Chapter 524 482: Pei Yuhang, Are You Still Going to See Ye Liyuan?

SPLASH—

Rain fell in a dense, unbroken sheet from the gloomy sky. The biting gales unique to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion swept up the needle-like, bone-chilling drops, imbuing each one with a heart-piercing cold.

Ye Liyuan stood alone in the freezing rain.

Her drenched, dark hair clung to the side of her neck. Her simple white robes were soaked through, clinging to her body and outlining a thin, frail silhouette.

She seemed to have forgotten to use her Spiritual Qi to ward off the cold, simply enduring the icy rain's assault numbly. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and her once-rosy lips were now frozen and tinged with blue.

But Ye Liyuan paid no mind to her own shivering body.

She just kept numbly trying to activate the Transmission Token in her hand, which she gripped so tightly it had begun to crack.

BZZT—

BZZT—

The busy tone of the Transmission Token was incessant amidst the downpour.

"Ah Han, where in the world did you go?"

"Please pick up… Are you ignoring me on purpose? Are you trying to punish me, Ah Han?"

"What did I even… do wrong? Please, just tell me…"

Ye Liyuan's hoarse voice, mingling with the sound of the rain, was almost inaudible.

Her vacant gaze fell upon the constantly flashing Transmission Token. The flickering light of its Spirit Pattern played across her face, making her pale features look all the more haggard.

Finally, she couldn't stand the unresponsive Transmission Token any longer.

She subconsciously raised her hand, wanting to hurl the Transmission Token away in a fit of bitter resentment.

'Get lost! Get lost!! Get lost!!!'

'I didn't even do anything! Why do you get to treat me like this?!'

'Why? Why does everyone have to bully me?!'

'Pei Yuhang!'

'You promised when we got together that you would never let me suffer…'

Ye Liyuan's eyes burned. The cold rainwater streamed down her pale cheeks, mingling with the warm liquid seeping from the corners of her eyes.

But as she looked out at the pouring rain, her raised, slender arm eventually dropped helplessly to her side.

'What if I throw the Transmission Token away and Ah Han calls me back?'

'Maybe Ah Han just got held up by something.'

Even now, Ye Liyuan was terrified, unwilling to fully believe the worst-case scenario.

That Ah Han no longer loved her.

'So… I should probably just go back to my room and wait.'

In the end, Ye Liyuan could only hug her arms tightly and drag her stiff legs, step by step, toward the lonely room that lacked its master.

...

...

BEEP—BEEP—

The sound of the Transmission Token, which had been tossed into a corner, rang out continuously.

Having vented his emotions and calmed down, Pei Yuhang found his attention drawn to it.

'It's been half an hour… Liyuan hasn't stopped trying to call. Could she really have something urgent to talk to me about?'

'Should I… answer and ask her what's wrong?'

Just as Pei Yuhang's thoughts were focused on the solitary Transmission Token lying in the corner, a pair of soft arms wrapped around him from behind, bringing with them a gentle warmth and a faint, alluring fragrance.

Shang Miaoyan's fingertips brushed lightly across his collarbone. She pressed her entire body against his, her red lips drawing near his ear as she exhaled a warm breath.

"My… Yuhang~"

She gently bit Pei Yuhang's earlobe, her voice sickly sweet and laced with a faint, almost imperceptible possessiveness.

"What are you looking at? Why… are you so distracted?"

Shang Miaoyan reached out to cup his face, her fingertips gently caressing his jaw as she tried to pull his gaze back to her.

"Look at me more…"

Her voice was soft and low, laced with a bewitching intimacy. Her red lips drew near again, seeking a kiss.

Pei Yuhang hesitated for a moment before turning his head slightly, avoiding the kiss.

"Xiaoxuan…"

His voice was a little low and raspy. He reached out and gently took Shang Miaoyan's slender wrist, rubbing the pad of his thumb over her delicate skin in a gesture that was part placating, part apologetic.

"Thank you for helping me work through my emotions today."

He paused, his gaze calm and serious.

"I will take responsibility for you from now on."

Shang Miaoyan could tell from his words that Pei Yuhang intended to leave.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and the smile in her eyes faded a little.

Shang Miaoyan narrowed her eyes slightly, her red lips pressing into a thin line before relaxing again. She adopted a languid posture, clinging to him like a cat, refusing to let him go.

"Yuhang, you're leaving already?"

Her fingertips traced a line across his chest, her tone a flirtatious complaint.

"It's raining so hard outside, and it's so cold. Wouldn't it be better to stay here? There's a warm bed… and a beauty who belongs only to you~"

Pei Yuhang shook his head. He reached out to wipe away the fine beads of sweat on her back. The gesture was gentle, yet carried an unyielding resolve.

"Xiaoxuan, I really do have something urgent to attend to."

He bent down and placed a light kiss on her forehead, his voice low and restrained.

"Once I confirm that everything is alright, I'll come back, okay?"

Shang Miaoyan's fingers suddenly tightened.

The air seemed to freeze in that instant.

"...You're going to see Ye Liyuan, aren't you?"

Her voice turned abruptly cold, and her previously charming features were now covered in a layer of frost.

Pei Yuhang froze, clearly not expecting her to see through him so easily.

He was sure he had never mentioned Liyuan to her. 'Does "Fan Xuan" know me that well?'

Shang Miaoyan lifted her head and stared at Pei Yuhang, the corner of her lip curling into a cold smirk. A storm of complex emotions churned in her eyes—unresigned anger, fury, and even a hint of… hurt?

She suddenly tightened her grip on his wrist, her nails digging so hard they nearly broke his skin.

"Pei Yuhang, have you forgotten how much pain you were in just now?"

"If she makes you so miserable… then why are you going back to see her?"

Shang Miaoyan's arms tightened, pulling herself so close she was nearly inside his embrace, as if she wanted to imprison him there forever.