Chapter 167

When Xue Lingyun stepped down from the arena, Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and Dai Yaoheng were already waiting at the passageway entrance.

Ma Xiaotao leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, the corners of her lips curved upward, her eyes carrying the knowing look of someone who had expected this all along.

Dai Yaoheng stood straight. Unlike Ma Xiaotao, he did not tease Xue Lingyun aloud. He merely nodded at him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as a touch of appreciation appeared in his eyes.

Ling Luochen stood at the very edge, her eyes lowered as her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes, lost in thought.

Xue Lingyun passed by them without stopping, merely nodding in greeting.

Ma Xiaotao did not stop him. Only after he had gone some distance did she snort. "Showing off."

Dai Yaoheng said nothing, but his gaze followed that retreating figure until it disappeared at the end of the corridor.

That evening, at the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel.

Xue Lingyun had just finished bathing, and his hair had not yet fully dried when someone knocked on his door.

He opened it to find Ling Luochen standing outside. She had changed into simple casual clothes, her hair hanging loose rather than tied up as meticulously as usual.

Her eyes first fell on the carpet, then shifted to the doorframe. Only then did she raise them to glance at Xue Lingyun before quickly looking away again.

"Need something?" Xue Lingyun asked.

Ling Luochen remained silent for several breaths.

Her lips moved twice, as if she were organizing her words. The corridor was quiet, with only indistinct voices drifting from some distant room.

"Today, I could feel the chill you released on the arena even through the Protective Barrier." She