Chapter 56: The Vinegar Jar Is Tipping Over
Zhou Lin’s words were like a stone tossed into a lake, sending ripples through the silent living room.
Lin Yueyao lifted her gaze to Bai Ye, her eyes holding a hint of suppressed grievance and expectation, as if waiting for him to deny or clarify.
But Bai Ye’s expression didn’t change at all; he still wore that same hard, icy look.
He looked at Zhou Lin, his gaze profound, as if it could pierce through the other man’s seemingly gentle and polite facade to the true intentions hidden beneath.
"My duty is to maintain the security and order of the Star Alliance. This has nothing to do with my private life. As for distance, when an investigation is involved, there is no such thing as an ’appropriate distance.’"
"Zhou Lin, if you object to my methods, you can report it through the proper channels to the military or the Tower’s supervisory department."
The smile on Zhou Lin’s face finally faded slightly, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"You speak too seriously, General. I wouldn’t dare question your work."
He put his smile back on, his tone softening, but his words carried a hidden barb.
"I’m just giving you a well-intentioned reminder, General. Idle gossip can be terrifying. Especially when it involves the two young ladies of the Lin Family, with so many eyes watching. The General acts with integrity and naturally has nothing to fear, but you should at least give some thought to Miss Yue Yao’s and Miss Yun Sheng’s reputations."
Bai Ye’s gaze turned completely cold.
"Gossip? If I were to turn a blind eye and shy away from my duties out of fear of baseless rumors, that would be a true dereliction of duty. It would also be the greatest stain on the very idea of ’reputation.’"
He took half a step forward. Even though he didn’t release any spiritual power, the awe-inspiring aura of a top-tier Sentinel and the Star Alliance War God naturally radiated from him, making one’s heart clench.
"My principles are based solely on facts, evidence, and the laws of the Star Alliance. As for how others speculate or gossip... if anyone causes them actual distress or harm because of it, the law will render judgment, and I will see it through to the end."
Just as the atmosphere fell into a subtle stalemate again, Yun Sheng suddenly spoke up. "Major General Zhou, thank you for your concern. But I think everyone is tired today. Regarding Chen Hao, I’ve already said everything I know."
"As for anything else... be it public or private matters, I’m not in the mood, nor do I have the energy to discuss it right now. If there’s nothing else urgent, I’d like to go back to my room to rest."
After speaking, she gave Su Wan a small, apologetic smile.
"Madam, I’m going to head upstairs to rest."
She turned to leave, but Zhou Lin spoke again. His tone was still gentle, but now it held a rare persistence.
"Miss Yun Sheng, please wait a moment."
Yun Sheng paused and turned back to look at him.
Zhou Lin took a step forward. "If today is inconvenient, we can talk another day. However..."
His tone shifted, and he revealed a perfectly measured look of helplessness.
"It seems I don’t have your contact information, Miss Yun Sheng. I’m not sure if you still have the business card I gave you last time. In the future, if we need to communicate about something, or if you remember any new details, we should have a way to stay in touch, shouldn’t we? Could I... add you as a contact on your optical computer?"
At the words "contact information," Bai Ye’s expression turned even colder.
He remembered that he had also sent a friend request to Yun Sheng’s optical computer before, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea—there was no response.
He hadn’t paid it much mind at the time, just assuming she was highly vigilant or didn’t often check messages from strangers.
But now, Zhou Lin had brought it up right in front of him.
And seeing Yun Sheng’s expression, which was slightly hesitant but not an outright refusal...
Sure enough, Yun Sheng only hesitated for a brief moment.
"...Alright." she replied in a low voice, opening her optical computer. "Please tell me your number, and I’ll add you."
A triumphant glint flashed in Zhou Lin’s eyes as he smoothly rattled off a string of numbers.
Yun Sheng lowered her head, her fingertips moving quickly across the optical screen.
A few seconds later, with a clear DING, the "contact added successfully" screen popped up.
"Done." She put away her optical computer, her tone flat.
The whole process took no more than a breath, but for Bai Ye, who stood on the side, the vague displeasure in his heart instantly became sharp and specific, even tinged with an indescribable sense of suffocation.
He had watched with his own eyes as Yun Sheng accepted Zhou Lin’s friend request right in front of him. But his own request... had gone unanswered, as if it had been completely ignored.
Even though reason told him it was likely just a difference in timing and method, the feeling of being deliberately ignored, or even excluded, still surged up uncontrollably, dropping like a heavy stone into the usually calm and self-possessed lake of his heart.
Zhou Lin glanced with satisfaction at the new contact on his optical computer. His smile deepened, and his tone grew even gentler.
"Thank you. I won’t disturb your rest any longer, then. We’ll be in touch."
Yun Sheng said no more. She gave Su Wan a slight nod, then turned and walked straight toward the stairs.
Zhou Lin watched her go upstairs before turning to Su Wan and the others to politely take his leave.
Finally, he looked at the stony-faced Bai Ye.
"General, I’ll take my leave first."
Bai Ye gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Zhou Lin immediately turned and departed at a leisurely pace.
Bai Ye watched his back disappear out the door. His expression, far from softening, grew sterner, his brow gradually furrowing into deep lines.
At that moment, Lin Yueyao walked over, stopping by his side to look up at him.
"Brother Bai, can we... talk for a minute?"
Bai Ye glanced down at her. "I still have official business to attend to. I have to go."
His tone was flat, showing no intention of lingering or explaining.
Lin Yueyao’s fingers, hanging at her side, clenched tightly, but she still said gently, "Alright, Brother Bai. Official business is important. I’ll see you out."
Bai Ye didn’t object and turned to walk out.
Lin Yueyao followed half a step behind him. She saw him to the door and watched his hovercar speed away and disappear from sight before the smile on her face finally faded, bit by bit.
She didn’t go back inside right away, just stood quietly at the door.
Lin Hao sidled up to her then, his face indignant.
"Sister Yue Yao, don’t you think Brother Bai is being a little too nice to that Yun Sheng girl? He’s scolded me several times because of her, not to mention he’s so cold to you. He wouldn’t even say a few more words to you just now!"
Lin Yueyao didn’t speak, just stared grimly in the direction Bai Ye had left.
Seeing she was silent, Lin Hao continued, "Sister Yue Yao, I heard Brother Qi Yao is coming back soon. Even though you’re engaged to Brother Bai, you’re an S-class Guide. You can match with multiple Sentinels anyway. Brother Qi Yao’s family background and abilities aren’t bad, and he’s totally devoted to you..."
Lin Yueyao finally turned her head and gave Lin Hao a cool glance. The look made him instinctively shut his mouth.
’Qi Yao? His family background is good, and he’s always doting on me.’
’But so what?’
’Bai Ye is the Star Alliance War God. He wields immense power, and his mother is the treasured daughter of the Yue Family, a top-tier powerhouse on the Capital Star.’
’That status and background alone are something Qi Yao could never compare to.’
’More importantly, he’s an SSS-level Sentinel!’
’If I can successfully establish a deep spiritual link with him, to achieve a complete spiritual fusion, my own spiritual power will very likely make a quantum leap. I could break through the shackles of the S-Class and reach a higher realm.’
’It might even be possible... to become a legendary SS Level or even an SSS-level guide!’
Lin Yueyao slowly raised her head and cast a deep look in the direction of Yun Sheng’s room on the second floor.
Her gaze was bone-chillingly cold, completely devoid of her usual gentleness.
’Yun Sheng...’
’You’re forcing my hand.’
’You shouldn’t have come back, and you certainly shouldn’t be trying to take what’s mine.’
’Since you insist on standing in my way, then... don’t blame me for getting rid of you with my own hands!’