Chapter 282: Ye Chen vs. Zhang Lexuan, Beibei Catches Them
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you, Jiejie~"
Ye Chen grinned. "With me helping you, I'll definitely get you an extremely powerful hundred-thousand-year soul ring. You won't even need to bother Elder Xuan."
"Alright, I believe you," Zhang Lexuan replied with a soft laugh.
She knew perfectly well that whenever Ye Chen promised help, things usually ended with mischief involved—but she had long grown used to it and even enjoyed it. She didn't mind at all.
Besides, she truly wanted to see just how powerful Ye Chen had become.
She had just reached level 90 and formed her soul core, even possessing a hundred-thousand-year ring herself. Against a powerful beast, she could still retreat unharmed if necessary.
She couldn't spend her life relying on the old masters. It was time she took action on her own.
"Thank you for trusting me, Jiejie. I'll make sure you get the strongest soul ring possible."
"Deal~"
Zhang Lexuan giggled softly and lifted a foot, pressing it lightly onto Ye Chen's chest, twisting playfully. Her eyes shimmered with affection as she looked at him.
Before, she had regarded Ye Chen as her most beloved younger brother—her feelings full of fond sisterly affection.
But now, seeing him become so strong—stronger even than her—something in her heart shifted.
Women have always admired strength.
Ye Chen had grown into someone who could protect her, someone she could now rely upon.
The contrast filled her with warmth and a sense of security, along with a budding anticipation for what he would become next.
"Of course~"
Ye Chen chuckled, then lifted both her stocking-clad legs onto his shoulders as his body leaned in close.
"I said that when I became strong, I'd protect you. Now it's time to keep that promise~"
He lowered his head, planting a kiss on Zhang Lexuan's cheek before gazing straight into her eyes.
"Pfft… Protect me? Seems more like you're bullying me," she muttered, her face turning crimson as she turned away.
"How could I ever bear to bully you, Jiejie?"
Before she could respond, Ye Chen closed the distance and sealed her lips with his.
"Mm…"
…
…
…
Under clear daylight, amidst soft grass and the chirping of birds—time drifted on until twilight.
"You're such a mischievous little brat…"
Zhang Lexuan lay sprawled lazily on the soft lawn, exhaustion evident in every line of her body. She teasingly tapped Ye Chen's face with her foot.
Her stockings had several torn spots—clearly the work of a certain someone.
"Senior Sister, I think someone's coming," Ye Chen said suddenly, his hand still lightly holding her ankle, surprise flashing across his face.
"Someone's coming? Quick—help me up!"
At once, Zhang Lexuan's heart jumped. She grabbed at Ye Chen's arm, scrambling to get up.
In this state, if anyone saw her, she'd die of embarrassment on the spot.
"Relax, it's not another teacher—it's Beibei."
Ye Chen smiled, an odd glint in his eyes.
"What?! Beibei!!"
At that name, Zhang Lexuan sobered instantly, nearly leaping from the ground.
"Why are you so nervous?" Ye Chen bent down, catching her easily in his arms, smiling slyly.
"I—I told you before!" she sputtered. "Technically, I'm still Beibei's fiancée in name! If he sees us like this, how am I supposed to explain!?"
Zhang Lexuan was flustered enough to pinch him. Her words tripped over each other in panic.
She was a woman who valued promises deeply.
Though Beibei and Tang Ya had long become a couple, and even Elder Mu and Beibei himself had told her she no longer needed to keep that childhood betrothal, she still carried a shadow of guilt.
That was why she refused to make her relationship with Ye Chen public. Even if it meant staying hidden forever, she was content so long as they were together.
"But didn't Beibei already have someone else? What's he doing here looking for you?" Ye Chen asked curiously.
He honestly hadn't expected Beibei to show up—it was the first time he'd ever seen him come to the Inner Court looking for Zhang Lexuan.
"He obviously came to talk to me... Beibei and Tang Ya are having relationship problems, so he… Wait—Tang Ya… Tang Sect… Xiao Chen, don't tell me you and Tang Ya…?"
Understanding dawned, and Zhang Lexuan's eyes widened.
She had known about Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen, but hadn't cared much for gossip about the Outer Court.
But as memories surfaced—Ye Chen inviting her to join the Tang Sect, his duel with Beibei, his personality—it all clicked together.
And from all those scattered clues, a shocking conclusion formed.
Tang Ya… had been stolen by Ye Chen.
"I didn't—I didn't—Jiejie, you're overthinking this!" Ye Chen blurted, instinctively denying.
"Aha! So it's true! No wonder Beibei's been coming to pour his heart out to me—turns out you stole Tang Ya right out from under him!"
Zhang Lexuan's expression confirmed it completely. There was no doubt left in her mind.
Tang Ya had been swept away by Ye Chen—probably long enough ago that they might even have a child by now!
Though she had long gotten used to Ye Chen's flirtatious ways, the revelation still left her speechless.
"Ahem…"
Ye Chen coughed, quickly changing the subject. "Jiejie, Beibei will be here any moment. Let's clean this place up first."
"Yes, yes!"
Zhang Lexuan's eyes widened at the chaotic lawn. She hurriedly pushed off him and stumbled to her feet.
"Clean up the yard, quickly. I'm going to bathe!"
She barked the order, not even bothering to put her shoes on, and ran toward the house in a panic.
"…Should I tell Beibei the truth?"
Ye Chen murmured to himself as he tidied up.
With his current power, he feared no one. Even Elder Mu no longer posed a real threat—at worst, a scolding.
The old man was senile anyway, and unlikely to act rashly.
Even if Beibei tattled, Elder Mu wouldn't go too far.
But Ye Chen dismissed the thought quickly.
Elder Mu was, after all, both Zhang Lexuan's mentor and Xian Lin'er's. There was no need to stir unnecessary trouble.
And besides, Elder Mu didn't have long left to live. Ye Chen had no intention of making things difficult for an old man who'd soon be gone.
Better to let him fade peacefully.
Mu En's own life had been tragic—cuckolded by Long Xiaoyao without ever learning the truth, even helping to raise his child.
That child's descendant was Yan Shaozhe—likely the grandson born from the affair between Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui.
Shrek's history was one convoluted mess of scandal—when the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam follows.
With that lineage, Ye Chen's own tangled romantic life didn't seem that surprising at all.
(END CHAPTER)
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