Chapter 62
Receiving Ling Luo’s smile, Lin Xiao inexplicably felt goosebumps rise on his skin.
But seeing Ling Luo and Murong Xue together, he also felt relief. If Ling Luo can take a beauty shopping, so can he. Now that they both have a lovely female companion, he can stop feeling so awkward.
No need to do more than greetings, and then each couple can let the other go their way. Lin Xiao’s heart felt cold, but he slapped a ‘friendly smile’ on his face, saying: “What a coincidence, you guys are also out shopping. Sun Xue and I still have somewhere to go. We will leave first.” He gave a polite nod, took Sun Xue’s hand and started walking away.
Wait a minute, thought Lin Xiao. Why did what he just said sound so familiar to him? Hadn’t Ling Luo said something like this to him before? Lin Xiao remembered. The original Lin Xiao…Sun Xue had been next to him!
Behind them, Ling Luo’s fists still clenched, as he icily watched Lin Xiao hold Sun Xue’s hand. He wanted to rush between them and pull them apart. Should he?
Lin Xiao was polite enough to greet Murong Xue and himself, but then wants to go off by himself? Lin Xiao is dreaming!
Accordingly, Ling Luo directly blocked their way, grinning in Lin Xiao’s face. “We’re all going shopping, why not go together?”
Lin Xiao opened his mouth to rebuff the offer, but Sun Xue spoke first, “Yes, shopping together is more fun.” Apparently this simple girl was oblivious to how quickly Lin Xiao had hoped get away from the other two.
But since Sun Xue said it, Lin Xiao had to be gracious and agree. He nodded, “Fine, let’s go shopping together.”
Ling Luo rejoiced inwardly. Apparently, this Sun Xue might not be a rival, but an assist from Heaven. He slightly smirked, “Well, let’s go.”
He grabbed Lin Xiao, dragging him forward to his side.
Sun Xue saw this as nothing other than two brothers wanting to chat. So she stepped back, to get acquainted with Murong Xue.
Between two women, there is no shortage of topics. With Murong Xue’s skilled socialness and Sun Xue’s outgoing nature, the two quickly became friendly.
While the two women gabbed away, Lin Xiao wanted to cry, thinking to himself: “Sun Xue, please come back. I can’t bear to be alone with Ling Luo.” But hearing the two women laugh and chatter together, it seemed his existence was forgotten.
But maybe it was for the best. Ling Luo wasn’t trying to grab Sun Xue for his future harem. Why not though…?
Lin Xiao snuck a glance at Ling Luo’s calm face. He wanted to strangle him. These past days, he’d hardly seen Ling Luo’s shadow. Now Ling Luo shows up unsolicited and unwanted.
For his part, Ling Luo was clear in his heart. Although difficulty lay ahead, he would not give up. Lin Xiao seemed cold and indifferent to him right now. However, Ling Luo would exploit every opportunity, use every trick, and lure Lin Xiao in.
Ling Luo: “Today’s weather is very good.”
Lin Xiao: “…”
Ling Luo: “Today’s clouds are very white.”
Lin Xiao: “…”
…
…
Well, Ling Luo was no love expert. He had no experience chasing someone. And his someone was a man…
After racking his brain, Ling Luo found it empty.
“Stupid! You’re supposed to be smart, why so stupid now?!” Xuan Xe jumped out to scold Ling Luo. Xuan Xe didn’t care for Lin Xiao much, but he was unwilling to see Ling Luo defeated. “Put your arm around his shoulder, can’t you do that? You don’t have to talk all the time…”
Ling Luo’s eyes brightened, right! Put his arm around him. Brothers do this all the time. He can eat tofu (skinship) and Lin Xiao won’t even know it.
So Ling Luo directly hugged Lin Xiao’s shoulder and kept walking forward without saying a word.
Lin Xiao glowered at Ling Luo. But Ling Luo paid no attention, staring straight ahead.
For when chasing your sweetheart, you have to have a thick face. (be shameless)
Seeing Ling Luo ignoring his angry gaze, Lin Xiao felt frustrated. He can’t throw off Ling Luo’s arm in front of so many people. He gave Ling Luo one last ferocious glare, then started looking at the stalls on either side.
The two women behind them were still happily conversing away.
So Ling Luo managed to ruin Lin Xiao’s previously wonderful date with Sun Xue. After they had said their farewells to Murong Xue and Sun Xue, Lin Xiao immediately threw off Ling Luo’s hand. Then he started walking back to the Lin household.
Ling Luo, left behind, watched Lin Xiao marching away. However Ling Luo quickly chased after him. “Are we going home?” Any topic served if made Lin Xiao talk to him.
Lin Xiao apathetically glanced at Ling Luo. Still holding a grudge about the ruined date, he only responded with an “hmm.”
Unreconciled to the possibility of it being true, Ling Luo still had to ask: “Do you like Sun Xe?”
Lin Xiao suddenly stopped, causing a cart behind him to almost hit him. Raising an eyebrow, he asked Ling Luo: “Do you like Murong Xue?”
Ling Luo shook his head emphatically. “Murong Xue is not the type I like.” The kind he likes is Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao shrugged, “Oh,…Sun Xue is my type. He started walking again, “I’m going to court Sun Xue.”
Hearing this, Ling Luo almost said: “Not allowed!” But he bit his tongue, deciding in the days to come he must not allow Lin Xiao to spend any time alone with Sun Xue.
When they arrived at the Lin home, Lin Yue promptly pulled Lin Xiao into the study.
Lin Yue reclined in a chair and asked Lin Xiao, “How did you get along with Sun Xue today?”
Ling Luo embracing his shoulder, while Murong Xue and Sun Xue yakked away together was the first thing Lin Xiao thought of. He curbed his tongue though, saying: “Father, we got along very well.” If not for Ling Luo showing up, he finished to himself.
Lin Yue beamed at Lin Xiao’s words. Maybe soon he would have a grandson to cherish?
A beautiful thought…
After speaking with Lin Yue, Lin Xiao headed for his bedroom.
He was almost there when he saw Ling Luo guarding the door. Lin Xiao promptly turned to go somewhere else. Ling Luo was too quick though, directly using his cultivation to stop Lin Xiao in his tracks.
‘Is it so great to be more powerful than me?’ thought Lin Xiao. He looked at Ling Luo, “What’s the matter?”
Ling Luo calmly replied: “Nothing. I came to find you so we can train together.” He hid his fear that Lin Xiao would refuse.
Lin Xiao thought about it, he really hadn’t combat-trained for a while. So he agreed to Ling Luo’s proposal.
Together they went to the Lin training ground. Standing opposite each other, Ling Luo’s aura changed. He was like an unsheathed sword, ready to assault without mercy.
“You get the first strike,” Ling Luo said.
Whoever went first had the better chance of winning.
Therefore, Lin Xiao didn’t bother being polite, but sent his sword at Ling Luo. Ling Luo’s cultivation is higher than his, no point in being modest.
Indeed, as Ling Luo’s cultivation was greater, so was his practical experience. He sent a wave towards Lin Xiao, finishing it with a punch of his clenched fist.
Ling Luo will battle with him without even using his weapon? Lin Xiao felt dismayed, but started striking faster. He didn’t want to avoid, any more than he wanted to be left behind.
The two men fought for a long time. Ling Luo dodged Lin Xiao’s blows, and calculated his own moves to give Lin Xiao time to avoid them. While Lin Xiao was attacking with all his ability.
“I’m sorry!” Suddenly Lin Xiao’s blade pierced Ling Luo’s chest. The wound wasn’t deep, yet it bleed all over.
Lin Xiao’s eyes were wide. “Why didn’t you avoid it?”
Ling Luo gave a strained laugh. “You think your cultivation is just a decoration? Don’t give me so much credit.” He ripped off his shirt, light bruising showing on his honey-hued skin. “You’ve weakened me with your strong spirit wind, so I couldn’t dodge your hit.”
Remorse surged up in Lin Xiao, hearing Ling Luo’s words. Ling Luo had showed kindness, offering to train with him. And now he had hurt Ling Luo. He didn’t expect that his cultivation had become so strong…
“You…” Huangfu Shan suddenly spoke to Lin Xiao.
“What?” asked Lin Xiao.
Huangfu Shan seemed to hesitate, “Nothing.”
……
……
Lin Xiao didn’t question Huangfu Shan further.
Instead he worried about Ling Luo. He had medicine for the wound on Ling Luo’s chest, but none for Ling Luo’s bruises.
As Lin Xiao was feeling embarrassed, Ling Luo abruptly said, “It doesn’t matter, I have medicine. I’ll apply it myself. You’re clearly busy with your…” Ling Luo turned about and walked away.
Looking at Ling Luo’s back, Lin Xiao felt guiltier and guiltier.
……He couldn’t help but chase after Ling Luo. “I’ll help you apply the medicine,” he tells Ling Luo.
Ling Luo erased his smirk, seemingly hesitating: “Forget it. You’re probably tired from all the walking you did earlier. I’ll just do it myself.” He graced Lin Xiao with a sad, wounded smile.
“It’s all right. I’m a cultivator, how could I be tired out from shopping? I’m going to help you. Come on, let’s go to your room,” said Lin Xiao. They walked there together, while Lin Xiao futilely pretended to himself that he didn’t feel heartache over Ling Luo’s scars and bruises.
After they were all done, as Ling Luo stood watching Lin Xiao’s retreating back, the corner of his mouth stealthily curved upwards.
Xuan Ye sighed in Ling Luo’s heart. “You! You’re indeed learning.”
It wasn’t meant as a compliment, but Ling Luo laughed anyways.