### Chapter 374: Love is in the Air! Xue Yunjian is Not Happy to be Ignored
How Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue managed to leave the Monster Beast Forest was a bit of a blur for both of them.
In a flurry of flushed cheeks and racing hearts, they had decided together to bury that whole episode deep down and pretend it never happened.
Yet, one thing was crystal clear: the vibe between them was definitely different.
During their travels, a casual stumble made Mu Jixue trip over the uneven terrain of the forest, and faster than light, Yun Zhonghe sprung into action, his arm shooting out to catch her. They suddenly found themselves so close that they could feel each other’s warm breaths brushing against their cheeks.
The air thickened with a mix of tension and excitement.
At that moment, the world around them hit pause, everything around them silenced, leaving only the sound of two hearts wildly thumping in their chests, echoing in each other’s ears.
In this electrifying moment, Yun Zhonghe steadied Mu Jixue’s petite frame and, almost as if extending an invitation, gently grasped her delicate hand.
She paused for a heartbeat but eventually surrendered her trust and allowed his big, warm hand to envelop hers. So, the two of them, one tall and one short, strolled hand in hand through the forest.
Finally, when they reached the path back to the sect, they paused as if coming out of a dream, both letting out a long breath.
At the same time, they realized their hands were still tightly clasped together, a blush sweeping across their faces as they looked down, like two kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. They hastily released each other’s hands, hearts fluttering like crazy.
“Uh… so, is there anything else? If not, I’ll just… head back now,” Mu Jixue stammered, her eyes twinkling like the stars in the night sky, darting shy glances at Yun Zhonghe, cute and timid, making one just want to scoop her up and hug her tightly.
Yun Zhonghe scratched his head, his voice dry, “Ah… yeah, no, nothing else.”
As soon as those words left his mouth, Mu Jixue puffed up her cheeks into a bun, looking half disappointed and half teasing.
—Did he just let me go that easily?
She seemed to beam a message loud and clear.
What? What now? Did she want him to do something totally scandalous with her?
Launch a surprise assault on point B?
That thought flickered through Yun Zhonghe’s mind like a mischievous sprite before he shook it off as if it burned him. He wouldn’t let those primal urges take over.
But, truth be told, he wouldn’t be entirely honest if he said a tiny lewd thought didn’t cross his mind.
He was a guy after all; who wouldn’t have some reaction to temptation? Plus, he had tasted the forbidden fruit before, and oh boy, he knew just how delightful it could be. He couldn’t help but wonder what it’d be like to have that experience with Mu Jixue.
What would it be like with such an exquisite snowy-haired beauty? It certainly piqued his interest!
“Um, well…”
Mu Jixue finally spoke, a bit shyly extending her hand as if asking for something, stretching out her fingers.
Yun Zhonghe blinked, momentarily lost in thought.
Seeing him utterly clueless made her blush deeper, “Return my stuff, will you?”
Yun Zhonghe nearly had a brain freeze; he had totally forgotten about the things he took from her earlier!
“Oh… oh! Sorry!”
Yikes! Had he been planning to keep it as a trophy or something?
He realized he was flustered, navigating this whirlpool of emotions that seemed to speed up like a race car on an expressway, teetering on that last stretch to the finish line.
Reluctantly, he handed her what she wanted back, and she quickly stashed it away in her ring, a rosy hue creeping onto her cheeks as she darted her gaze around, terrified someone passing by might witness this awkward moment.
Mu Jixue took a deep breath, “I-I’ll head back now!”
With that, she turned tail and bolted like a startled deer, leaving behind only a retreating silhouette and a faint sweet scent lingering in the air.
Yun Zhonghe stood there, dazed, following her disappearing figure with his eyes, his heart still racing.
Instinctively, he raised his hand, glancing at his palm, feeling an inexplicable urge rise within him.
There must still be some of her scent lingering.
After hesitating for a moment, he found himself bringing his hand closer to his nose, hoping to capture whatever fragrance lingered there.
Gently, he caught a whiff of an almost imperceptible fragrance.
That scent wasn’t unpleasant at all; instead, it was strangely refreshing and elegant, like the purest gift from nature that could soothe the spirit with just a slight inhale.
“Not bad at all…” Yun Zhonghe murmured to himself.
【Master, your pheromones are totally off the charts!】
Just then, the voice of Xue Yunjian broke into his thoughts, making him jump.
What’s this about pheromones? Did she just compare him to a wild animal!
But… okay, he had to admit, as harsh as Xue Yunjian’s words were, they weren’t completely unfounded. He couldn’t argue; he was indeed feeling quite… charged.
The indescribable excitement swelled within him, the fiery energy darting around his body like a mischievous imp.
If it weren’t for his rationality holding the reins, he might’ve just lost it and pulled Mu Jixue into a passionate embrace.
Cold head! Cold head! Cold head!
In response to Xue Yunjian’s teasing words, Yun Zhonghe opted for silence.
【Master? Master! Hey! Why are you ignoring me? You haven’t talked to me in ages!】
Xue Yunjian’s voice sounded coiled with a blend of badgering and longing, reminiscent of a neglected little mistress.
She was practically going stir-crazy, having been left unattended by Yun Zhonghe for too long.
…
That night, as the skies darkened and silence settled over the world, it turned into a long, restless night that would keep many awake.
Tao Jiu’er had returned to the girls’ dormitory early, while Chen Leling slumbered peacefully in her own bed, breathing evenly and sweetly.
Thanks to spending time in the same room with Yun Zhonghe, her vitality had noticeably improved, slowly aligning her lifestyle to that of a normal human, bidding farewell to her former night owl existence.
The events of the day played like a movie in her mind, every detail so vivid, every heartbeat thrumming loudly, stimulating her nerves and leaving her agitated.
To make matters worse, Xue Yunjian’s antics in his mind hadn’t slowed down; if anything, they escalated.
This had been her routine for more than a few days now.
Ever since being put on a “no fun” diet by Yun Zhonghe, she’d made it her nightly mission to fuss, throwing tantrums or playing the innocent card—all just to lure him in!
