Chapter 349: Zhong Lingyin: Hello, Second Brother-in-law!
The sudden trouble the [Rose Society] encountered was naturally a meticulously orchestrated act by Shen Anyu to divert Ye Liyou.
He knew that the sharp-eyed assassin would be a hindrance to his plans, so he created a crisis that demanded her immediate attention, pulling the thorn from his side with surgical precision.
After bidding a reluctant farewell to Ye Liyou, Zhong Lingyin took the VIP shuttle bus to the airport exit, her heart heavy with a mixture of relief and unease.
"Over here! Over here!"
Yang Luoluo recognized Zhong Lingyin at a glance. Even though the superstar wore large, dark sunglasses and a mask that covered most of her face, effectively disguising her identity from the paparazzi, her graceful posture and the pure, ethereal aura she radiated were unmistakable to those who knew her well.
"I must leave a good impression on Fifth Sister!"
Ye Linyuan, currently in the form of a young boy, stood on his tiptoes, trying to look as tall and mature as possible. He adjusted his collar, acting cute and adorable to lower her guard. He had watched countless concert videos of Fifth Sister Zhong Lingyin in the deep valley and thought she was the epitome of beauty, a goddess descended from the heavens.
He absolutely had to leave a perfect first impression on his future wife.
Ye Linyuan firmly believed that his condition was temporary. He would break this damnable curse, regain his heaven-shaking power, and return to his original, domineering self. Then, he would claim his rightful place beside these magnificent women.
Zhong Lingyin walked over gracefully, the hem of her white dress swaying like a lotus in the wind. She was genuinely happy to see Seventh Senior Sister Yang Luoluo, her eyes curving into crescents behind her sunglasses. She also smiled and greeted her Junior Brother Ye Linyuan with great warmth, treating him with the affection one would show a cute little brother.
"Junior Brother looks so spirited," she commented softly, her voice like melodious chimes.
After a few pleasantries and hugs, Yang Luoluo grabbed Zhong Lingyin's hand, her face beaming with excitement.
"Fifth Sister, Master Brother is still waiting for us outside the airport. Let's go quickly, we shouldn't make him wait."
"Master Brother?"
Hearing this strange address, Zhong Lingyin was surprised. She tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowing behind her glasses.
Their Master was an eccentric old man who had passed away a few years ago. Where did this 'Master Brother' come from?
Yang Luoluo explained enthusiastically, her eyes shining with hero worship.
"I have a new Master. He's very young, very powerful, super powerful! In fact, he's invincible!"
"In Yanxia, no, in the whole world, no young person is more powerful than my Master Brother! He's like a god walking among men!"
Yang Luoluo's eyes were full of admiration and respect as she continuously praised her Master Brother Shen Anyu, her words flowing like a river of honey.
[Ding! Child of Destiny Ye Linyuan is displeased. Plunder +9999 Destiny Value!]
[Ding! Child of Destiny Ye Linyuan is utterly depressed. Plunder +9999 Destiny Value!]
...
Listening to Seventh Senior Sister Yang Luoluo continuously praise Shen Anyu, treating him like the sun in the sky, Ye Linyuan's expression immediately fell. His small fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms.
His heart was even more indignant, filled with a bitter, acidic jealousy.
'If I hadn't fallen for that despicable trick, that unknown curse that made me revert to childhood and lose all my power, Shen Anyu wouldn't even be fit to carry my shoes.'
Ye Linyuan was very confident in his potential. He was a [Grandmaster Peak] expert at only nineteen years old, a monstrous genius who could even contend with [Heavenly Human Unity] level experts. In the world of martial arts, he was a dragon among worms.
If he hadn't lost his power now, if he wasn't trapped in this humiliating child's body, he would definitely be able to show off in front of Seventh Senior Sister Yang Luoluo. He would surely be the one receiving her adoration, not some rich second-generation young master.
Zhong Lingyin looked at Yang Luoluo's adoring and respectful expression, noting how she acted like a complete fangirl. It was rare to see the martial-obsessed Luoluo so taken with someone. She smiled gently and said,
"Then I must meet him and see just how amazing your Master Brother is, Seventh Sister. He must be quite a character to earn such high praise from you."
"Mhm mhm, Fifth Sister, once you meet my Master Brother, you'll definitely be impressed. He's perfect!"
Yang Luoluo said full of vigor, pulling Zhong Lingyin's hand and walking briskly towards the airport exit.
Ye Linyuan followed with a long face, dragging his feet. The bright sunlight outside seemed to mock his gloomy mood.
He had wanted to show off, to be the hero who welcomed his sister, but Shen Anyu had stolen the limelight again, casting a shadow over his existence even before appearing.
Soon, they arrived at the VIP parking lot outside the airport. A sleek, black luxury sedan was parked there, exuding an aura of understated power and wealth.
"Fifth Sister, look, that's my Master Brother. Isn't he handsome?"
"Then I must take a good look."
Zhong Lingyin smiled faintly. Being in the entertainment industry, she was used to seeing handsome men; top idols and actors were her daily colleagues. She didn't expect to be easily impressed.
Following Yang Luoluo's finger, Zhong Lingyin looked over.
Leaning against the car was a young man. He wore a perfectly tailored suit that accentuated his tall, lean physique. His face was sculpted like a work of art, with eyes as deep as the abyss and a faint, confident smile playing on his lips.
With that one look, the polite smile on Zhong Lingyin's face froze. Her pupils constricted, her delicate body trembled imperceptibly, and she stood rooted to the spot as if struck by lightning.
It was him.
The man who had turned her world upside down in Tokyo. The man who had taken her most precious thing and left an indelible mark on her soul.
Shen Anyu approached with a graceful smile on his handsome face, his movements fluid and elegant, like a predator stalking its prey. He stopped a polite distance away and said softly, his voice magnetic and warm,
"It's hot outside. Let's get in the car. The AC is running."
"Mhm mhm, Master Brother, we'll get in the car now. Fifth Sister? Fifth Sister..."
Yang Luoluo nodded obediently, then looked curiously at the stunned Fifth Sister Zhong Lingyin, waving her small hand in front of her eyes.
"Fifth Sister, are you okay?"
Zhong Lingyin finally reacted, snapping out of her daze. Her beautiful eyes looked at Shen Anyu with a complicated expression—shock, longing, guilt, and a hint of panic—her heart in turmoil.
She hadn't expected that the 'Master Brother' Yang Luoluo spoke of was actually Shen Anyu. Fate, it seemed, enjoyed playing cruel jokes on her.
After getting in the car, the scent of expensive leather and a faint, masculine cologne filled the air—Shen Anyu's scent. It made Zhong Lingyin's heart race uncontrollably.
Yang Luoluo sat in the passenger seat, while Zhong Lingyin and Ye Linyuan sat in the back. Shen Anyu was in the driver's seat.
Yang Luoluo turned around and introduced him enthusiastically:
"Master Brother, this is my Fifth Sister Zhong Lingyin, a global superstar diva. You probably know her!"
"Fifth Sister, this is my Master Brother, Shen Anyu."
Then, she added the final nail in the coffin.
"And he's also Second Senior Sister Liu Ruyan's boyfriend."
Yang Luoluo's last sentence dropped like a bomb, simultaneously dealing a critical blow to both people in the back seat. The air in the car seemed to freeze instantly.
[Ding! Child of Destiny Ye Linyuan is depressed. Plunder +9999 Destiny Value!]
...
Ye Linyuan looked at the back of Shen Anyu's head with sour, venomous eyes. The thought of Shen Anyu being Second Senior Sister Liu Ruyan's boyfriend made him feel utterly terrible, like he had swallowed a fly.
'This guy... he already has Second Sister? And Luoluo admires him so much? Damn him!'
And Zhong Lingyin also felt uncomfortable, a sharp pang piercing her heart. Her beautiful eyes looked at Shen Anyu in the rearview mirror with a hint of resentment and sorrow.
Although she had known this when she was in Tokyo, Sakura Country, hearing Seventh Senior Sister Yang Luoluo introduce it herself, confirming the reality, still made her feel suffocated. She felt like a thief, stealing affection that belonged to her sister.
Shen Anyu almost broke into a sweat. The atmosphere was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Fortunately, he had diverted the sharp-witted Ye Liyou; otherwise, if Ye Liyou had been present and sensed this tension, the scene would have made him break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. A [Grandmaster] assassin was no joke.
At this moment, Shen Anyu's handsome face still bore a calm, composed smile. He met Zhong Lingyin's gaze in the rearview mirror and calmly greeted her:
"Lingyin, long time no see."
Zhong Lingyin looked at Shen Anyu with complicated beautiful eyes. She saw the possessiveness hidden deep in his gaze, reminding her of their night together. After a long moment, she forced herself to compose her features, parted her red lips, and coldly uttered a few words:
"Second Brother-in-law, hello!"
The address 'Brother-in-law' was bitten out with a mix of propriety and defiance.
Noticing that Zhong Lingyin's emotions seemed off, Ye Linyuan, ever the sensitive (and jealous) soul, asked curiously,
"Fifth Sister, do you know Big Brother? You seem... familiar."
Yang Luoluo also became curious, tilting her head. "Yeah, Fifth Sister, have you met before?"
Before Zhong Lingyin could answer, risking exposure with her flushed face, Shen Anyu interjected smoothly with a smile,
"I'm Lingyin's loyal fan, a die-hard fan. I attended her concerts and VIP events, so Lingyin naturally remembers me. Isn't that right?"
Zhong Lingyin, seeing the curious gazes of Yang Luoluo and Ye Linyuan, also felt a tightening in her heart. Fearing they would suspect something more intimate, she nodded stiffly.
"That's right, we've met a few times at events."
Upon hearing these words, Ye Linyuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief, slumping back into his seat.
Shen Anyu was Second Senior Sister Liu Ruyan's boyfriend and had a close relationship with Seventh Senior Sister Yang Luoluo. If he also had relationships with the other Senior Sisters, Ye Linyuan felt his mindset would explode just thinking about it. He couldn't handle that level of NTR.
Fortunately, now Fifth Sister Zhong Lingyin knew that Shen Anyu was Second Senior Sister's boyfriend, so nothing would happen. She was virtuous and principled.
Ye Linyuan secretly felt relieved, completely unaware of the undercurrents swirling around him.
Meanwhile, Zhong Lingyin glared at Shen Anyu's reflection with her beautiful eyes, silently reprimanding him for his glib tongue.
Shen Anyu ignored the glare and said with a warm, inviting smile,
"I remember Lingyin's world tour concert. The last stop is tomorrow night, right here in Magic City."
"Why don't you stay at my place for these few days? My house is quite big, very private, and secure. It's much better than a hotel where paparazzi swarm."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Lingyin's beautiful face showed deep hesitation. Her fingers twisted the fabric of her dress nervously.
She naturally had a good impression of Shen Anyu, and it was very high, with a total favorability of eighty-nine. Her body still remembered his touch, and her heart still fluttered at his voice.
It could be said that if it weren't for Second Senior Sister Liu Ruyan, she would be more than willing. She would run into his arms.
Not to mention staying at Shen Anyu's house, even marrying Shen Anyu would be a matter of a single word.
However, Shen Anyu's identity as Second Senior Sister Liu Ruyan's boyfriend made Zhong Lingyin's emotions complex. Morality warred with desire.
'Zhong Lingyin, oh Zhong Lingyin, you cannot make another mistake. Let's end it here... You must keep your distance.'
Seeing Zhong Lingyin hesitate, Yang Luoluo and Ye Linyuan, completely oblivious to the danger, repeatedly urged her:
"Fifth Sister, just stay at my Master Brother's house! It's huge and has a great chef. It's very convenient."
"Yes, Fifth Sister, it's so inconvenient to stay in a hotel. Stay with us. I want to spend time with you!" Ye Linyuan added, wanting to maximize his time with his goddess.
Zhong Lingyin didn't want them to be too suspicious of her reluctance, so she could only sigh internally and agree.
"Alright, then I'll impose on you."
...
After a sumptuous welcome lunch at the River View Manor, where Shen Anyu played the perfect host and Ye Linyuan glared at him over his rice bowl.
Zhong Lingyin politely got up, smoothing her dress. She felt flushed and overwhelmed by Shen Anyu's intense gaze throughout the meal.
"I... I'm a bit tired from the flight. I'll go to my room to rest."
She was ready to return to her room to calm down, and also to avoid contact with Shen Anyu and avoid suspicion. She needed to build a fortress around her heart.
She walked into the guest room, closed the door, and leaned against it, letting out a long breath.
But the next moment, the world spun.
Before she could even lock the door, a shadow moved. A large hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward, and then pressed Zhong Lingyin onto the bed...
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