Chapter 145: Zhang Lexuan — If You Want to Touch, Then Touch. Why Be Shy?
The next morning.
Ye Chen awoke feeling refreshed.
After pulling Ning Tian and Wu Feng into the shower with him, he escorted them back to the academy.
Today was Shrek's award and class assignment ceremony.
Ye Chen didn't really care; he watched briefly, then left.
What did catch his attention, however, was that the old hag Zhou Yi had been reassigned to Class Two…
Mu Jin and the senior teacher Wang Yan were now the homeroom instructors for the elite Class One.
It made sense, though—Mu Jin had produced a student guaranteed entry into the inner court. By Shrek's standards, that kind of result basically earned an automatic promotion.
Of course, part of it was also punishment for Zhou Yi's habit of expelling students without reason.
Shrek's teachers were strict by nature, but Zhou Yi was something else entirely—arrogant, unreasonable, and dictatorial.
She treated her classroom like her own kingdom, tolerating no dissent.
If she'd been fair, no one would've complained—but she ruled by whim.
In the original timeline, Zhou Yi had once thrown a student out of class—literally—for reacting half a second slow.
It wasn't discipline; it was petty revenge and public humiliation.
Throwing someone out of class for stepping in with the wrong foot? It was no different.
Good thing Huo Yuhao had known when to bow his head back then, or it would've been another "thirty years east of the river" moment.
…
Back in the present, Ye Chen's studies settled into a steady rhythm.
He, however, skipped classes and used Teleportation to enter the inner court—straight to Zhang Lexuan's courtyard.
He didn't bother hiding his aura. The moment he arrived, Zhang Lexuan sensed it and hurried to greet him.
"Xiao Chen, you're here~"
She opened her door and beamed at him warmly.
They had already planned their trip in advance, so she had changed into casual clothing.
She wore a fitted white top that outlined her generous curves beneath a loose jacket, and short, tight-fitting denim shorts that revealed a smooth expanse of long, pale legs.
No stockings this time—but her bare skin gleamed dazzlingly in the morning light.
Ye Chen couldn't help staring. A moment later, he had the strange urge to reach out and brush against them.
He hesitated for a second, forcing himself to restrain the thought.
"Why hold back? If you want to touch, then touch. What's there to be shy about?"
Zhang Lexuan caught his expression immediately, laughing softly.
Then—raising an eyebrow—she lifted one long jade-white leg and rested it on his shoulder, rubbing his cheek playfully with her cool, delicate thigh. Her gaze was sweet and tender, her smile full of affection.
Between her and Ye Chen, they'd practically done everything but cross the final line. Touching her legs was nothing—it only mattered that he liked it.
"You really are the best, Sister~"
Ye Chen grinned and nuzzled her thigh teasingly before rising to kiss her cheek.
Zhang Lexuan was simply too good to him. Who wouldn't adore such a caring, beautiful older woman?
Still… the image of Ma Xiaotao flashed in his mind.
She had once been that gentle too. But after that night, she changed—her fiery nature consumed by something primal.
It wasn't that he minded her affection; it was just… different.
He hoped Zhang Lexuan wouldn't end up like that.
Of course, he didn't blame Ma Xiaotao either. Her demonic phoenix flames had warped her control—it wasn't her fault.
After advancing to Soul Emperor, he planned to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and collect some immortal herbs, starting with one that could completely purge Ma Xiaotao's evil fire.
…
"Alright. It's still early—we should get going. The Extreme North is far, and the journey will take some time," Zhang Lexuan said, lowering her leg and gently ruffling his hair.
Her eyes shimmered with anticipation.
Though the trip's purpose was to help Ye Chen obtain his sixth soul ring, she couldn't help seeing it as a private getaway—a two-person date.
Her heart fluttered at the thought. For the first time, she'd be traveling alone with someone she truly liked.
Maybe… something might happen.
Her rational mind told her this was wrong—Ye Chen was still so young—but her emotions silently overruled every objection.
Each time she reminded herself, "Don't go too far," her resolve melted the moment he smiled.
He never crossed her boundaries—never pushed. When she declined, he stopped immediately.
That made her love him even more.
And yet, it also frustrated her.
She was a woman, after all—and his restraint made it impossible for her to bridge that final gap.
What was she supposed to do? Ask him herself? How embarrassing would that be…
"Then I'll be counting on you, Sister~" Ye Chen said with a grin.
He noticed the strange glimmer in her gaze but dismissed it quickly. How could he know what she was really thinking?
…
The two soon left Shrek City behind.
Zhang Lexuan took out two flight-type soul tools and handed one over. "Here, this will get us there faster. You should know how to operate it, right?"
"Sister, that model's ancient. Use mine instead."
Ye Chen smiled and conjured his custom-built flying craft.
It looked more like a lightweight aircraft—five meters long, sleek and metallic. Despite its size, the advanced materials made it lighter than even standard versions.
He had built it himself for post-Soul Emperor use.
Technically a level-five flying soul tool, it could easily be upgraded to level six with a simple core-array swap.
"What a magnificent soul tool! You made this yourself? I've never seen one like it," Zhang Lexuan said in awe. Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Of course. It's just a level-five tool, though. If you want one, I'll make one for you later," Ye Chen replied with a grin.
Building such a craft took tremendous time and energy, but for Zhang Lexuan, he'd gladly do it.
"No need. For me, a level-five soul tool isn't that useful—don't waste your effort."
She shook her head softly, smiling.
Even if she declined, knowing he was capable of forging such wonders filled her with pride—and disbelief.
At his age, already a level-five soul engineer…
Perhaps one day, Ye Chen would really become Shrek Academy's first level-nine soul engineer in history.
Her thoughts began to drift, imagination running wild.
By the time she followed him up into the sleek craft's cockpit, her cheeks were faintly flushed.
Then she noticed the cabin only had a single seat.
She froze for a second—then realized what that meant.
Ye Chen's "cockpit"… seemed suspiciously intimate.
(END CHAPTER)
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