Chapter 87: An Unexpected Discovery

Mu Wanqing had been sleeping soundly, only to be jolted awake by a bewildering dream.

Rubbing her drowsy eyes, she glanced at her pocket watch.

It was almost time for the shift change.

After a quick adjustment of her disheveled collar, she tiptoed over to Lin Yueyao, intending to wake her for their patrol.

“Yueyao, it’s our turn to—” Before she could finish, a rustling sound echoed from nearby.

Peering through the moonlight, she saw her best friend by the bonfire, straddling Ye Xingchen’s lap in an undeniably intimate posture, her silvery-white hair cascading like a waterfall.

Their figures intertwined in the firelight, forming a single, tender silhouette.

“Yueyue… what exactly are you two…?”

Clatter!

Mu Wanqing’s magic staff clattered to the ground, the sound startling Lin Yueyao awake from her slumber, who then stared at them, utterly dumbfounded.

The magic lamp rolled across the grass, its warm yellow glow illuminating the trembling staff and, more tellingly, the suggestive silver thread connecting Su Liyue’s and Ye Xingchen’s lips.

Time seemed to freeze in that instant.

Su Liyue sprang away from Ye Xingchen in a panic, but her hasty movement caused her to stumble, nearly sending her sprawling.

Ye Xingchen, quick as a flash, instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist, a protective gesture that only served to heighten the already awkward situation.

Mu Wanqing distinctly noticed her best friend’s collar had slipped down to her shoulder, revealing a smooth expanse of pale skin.

“We… we were cultivating!” Su Liyue stammered, frantically adjusting her clothing, her voice noticeably altered.

Lin Yueyao suddenly bent down, retrieved the staff, and clapped a hand over Mu Wanqing’s mouth just as she was about to speak again:

“I get it! We totally get it! It’s… that mysterious night magic technique passed down in the academy, right?”

She let out a dry laugh, pulling Mu Wanqing backward.

“Perhaps… you two should continue, and we’ll come back later for the shift change?”

Su Liyue slowly turned her head, meeting Ye Xingchen’s equally rigid expression.

She could even distinctly feel the lingering warmth of their breaths on their lips, mingled with her own unique scent…

It was evident the two friends had quite the misunderstanding.

“Qingqing, listen to me make my case! Ah, no… I mean, explain!”

Su Liyue was so flustered she became incoherent.

“It’s not what you think!”

Ye Xingchen silently massaged his forehead, inwardly lamenting the profound awkwardness of the moment.

At this point, he truly felt as if he couldn’t clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Mu Wanqing took the magic staff from Lin Yueyao’s hand, quickly walked over to the pair, and gently tugged Su Liyue’s wrist, leading her to a secluded corner.

Meanwhile, Lin Yueyao was giving Ye Xingchen a thumbs-up, winking playfully, a smile of “truly a real man” gracing her lips.

Her expression seemed to convey, ‘You’re incredible, managing to conquer the ice-cold goddess coveted by so many boys in the academy!’

Ye Xingchen touched the tip of his nose with a wry smile.

‘Had it not been for Master’s outrageous cultivation method, how could such a blunder have occurred?’ he mused.

‘Without those absurd dual cultivation requirements, or if Mu Wanqing hadn’t arrived early for the shift, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.’

He furtively glanced at Mu Wanqing, who was whispering to Su Liyue in the corner.

He had already confided in her about his relationship with Su Liyue, so that part wasn’t too problematic.

However, the smiling Lin Yueyao before him was Chixiao’s girlfriend.

If she were to spread word of tonight’s events, wouldn’t the entire Star Dome Magic Academy know about his preposterous relationship with Su Liyue once this practical training concluded?

Thus, he quickly steeled himself and approached Lin Yueyao, lowering his voice to a whisper, “Um… Little Sister Lin, may I discuss something with you?”

Lin Yueyao displayed a cunning smile, thinking, ‘I was just wondering how to ask about your relationship with Chief Su, and now, what a stroke of luck—I’ve stumbled right into it.’

Her eyes darted quickly, and she calmly replied, “What is it? Why don’t you tell me first?”

“It’s about Yueyue… Su Liyue and me.” Ye Xingchen felt distinctly uncomfortable speaking these words.

He had cultivated for nearly a thousand years, yet he never imagined encountering such an embarrassing situation outside of the Yaochi Saintess.

To stoop to pleading with a sixteen-year-old girl, it was truly…

‘Yueyue?’ Lin Yueyao narrowed her eyes.

‘Are their endearments already so intimate? My sixth sense was right after all.

Beneath Su Liyue’s usual aloof exterior, her heart was already taken.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be sharing such a passionate, deep kiss late at night.’

Lin Yueyao’s subtle expression sent shivers down Ye Xingchen’s spine.

“How would I know anything about you and Chief Su, hmm~? I just happened to see someone holding an ice-cold beauty and kissing them, that’s all.” The young girl deliberately drew out her words, speaking mischievously.

“Uh…” That remark clearly unsettled Ye Xingchen, his thousand years of cultivation crumbling before the girl’s teasing.

He rigidly averted his gaze.

“This matter, for me, is actually fine, but you know Su Liyue is a model student at the academy.

If word gets out… it might not be good for her.”

“That’s true. An alchemy master paired with a genius goddess~”

Lin Yueyao twirled on her tiptoes, her skirt brushing against the tip of his boot.

“If this pairing becomes known, the boys will probably go wild,” she said playfully, “So…”

“So?” Ye Xingchen secretly broke into a cold sweat.

‘Does she have some condition?’

“I can keep it a secret, but you have to tell me: what exactly is your relationship with Su Liyue? I want the truth.

After all, she’s the genius goddess in the hearts of so many academy boys, and her kissing partner… it’s bound to make some people curious.”

Ye Xingchen silently sighed.

As long as she could keep her mouth shut, it would be better than anything else.

Otherwise, if his and Su Liyue’s relationship were exposed and blown out of proportion, their academy life would undoubtedly become exceedingly lively.

“Actually… she’s my fiancée.”

“Fiancée? Oh my heavens!” Lin Yueyao clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers.

This monumental piece of gossip had utterly blindsided her.

Who could have imagined that the aloof goddess, revered as a dream lover by countless boys, was actually already engaged?

Even more absurdly, her fiancé was none other than the inconspicuous “underachiever” Ye Xingchen, standing right before her?

Though she had long sensed a subtle understanding between them, fiancés?

This was far more explosive than mere lovers!

The sheer volume of information was too much for her to process all at once.

Ye Xingchen could entirely understand her shock at that moment.

After all, Su Liyue, the academy’s recognized genius beauty queen, always presented herself with an aloof demeanor.

Who would have thought her heart was already taken, and by him, the “underachiever” alchemy fanatic?

Anyone in her shoes would likely find it difficult to calmly accept such a revelation.

“Therefore, regarding Liyue and me, I hope you can keep it a secret.”

“Of course! I’ll absolutely keep it under wraps!” Lin Yueyao nodded repeatedly.

This astounding secret was simply too explosive; she naturally understood the sensation it would cause if revealed.

Yet, her gossipy spirit couldn’t resist pressing further: “But… since you’re engaged, do you plan to marry after graduation?”

Ye Xingchen pondered for a moment, then nodded, “Yes, that’s what both families have arranged.”

“Then… will you invite Chixiao and me to your wedding?” The young girl’s eyes sparkled, her face alight with anticipation.

“That won’t be a problem,” Ye Xingchen smiled, “as long as you promise to keep this secret throughout your time at the academy.”

“It’s a deal! I’m truly looking forward to Chief Su’s wedding!” Lin Yueyao exclaimed excitedly.

‘I wonder how much betrothal gift Ye Xingchen will have to present to Su Liyue’s family to be able to marry such an outstanding young woman?’ she thought.

‘Oh, I can’t wait!’

Indeed, once girls started gossiping… there was no stopping them.