Chapter 90 Ye Chen: Seriously? Even a Gentleman Is on Guard…
Ye Chen gently cupped Zhang Lexuan's left foot in his hands, using his thumbs to knead and press the arch with slow circular motions.
"Mm~ Xiao Chen, your massage technique's improving. Very good~" Zhang Lexuan murmured, eyes half‑closed, gazing at him fondly.
Her soft hums made it obvious she was enjoying his careful touch.
Of course, part of asking for a massage was just to reward him—she knew perfectly well this was the sort of "reward" Ye Chen enjoyed most.
"Nah, my technique's still pretty average~" Ye Chen chuckled bashfully.
"Oh, by the way, Xiao Chen, I heard you joined the Tang Sect—and even became its deputy master?" Zhang Lexuan asked casually, as if remembering something.
After Beibei's duel with Ye Chen, she had investigated the cause of their dispute and found out it started when Ye Chen joined the Tang Sect.
Beibei had been a member for years, yet remained only its senior disciple.
Ye Chen, however, had joined recently and was immediately made deputy master.
That much would naturally upset Beibei.
Still, she could understand Tang Ya's reasoning.
After all, the Tang Sect had been dwindling for years—just her and Beibei, plus a newly recruited cook who specialized in grilled fish. With such a pitiful lineup, its decline was inevitable.
Tang Ya probably recognized Ye Chen's potential and offered him the deputy master position to help revitalize the sect, unintentionally triggering Beibei's jealousy.
"How's the Tang Sect doing now?" she asked, genuinely interested.
…
"It's not bad. Would you like to join, Sister?" Ye Chen grinned, seizing the chance.
"No, I belong to Shrek. It's not really suitable for me to join another sect."
Zhang Lexuan shook her head lightly, smiling. "The future of the Tang Sect should rest with you young people."
At twenty‑five, she was still youthful, but compared to Ye Chen's barely teenage age, she couldn't help feeling a small stab of melancholy.
For a woman, age was always a delicate thing to think about—somehow, she had already reached twenty‑five. Over ten years separated them.
"Sister, you're a young girl too! In my eyes, you'll always be fifteen~" Ye Chen said cheerfully.
In this world, fifteen was adulthood—the start of a girl's most dazzling years.
But truthfully, Ye Chen preferred someone like Zhang Lexuan—her maturity carried a charm that youth never could.
Still, compliments had to sound young—women loved to hear them.
"Pfft~ You've got quite the silver tongue for someone your age. Who taught you to flirt like that?" she giggled, her laughter soft and musical.
Then, teasingly, she lifted her foot and brushed its tip against the tip of his nose.
His flattery was over‑the‑top, but it pleased her all the same, filling her heart with warmth.
"I'm just telling the truth~" Ye Chen grinned, playfully rubbing her slender foot with his hand.
"Hmph~"
Flushing faintly, Zhang Lexuan quickly pulled her foot back. "Anyway, let's talk about Tang Sect another day. I'm still the senior sister of the Inner Court, and my duties here come first. Once I train a successor, maybe I'll consider joining."
If Ye Chen had been Tang Sect's master, she'd have agreed on the spot.
But currently, he was just deputy master, and the actual leader was Tang Ya—Beibei's woman. Naturally, Zhang Lexuan had no intention of joining yet.
Still, if the sect truly faced trouble someday, she would never refuse Ye Chen's request for help.
"Mm~ Sister, you're the best. I'll save a deputy master position for you in advance," Ye Chen said with a grin.
"What—Deputy Master? I haven't even agreed to join!" She rolled her eyes helplessly.
She'd only said she'd consider it—how did that become an official acceptance?
"You'll join eventually anyway~" Ye Chen said shamelessly.
He wasn't simply teasing; he genuinely intended to keep that seat open for her.
Her talents aside, her leadership ability was incomparable.
Most of the Inner Court's management fell to her. Mu En and Elder Xuan rarely interfered, leaving Zhang Lexuan to handle almost everything herself—her skills spoke for themselves.
If someone like her joined, it would be an enormous boost for the Tang Sect.
"You little brat…"
Zhang Lexuan huffed playfully, stomping her foot lightly on his stomach—but didn't argue further. Her reaction said enough—it wasn't a refusal.
Ye Chen, wincing slightly, wisely kept quiet.
Zhang Lexuan closed her eyes, resting lazily in her chair again while he continued his massage diligently.
Taking advantage of her apparent nap, Ye Chen allowed himself a quick glance.
She reclined gracefully in the sunlight, her fitted black dress hugging her curves. The short hemline was trimmed with lace and clung to her slender waist and hips.
Sheer black stockings shimmered like silk, the straps from her garter disappearing under the skirt's edge where lace met pale skin.
Her thighs weren't as voluptuous as Ma Xiaotao's, but their smooth shape was mesmerizing, the fair skin glowing beneath the light.
As she shifted slightly, the dress rode up higher, and between her crossed legs, a faint edge of lace peeked out.
"Mm…"
Zhang Lexuan may have had her eyes closed, but a Soul Douluo's senses were sharp—she could tell exactly where his eyes were wandering.
She turned slightly, pressing her legs tightly together, cutting off his view completely.
Ye Chen froze.
"Seriously? Even a gentleman is being defended against…" he thought helplessly, forcing himself to look away and continue the foot massage earnestly.
Moments later, her breathing evened out, light and steady.
He sensed she had truly fallen asleep. The legs that had tensed earlier relaxed once more.
Carefully, Ye Chen set her foot down and rose quietly to his feet.
If it had been Ma Xiaotao deliberately teasing him like this, he would've—well, acted very differently.
But with Zhang Lexuan, he didn't dare.
She was too proper, too composed—even asleep, she radiated a kind of grace that made it impossible to treat her disrespectfully.
And beyond that, he couldn't afford to let their relationship grow too intimate just yet.
He'd already offended Beibei once because of Tang Ya.
If something similar happened with Zhang Lexuan, it would not only damage his reputation but put her in an awkward position as well.
For now, their bond could remain pure—a dutiful "sister and brother" relationship.
With silent steps, Ye Chen slipped out of her courtyard, careful not to wake her.
(END CHAPTER)
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