Chapter 348: Yun Sheng, I Really Like You and Want to Be With You Openly

Chapter 348: Chapter 348: Yun Sheng, I Really Like You and Want to Be With You Openly

Sitting across the table, Bai Ye absentmindedly rubbed the cold glass of his cup. A faint somberness veiled his deep eyes as he spoke, his tone objective yet tinged with a hint of lament.

"Sentinels and guides naturally share a unique bond. Their spiritual connection means they become each other’s vulnerabilities. Once betrayed by the person they trust most, it’s equivalent to being ruthlessly stabbed in the back on a spiritual level.

"He resents all guides now, but it’s not because he has a malicious nature. Ultimately, it boils down to being once bitten, twice shy."

Mo Chen pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, nodding slightly in agreement.

"I’ve conducted several specialized psychological evaluations on Lu Chen. The old wounds within his spiritual landscape are extremely severe. Conventional soothing potions can only temporarily suppress his spiritual agitation; they can’t cure it completely.

"Moreover, he harbors a deep-seated rejection of close-contact pacification from guides. The more someone tries to force an intervention and guide him, the more intense his spiritual backlash becomes."

As Mo Chen finished speaking, Bai Ye turned to Yun Sheng. His tone grew more solemn as he advised, "Yun Sheng, once you’re in the Ninth Squad, just try to keep a proper distance from Lu Chen.

"There’s no need to deliberately curry favor with him, nor is there any need to clash head-on. The man has extremely strict boundaries. As long as you don’t provoke him, he won’t actually do anything to you."

Yun Sheng nodded in understanding. "I understand. Thanks for the heads-up."

Sitting beside her, Si Jin cast a sidelong glance in her direction, lowering his voice to a whisper. A trace of veiled selfishness harbored in his tone as he spoke.

"Don’t overthink it. At the end of the day, it’s his own emotional baggage, not your obligation. Just focus on doing your job. There’s no need to be softhearted, let alone try to empathize with or save anyone."

In his eyes, the internal relationships within the Ninth Squad were incredibly complex, hiding numerous hidden dangers. That pool of water was far murkier and more treacherous than it appeared on the surface. He absolutely did not want Yun Sheng to invite unprovoked trouble upon herself out of a moment of softheartedness.

Yun Sheng read his concerns, and her heart warmed slightly. She tilted her head and offered him a soft smile, replying gently, "Yeah, I know what to do."

Just then, a waiter approached with a tray, serving the dishes onto the table one after another.

The traditional-style Chinese dishes were both exquisite and comforting: glossy and flavorful braised pork ribs, fresh and tender steamed fish slices, crisp and refreshing seasonal vegetables, alongside a pot of perfectly simmered nourishing soup. The steam carried a rich, appetizing aroma that wafted over them, instantly diluting the heavy atmosphere in the booth.

Everyone put aside their thoughts and prepared to eat.

Unexpectedly, in the very next second, two pairs of chopsticks reached toward the plates at almost the exact same time.

Bai Ye’s movements were calm and composed. He was the first to pick up a piece of rib and place it into Yun Sheng’s bowl. "It’s the restaurant’s signature dish. Give it a try."

Beside him, Si Jin’s expression remained unchanged. With a subtle flick of his fingers, he immediately picked up a tender, boneless piece of fish and layered it on top of the food in Yun Sheng’s bowl. "This fish doesn’t have many bones. You can eat more of it."

Throughout the exchange, the two men made absolutely no eye contact. Outwardly, they appeared placid, but their underlying rivalry was glaringly obvious.

As the meal progressed, the atmosphere turned extraordinarily delicate.

Whenever Yun Sheng’s bowl began to empty, Bai Ye and Si Jin would take turns piling food into it. They balanced meat and vegetables, hot dishes and cold ones, dividing the labor with a bizarre, unspoken synergy. One preferred giving her meat dishes, terrified she wouldn’t have enough to eat; the other specifically picked out refreshing appetizers and rich soup, carefully catering to her palate.

Sitting across from them, Mo Chen stayed entirely out of it, unhurriedly enjoying his own meal.

He glanced up at Yun Sheng’s rapidly overflowing bowl, then looked at the two men secretly competing against each other. A thoughtful gleam flickered in his eyes behind his glasses, but he showed no intention of interfering, quietly playing the role of a bystander.

Yun Sheng paused with her chopsticks mid-air, looking down at the towering layers of food in her bowl with a mix of helplessness and amusement.

In just ten minutes, her bowl had practically turned into a small mountain. There was no way she could finish it all. At a loss whether to laugh or cry, she reached out and gently pressed down on their chopsticks as they reached toward her yet again, stopping them in their tracks.

"Please stop serving me," she pleaded. "My bowl is about to overflow. If you give me any more, I really won’t be able to finish it."

At her words, the two secretly feuding men finally ceased their efforts. Pulling their chopsticks back with varying expressions, they brought their silent war to a temporary halt.

The atmosphere for the rest of the meal eased considerably. No one deliberately piled food onto her plate anymore, and the group exchanged occasional, casual conversation in a relaxed and pleasant rhythm.

A little while later, Yun Sheng finished the food in her bowl and dabbed the corners of her mouth.

"Take your time eating. I’m going to the restroom."

With that, she stood up and followed the aisle toward the restaurant’s restrooms.

Not long after Yun Sheng’s departure, the atmosphere in the booth fell silent once more.

Bai Ye’s fingers tightened slightly around his chopsticks. His dark gaze locked onto Yun Sheng’s retreating figure. After two seconds of silence, he abruptly stood up and followed her.

The gesture made his intention to speak with her alone blatantly clear, without the slightest attempt to hide it.

Seeing this, Si Jin’s eyes darkened instantly. The temperature around him seemed to drop a few degrees, and his fingers curled into a tight fist beneath the table.

In the end, however, he remained firmly in his seat, making no move to rise.

Mo Chen took in the entire scene from the sidelines. He lifted his glass for a sip of water, the look in his eyes growing even more profound.

Moments later.

Yun Sheng freshened up and pushed the door open to exit the restroom.

The lighting in the hallway was soft and warm, and there weren’t many guests passing by. As soon as she stepped out, a casual sweep of her gaze landed on a tall, familiar figure standing quietly not far away.

It was Bai Ye.

He was leaning against the hallway wall with one hand casually tucked into his trouser pocket. Without his military uniform, he lacked his usual imposing presence, replaced instead by a lazy, easygoing aura.

Yun Sheng paused instinctively, a distinct trace of surprise flickering in her eyes. She walked up to him and asked softly, "Is something the matter?"

Bai Ye straightened up, reeling in his relaxed demeanor, and gave a faint nod. "Is it a good time to chat?"

Yun Sheng’s lips twitched subtly. She felt a wave of internal resignation, wondering why these men all loved cornering people for a chat right outside the restroom. It truly left her at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Glancing at Bai Ye, she gave a gentle nod. "Sure."

Being right next to the restrooms, the area was too noisy and busy with foot traffic, making it unsuitable for a private conversation.

Bai Ye scanned their surroundings before stepping aside and making an inviting gesture, leading her deeper into the restaurant.

At the very back of the establishment was a small open-air balcony, designed specifically for guests to get some fresh air or enjoy some solitude. Potted plants were arranged around the perimeter to block lines of sight, creating a quiet, private environment with hardly anyone around.

The two of them walked to the edge of the balcony, far away from the crowds and noise.

Bai Ye stopped in his tracks and turned to face Yun Sheng.

Within those usually profound and indifferent eyes, emotions gradually surged to the surface. They were direct and fervent, stripped of any pretense.

"I originally planned to wait a bit longer. I wanted to wait until the situation with Lin Yueyao and the hidden dangers from the Dark Nest were completely settled—until everything was stable—before earnestly seeking you out for a talk."

He lowered his eyelids, a sliver of helplessness creeping into his tone that even he hadn’t noticed.

"But seeing you with Si Jin these past two days—seeing you two joined at the hip, acting so intimately and affectionately—I simply couldn’t remain calm."

With those words, Bai Ye took a half-step forward, instantly closing the distance between them. He slowly leaned in, his burning gaze locked unblinkingly onto Yun Sheng’s eyes, brimming with affection.

"Yun Sheng, I truly like you. I want to be with you openly and honestly. Give me a chance, will you?"