved. His lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile as he prepared to start the car.
But just then, Yun Sheng suddenly remembered something. She hastily reached out and grabbed his arm, saying urgently, "Wait, Bai Ye!"
Bai Ye paused his movements and turned to look at her, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "What’s wrong?"
"Si Jin! Si Jin is still waiting for me!" Yun Sheng said frantically. "So much happened earlier that I forgot to tell him I’d be going straight to the institute with you. Don’t drive yet, I need to call him!"
As soon as her words fell, before she even had time to open her terminal, someone suddenly knocked on the car window beside her.
KNOCK KNOCK.
The two raps were crisp and abrupt, making Yun Sheng jump. She instinctively turned her head and saw Si Jin standing right beside the car door. He leaned down slightly, peering into the car through the glass. His brows were knit together in a deep frown, and a layer of unthawing frost veiled his eyes.