**Chapter 272: Don’t You Dare Flirt with My Female Lead!**
Yun Zhonghe looked at Xia Linglong’s shiny, pitch-black hair, completely devoid of any yellow tinge. Yet, he couldn’t fathom what was going on in her head as she chose the path of the yellow-haired villain.
Xia Linglong, however, was blissfully unaware of the complex expressions flitting across Yun Zhonghe’s face. She was lost in her own little world, maintaining her cute and shy demeanor that made Yun Zhonghe want to shout, “Please, stop!”
“About three days ago, I brushed past her in the Outer Gate and was stunned by her beauty. Since that day, her figure has been deeply etched in my heart, impossible to erase. Yesterday, I heard the Outer Gate instructor say she took leave to come to Tianhai City, so I specially chased after her,” she gushed, her words dripping with infatuation as if she were drowning in an irresistible, sweet dream.
For this sudden love, she was willing to traverse mountains and rivers, disregarding everything to pursue and protect her crush.
With such fervent determination to chase love, Xia Linglong firmly believed that as long as she didn’t give up, one day she would win Su Xiaoxiao’s heart with her genuine affection!
In this wonderful fantasy, Xia Linglong unconsciously reached out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, exclaiming, “Today, meeting you feels like old friends; I just had to share this secret with you! You must help me keep it!”
At that moment, Xia Linglong noticed that Yun Zhonghe seemed a bit distracted, his brow furrowed. Concerned, she asked, “Junior Brother? What’s wrong? You look like you have something on your mind.”
Yun Zhonghe snapped back to reality, forcing a smile. “Nothing, just suddenly thought of some things.”
Inside, his mind was a jumble as he couldn’t bear to watch this newly acquainted friend head further into the fire.
Speaking of which, three days ago was right after Su Xiaoxiao transformed her image.
As one of the witnesses, Yun Zhonghe had to admit that Su Xiaoxiao’s change was indeed eye-catching. She had become incredibly adorable, exuding charm with every move. He certainly hadn’t expected the esteemed young lady of the Xia Family Business, Xia Linglong, to be utterly captivated by her allure.
That charm level was off the charts!
Yun Zhonghe thought to himself, internally impressed.
Clearing his throat, he looked at Xia Linglong with complexity in his eyes. “But… she’s a girl, right?”
Xia Linglong’s eyes widened instantly at this remark. She shot multiple glances at Yun Zhonghe, her opinion clearly offended. “So what if she’s a girl? There can be genuine love between girls, too!”
Yun Zhonghe couldn’t help but twitch his lips at her response.
Well, in this world, it was all about the yuri visual novels, so girls falling for girls was the norm.
But still, should Xia Linglong reconsider?
Just as Yun Zhonghe pondered how to gently persuade Xia Linglong, she suddenly jumped up, a look of excitement and anticipation lighting up her face. “I think I see my crush!”
Xia Linglong was in this inn chasing after Su Xiaoxiao, sensing her presence nearby and waiting for her.
Yun Zhonghe froze, still trying to process. “What?”
Xia Linglong’s gaze fixated past Yun Zhonghe’s shoulder, locking on to the staircase leading up to the second floor, where the very person she longed for was slowly descending.
Her heart raced, excitement and anxiety swirling together, prompting her to straighten her clothes, smoothing out any wrinkles and running her fingers through her sleek hair, mumbling to herself, though it was unclear what she was saying.
Just when the light in her eyes gleamed with incandescent fervor, almost unable to resist waving, she caught sight of Su Xiaoxiao, who blossomed into the world’s cutest smile.
Su Xiaoxiao’s expression softened. “Brother Yun, good morning! Why are you up so early?”
Yun Zhonghe turned, meeting Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze. “I’m not used to this new place, couldn’t sleep well. How about you? Did you rest well?”
At this, he even winked.
Su Xiaoxiao smiled back, as if Yun Zhonghe was the only one in her world, oblivious to anyone else’s existence. “I’m fine, I’m not picky about sleep. I can adjust anywhere quickly.”
This scene was like a thunderbolt to Xia Linglong standing across from them.
She was completely flabbergasted, her once-excited expression frozen in disbelief, struck by the shocking revelation.
Only then did Su Xiaoxiao notice the unfamiliar girl across from her. Her smile faltered slightly, becoming a bit anxious as she asked, “Brother Yun, is this… your new friend?”
Yet another unfamiliar girl!
Yun Zhonghe felt a little stiff at her question. He glanced at Xia Linglong and quickly averted his gaze, awkwardly chuckling. “Yeah…”
Oops! Accidentally made a friend who seems all too interested.
Worry filled Yun Zhonghe’s heart, terrified of failing to protect the female lead and losing her to someone else without realizing it.
So, he quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. “Is Chen Chen still not up?”
Su Xiaoxiao nodded slightly but her gaze sneaked toward Xia Linglong, revealing curiosity and scrutiny. She replied, “Yeah… Chen Chen usually wakes up late, no matter how you call her, she won’t get up.”
Why are lolis always such heavy sleepers?
If Su Xinghe were here, maybe Yun Zhonghe wouldn’t be so tense!
He glanced at Xia Linglong, nervously avoiding the thought of losing his precious cabbage to the fire, but nevertheless introduced her. “This is Senior Sister Xia Linglong, an Inner Gate Disciple of the Xuantian Sect. We met once before, and I didn’t expect to run into her here.”
The richest heiress has set her sights on the poorest Plague God—oh, the romantic potential is through the roof!
Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes reflected complex emotions as she cautiously followed Yun Zhonghe’s gaze towards Xia Linglong. She couldn’t help but be struck by her beauty and grace, lowering her head. “Wh… nice to meet you.”
What a stunning senior!
Su Xiaoxiao thought, carefully inspecting Xia Linglong. Not only was she drop-dead gorgeous, but she also exuded an aura of nobility that even a simple white dress couldn’t hide, showcasing an elegance and poise that was undeniable.
One look, and you could tell that Xia Linglong and Su Xiaoxiao were from completely different worlds. Xia Linglong had bathed in privilege from a young age, like the most stunning flower in a garden, thriving on endless care and admiration, her every gesture radiating nobility and elegance.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoxiao was merely a wildflower by the roadside.
This stark contrast made Su Xiaoxiao feel a pang of inferiority wash over her.
What a feeling she couldn’t quite articulate.
In just one night of absence, Yun Zhonghe had made a new acquaintance who was even more outstanding than her…
Su Xiaoxiao’s status: -1!
She looked at Xia Linglong with a newfound wariness.
In the past, she wouldn’t have dared to look at Xia Linglong with such eyes, but now she was different.
Yet, Xia Linglong was completely oblivious to Su Xiaoxiao’s complex expression. She was lost in her thoughts, gradually transitioning from shock to calm.
Oh, they were just friends. She had thought…
Xia Linglong felt a flicker of relief.
Thank goodness, this meant she had arrived just in time!
With a bright smile, she cheerfully said, “Junior Sister Su, we met a few days ago in the Outer Gate. Do you remember?”
Su Xiaoxiao’s face immediately displayed a large question mark. It was clear she flipped through her memories but found no trace of Xia Linglong at all. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I remember.”
Xia Linglong’s smile instantly dimmed, like a flower wilting from sudden loss of sunlight, her spirit drooping alongside her head. Her voice carried a hint of disappointment. “Oh? Well… okay.”
A fleeting glimpse of sadness flashed in her eyes, as if her heart had shattered into sparkling pieces.
Deep inside, a wave of self-doubt surged within her.
Had she really failed to leave any impression on Su Xiaoxiao?
Xia Linglong had always been sure of her charm and presence; she thought she’d at least made a slight impact on Su Xiaoxiao, even if it was just a ripple.
Was it all just wishful thinking?
Oh no.
Xia Linglong felt an unprecedented sense of defeat, as if the world had lost its color.
Yun Zhonghe keenly sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere, feeling the tension and awkwardness in the air. He wanted to say something to alleviate the pressure, but hesitated.
As Huang Aotian’s good buddy, he should steer these two girls away from any potential drama.
This was also for Xia Linglong’s good.
Just as Yun Zhonghe was about to speak, surprisingly, Su Xiaoxiao—the typically shy one—boldly stepped up, gripping Yun Zhonghe’s hand decisively. She turned to Xia Linglong and said, “Senior Sister Xia, we have something to attend to, so we’ll be taking our leave now.”
Xia Linglong blinked in surprise, her voice tinged with a hint of reluctance. “Eh? Don’t you want to stay a while longer?”
She had finally seen Su Xiaoxiao, and her eyes were still warm from the encounter, only to have it abruptly cut short.
Oh no! I want to cozy up to the beauty!
However, Su Xiaoxiao pulled Yun Zhonghe closer, apologetically saying, “We have some urgent matters. I’m really sorry! We’ll definitely treat Senior Sister Xia to tea some other time.”
Her sincere tone left Xia Linglong unable to think of a suitable reason to hold them back.
But Xia Linglong’s eyes were fixated on the way Su Xiaoxiao tightly grasped Yun Zhonghe’s hand, and in that instant, she felt as though her soul had been stolen away by that simple touch.
A flicker of doubt crept into her mind.
Were they really just ordinary classmates or friends?
Su Xiaoxiao slightly bowed. “Goodbye, Senior Sister Xia.”
Yun Zhonghe, standing to the side, wore a look of surprise.
He hadn’t expected Su Xiaoxiao, usually so shy, to handle such a situation with such grace and ease, almost as if she had transformed into a different person.
Seeing this, Xia Linglong could only muster a forced smile, pressed her lips together, and said, “Alright, hopefully we’ll meet again.”
Though filled with reluctance, she chose to elegantly step back, leaving a bit of room for both sides.
Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “Yes, Senior Sister Xia, until we meet again.”
With that, under Xia Linglong’s astonished gaze, Su Xiaoxiao took hold of Yun Zhonghe’s wrist, pulling him out of the inn.
They didn’t head upstairs but instead stepped directly through the inn’s main entrance into the bustling street beyond.
Seeing this, Yun Zhonghe quickly reminded, “Xiaoxiao, Chen Chen is still…”
Before he could finish, Su Xiaoxiao interrupted him.
“It’s fine. Chen Chen will come find us on her own soon.”
Yun Zhonghe found himself confused by her nonchalant demeanor.
He realized that Su Xiaoxiao had indeed changed a bit.
Was this a good development?
It should be.
“Brother Yun…” Halfway down the street, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly stopped, turning to look at Yun Zhonghe, her eyes sparkling with complex emotions. “Brother Yun, it seemed like you had a pretty good vibe talking with that Senior Sister Xia…”
At this, Yun Zhonghe paused. “Did I?”
He glanced at the girl holding his hand.
Her clear and bright eyes seemed to hide countless unspoken words.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks as her lips, slightly pouted, held a hint of innocence, giving off a tempting sheen, like perfectly glossed lips, soft and inviting.
Su Xiaoxiao took a deep breath. “When you talked with me, you didn’t smile like that.”
This remark hit Yun Zhonghe like a surprising wave. He hadn’t even noticed this detail.
He always thought he treated everyone the same.
Perhaps it was because she wasn’t a pivotal character. As a rule, he was quite relaxed while chatting with non-main characters; the conversation flowed easily.
But in front of the main crew, he instinctively molded himself into a more reliable, aloof figure.
That way, he could better fit in and be the trustworthy partner they could rely on.
Yun Zhonghe pondered whether Su Xiaoxiao felt pushed away by his behavior.
Oh, no, that idea wouldn’t do! Just because he made room for the main characters to shine didn’t mean he wanted to distance himself!
If he didn’t clarify, their friendship might dwindle!
Yet, Yun Zhonghe couldn’t explain it all in detail.
He sighed softly. “You’re different from others.”
He brought out years of experience playing gal games!
The universal line for comforting someone! Just saying that is sure to work!
Once those words escaped his lips, Su Xiaoxiao’s expression visibly brightened, the sparkle returning to her eyes, like a hamster suddenly reinvigorated.
But curiosity piqued Su Xiaoxiao’s interest, prompting her to probe further. “What makes me different?”
Feeling her excitement, Yun Zhonghe replied, “There’s no reason; to me, you’re one of a kind.”
Though somewhat dismissive, it should suffice.
However, Su Xiaoxiao still had the earlier scene replaying in her mind.
She recalled how Yun Zhonghe sat there, smiling while facing that strikingly exquisite sister, appearing completely at ease as she shared something uplifting, leading him to smile openly.
While she knew well Yun Zhonghe was a good person and anyone would be fond of him for his attentiveness, the interaction made her wonder: Shouldn’t she make an effort too, rather than sitting idle waiting for him to seek her out?
