### Chapter 181: Huang Aotian Truly Regrets It
Time passed without them realizing, and when Qin Hongye and Tao Jiu’er arrived at the second floor of the posthouse inn, they immediately noticed the unusual atmosphere in the lobby. They too felt curious.
Especially when they noticed Su Xiaoxiao sitting next to Yun Zhonghe. Tao Jiu’er and Qin Hongye’s eyes suddenly sharpened.
They had only gone out on some errands; how come there was suddenly another girl tagging along?
Yun Zhonghe suddenly felt his entire body go cold, because Tao Jiu’er’s gaze felt like it was armed with a Spiritual Spike, piercing him deeply.
Could Tao Jiu’er also be a high-level Spiritual Energy master?
Tao Jiu’er narrowed her peach blossom eyes, her lifeless gaze seemingly saying: “Wait until we get back, and you’ll know what I think of this.”
Yun Zhonghe: “…”
Is he committing some kind of sin?
Fortunately, Lin Zhongyu rushed to his rescue like a smooth operator, easing the tension.
After understanding the situation, Tao Jiu’er’s look towards Su Xiaoxiao changed, showing more sympathy. Although Qin Hongye also felt pity, she seemed to show even more wariness and observation towards Yun Zhonghe.
But that’s to be expected; Qin Hongye really liked Mu Jixue, and now here comes another potential main character. Naturally, Qin Hongye would be cautious.
However, don’t worry—brother Yun Zhonghe will handle it, ensuring everyone has a happy ending and gets their fair share of love.
Right, my Huang Aotian?
As he thought, his gaze fell on the silent Mu Jixue.
“…”
At that moment, Mu Jixue’s expression was complicated.
Hmm? What’s wrong with her? Why does she look so dispirited?
Yun Zhonghe almost forgot, Mu Jixue’s Spiritual Energy was all drained, no wonder she looks exhausted. She had to seek help from their yellow-haired buddy.
Although Yun Zhonghe believed this sort of thing should be handled by Huang Aotian, he felt like whatever honor goes to her goes to him since they were one and the same person.
Why so rigid?
Mu Jixue noticed Su Xiaoxiao’s hopeful eyes, which contrasted sharply with the recently dull and despairing eyes filled with the desire to escape.
Despite still keeping her head down, Mu Jixue sensed a significant change within Su Xiaoxiao.
All thanks to Yun Zhonghe, as Su Xiaoxiao kept glancing at him with sparkling eyes.
Mu Jixue felt her heart turning upside down.
She was eating delicious dishes from the High-Grade Spirit Food cooked by a top chef, yet she found the food unpalatable.
She felt so helpless. If she were stronger then, she could have easily taken down those guys.
Then, she wouldn’t need Yun Zhonghe’s help.
She wanted to keep Su Xiaoxiao and Yun Zhonghe apart, but in the end, her actions brought them closer.
The more light in Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes, the more Mu Jixue regretted.
“Xue-er…”
Lin Zhongyu noticed something was off with Mu Jixue’s expression. The playful child had a face full of self-blame and remorse.
So, she promptly reached out to ruffle Mu Jixue’s hair: “It’s okay~ We’re grateful for your timely arrival, brother Yun. The problem is solved now. Don’t blame yourself anymore.”
Her silky silver-white hair became a bit messy.
Mu Jixue’s heart became even more chaotic.
It felt like an old wound reopening and getting salt poured on it.
Ow!!! So painful!
“Xue-er?”
Lin Zhongyu saw Mu Jixue’s expression was like she was wearing a mask of pain, a large question mark forming over her head.
After hesitating, Mu Jixue looked up and asked, “Little Yu, do you… not care?”
“Care about what?” Lin Zhongyu tilted her head, completely oblivious to any issues.
Yun Zhonghe stood up for Su Xiaoxiao and helped her untie her emotional knots; the four became very close. There was no longer any barrier between them.
This was a happy ending!
“It’s nothing… nothing…”
Mu Jixue’s mouth formed a wave, struggling to keep her composure.
Lin Zhongyu: ?
She felt today’s Mu Jixue was odd.
But Lin Zhongyu was always accommodating, prepared to mediate no matter what happened, ensuring everyone could stay comfortable.
…
“This young lady is a new disciple of Xuantian Sect too.”
Six people sat together, eating and chatting.
Qin Hongye was very surprised; she never expected the ordinary-looking Su Xiaoxiao to be a new disciple of Xuantian Sect.
Su Xiaoxiao’s background seemed quite ordinary.
Although Suzhou City and Cangzhou City were both small remote cities, reaching Foundation Establishment level would be tough to stand out given Xuantian Sect’s high standards.
However, later Su Xiaoxiao explained she hadn’t actually fought during the trials—opponents either gave up or had accidents.
In short, if Su Xiaoxiao cleared the first round, luck determined the rest.
This made Qin Hongye respect her greatly. Not to mention, Yun Zhonghe seemed to really care for Su Xiaoxiao, making Qin Hongye feel a strange flutter in her heart.
However, Su Xiaoxiao didn’t seem threatening, so Qin Hongye decided to just observe and not treat her with the same caution as Mu Jixue.
Besides, Su Xiaoxiao truly seemed quite pitiable.
Interruptedly, Yun Zhonghe suggested, “Miss Qin, I’d like to invite Su Xiaoxiao to join us on the Spirit Boat to Xuantian Sect. Is that okay?”
Yun Zhonghe aimed to bring Su Xiaoxiao onto his team.
If she went back to that cramped public Spirit Boat, she would probably endure harassment, and Yun Zhonghe wanted to do something nice for her to build goodwill.
Once Su Xiaoxiao joined their group, it would mean more opportunities for interactions. Yun Zhonghe could create private moments for Qin Hongye and herself.
Absolutely! Providing her more alone time!
Yun Zhonghe suddenly got a brilliant idea, deeming it necessary.
Now, with Lin Zhongyu around, there were plenty of secrets that Su Xiaoxiao and Qin Hongye couldn’t share openly. Only solo time could deepen their connection.
Of course, it wasn’t like Lin Zhongyu was unnecessary; her presence was crucial. Without her as a buffer, Mu Jixue and Su Xiaoxiao might still have misunderstandings.
Yun Zhonghe was profoundly grateful to Lin Zhongyu.
Thus, he wanted to give Lin Zhongyu a special treatment while giving Qin Hongye and Su Xiaoxiao some alone time.
Ahaha, Yun Zhonghe thought to himself, he was truly clever!
He hoped Qin Hongye wouldn’t mind; after all, the Spirit Boat belonged to her. If she couldn’t take Su Xiaoxiao due to her unlucky constitution, Yun Zhonghe wouldn’t be able to make it happen.
“Sure, considering she’s our future fellow disciple, why would I refuse?”
Qin Hongye readily agreed, her smile bright.
Seeing such a straightforward response stunned Mu Jixue; she felt shocked.
Was Qin Hongye not concerned? This meant one more enemy on board.
Whether it was Lin Zhongyu or Qin Hongye, they both showed great kindness towards Su Xiaoxiao. Mu Jixue felt like the lone bad guy, wary and protective.
Though Su Xiaoxiao was pitiful, Mu Jixue couldn’t help feeling conflicted.
Actually, Qin Hongye had her own considerations.
To win Yun Zhonghe’s favor, she’d play the part of benevolent and caring, increasing her own image and gaining more affection.
Qin Hongye was quite conniving!
Only by gaining trust and affection would she have a chance with Yun Zhonghe, just like before on the Spirit Boat—if not for Mu Jixue’s interruption, she might have been victorious.
“Ghuhahaha… hahaha…”
Qin Hongye appeared lost in fantasy, her drooling uncontrollably and emitting a slightly insane laugh.
“Miss Qin?”
Yun Zhonghe called Qin Hongye several times before she finally snapped back, quickly restoring her usual poised demeanor.
“Sorry, I acted out of line.”
Confused and puzzled, was he imagining things?
Maybe just a momentary scare.
Yun Zhonghe ignored these odd sensations—he secured Qin Hongye’s consent and could travel with Su Xiaoxiao, making his original plan possible!
Excitement welled up inside him, his gaze drifted to Lin Zhongyu.
He needed to think of a reason to send Lin Zhongyu away.
His gaze was strong and intense.
Lin Zhongyu noticed Yun Zhonghe gazing at her, feeling her skin starting to burn.
Huh?! Why is Brother Yun staring at me like that?!
That gaze made her feel hot all over, Lin Zhongyu swallowed nervously, pretending to drink tea casually. When she looked up, her gaze met Yun Zhonghe’s again.
Lin Zhongyu: !!!
She felt Yun Zhonghe was about to pounce, causing her heart to race.
Could it be… because I performed well? Thus increasing his liking for me and wanting to reward me?!
Lin Zhongyu’s thoughts were far too explicit and intense, nearly choking her on her tea.
Calm down, calm down. I’m supposed to be supporting Xue-er, she should be my priority, not myself.
Yet…
Everyone had hidden intentions.
Yet, the focal point of the conversation, Su Xiaoxiao, remained silent throughout.
She felt unworthy among such powerful figures.
But, she fully supported Yun Zhonghe’s arrangement, feeling touched.
They shouldn’t be afraid of her bringing down the boat, right? Sitting together meant the unlucky constitution could wreak havoc anytime.
Then, no one would escape.
Love sure makes one blind; none of the girls considered those odds.
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