Ye Lingling's Helplessness, A Manipulated Fate

Ye Lingling's fingers tightened on her dress.

She slowly put her clothes back on.

Her movements were light, yet carried a certain stubbornness.

Yu Xiaolong heard the rustling of fabric stop.

Only then did he turn around.

Ye Lingling stood in the candlelight.

Her dress was neat again.

But her eyes were red.

Watery light flowed in those clear, cold eyes.

"Sit down."

Yu Xiaolong pointed to a chair.

Ye Lingling hesitated, then sat down as instructed.

Yu Xiaolong sat down opposite her.

"I understand your grandfather's intentions."

His voice was calm.

"But you are a person, not a bargaining chip."

Ye Lingling's eyelashes trembled.

She looked up at Yu Xiaolong.

In her eyes, there was surprise and confusion.

And a trace of imperceptible gratitude.

Yu Xiaolong looked at her.

This young girl, outwardly as cold as ice.

But he could see the fire within her heart.

"You have your own thoughts."

"Don't you?"

Yu Xiaolong looked directly into her eyes.

Ye Lingling was silent for a long time.

Then, she nodded gently.

"I don't like being arranged."

Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally firm.

Yu Xiaolong smiled.

"Then live according to your own wishes."

"In this world, no one can force you to do what you don't want to do."

Ye Lingling looked at his smile.

Moonlight streamed in from the window.

A change came over the young girl's gaze.

She stood up and bowed deeply to Yu Xiaolong.

Then she turned and left.

Her footsteps were still light, but now carried a new firmness.

Yu Xiaolong watched her retreating figure.

The purple skirt disappeared into the night.

He closed the door and sat back on the bed.

Outside the window, the begonia flowers swayed gently in the moonlight.

Yu Xiaolong closed his eyes.

The gains from today needed to be properly digested.

Not just the increase in soul power.

But also a greater understanding of this world.

Ye Lingling walked back to her room.

She stood by the window, looking at the night sky.

The moonlight was very bright tonight.

Her fingers pressed against her chest.

Her heart was beating fast.

What was this feeling?

She could not say.

But it seemed as if something had changed.

A faint arc appeared at the corners of the young girl's mouth.

Was that a smile?

Even she was not sure.

The night breeze blew through the manor.

Begonia petals drifted down gently.

This night was destined to be sleepless for some.

Yu Xiaolong stood frozen in place.

He looked at Ye Lingling's exposed shoulders.

Under the candlelight, the girl's skin was blindingly white.

Her collarbones were exquisite, like the wings of a butterfly.

Her chest rose and fell slightly, the curve faintly visible beneath the fabric of her clothes.

Beneath the purple hem of her skirt, her legs were straight and slender.

Her hips were firm and lifted, stretching the curve of the skirt.

Yu Xiaolong snapped back to his senses.

He stepped forward quickly and grabbed the coat that had slipped off.

His movements were swift, tinged with a hint of panic.

Yu Xiaolong draped the garment back over her shoulders.

His fingers inadvertently brushed against her skin.

It was cool and smooth, like fine silk.

Yu Xiaolong's heart skipped a beat.

He forced himself to steady his breathing and gripped the lapels with both hands.

He pulled them together.

He covered her exposed shoulders and collarbones completely.

Ye Lingling was stunned.

She raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

Those cold, clear eyes were now veiled in mist.

"What are you doing?"

Yu Xiaolong's voice was low, carrying a trace of annoyance.

Ye Lingling's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Her lips parted, but no sound emerged.

Yu Xiaolong let go and took a step back.

He took a deep breath and turned around.

"Put your clothes on properly."

His tone allowed for no questioning.

Ye Lingling's fingers froze in mid-air.

She lowered her head and slowly tied her sash.

Her movements were light and slow.

It was as if she were trying to hide something.

Yu Xiaolong stood with his back to her, listening to the rustle of fabric.

The room was deathly quiet.

There was only the occasional crackle of the candle flame.

"Benefactor..."

Ye Lingling's voice rang out.

It remained cold, yet carried a hint of a tremor.

"Do you... dislike me?"

Yu Xiaolong turned around.

He saw Ye Lingling with her head bowed.

The young girl's fingers were tightly clutching the hem of her skirt.

Her fingertips had turned white from the force.

"I know, my temperament is cold."

Ye Lingling's voice was very soft.

"I am not likable."

"I don't know how to smile, and I don't know how to talk."

"I'm like a block of wood."

She raised her head and looked at Yu Xiaolong.

Her eyes were slightly red, but no tears fell.

"Grandfather told me to serve you."

"I thought... I could at least do something."

"To repay you for saving my life."

"But..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter.

"You find me repulsive too."

Yu Xiaolong looked at her.

The young girl stood where she was, like a begonia flower bent by the wind.

Cold, lonely.

Yet stubbornly refusing to fall.

He suddenly felt a pang of heartache.

Yu Xiaolong sighed.

He walked up to Ye Lingling and looked at her.

"I do not find you repulsive."

His voice was very earnest.

Ye Lingling looked up, doubt still lingering in her eyes.

Yu Xiaolong gave a wry smile.

"Miss Ye, how old are you?"

"Sixteen? Seventeen?"

"If I were to take advantage of someone in a vulnerable state, what kind of man would I be?"

Ye Lingling pursed her lips.

"I accept your intentions."

"But it is not worth doing it this way."

Yu Xiaolong looked at her.

"If you truly want to show gratitude..."

He paused for a moment.

"Then become my disciple."

Ye Lingling was stunned.

Her eyes widened slightly.

This sentence was completely beyond her expectations.

Become a disciple?

She had thought of countless possibilities.

But this was the only one she hadn't considered.

"Become a disciple?"

Ye Lingling repeated softly.

Her voice was filled with confusion.

Yu Xiaolong nodded.

"That's right, become my disciple."

Ye Lingling fell silent for a moment.

Her gaze grew complex.

"Does Benefactor know why Grandfather sent me here?"

Yu Xiaolong did not respond.

Ye Lingling took a deep breath.

"Because my marriage has already been decided."

Her voice was as calm as still water.

"The Imperial Family intends to betroth me to the Fourth Prince."

"That... wastrel."

When she spoke the final two words, her tone finally fluctuated.

Disgust, unwillingness, and a deep sense of helplessness.

"I have never met him."

"But the entire Heaven Dou Imperial City knows."

"The Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, is ignorant and incompetent."

"He spends his days chasing women and bullying the weak."

Ye Lingling's fingers clenched tight once more.

"I do not want to marry him."

"That is why Grandfather sent me to find you."

"If... if I were to become your woman."

"Perhaps this marriage could be called off."

She looked at Yu Xiaolong, her eyes filled with self-mockery.

"This is my fate."

"A chess piece, manipulated by others."

"Benefactor asked me to take you as my master..."

"Taking a master, what could that possibly change?"

Yu Xiaolong listened, but did not answer immediately.

He looked at Ye Lingling.

The young girl stood under the candlelight, stubborn yet helpless.

"You are wrong."

Yu Xiaolong spoke slowly.

Ye Lingling raised her head.

"Your Martial Soul, the Seven Heart Begonia."

"Purely support-type."

"You believe you can only be protected."

"Only be arranged."

"But what if I had a way?"

"To make you more than just support."

"To grant you the power to fight."

"Do you... want it?"