Chapter 351: Are You Planning to Have an Underground Romance With Me?

Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Are You Planning to Have an Underground Romance With Me?

Yun Sheng gazed quietly into Mo Chen’s firm, persistent eyes, the tension in her heart secretly easing a fraction.

She could feel that there was no probing, no calculation, and certainly no hint of coercion in his words; it was the pure mindset of a scholar. He was genuinely obsessed with researching the field of spiritual power and truly valued her unique spiritual power. He wanted to study it, not pry into the secrets between her and Si Jin. From start to finish, his focus remained solely on her one-of-a-kind spiritual power. He was open and sincere.

This purity made Yun Sheng feel a twinge of guilt. Yet, even knowing the other party harbored no ill intent, she still didn’t give in easily.

Si Jin’s identity was a sharp blade hanging over their heads; they couldn’t afford a single mistake. Once his identity was exposed, not only would he be unable to stay safely by her side as Lin Mo, but it would also invite unnecessary trouble and danger. Even Bai Ye might be dragged into it.

Yun Sheng took a soft breath, her tone laced with apology. "Professor Mo, I understand your intentions, and I know you genuinely want to do research. It’s just that I really have some difficulties on my end. I need to discuss it with Lin Mo again. Can I give you an answer once we’ve decided?"

Seeing the genuine apology in her eyes, Mo Chen’s gaze paused slightly. "Miss Yun, you don’t need to feel sorry; this is merely a request from me. You can discuss it further with Mr. Lin. I will wait for your answer, no matter how long it takes."

Just as his voice fell, footsteps suddenly sounded from behind.

Yun Sheng instinctively turned her head, just in time to see Bai Ye and Si Jin walking back side by side. Both men were tall and straight, their expressions exceptionally calm. There was nothing unusual about them, as if they had truly just gone out for a breath of fresh air and a quick chat.

Her gaze swept quickly past Bai Ye before landing on Si Jin. She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous, afraid that he was harboring resentment in his heart and was just deliberately holding it back. After carefully observing him for a few seconds and seeing that Si Jin looked calm—without the slightest hint of displeasure and no different from usual—Yun Sheng’s hanging heart quietly settled, and she breathed a small sigh of relief.

Soon, the two returned to the booth.

As soon as they sat down, Yun Sheng subconsciously leaned sideways, discreetly reaching out to lightly brush the back of Si Jin’s hand. She took the initiative to hold his fingertips, acting as a silent comfort and a way to check his mood.

A very faint trace of warmth flitted past Si Jin’s eyes. Without avoiding her, he flipped his hand to gently squeeze her fingertips in return.

Receiving his gentle response, the last bit of apprehension in Yun Sheng’s heart completely dissipated, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a soft smile.

This scene landed squarely in the eyes of Bai Ye, who was sitting opposite them.

If it had been before, seeing her so subconsciously close to and reliant on Si Jin would have definitely filled his heart with loneliness, bitterness, and powerlessness. But it was different now. He had already won Yun Sheng’s heart, and they had confirmed their feelings for each other. The insecurity and emptiness in his heart had long since been filled.

Watching their intimate little movements now, a faint hint of jealousy still rippled through him, but the previous suffocating pain was entirely gone.

The group sat quietly for a while longer. They didn’t discuss any more private matters, and the atmosphere was relaxed and peaceful.

Yun Sheng looked down at her terminal screen. Upon seeing the time, she spoke softly, "It’s getting late. I should head back to the Tower for work, or I’ll be late."

Hearing this, they all stood up and walked out along the restaurant corridor.

Stepping out the restaurant doors, the afternoon breeze was refreshing and mild, blowing away the indoor warmth.

"I still have work to handle at the research institute, so I’ll take my leave first. Take your time considering the test, Miss Yun." Mo Chen bid his farewell with a slight nod, then turned and walked toward the other side of the street.

Only Yun Sheng, Bai Ye, and Si Jin were left standing there.

Si Jin turned his head, his indifferent eyes quietly casting a sidelong glance at Bai Ye beside him before falling back onto Yun Sheng’s face. He kept his voice low, gentle, and considerate. "Yun Sheng, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll go on ahead. Let Bai Ye escort you back to the Tower." He paused, his fingertips lightly brushing the crown of her head. "Later, I’ll wait for you at the cafe opposite the Tower until you get off work."

Yun Sheng looked up at him, instantly understanding his intentions.

Si Jin had clearly seen that she and Bai Ye had just confessed their feelings to each other. Knowing it was a rare moment for them to solidify their relationship, he was deliberately making space to give them more alone time. Even though he would get jealous himself, he always prioritized her feelings, accommodating and understanding her in everything.

Yun Sheng’s heart instantly softened into a puddle, a dense warmth spreading through her.

She nodded gently and replied in a small voice, "Okay, be safe on the road."

"Mhm," Si Jin hummed. With a shallow tenderness hidden in his eyes, he didn’t say anything more. He merely cast a sidelong glance at Bai Ye before turning and walking away with unhurried steps.

Soon, only Yun Sheng and Bai Ye remained.

Bai Ye took the opportunity to step up beside her, naturally taking her hand. With their fingers intertwined, his warm, dry palm firmly wrapped around her fingertips.

The two walked slowly side by side along the street. The afternoon sun was gentle and warm, cascading down through the gaps in the roadside foliage. Speckles of light, like fragmented gold, fell onto their shoulders and the tips of their hair, making the surrounding atmosphere tender and intimate. Even the cool breeze that blew by carried a hint of sweetness.

As they strolled along, the grand architectural outline of the Tower ahead grew increasingly clear; there was only a short distance left to the main entrance.

Yun Sheng gently wiggled the hand Bai Ye was clasping and quietly reminded him, "We’re almost at the Tower. Let go—it wouldn’t be good if someone saw us."

Although she had resolved to be with Bai Ye and her heart was filled with joy, she didn’t want to make their relationship public just yet. After all, Bai Ye was the Star Alliance War God and had once been Lin Yueyao’s titular fiancé, even though he had already broken off the engagement. But now, for them to be together the moment something happened to Lin Yueyao would inevitably invite all sorts of baseless speculation and gossip.

She was just a newcomer at the Tower, an invisible nobody with shallow qualifications whom no one paid attention to. It didn’t matter if people talked about her. But she didn’t want Bai Ye’s reputation as the War God to be criticized because of her, much less give opportunists a chance to smear him and add to the controversy.

However, upon hearing this, Bai Ye not only refused to let go but tightened his five fingers, gripping her hand even more firmly.

He stopped walking, turned to look at Yun Sheng, and asked in a deep voice, "Yun Sheng, are you planning to keep our relationship an underground romance?"

Yun Sheng glared at him, both helpless and amused, and quickly explained. "That’s not what I mean. I’m afraid of attracting unnecessary criticism. The Lin Family’s mess and the hidden dangers of the Dark Nest are already headache-inducing enough. If our relationship is exposed now, it will definitely be deliberately magnified by others, creating a bunch of trouble for no reason."

Bai Ye understood all of this in his heart. But reason was one thing; emotionally, he still couldn’t avoid feeling a little disgruntled. At the thought of Yun Sheng not wanting to make their relationship public, he couldn’t suppress the hint of disappointment.

Seeing Bai Ye’s obvious disappointment, Yun Sheng’s heart instantly softened.

She stood on her tiptoes, raised a hand to gently steady his shoulder, and quickly leaned forward to plant a kiss on his lips.

After kissing him, she quickly pulled back a little. With her eyes curved in a smile and a soft, coaxing tone, she whispered, "It’s not that I don’t want to make it public; it’s just really not the right time. Once the storm has completely passed, I’ll stand beside you openly and let everyone know that we’re together, okay?"