Chapter 29: Something Is Definitely Going On

“Didn’t see him?”

Lin Xiangyi frowned and instinctively asked,

“Then do you know where he went?”

‘Of course you didn’t see him, because I’m right here!’

Shen Ye sat on pins and needles, breaking out in a cold sweat over how Lin Xiaomeng might answer next.

“Master!”

“You made sure to prepare Xiao Meng beforehand, right?”

“You wouldn’t betray me, would you?”

“If I’m exposed right now, your disciple’s reputation will be completely ruined.”

“The dignified Senior Brother image I’ve worked so hard to maintain all this time is completely depending on you now!”

“Waaah…”

“How would I know? As for Senior Brother, he probably went off on another mission.”

Lin Xiaomeng spoke indifferently.

Yet that casual tone was like a lifeline, pulling Shen Ye back from the edge of a cliff.

Shen Ye finally let out a sigh of relief.

‘Thank goodness.’

‘Looks like Master explained everything properly.’

‘Xiao Meng doesn’t know anything.’

‘I’m safe now.’

Meanwhile, Lin Xiangyi fell into thought.

That made sense.

His phone call with Master had indirectly informed Senior Brother about Xiao Ye’s situation.

After hearing the news, Senior Brother had probably gotten over his worries and gone to take care of other matters.

“Phew…”

Lin Xiangyi let out a long breath.

“As long as nothing happened.”

“Oh, come on, Bro. Stop worrying about Senior Brother.”

Lin Xiaomeng suddenly cut in.

“Shouldn’t you have something much more important to deal with?”

As she spoke, she raised an eyebrow at Lin Xiangyi and frantically signaled with her eyes.

‘You’re a grown man. Don’t leave the poor girl hanging here, you idiot!’

“…”

Lin Xiangyi chose to ignore her.

He was thinking.

Should he tell her the whole truth?

After all, this matter was entirely his responsibility now and had nothing to do with Xiao Meng.

He didn’t want to drag his little sister into it.

Besides, Xiao Ye’s relationship with Senior Brother was obviously anything but ordinary.

If his stubborn little sister found out, she’d definitely make a huge fuss.

With that in mind, he slowly spoke.

“Come to think of it, it looks like you two already know each other. Do I still need to introduce you?”

“Hehe, no need. Xiao Ye and I are already good friends.”

Lin Xiaomeng beamed brightly as she looked at Shen Ye.

“Right, Sister Xiao Ye?”

“Ahaha… That’s right.”

Shen Ye scratched her cheek awkwardly.

Even with someone she’d just met, Xiao Meng was as warm and enthusiastic as ever.

‘But that enthusiasm is something I absolutely can’t handle right now!’

Lin Xiangyi looked at Shen Ye.

More precisely, he looked at the ears hidden atop her head beneath the Concealment Spell.

He let out a soft sigh.

There was no avoiding it.

It would be better to tell her sooner rather than later.

With that thought, he said,

“Xiao Meng, there’s something I need to tell you.”

‘Is it finally happening?’

Lin Xiaomeng’s eyes lit up.

“Sister Xiao Ye will be staying at our house for a while, but I wanted to get your approval first.”

“Oh, sure.”

Lin Xiaomeng tilted her head in confusion.

‘Isn’t it only natural for Senior Brother to stay at our house?’

‘Why is Brother asking for my permission?’

‘Oh right… He doesn’t know. Hehe.’

Seeing his sister agree, Lin Xiangyi finally relaxed.

He continued,

“Since we’ll all be living together for a while, there are some things I shouldn’t keep from you.”

As he spoke, he turned toward Shen Ye.

“Xiao Ye, is that okay?”

“Mhm.”

Shen Ye nodded gently.

Lin Xiangyi raised a hand toward the top of her head and circulated his Spiritual Power.

The next second, the Concealment Spell was lifted.

As if by magic.

A pair of lifelike cat ears suddenly appeared atop Shen Ye’s previously bare head.

Having been hidden from view for so long, the ears trembled shyly.

They added an adorable softness to her already cool and beautiful appearance.

Shen Ye flicked her tail onto her lap, unconsciously pinching the tip between her fingers.

She pursed her lips and summoned the courage to meet Lin Xiaomeng’s gaze.

‘Don’t be afraid, Shen Ye.’

‘Don’t be afraid.’

‘Junior Sister doesn’t know I’m her Senior Brother.’

She comforted herself.

Lin Xiaomeng was completely stunned.

She had imagined what Shen Ye might look like as a Spirit Being and thought she was mentally prepared.

But seeing someone so beautiful with such an adorable pair of cat ears…

Her defenses collapsed instantly.

‘She’s way too cute!’

‘For certain people like Xiao Chunan (definitely not talking about my brother!), this is an absolutely devastating weapon!’

‘But…’

The light in Lin Xiaomeng’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Now that Shen Ye’s identity as a Spirit Being had been confirmed, her thoughts began running wild.

This was supposed to be a moment she had been looking forward to.

So why…

‘Why can’t I smile?’

‘Senior Brother really is…’

‘A Spirit Being.’

‘Why did she keep hiding it from us?’

‘If it was just a Spirit Bloodline, couldn’t she have simply told us?’

“Weren’t we…”

“…the best Senior Brother and Junior Sister?”

Lin Xiaomeng clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

“Hey… hey.”

The clear sensation of someone nudging her arm pulled Lin Xiaomeng back to reality.

She snapped out of it and saw both of them looking at her.

“Ah? Oh… O-Oh…”

Lin Xiaomeng hurriedly put on a surprised expression.

“Wow! Sister Xiao Ye is actually a Spirit Being! Ahaha…”

She forced out an awkward laugh, her words carrying no real emotion at all.

Lin Xiangyi stared at her speechlessly.

His eyes practically said,

[“Please take this seriously, will you?”]

Lin Xiaomeng chuckled sheepishly and scratched her head.

She glanced at Shen Ye, who had already looked away.

Understanding the hint, she gave a discreet hand gesture that meant, “No problem.”

Then she smoothly changed the subject.

“So, Sister Xiao Ye, why did you come to stay with us? Are you here on vacation?”

It was an innocent question.

Lin Xiaomeng was simply curious why Grand Senior Brother, after becoming a Spirit Being, had come to her brother first.

Even though, in every way imaginable, her brother couldn’t compare to Grand Senior Brother.

Of course, she’d never dare say that out loud.

“I was injured because of a small conflict.”

Shen Ye explained calmly.

“So I asked your Senior Brother to help me find someone who could treat my injuries. That’s why I came here.”

‘Since Xiao Meng doesn’t know who I really am, I’ll just let things continue naturally.’

Shen Ye concealed the unusual nature of her injuries.

Only she and Lin Xiangyi needed to know the truth.

There was no reason to involve Junior Sister.

‘Hm?’

Lin Xiaomeng immediately noticed something suspicious.

Would her brother really let a completely unfamiliar Spirit Being stay in his house just because she happened to be Senior Brother’s friend?

Especially one this beautiful.

‘Something’s wrong.’

‘Very wrong.’

‘These two are definitely hiding something.’

‘As for their secret…’

‘Leave it to Detective Lin Xiaomeng to uncover the truth!’

Her eyes carefully observed the pair before her.

Aside from Shen Ye looking somewhat uneasy, Lin Xiangyi remained perfectly calm the entire time.

That made things difficult.

‘I’ve already hit a wall on the very first step of the investigation.’

‘Now what do I do?’

As she pondered, her eyes darted around the Living Room.

Finally, they landed on the table behind Lin Xiangyi.

Today’s purchases were sitting there in four bags of varying sizes.

Lin Xiaomeng narrowed her eyes.

‘Huh?’

‘I didn’t notice it before.’

‘Isn’t that the Clothing Store Logo from the shop I always visit?’

‘Hehe.’

‘I’ve got you two now.’

A subtle smile curled onto Lin Xiaomeng’s lips.

‘Now then…’

‘Let Detective Lin Xiaomeng tear away your disguises!’