Chapter 171: General Bai, You’re Being a Bit Scummy

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: General Bai, You’re Being a Bit Scummy

Yun Sheng froze.

She looked into Bai Ye’s eyes and saw self-mockery, hurt, and something she had never seen before... a sense of being wronged.

It was as if she had truly wronged him.

Images of Bai Ye protecting her over the past few days flashed uncontrollably through her mind, frame by frame, like a silent accusation.

A sliver of inexplicable guilt suddenly welled up in Yun Sheng’s heart.

But the moment that guilt appeared, she ruthlessly suppressed it.

She took a deep breath and looked up. "If General Bai isn’t going to report it, then that’s for the best. Thank you for your protection. Since you no longer need me to soothe you, I’ll be heading back."

After speaking, Yun Sheng turned and left without waiting for Bai Ye to react.

Her steps were quick, without a trace of hesitation.

’I had felt a slight pang of guilt just now, but so what?’

’Once this training is over and I return to the Capital Star, all Preparatory Guides will have to be re-tested for their guide hormones and Level. With how condensed my spiritual power is now, I’ll be at least C-level.’

’Then I’ll no longer be that laughingstock everyone mocked.’

’When that time comes, Lin Yueyao is sure to make a move.’

’Bai Ye is Lin Yueyao’s fiancé—my enemy’s fiancé. I want no part of it. It’s actually better to draw a clear line once and for all!’

One step, two steps, three steps.

Just as she was about to exit the tent, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps from behind.

The next second, a hand seized Yun Sheng’s.

The grip was strong, so strong that she stumbled back a step, nearly crashing into a scorching hot chest.

Yun Sheng whipped her head around to meet a pair of eyes so dark they seemed to drip ink.

Bai Ye stood behind her, his chest heaving violently. The knuckles of the hand gripping her wrist were white from the force.

"General Bai," Yun Sheng said, steadying her voice as she tried to pull her hand back. "What are you...?"

"Yun Sheng," Bai Ye cut her off. "You said thank you for my protection?"

Yun Sheng was taken aback.

Bai Ye stared into her eyes, enunciating each word. "Then do you know why I’ve been protecting you?"

Yun Sheng was stumped by his question.

’Actually, she had guessed long ago, but those words... couldn’t be said.’

Seeing the look on her face, Bai Ye understood.

He let out a bitter laugh.

"Do you not know? Or are you just pretending not to know?"

He pressed forward a step.

Yun Sheng instinctively retreated, but he grabbed her by the waist, holding her in place, unable to move.

"It doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you the whole truth right now. I’m protecting you, but not because I’m trying to use some self-torment scheme to test you. I—"

"Bai Ye!"

Yun Sheng’s voice shot up, cutting off the words that were about to tumble from his lips.

She looked at him with a cold face, her eyes devoid of any warmth.

"I hope General Bai considers his own status before he speaks."

"Status?" Bai Ye repeated instinctively.

"Yes, status."

Yun Sheng said each word, her voice as cold as if it had been quenched in ice.

"General Bai is Lin Yueyao’s fiancé. Have you forgotten?"

Bai Ye faltered, his brow furrowing instinctively.

Seeing his reaction, Yun Sheng’s lips twisted into a sarcastic smile.

"I’ve been acknowledged by the Lin Family now. No matter how you put it, Lin Yueyao is my sister in name. That makes you, General Bai, my future brother-in-law. As my future brother-in-law, I’d ask that you please watch your words and actions. Maintain some propriety."

When her words fell, the air in the tent seemed to freeze.

Bai Ye looked at Yun Sheng’s cold face, her warmthless eyes, and the uncrossable line she had drawn with every word. The hand on her waist suddenly loosened slightly.

But the next second, it tightened again.

"What if I said," he began, his voice muffled and hoarse, "that Lin Yueyao and I aren’t what you think?"

Yun Sheng’s brow furrowed, a flare of anger rising within her instead.

"Not what I think?" she sneered. "Is General Bai trying to say your engagement to Lin Yueyao doesn’t count?

"The entire Star Alliance knows you’re engaged to her. She’s an S-class Guide, and you’re an SSS-level Sentinel. You’re a match made in heaven!"

’In the original novel, Lin Yueyao had so many Sentinels around her, but the only officially acknowledged fiancé was Bai Ye!’

’It’s a done deal. What is there for him to argue about?’

Bai Ye’s frown deepened, his Adam’s apple bobbing intensely.

He seemed to want to explain something. He opened his mouth, but was met with Yun Sheng’s exceedingly cold face.

Her gaze held no expectation, no wavering, only a layer of distant indifference.

He suddenly felt as if something was blocking his chest, making it feel tight and stuffy.

Finally, he could only sigh in resignation.

"There were many reasons why I didn’t deny the rumors back then. But rest assured, I will resolve this properly."

Yun Sheng tugged at the corner of her lip but didn’t speak.

Her expression clearly said, ’And what does that have to do with me?’

Seeing her like this, a flash of bitterness crossed Bai Ye’s eyes.

"As for the engagement, I never agreed to it. It was an arrangement made by our parents before we were even born."

"Yun Sheng, have you ever considered that you’re the true daughter of the Lin Family? Since it was an arranged betrothal from birth, who do you think my real fiancée is supposed to be?"

Yun Sheng was completely dumbfounded.

Her mind went blank.

’An arranged betrothal from birth?’

’The original novel never mentioned that!’

She quickly racked her brain, trying to recall the plot of the original novel. The author had never mentioned any arranged betrothal, let alone who the engagement was originally for.

’But following Bai Ye’s logic...’

’...doesn’t that mean I, the real heiress, am Bai Ye’s true fiancée?’

Yun Sheng’s mouth twitched.

The amount of information was too much. For a moment, she had no idea how to react.

But she quickly snapped out of it.

"So what if it was an arranged betrothal?"

She raised her head to meet Bai Ye’s gaze, her voice terrifyingly calm.

"Lin Yueyao has held the title of your fiancée for so many years. Are you telling me there isn’t a shred of affection between you two?"

Bai Ye opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but her next words stopped him short.

"General Bai, if you’re going to put it that way, then you sound a bit like a scumbag."

Yun Sheng looked him straight in the eye, but her mind was racing.

’Lin Yueyao already holds a grudge against me. If I also snatch her fiancé, then when we get back to the Capital Star, she’ll probably try everything in her power to kill me.’

’Given that I don’t have the strength to protect myself right now, I’m not getting involved in something like that.’

Seeing the vigilance and distance in her eyes, Bai Ye felt as if something had slammed hard into his chest.

"Yun Sheng," his voice was hoarse, but he spoke each word with immense weight. "I will take care of this."

Yun Sheng didn’t speak, merely letting out a soft humph.

Bai Ye took a deep breath and continued, "I will also prove to you that there has never been anything between Lin Yueyao and me. I, Bai Ye, am not the type of person who is fickle in love. I certainly wouldn’t bother you after having already made a promise to someone else."

Yun Sheng’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

She still didn’t say anything.

Seeing her like this, a suffocating feeling tightened in Bai Ye’s chest. Ultimately, however, he slowly released the hand that was holding her.

"I will resolve this matter. Until then, I won’t bother you again."

With that, he took a step back, creating distance between them.