Chapter 256: Secret Meeting with Ling Luochen
Half an hour later.
By the time Xiao Xiao finished getting ready and stepped out, gentle sounds were already coming from the dining room.
She took a deep breath, putting on her usual well-behaved expression before walking in.
As expected, Ye Yunxi had already prepared a hearty breakfast, setting steaming porridge and a few delicate side dishes on the table.
Wang Dong was already seated, happily cutting into a freshly seared steak.
"Morning, Wang Dong."
Xiao Xiao tried her best to sound calm and natural.
"Morning, Xiao Xiao."
Wang Dong looked up at her briefly, her gaze lingering on Xiao Xiao's still slightly flushed cheeks. She didn't think much of it and only muttered, "You woke up late again. Probably overslept, huh?"
"Mmh… maybe just a bit," Xiao Xiao admitted quietly, feeling a wave of relief wash over her when Wang Dong didn't notice anything unusual.
Ye Yunxi set a bowl of porridge before her and smiled warmly. "Good morning, Xiao Xiao. Did you sleep well?"
"Mhm~ thank you, Aunt Ye!"
Her voice came out slightly high-pitched from guilt, and she quickly lowered her head, pretending to blow on the hot porridge to cool it down.
Just then, Ye Chen walked in.
He had changed into fresh clothes—neat and bright as ever.
Seeing Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao at the table, he flashed a natural, easy smile. "You're both up early. Looking good today~"
His eyes lingered on Wang Dong.
"W-what are you looking at me for…"
Wang Dong immediately turned red, stuffing the rest of a half-eaten egg into her mouth, puffing her cheeks out as she chewed furiously.
After all, she'd embarrassed herself last night—drunk and acting silly right in front of both Ye Chen and Xiao Xiao. Remembering it now made her want to crawl under the table.
And that teasing look in Ye Chen's eyes—unforgivable!
"How'd you sleep?"
Ye Chen chuckled, giving her shoulder a playful squeeze.
"I'm fine now!"
Realizing he was teasing her on purpose, Wang Dong huffed angrily and stomped on his foot.
"If you can't handle your liquor next time, sit at the kids' table," Ye Chen joked.
"I'm ignoring you!"
Blushing furiously, Wang Dong grabbed her bowl and bolted out of the room.
Ye Yunxi and Xiao Xiao both burst into laughter at the scene.
The atmosphere was light and cheerful.
Across the table, Xiao Xiao quietly sipped her porridge, occasionally sneaking glances at Ye Chen—only to dart her gaze away quick enough.
She could feel his eyes sometimes lingering on her too, carrying a warmth that made her heart flutter.
Ye Yunxi eventually picked up a stack of flatbreads and went outside to deliver them to Wang Dong herself.
Soul masters ate a lot; skipping breakfast was out of the question.
Good times, however, were always short.
No matter the world, vacations never lasted long.
Even though Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao had special privileges, they still had to return to class like everyone else.
When the girls were about to leave, they looked utterly dejected, eyes misty with reluctance.
Partly, they just couldn't bear to part with Ye Chen.
Partly, they simply didn't want to go back to lessons.
Especially after such carefree days, returning to routine felt like punishment.
Still, thanks to Ye Yunxi's gentle coaxing and Ye Chen's tempting promises, the two reluctantly went back to the academy, facing the dull grind of study once more.
"They're such sweet girls, Xiao Chen. You must treat them well in the future. Don't disappoint them."
Ye Yunxi's tone turned serious.
"Don't worry, Aunt Ye. I know what I'm doing," Ye Chen said with a smile. "Whether it's them or Sister Nan Nan, I'll never let them down."
"Mm, I trust you~"
Ye Yunxi's gaze lingered on him with a glint that carried more than just fondness.
After all, Ye Chen already had many women. Adding one more… didn't seem impossible.
"No, no…" she quietly scolded herself, face reddening. "I'm Nan Nan's mother, how could I think such things…"
She quickly shook her head and pushed those strange thoughts away.
Evening.
Knock knock knock~
The sound echoed softly.
Ye Chen, sitting in the courtyard sipping tea, lifted a hand slightly—his spiritual sense moving to open the gate.
The door creaked open, revealing a familiar, graceful figure in the fading light. It was Ling Luochen, now advanced to the rank of Soul Emperor.
Ye Chen had previously sent "Wanxiang Communicators" to Ling Luochen, Ma Xiaotao, and Zhang Lexuan, allowing them to contact him directly without him needing to visit the inner courtyard personally.
Visiting too often would only invite gossip.
Clearly, Ling Luochen had dressed up tonight knowing she was meeting Ye Chen.
She wore a pale blue dress—soft as a wash of sky after rain—perfectly highlighting her fair skin.
The dress outlined her elegant, curving figure, its hem stopping just above her knees, framing her long, stunning legs.
Those legs were flawless—slender, sculpted, smooth as polished jade.
A thin layer of sheer, pearlescent stockings shimmered faintly under the light, adding a delicate allure to her beauty.
Every slight movement created a faint glow along her skin, as though her legs themselves radiated light.
Her feet were slipped into a pair of matching heels, the minimal design accentuating her elegant ankles and long lines.
Her hair was loose and silky, faintly scented with a crisp, cool fragrance; clearly, she had styled it carefully for the evening.
Standing in the growing dusk, she radiated quiet grace mixed with icy distance—yet her refined beauty warmed the night.
Ye Chen's expression filled with admiration—so much that he nearly forgot to hide it.
Setting down his cup, he rose and approached her quickly—his eyes drawn, helplessly, to the glow of her legs.
"Xiao Chen, you're unbelievable! I put effort into my makeup today, and you're just staring at my legs?!"
Ling Luochen pouted, cheeks puffed adorably as she reached out, pinching his cheek and lifting his gaze to meet hers.
"Haha~ Luochen, you look incredible today."
Ye Chen laughed cheerfully, sliding an arm around her in a warm embrace.
Resting his chin lightly on her shoulder, he inhaled near her ear before sighing in satisfaction.
"Hmph~ Now that's better."
A faint blush colored Ling Luochen's cheeks as a sly, pleased smile curved her lips. His reaction was just what she'd hoped for—sweet as honey in her heart.
But then, she felt something else.
Ye Chen's hand, which had been resting innocently at her waist, slowly slipped lower… resting gently along her thigh.
(END CHAPTER)
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