In the corridor, the staff members of Star Ring Town were all busy, but their expressions made it clear that they were quite satisfied with the results of the recent battle.
Lin Yu followed behind Mu Liuli, silently observing the scene.
He had never been to Star Ring Town before. In his past life, he had entered Zenith Academy directly, and the outdoor explorations organized by the academy had not been in this area.
As they walked, the young girl in front of him suddenly stopped. Lin Yu, following closely behind, nearly collided with her.
“What is it?”
Mu Liuli turned her head and glanced at him, her expression blank. “What were you two chatting about just now?”
“Uh… what?” Lin Yu was momentarily dazed.
“Forget it, never mind. By the way, is Xia a daughter of Doctor Qin?”
“Yes,” he answered briefly, not probing further into her first question.
Although it sounded like one of the three major illusions of life, he didn’t intend to ask too many questions, regardless of whether it was true or not.
As for why Mu Liuli asked that, perhaps it was subconscious, or perhaps the moment she saw Xia Yanran protecting Lin Yu, she felt a slight pang of discomfort in her heart.
After realizing that Lin Yu didn’t seem to intend to say anything else, she also remembered the nature of their relationship. Asking such a thing did seem inappropriate, so she quickly found another excuse.
However, he seemed equally unwilling to provide more of an answer.
‘What on earth does he mean? Does he hate me?’
Mu Liuli was not originally someone who would let her thoughts wander, or rather, she had always refused to think about unnecessary things.
However, no matter how precocious she was, she was only 18 years old this year, in the most beautiful years of her life.
Lin Yu had saved the day in that manner before, then proceeded to take her first kiss without a word. To say he hadn’t left a single trace in her heart would be impossible.
She had closed the distance between them on a momentary impulse, but the moment he turned around, he acted like a total stranger again.
‘As expected… it’s so frustrating!’
Finally unable to help herself, she rolled her eyes at him, turned around, and continued walking forward.
“…”
Lin Yu’s gaze was calm, his heart unruffled. ‘I knew trouble would follow. This person… she really shouldn’t act without thinking.’
With a silent sigh, he quickened his pace to keep up.
—
Upon reaching the lower level, it was obvious that the walls here had been specially reinforced. The overall color scheme was darker, making it look like a cell block for holding prisoners.
But it made sense. Even if Xin Yao’s combat power was currently limited, she was still an Ability User. It was right to be cautious.
“This is the place. Once Doctor Qin comes out, you can go in. I’ve already spoken to the acting section chief on your behalf.”
Lin Yu looked a bit surprised. He hadn’t expected her to remember this, let alone arrange it so thoroughly.
Mu Liuli, however, turned her head away and didn’t look at him, clearly still angry about his attitude earlier.
“Cough, well… thank you.” This made Lin Yu feel a bit embarrassed.
“Hmph…” Without saying more, Mu Liuli turned and left.
Watching her figure disappear around the corner, Lin Yu leaned against the wall by the door and looked up at the overhead lights, his thoughts turning complex for a moment.
He didn’t have to wait long before the door opened from the inside.
Qin Wuyue walked out, wearing a white lab coat over a professional women’s suit.
She looked a bit surprised when she saw Lin Yu. “Xiao Yu? Why are you here?”
Lin Yu smiled and subconsciously took half a step back. “Auntie Qin, I should be asking you that. Why are you here?”
Seeing his half-step backward, Qin Wuyue’s eyes held a hint of a knowing smile.
She raised her hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her movements elegant. “What, you can come to this place, but I can’t?”
As she spoke, she deliberately took a step forward. The distance between them shortened instantly, and Lin Yu could even smell the unique fragrance clinging to her.
“I wanted to ask you as well. You went out to play without even saying hello, leaving my Yanran so bored at home that she’s about to start growing mushrooms. So, I had no choice but to bring her out for a stroll to clear her head.”
She spoke casually, as if it really were just a spontaneous mother-daughter trip, omitting any mention of the fact that she had used her connections to track their travel records and pinpoint their location.
Lin Yu’s lip twitched as he resisted the urge to keep backing away. This woman really wouldn’t give an inch.
A sliver of suspicion crossed his mind. ‘Is it really such a coincidence?’
However, he didn’t show it on his face, merely curling his lips. “Is that so? Then that really is… a coincidence.”
“Isn’t it though?” Qin Wuyue’s smile deepened as she gestured toward the door behind her. “By the way, the girl inside… Xin Yao, was it? You came specifically to see her? Have you known each other long? Your relationship seems unusual; she’s been calling your name the whole time.”
Her words sounded like she was scouting a “potential competitor” for her daughter, but if one listened closely, there was a hidden, imperceptible irritation.
Lin Yu caught it and inwardly groaned.
“Auntie Qin, what are you thinking?” He immediately shook his head. “I didn’t even know Captain Xin Yao before today. It’s likely because I was close by during the battle and her mental state is a bit muddled, so she kept repeating my name. The acting section chief asked me to come over to check on the situation.”
His explanation was logical and consistent, his tone sincere, and his gaze clear. He looked entirely like someone who was “just here to cooperate with work.”
Having finished, he immediately changed the subject. “By the way, Auntie Qin, my sister was also injured. She’s resting in the medical area right now. Yanran was over there helping out just now; why don’t you go over and take a look?”
His intention was obvious: go find your daughter and my sister and stop staring at me.
Qin Wuyue arched an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on Lin Yu’s face for two seconds, seemingly trying to find a flaw in his expression.
But the young man’s performance was impeccable, even carrying a hint of the awkwardness of someone desperate to escape a tight spot.
“Oh, Mowei is injured too? Is it serious?” Qin Wuyue followed his lead and asked, though she clearly wasn’t very interested.
She eventually withdrew her scrutinizing gaze, and the smile on her lips faded slightly.
“She’s fine.”
“Alright then. I’ll go check on Yanran and your sister first.”
She raised her hand as if to pat Lin Yu’s cheek or shoulder, but she paused halfway and simply brushed away some nonexistent dust from her lab coat.
“Make sure you come over early once you’re finished here.”
Her tone returned to its usual laziness, but Lin Yu could still feel her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she truly turned away.
“Okay, Auntie Qin. Take care.” Lin Yu bowed slightly, watching her walk toward the upper passage with a swaying, graceful gait in her high heels.
Only when her figure disappeared around the corner did he heave a heavy sigh of relief, raising a hand to rub his stiff brow.
‘This woman’s pressure is as strong as ever. So difficult to deal with…’
With that thought, he stepped into the cell.
Xin Yao was lying quietly on the bed, her eyes closed as if she were still in a deep sleep.
Lin Yu now had two choices. One was to wake her up and ask her to keep his secret.
The other… might be a bit unethical, but for the sake of his own life, he had no choice but to do it.