Chapter 942: He Took a Break

Chapter 942: He Took a Break

Qin Shili didn’t pester Lin Nuo like she usually did; she was reasonable enough to sense from his expression and tone that he truly didn’t want to chat.

So she decided not to seek out unnecessary amusement. Lin Nuo usually humored her, but it seemed he wouldn’t be doing that now.

She would ask him what was on his mind after he had rested. If he wanted to share, great! If not, no problem; everyone had their own secrets.

Qin Shili glanced over at Su Kexin, who looked anxious. Knowing her character, if she had come back from a private meeting with Lin Nuo, she’d be basking in her glow and showing off.

But that was not the case. Su Kexin seemed troubled and deep in thought.

“What happened between you two?”

Qin Shili asked coldly, and Su Kexin slowly lifted her head.

“We…”

She hesitated, the situation had spun wildly beyond her expectations, and her thoughts were in disarray.

“N-nothing happened…”

“Nothing? You both came back acting odd; how could there be nothing?”

“It’s nothing, you’re overthinking it. I just happened to run into Senior Martial Brother on my way back.”

Su Kexin tried to keep that under wraps, but it didn’t escape Qin Shili’s keen eyes.

It was too obvious; her demeanor had already betrayed her.

“Well, that was quite a coincidence.”

Qin Shili folded her arms, speaking coldly.

Is that really the case?

Definitely not.

“You returning home is peculiar. It doesn’t sound like you.”

“I? Am I odd? N-no, I’m perfectly normal…”

Su Kexin wasn’t exactly the best at lying, especially under Qin Shili’s frosty glare; she was so tense she struggled to speak.

“It’s clear. You came back with him, so don’t you have something to flaunt? Yet you show not an ounce of pride and your worries are all over your face.”

“Is that so…? You’re worrying too much, really…”

Su Kexin intentionally averted her gaze from Qin Shili, not wanting her to catch on any further.

This was a secret concerning her and her Senior Martial Brother, and she didn’t want a third party getting involved; if her Senior Brother told her himself, then fine, but she had no intentions of spilling.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, really. There’s nothing going on. I’ll be going back now.”

Su Kexin hurried off to her room, cutting off any further conversation. The less said, the better.

“Hmm?”

Qin Shili watched her retreating figure disappear around the corner, leaving her alone in the hallway.

She wasn’t sure what had happened, but she suspected it wasn’t anything good.

Well then, time to go back.

Just as Qin Shili was about to turn and leave, Luo Xiaoxue arrived at the Summer residence.

The two had just been looking for Lin Nuo around the city but had now rushed back to the Summer residence.

“It’s you again.”

Luo Xiaoxue glared at Qin Shili, irritated. That woman was such a nuisance! She genuinely wanted to cozy up to Lin Nuo, but here was Qin Shili blocking her path.

Luo Xiaoxue also admired Lin Nuo; this turned out to be a tricky rival.

But now with the royal power in her grasp, one day she would control this realm beside Lin Nuo. That was destiny.

“As I understand, you should be in the Royal Palace, overseeing the troops. Yet here you are, disturbing Lin Nuo’s rest all on your own. Doesn’t that seem improper?”

“I’m not disturbing Lin Nuo’s rest. I just happened to pass by here, thinking about how he helped me so much. I merely came to express my gratitude.”

“You could’ve done that in the daytime, so please leave now. I don’t wish to wrangle with you in front of the Summer residence.”

Qin Shili replied coldly, filled with malice and disdain toward Luo Xiaoxue.

“I don’t want to quarrel with you either. It’s still early, and since I’m here, I’ll visit Lin Nuo. What’s the harm in that?”

“He isn’t back yet.”

“Stop lying; someone just saw him come this way. Are you intentionally stopping me? Are you jealous of my relationship with Lin Nuo?”

“Hah. You? Why would I be jealous?”

Qin Shili scoffed with contempt; this woman was far too confident.

“Then why stop me?”

“Lin Nuo needs his rest; don’t disrupt him. Just go back to what you were doing.”

“There’s a servant out front; I can inquire. If he doesn’t meet me, I’ll naturally leave. No need for your input.”

Luo Xiaoxue wouldn’t listen to Qin Shili and walked straight to the guards at the gate.

“Excuse me, ladies. I’m Luo Yi, here to visit Lin Nuo—Lin Daxia. Could you please convey my intentions to him?”

Luo Xiaoxue understood the game, and generously slipped them a few coins. With some generous tipping, the guards were sure to comply.

“Sure, please wait a moment, miss.”

One guard quickly dashed inside to inform Lin Nuo, while the other remained at the gate.

“You really know how to work the system.”

Qin Shili jeered,

“Who’d have thought you lead the Royal Guards.”

“They are doing their job; I’m just giving a little compensation for their services.”

Saying that, Luo Xiaoxue stood patiently at the gate, a mere royal princess waiting by the door. Only for Lin Nuo would she enjoy such treatment.

Soon after, a guard returned from within with news for Luo Xiaoxue:

“I’m sorry, miss. Young Master Lin is resting and not seeing guests. Please come back tomorrow.”

“Resting, huh…”

Luo Xiaoxue felt a tinge of disappointment. She had walked all the way from the Royal Palace just to see Lin Nuo, with so much to say, only to be met with this setback.

Could it be that Qin Shili…?

Luo Xiaoxue suspected Qin Shili had bribed the servants to lie, but just then, Xia Hanmo stepped out of the house.

“Miss Luo.”

“Auntie!”

Seeing Xia Hanmo, Luo Xiaoxue was thrilled. This was her future mother-in-law, and she hurried to greet her properly.

“No need for such formalities, Miss Luo. I apologize; my son returned and went straight to his room, so he can’t meet you right now. But since you are a distinguished guest, I’ll take care of it.”

“No, no. Auntie, there’s no need for you to personally attend to me. It’s my fault to disrupt Lin Daxia’s rest; I’ll come back to visit you tomorrow. Please, Auntie, return and rest early.”

Xia Hanmo’s appearance proved it wasn’t just a ruse; no way Qin Shili could have pulled the wool over her eyes.

“You were told Lin Nuo was resting, yet you keep attempting to see him.”

Qin Shili mocked Luo Xiaoxue, their rivalry glaring, but they kept it somewhat in check around Xia Hanmo.

“Auntie, I should take my leave; you do the same. Don’t overexert yourself.”

Ignoring Qin Shili, Luo Xiaoxue conversed warmly with Xia Hanmo and then turned to leave.

Tomorrow, she would come again.

“Sigh, Nuo’er really doesn’t understand. Here comes Miss Luo for a visit, and you don’t even see her.”

Xia Hanmo shook her head and sighed,

“Qin girl, you’re a lady; don’t be wandering out alone at night.”

“Alright, Auntie. But please don’t worry; I’m a cultivator and am here to ensure the safety of the townsfolk. Besides, my heart is set on Lin Nuo, so I won’t be seeking out others.”

“Sigh, that’s not what I meant. Nuo’er is really fortunate to have your affection, Qin girl. Let’s go inside.”

With that, the two entered the Summer residence.

…

In his bedroom, Lin Nuo tossed and turned, unable to sleep the whole night.

It was just that he couldn’t stop thinking about that illusion.

And he knew he couldn’t stay here for long; he still needed to look for Ruo’er.