In that instant, an instinctive urge to kneel in worship surged through the boy’s mind.
Jiang Lingxue before him suddenly seemed impossibly distant. Her scarlet eyes gleamed like the moon in the night sky—elegant and pristine. The impulse to kneel felt almost primal, etched into his very blood. He snapped one of his fingers, the sharp pain jolting him back to some semblance of clarity. Step by step, he advanced toward Jiang Lingxue, his gaze growing icier by the moment. “I’ll have my subordinates repay you properly… you bitch.”
Jiang Lingxue lazily crossed her legs beneath her skirt, watching him draw nearer. Yet her eyes held only languid indifference, without a trace of fear.
Lin Cheng rose to his feet and positioned himself in front of Jiang Lingxue. A surge of deep blue filled his eyes. The boy had already reached him. Though the finger he’d broken earlier had fully mended, Lin Cheng’s gaze remained utterly calm—a fact that baffled the boy. But in that moment, rage consumed his mind, and his first thought was to tear the man before him to shreds.
Yet just then, another man emerged from the shadows.
The newcomer had a refined face, framed by glasses, with strikingly green hair. He narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke softly. “A Sheng, come back.”
At the call, the boy—A Sheng—turned his head, his eyes burning with reluctance. Green Hair merely smiled, his tone firming. “I’m telling you to come back for your own good.”
Three seconds later, A Sheng grudgingly retreated to Green Hair’s side.
Green Hair turned his gaze to Lin Cheng and chuckled lightly. “Buddy, we sure do have some fate connecting us.”
“A bit, yeah.” Lin Cheng met his eyes steadily, speaking plainly. “What’s the deal between the Abyss Walkers and Tian Yuan?”
“Just a pack of little dogs she’s raising.”
Green Hair was significantly taller than A Sheng. He reached out and ruffled A Sheng’s hair, only to suddenly deliver a harsh slap across the boy’s mouth. A flicker of resentment flashed in A Sheng’s eyes, but he made no move.
“Our leader only recently learned Litchi’s true identity. They were friends once… Allow me to pass on her regards on her behalf. This whole thing was just a misunderstanding. West City is yours. And if she wants, we can help her take North City too.”
“No need. Just stay out of trouble.”
“Got it.” Green Hair nodded lightly. “Mind leaving a contact? I’d like to chat with Lemon from your group about some alchemy technology—maybe share notes on alchemical techniques.”
“Lemon probably wouldn’t give a half-baked guy like you the time of day.” Lin Cheng gave a helpless smile.
It was the plain truth, but a shadow of displeasure crossed Green Hair’s face before he masked it with a soft laugh. “That’s a shame, then.”
Lin Cheng stood. “Well, we’re off?”
“Take care.” Green Hair replied softly.
Lin Cheng glanced at Lu Xiaoxiao. She snapped out of her daze and rose, joining him as they headed out. Jiang Lingxue stood calmly and followed. The three entered the elevator together. Lu Xiaoxiao had a thousand questions but didn’t know where to start.
“You know that green-haired guy?”
“He was behind the prison break last time. Shared a cell with me, as it happened.”
“Then what did he mean about his leader sending regards to Litchi? Who’s Litchi…?”
Lin Cheng gently pressed a finger to her lips. “That’s our organization’s business. Can’t spill on another group.”
“Fair enough.” Lu Xiaoxiao nodded lightly and fell silent. As the elevator descended, her gaze shifted to Jiang Lingxue on the other side. Something felt off. Jiang Lingxue hadn’t said a word to Lin Cheng the whole time.
Yet both remained quiet, as if locked in some silent contest. The elevator reached the ground floor. Lin Cheng’s motorcycle waited below—but it only seated one passenger.
Tonight’s moon shone bright and clear.
A gentle breeze lifted the hem of Jiang Lingxue’s skirt, revealing slender, perfectly proportioned ankles. Her eyes finally settled on Lin Cheng, and she spoke her first words to him.
“And this is…?” She shifted her gaze to Lu Xiaoxiao.
“Lu Xiaoxiao, an A-Rank Adjudicator with the Alliance,” Lin Cheng answered softly. Jiang Lingxue murmured an acknowledgment. “Friends?”
“Yeah.”
“Ordinary friends?” Jiang Lingxue pressed coolly.
She clearly remembered that day at the bar, Lin Cheng chatting with Lu Xiaoxiao at the table. She remembered him closing his eyes as Lu Xiaoxiao leaned in for a light kiss on his lips. In that moment, a faint twinge had gripped her heart—a strange ache pulsing through her veins.
Lu Xiaoxiao listened to the questioning, suddenly eager for Lin Cheng’s reply herself.
So what are we, exactly? Ordinary friends? Good friends? Something more? Even she wasn’t sure.
“Uh… yeah, really good friends, anyway.” Lin Cheng’s answer was just what she’d expected. But Jiang Lingxue’s next words were, “I remember Litchi mentioning you took her home that day.”
“Yeah.”
“Anything happen?” Jiang Lingxue pursued calmly.
Lu Xiaoxiao felt this exchange somehow involved her, yet she was utterly sidelined and at a loss. Lin Cheng hesitated before replying, “Why do you ask?”
“Not denying it straight out means you did.” Jiang Lingxue tucked a wind-tossed strand of hair behind her ear. “You slept with another woman.”
Her eyes bored into Lin Cheng, awaiting his admission. Lu Xiaoxiao stood right beside him; there was no room for lies, nor any point. “Yeah.”
“Slept together, but just good friends?” Jiang Lingxue pressed on, a hint of bewilderment in her gaze.
…This venomous woman!
Lin Cheng’s words failed him momentarily. He had no idea how to respond—because this wasn’t a question for him. It was a sly humiliation aimed at Lu Xiaoxiao. Such a cool, calculated slut-shame.
A strange discomfort stirred in Lu Xiaoxiao’s chest.
Jiang Lingxue had neatly insulted them both—perhaps with a touch of self-mockery too.
She’d always been quiet at home in the past, but her tongue was sharp as a blade.
She didn’t wait for Lin Cheng’s reply and continued evenly, “I thought you two were dating.”
Another cutting blow.
Lu Xiaoxiao’s unease deepened.
“If we ever start dating, I’ll let you know.” Lin Cheng drew a quiet breath.
“What’s that got to do with me?” Jiang Lingxue glanced sidelong at him coolly.
She always knew how to send Lin Cheng’s temper skyrocketing with just a few words. In the old days, he’d have stripped her bare, spanked her hard until her pale cheeks were covered in red marks, and she tearfully begged him with those watery eyes.
“True, it’s not…” Lin Cheng’s words trailed off midway.
It was all just mutual torment, after all.
He looked into Jiang Lingxue’s eyes. They were always so serene, hiding every emotion. Sometimes, he couldn’t even guess what she was thinking. It was baffling—whenever she pissed him off this badly, he just wanted to see her reduced to tears.
“Got time for team building in a couple days?” Lin Cheng changed the subject.
“Litchi didn’t invite me,” Jiang Lingxue replied indifferently. “So why ask?”
…You’re the one who doesn’t want to see me, so you kept her from inviting me, right?
That was the unspoken subtext.
“Nah, maybe she figured you were busy. If you’re free, come hang out? I can introduce you to a new friend.”
“A new friend?”
“Yeah, a recent addition to our group.”
“Sure.” Jiang Lingxue nodded faintly, her gaze sliding away from his face. “You won’t drive me home?”
“My motorcycle only fits one… Taxi?”
“Fine.”
Jiang Lingxue turned and walked away. The wind toyed with her black skirt and sent her fiery red hair swaying with each step. Her figure faded into the distant darkness, passersby seemingly oblivious to her presence.
“Weird…” Lu Xiaoxiao murmured, noticing something amiss.
Jiang Lingxue was a superstar with massive fame, yet people passed her by without a glance. Lin Cheng quickly explained. “One of her abilities lowers her presence—makes folks subconsciously ignore her.”
“Oh, got it…” Lu Xiaoxiao nodded, then looked up at him, her eyes dark and probing. “So, what’s your deal with her?”
Lin Cheng thought seriously for a moment. “No idea.”
“Slept together?”
“Yeah. Lived together for a year, back in the day.”
“So, ex-girlfriend?”
“Nah, we never dated.”
Lin Cheng suddenly felt drained. He turned to Lu Xiaoxiao. “Can you give me a hug?”
“Why all of a sudden…?”
“No clue. Just feeling down.”
“But… feeling down over one woman, then seeking a hug from another? Isn’t that a bit much?” Lu Xiaoxiao bit her lip, staring at him unblinkingly.
“You’ve got a point.” Lin Cheng gave a wry smile and shrugged. “Hop on. I’ll take you home.”
Lu Xiaoxiao followed him, settling on the back seat. She wrapped her arms lightly around his waist and rested her cheek against his back. Lin Cheng rode carefully. Half an hour later, he dropped her at her villa. She dismounted. In the darkness, the girl’s eyes gazed at him earnestly. Softly, she said, “Next time, if you get the chance… tell me her story?”
“Sure.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Lin Cheng rode off. Half an hour later, he pulled up and knocked gently on a door. It opened promptly to reveal Xu Wanyue in a spaghetti-strap nightgown. Before she could speak, Lin Cheng stepped close and pulled her into a gentle embrace.
Xu Wanyue froze for a moment, then slowly wrapped her arms around him. She patted his back softly, her voice tender. “What’s wrong?”
“Feeling down. Need a hug.”
“Alright, alright. Big Sis has got you.” Xu Wanyue let out a helpless chuckle.
