Chapter 28: Jealousy
"She was taken on my watch. It was my duty to bring her back."
"Duty?" Lin Yueyao repeated softly. "Brother Bai, we both know you’re the Star Alliance War God. Tracking down Si Jin might be your duty, but it certainly doesn’t include personally escorting a civilian home. It would be absurd if you had to handle even matters like this yourself."
Bai Ye’s gaze sharpened, and his voice dropped. "How do you know it was Si Jin?"
He had ordered the information sealed. Even when he notified the Lin Family about the incident with Yun Sheng, he never mentioned that name.
Lin Yueyao’s expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. "I was worried when Yun Sheng went to the Tower," she said, a hint of self-reproach in her voice. "She’s... different, after all. I was afraid she might not know the rules and get into trouble, so I asked an upperclassman who works there to keep an eye on her. It was thoughtless of me to use a personal connection, but that has nothing to do with the question I just asked."
She quickly steered the conversation back, her eyes locked on Bai Ye.
"Brother Bai, ’duty’ is just an excuse to brush me off, isn’t it?
I also know that Director Cui had Yun Sheng join the Preparatory Guide Auxiliary Program. With her weak guide hormones and no spiritual body, she never should have qualified. That was on your orders too, wasn’t it?"
Bai Ye’s brow finally furrowed.
He was well aware of Lin Yueyao’s shrewdness and schemes, but for her to use this near-interrogative tone to lay bare matters she had no business prying into—she had crossed a line.
"Yue Yao, you shouldn’t be using personal connections to pry into the Tower’s internal affairs. That’s a violation. As for Director Cui’s decision, I don’t interfere with the Tower’s operations. He has his own reasons."
His voice turned cold, carrying a clear warning.
"I don’t want to hear this again. And you will not engage in any more violations."
With that, Bai Ye said no more and turned to leave.
"Brother Bai!"
A sudden panic gripped Lin Yueyao’s heart, and the composure she had maintained for so long finally cracked.
She instinctively stepped forward, reaching out to embrace him from behind. A rare urgency and a hint of hurt crept into her voice.
"You’ve never spoken to me in that tone before! And for her, of all people? What about us...?"
But it was as if Bai Ye had eyes in the back of his head. The instant before she could touch him, he shifted his weight and took half a step to the side, causing her to embrace nothing but air.
He didn’t even turn around, leaving her with only the sight of his tall, distant back.
"It’s late. Go get some rest."
The hovercar’s engine started soundlessly and slid swiftly into the night, leaving Lin Yueyao standing alone.
She stared in the direction the car had vanished, all traces of gentleness and grace finally gone from her face. All that remained was a dark expression and the sting of being utterly ignored.
...
「The next morning, in the Lin Family’s dining room」
An exquisite breakfast was laid out on the long table. Yun Sheng sat near one end, eating silently with her head down, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
Noticing the faint dark circles under her eyes, Su Wan’s heart ached for her as she ladled a bowl of bird’s nest soup.
"Shengsheng, you didn’t sleep well last night, did you? Here, eat some more."
"Thank you, Madam," Yun Sheng said in a low, still-hoarse voice.
Just then, Lin Yueyao, who was sitting across from her, leisurely set down her knife and fork. She dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin before turning her gaze to Yun Sheng.
"Yun Sheng, before Brother Bai left last night, he mentioned that you’ll be going to the Tower for the Preparatory Guide Auxiliary Program soon?"
Yun Sheng’s fingers, which were wrapped around her spoon, paused.
’Bai Ye... actually told Lin Yueyao about this?’
A flicker of wariness went through her.
’Lin Yueyao bringing this up at the dinner table now... She must be up to no good.’
Before Yun Sheng could reply, Lin Yueyao continued in that same, painstakingly considerate tone, "I have a very good friend who also happens to be in the program. She’s a C-level Guide with solid abilities and a wonderful personality. I’ve already spoken with her. She’ll look out for you at the Tower, so if there’s anything you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask."
Before Yun Sheng could say a word, Lin Hao, sitting beside his sister, let out a sneer.
"Preparatory Guide Auxiliary Program?"
He set down his cup, his gaze falling on Yun Sheng, full of derision.
"Sis, are you sure you’re not mistaken? Her? A defective piece of trash without even a spiritual body? What kind of guide is that? And she’s qualified for a formal Tower training program?
Since when are the Tower’s standards so low? Some people really don’t know their own limits. Do you really think changing venues will change the fact that you’re useless?"
Lin Hao’s words were sharp and cruel, deliberately aimed at Yun Sheng’s most vulnerable point.
Su Wan’s expression changed. "Xiao Hao, what a thing to say!" she chided.
Lin Zhenye also frowned. "Lin Hao, watch your tongue."
Lin Yueyao quickly interjected to smooth things over. "Xiao Hao, don’t be ridiculous. If Yun Sheng was accepted, it means the Tower recognizes her potential. We should be supporting her."
Yun Sheng slowly lifted her head, her clear eyes calmly meeting Lin Hao’s.
Her gaze held none of the humiliation or anger he had expected. Instead, it was as placid as a deep pool, which, for some reason, made him feel a little unsettled.
"The Tower granted me this qualification. Director Cui Mingyuan informed me of it himself. Lin Hao, if you object to the decision, I can contact Director Cui right now and relay your concerns."
At her words, Lin Hao’s face flushed crimson.
Cui Mingyuan held a special position at the Tower; even his own father had to show the man some deference. How would he, a recently awakened Sentinel, dare to question him?
"You..."
He was tongue-tied, unable to find the words to retort. He could only glare at Yun Sheng and choke out,
"Stop using Director Cui’s name to throw your weight around!"
"Enough!" Lin Zhenye cut in, his voice grave. He shot a stern glare at Lin Hao. "Matters concerning the Tower are not for you to comment on. Eat your food!"
Seeing her chance, Yun Sheng quit while she was ahead. She lowered her gaze again and said softly, "I’m finished. Please enjoy your meal."
With that, she rose and left the dining room.
She didn’t go back to her room. She needed to walk off the frustration she’d been suppressing.
She headed straight for the foyer, intending to go out for some fresh air. She could also buy some personal necessities to prepare for her upcoming training at the Tower.
She had just finished changing into her shoes and hadn’t even stepped out the door when a figure darted out from the side, blocking her path.
It was Lin Hao.
He clearly hadn’t cooled off yet. With his arms crossed, he looked down at Yun Sheng condescendingly.
"Hey, you had a lot to say at the table, didn’t you? Trying to scare me with Director Cui? I’m warning you, don’t go around embarrassing the Lin Family. When you make a fool of yourself in that stupid program, don’t you dare drag my sister and our family’s name down with you!"
Lin Hao’s voice wasn’t quiet. Several servants who were cleaning stole a glance in their direction before quickly looking down again.
Yun Sheng looked up at him.
This time, even the calm facade from earlier had vanished from her eyes, leaving only utter indifference.
"Are you finished? If so, get out of my way. I’m going out."