The gloom that had weighed on Ying Ming Hao and the others vanished as swiftly as though swept away by a fresh breeze, replaced by irrepressible smiles. Some were even grinning from ear to ear.
The reason was simple: not far ahead stood a stunning woman of elegant bearing, like a secluded orchid in an empty valley. She was waving at Zhao Bufan and calling loudly, "Little Fan!"
Before her voice had faded, she eagerly left her group and dashed toward Zhao Bufan with light, nimble steps.
"Senior Sister Rulan!"
Zhao Bufan was overjoyed at the sight, his body trembling slightly with excitement. He seemed like an entirely different person from his usual cold, aloof, unapproachable self.
Without hesitation, he strode forward and tightly embraced Ye Rulan as she ran into his arms.
This sudden scene left Ying Ming Hao and the others dumbfounded. Qi Qing, in particular, could not contain her curiosity and excitement. She hurried over with quick little steps, gazing up at the pair without blinking and letting out a string of exclamations, looking every bit like a spectator who had stumbled upon the juiciest gossip imaginable.
Ying Ming Hao and the others surged forward and surrounded Zhao Bufan and Ye Rulan like a pack of hungry wolves that had spotted their prey. They packed themselves around the pair in impenetrable layers, seemingly intent on inspecting them from head to toe and uncovering whatever story or secret lay behind this.
After all, who could have imagined that the usually silent, inconspicuous Zhao Bufan could lose his composure like this?
Zhao Bufan and Ye Rulan held each other tightly, as though time had stopped and they were the only two people left in the world.
Their bodies pressed close, each feeling the other's warmth and breath, neither