Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai

"Younger sister..."

Leng Yaozhu could not help murmuring under her breath. Her voice was so soft that only she herself could hear it. Her lips trembled slightly, and a glimmer of moisture flashed through her red eyes.

Gu Yue heard that murmur, and understanding flickered in her dark eyes. She did not press for answers or say anything more. She simply stood quietly beside Leng Yaozhu, waiting for her to emerge from her emotions.

Leng Yaozhu took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart before turning to look at Gu Yue. A smile returned to her face, but it carried a trace of apology, helplessness, and a complicated emotion Gu Yue could not understand.

"Gu Yue, I'm sorry I can't have dinner with you. There's something very important I need to do right now."

Her voice was calm and resolute, as if she had made a decision that could not be changed.

Gu Yue looked puzzled, but she did not ask. She understood Leng Yaozhu and knew her teacher was not someone who would drop the ball at a critical moment. Anything important enough to make her teacher give up dinner with her disciple had to be both urgent and significant.

"It's fine, Teacher. Go ahead. If you need any help, remember to tell me."

Her voice was gentle and considerate, her dark eyes full of concern.

Leng Yaozhu nodded seriously, gratitude flashing through her red eyes. She said nothing else and turned to chase after the direction in which that figure had disappeared. Her steps were swift, her long red hair streaming behind her, while her black uniform gleamed darkly beneath the streetlights.

Gu Yue stood where she was, watching Leng Yaozhu's retreating figure until it vanished completely into the crowd before finally withdrawing her gaze.

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