Chapter 63: Giving Huang Aotian and the Protagonist All the Essence
After the discussion ended, Yun Zhonghe and the others decided to lay low for now. To avoid suspicion, everyone went back to their connecting rooms to rest.
If anything out of the ordinary happened, they could easily call for help, and their fellow companions would come to the rescue immediately.
They also agreed to go on a pretend stroll around town the next day.
Once everyone dispersed, Song Ziwei released the barrier, and everyone returned to their respective rooms.
“Muir Lady, Lin Lady, please stay behind.”
Just as Mu Jixue and Lin Zhongyu were about to leave, Yun Zhonghe secretly called them both back.
“Is there anything else, Brother Yun?”
Lin Zhongyu obediently turned around, while Mu Jixue reluctantly but cooperatively moved closer.
Yun Zhonghe handed them each a bottle filled with milky white liquid.
“These are concentrated essence of stone holly. If absolutely necessary, you can sprinkle this on yourselves. It will repel snakes and bugs, and will surely come in handy.”
This was something Yun Zhonghe bought after he happened to see the stone holly while collecting ice heart grass.
Yun Zhonghe remembered that the task’s boss was a spider demon cultivator, and the stone holly concentrate had a decent deterrent effect against such creatures since snakes and bugs detest its smell.
If they used the milky fluid that Yun Zhonghe gave them, snakes and bugs would instinctively shy away. Though it wouldn’t completely suppress the demon cultivator, it could provide a moment’s respite.
In critical moments, every second counts.
“Stone holly…”
When Mu Jixue heard that this was supposed to be the concentrated essence of stone holly, she couldn’t help making a face right away.
Because the smell of stone holly was quite fishy and stinky, girls who enjoyed cleanliness didn’t like it very much. Plus, if the gooey liquid got on their clothes, it would be really hard to clean.
But Lin Zhongyu took the bottles without hesitation.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Brother Yun. We’ll definitely make good use of it. But why didn’t you share these with the rest?”
Lin Zhongyu hit the nail on the head.
“I don’t have too many of these, and it’s an important survival tool, so I naturally prioritized you two.”
Muir Jixue looked puzzled.
Yun Zhonghe said seriously, “Others are important too, but you two are different. To me, you’re special, and I want to do everything I can to protect you.”
Mu Jixue & Lin Zhongyu: What?!
At that moment, the two girls blushed furiously. Their hearts nearly burst out of their chests.
They avoided eye contact, unable to look directly at Yun Zhonghe.
This guy… what nonsense is he spouting?!
By chance, Mu Jixue’s gaze fell onto his lips. They were smooth, well-defined, naturally rosy, and half-open, catching her attention.
Come to think of it, he drank from her bottle before…
Hang on, isn’t that considered indirect kissing?
The slow-reacting Mu Jixue only realized this later, her neck turning a deep red from embarrassment.
Muir Jixue, suppressing her embarrassment, asked, “Don’t say things that’ll get you misinterpreted!”
Her little fangs were bared, apparently a tiny threat.
Yet, to Yun Zhonghe, this kind of panicked threat just made her appear extra cute.
Like a fluffy cat puffing up.
Yun Zhonghe calmly replied, “Why would you think so? Aren’t we friends?”
Friends… Mu Jixue was stunned.
Honestly, on the surface, they did count as friends, and Mu Jixue had even admitted it before.
It’s just that she couldn’t accept it completely in her heart.
“Suit yourself!”
Muir Jixue didn’t know how to argue anymore; she decided to let it go and pouted, trying to pull Lin Zhongyu back to her room.
“Oh… uh, Brother Yun, we should take our leave.”
Lin Zhongyu was torn, but she didn’t forget to greet Yun Zhonghe.
After bidding farewell, she followed Mu Jixue into the same room.
Yet, her eyes reflected a complex emotion.
Brother Yun seems to care especially about Xuer.
Even though she lacked proof, as a woman, she sensed that Yun Zhonghe paid more attention to Mu Jixue, particularly when he had defended her during their group discussion.
Of course, if it had only been that, Lin Zhongyu wouldn’t have overthought it. Brother Yun had always been kind and caring, always looking out for people. But it was surprising that Mu Jixue’s feelings toward Yun Zhonghe had affected her so.
When Mu Jixue was down in spirits, comfort from her did little good, but Yun Zhonghe’s words managed to lift her spirits instead.
Clearly, Yun Zhonghe understood Mu Jixue better than herself, and Mu Jixue seemed to prefer his comfort more.
Suddenly, she felt unnecessary.
Perhaps Xuer was developing feelings for… Brother Yun…
Before, she was like the lubricant between them, but now they were getting along splendidly as if they no longer needed her.
No, why am I even thinking about this? Given the dangerous situation, I still have time to daydream… Sigh, I really need to sort myself out.
Lin Zhongyu was incredibly perceptive. She cared more about the bigger picture and relegated her emotions to the back burner.
She shook off her incorrect thoughts and viewed the relationship between them properly.
From the current perspective, it’s clear that Mu Jixue still resisted Yun Zhonghe to some extent.
But with the current crisis, Mu Jixue couldn’t afford to be petty.
“Xuer, there’s something I want to tell you.”
“Huh? What?”
When the two close friends entered the room, Lin Zhongyu put on a serious expression.
“Xuer, considering what happened on the ship, I think you should apologize to Brother Yun.”
“What? Why!?”
They had small conflicts before, and Yun Zhonghe drank all her spiritual fluid. Although he later compensated her with numerous foundation establishment pills, filling up her little bottle, she still held a grudge.
Because Mu Jixue suspected Yun Zhonghe did it on purpose.
“Why would Brother Yun purposely drink your spiritual fluid? There’s no point in doing that. Besides, he compensated you with so many pills, thus losing himself in the process. Who would do such a lousy business?”
“But it was my master who gave me the spiritual fluid.”
Actually, this was what hurt the most for Muir Jixue—the bottle of spiritual fluid was given by Master Youyue. Having it drank by Yun Zhonghe left her feeling robbed.
Since Mu Jixue already disliked Yun Zhonghe, suspecting that he would take away many important things from her, being robbed of her fluid intensified her resistance to him.
It was like hitting a nerve, causing a sharp reaction.
Feeling Yun Zhonghe totally in control made her uncomfortable.
“But Brother Yun has been considering your well-being, not just speaking up for you, but even giving you a vial of stone holly concentrate for protection.”
Muir Jixue was speechless. She had only seen Yun Zhonghe take things from her, not realizing all he had done for her.
“… Xiao Yu, you’re right. But what should I do?”
“You should apologize.”
