**Chapter 46: A Perfect Curtain Call**
“I… I too! I personally guarantee that Xiao Yu is innocent! So I humbly ask Master Li to let Xiao Yu participate in the selection; I promise I will take her to cooperate with the investigation afterward!”
The Yellow-haired One was so enthusiastic that Mu Jixue definitely couldn’t hold back. Ignoring her master’s earlier warning, she boldly approached Master Li to vouch for Lin Zhongyu.
After speaking, Mu Jixue shot a glare at Yun Zhonghe, as if declaring war, but Yun Zhonghe was completely unfazed.
How infuriating! If only I hadn’t hesitated for a moment, this Yellow-haired One wouldn’t be stealing all the limelight!
I don’t know what kind of bad luck I’ve accumulated, always running into this nuisance. No way am I letting Yun Zhonghe take the spotlight this time!
If you stick your nose in, I’ll do the same!
And just like that, both of them rushed to protect Lin Zhongyu, practically squeezing her in the middle as they pushed forward.
Mu Jixue piped up again, “If anything happens to Xiao Yu, I, Mu Jixue, will renounce all cultivation and swear never to practice again!”
Huang Aotian finally had her moment to shine! Wait… that sounds wrong; should it be she finally had her female moment to shine?
Such a bold vow even moved Master Li. With a talent like Mu Jixue, she couldn’t possibly be willing to put her cultivation on the line unless she completely believed in Lin Zhongyu’s innocence.
After saying this, Mu Jixue kept an eye on Yun Zhonghe, wondering if he had anything to add. Her feelings for Xiao Yu would never lose to this Yellow-haired One!
What she could do for Xiao Yu would be no less than what that Yellow-haired One could offer.
However, to Mu Jixue’s surprise, Yun Zhonghe didn’t try to suppress her; instead, he wore a pleased smile, leaving Mu Jixue utterly dumbfounded.
Well done, Aotian! Now that’s what a protagonist looks like!
Making such a sacrifice for the female lead? Isn’t that bound to earn some massive points with her? You two are a match made in heaven!
Yun Zhonghe was well aware of the situation. At this moment, there was no need for him to compete with Huang Aotian, as his ultimate goal was to push these two together.
Now that Huang Aotian had a chance to shine, he certainly had to step aside and let her have her moment.
If it weren’t for the unsuitability of the setting, Yun Zhonghe would have loved to give Mu Jixue an enthusiastic round of applause.
That’s the spirit! Go for it!
But Yun Zhonghe’s smile sent shivers down Mu Jixue’s spine.
This guy must be a few screws loose!
“Xue’er… Yun Brother…”
Seeing the two of them loyally defending her, Lin Zhongyu felt incredibly moved, tears threatening to spill over.
Both Mu Jixue and Yun Zhonghe were the most important people in her life. They would always step up for her, providing her with strength whenever she needed it.
In that moment, Lin Zhongyu felt invigorated. As long as she had these two, she could overcome any obstacle.
So…
“Master Li, I’ll go with you.”
Lin Zhongyu chose not to drag Mu Jixue and Yun Zhonghe down with her. Even though this ceremony was vital for her, she was willing to let it go.
She couldn’t always rely on them for protection; she had to grow stronger and one day, she would guard them instead.
“Xiao Yu, what nonsense are you saying? You absolutely cannot give up!” Mu Jixue exclaimed, clutching Lin Zhongyu’s hand tightly.
“Miss Lin, if you still recognize this Yun, then you cannot give up!” Although Yun Zhonghe appeared indifferent, his tone was serious, filled with concern.
Lin Zhongyu smiled softly, “I’m not giving up; I’m chasing hope.”
Lin Zhongyu had made her choice. She chose to forgo the ceremony and the opportunity she so painstakingly earned.
However, she had gained strength from Mu Jixue and Yun Zhonghe, and she firmly believed that one day she would catch up to the Xuantian Sect.
Mu Jixue felt a pang of regret, but seeing that Lin Zhongyu seemed determined, she felt a little sick inside.
It felt like she hadn’t protected Xiao Yu well.
Yun Zhonghe sighed internally. For him, the sect’s storyline was crucial; if it went well, it might lead to Huang Aotian and the female lead hitting it off. But now, that plan had been interrupted.
What a shame it would be for the foremost female lead to stumble here! Does that mean Yun Zhonghe has to rely on others now?
“Well, since you’ve all said so, it would seem quite heartless of me to insist on taking her.”
To everyone’s surprise, Master Li actually agreed.
The three of them were overjoyed.
Master Li said, “Yun Master doesn’t need to worry about the whole clan, and Mu Girl doesn’t need to joke about her own path. I can see that Miss Lin is a kind-hearted person and should have nothing to do with this incident. However, just to be safe, let’s go through the necessary steps, and afterward, we can cooperate with the investigation.”
With that, Master Li secretly shared a smile with Yun Zhongtian.
Yun Zhonghe understood; Master Li was clearly speaking out of respect for the Yun family.
He felt grateful for the exquisite gift he had given earlier, as it had left a good impression.
“Then thank you, Master Li!”
Yun Zhonghe clasped his fists and expressed his gratitude respectfully.
“Thank you, Master Li!”
Mu Jixue and Lin Zhongyu were also thrilled and chanted their thanks.
“Fantastic! Xiao Yu, you can continue with the selection ceremony!”
“Yeah, thank you, Xue’er! I owe you one.”
Lin Zhongyu’s cheeks turned slightly red, evidently touched by Mu Jixue’s selfless contribution.
Yun Zhonghe immediately picked up on this detail and cheered inside, ringing bells and beating drums.
Great! This is definitely going to boost the female lead’s affection for Huang Aotian!
“Yun Brother, thank you so much…”
Lin Zhongyu looked at Yun Zhonghe, her gratitude as delicate as a flower.
Yun Zhonghe, being the gentleman he was, waved it off, “No need for such formalities. I just did a trivial thing. It’s Mu Girl’s determination that truly made all the difference.”
Seizing the moment, Yun Zhonghe endeavored to rack up points with Mu Jixue by lavishing her with compliments.
“Your friendship, Mu Girl, is quite admirable! Not only are you powerful and gifted, but you also sacrifice for your friends. It’s truly enviable to have such a close companion as you.”
“I have to admit, in today’s world, it’s hard to find many female heroes like you, Mu Girl.”
“Your grace and poise, Mu Girl, leave me in shame. You’re a model for our generation, and I must learn from you going forward.”
Yun Zhonghe chatted away, calling her “Mu Girl” at every turn, showering her with praise until Mu Jixue felt like she could float away, her cheeks tinged with a lovely pink.
Even though she sensed that Yun Zhonghe wasn’t the worst person, her heart danced with joy at all the compliments.
Who would have thought she’d hear such decent words coming from him?
This guy… isn’t so bad after all.
Yun Zhonghe, too, had managed to rack up some goodwill in Mu Jixue’s eyes.
Woo-hoo~ Here we go!
Not only did Huang Aotian’s favorability toward him increase, but he had also praised Huang Aotian in front of the female lead, making quite the assist. The female lead would surely like Huang Aotian even more now!
“Really? It’s not as over-the-top as you say. Don’t say things like that!”
Mu Jixue lightly cleared her throat, looking a bit shy as she crossed her arms and slightly turned aside, putting on an tsundere act.
But her sneaky glances at Yun Zhonghe didn’t escape anyone’s notice.
Mu Jixue stammered, “W-well, we’re just friends. No need for flattery! You shouldn’t say that; it makes me embarrassed!”
Watching the not-so-honest Mu Jixue, Lin Zhongyu couldn’t help but giggle in the back.
Awesome! It looks like Xue’er is slowly accepting Yun Brother now~
