"Eldest Young Master, don't say a word. Let's go back."
Ling Yu gritted her teeth as she supported Ye Ping. Though they looked a little disheveled, the petite girl's determination was still plain to see.
Under the gaze of the gathered youths, the two turned to leave without saying a word. Even Ye Ping forced himself to endure the pain, refusing to make a sound.
Sweat had already drenched his face.
The Xie Family's young people exchanged glances. None of them tried to stop the pair, but each wore a look of disdain.
Xie Zhu shook her head, her face dark.
"He really is a good-for-nothing. I was overthinking it."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to Ling Yu and Ye Ping.
Yet the two didn't hesitate in the slightest and kept walking.
Just then, a Black-faced Man who had been at the Training Ground suddenly burst out laughing.
"Look at that guy's ear! It's hilarious! Hahaha!"
His voice rang out, and everyone turned to look at Ye Ping's right ear.
Ye Ping had hidden his ear beneath his long hair, so no one had noticed anything wrong. But now that he was injured, his hair was disheveled, revealing his right ear.
Only half of it remained. It looked downright ridiculous.
Everyone immediately burst into laughter.
The laughter wasn't loud, but it stung more than any words could.
Ye Ping's steps faltered.
"Eldest Young Master, don't say anything! It's all right. Let's get back first. I've memorized all their faces."
Ling Yu supported Ye Ping as they continued forward, soon disappearing around the corner.
And Ye Ping's ear became the Training Ground's latest joke.
Xie Zhu sneered too. "Go back and tell the Sixth Young Master he was overthinking it."
Night fell.
In the side courtyard,
Ye