Chapter 24 Ye Heng

As Lin Yao turned the corner of the corridor, he heard a burst of murmuring coming from the front.

He paused, and the sound stopped abruptly like a broken string.

When he walked over, a few guides who were just acquaintances were looking down and pretending to organize their laptops, but they kept glancing at him out of the corner of their eyes with strange expressions on their faces.

There is surprise, curiosity, and a bit of inexplicable exploration.

"Good morning." Lin Yao took the initiative to greet him, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the vines on his cuffs.

"Good morning, good morning!" Several people responded hurriedly like a cat whose tail was stepped on, and they almost dropped the laptop in their hands.

One of the guides opened his mouth as if he wanted to ask something, but was stopped by the person next to him with a look. In the end, he just said dryly that the weather was nice today and hurried away.

Lin Yao looked at their backs as they almost fled in panic, his brows slightly furrowed.

This is the third time this morning.

From the moment he stepped into the gate of the White Tower, colleagues approaching him either avoided his gaze or hesitated to speak.

When he first started working, he was indeed talked about for a while because of his identities as "the useless guide of the Delin family" and "the poor little exchange bride".

But he never bothered to pay attention, and the whispers gradually died down.

But today was different. There was something in those eyes that he couldn't understand. It was as if they were looking at something... a secret that was suddenly revealed.

What made him feel that something was wrong was that Driver Xu asked for leave from him this morning, saying that he had an urgent matter at home and might not be able to come to his yard to pick him up.

Lin Yao thought it was okay and it would be fine to go to the gate of the De Lin family, so he walked to the gate to take the car. On the way, he actually ran into several servants from the main courtyard of the De Lin family.

Those men were wearing the same black uniform. When they saw him, their eyes suddenly widened. Then, as if pressed, they all lowered their heads and bowed stiffly to him, their voices filled with unprecedented respect: "Hello, Young Master."

Lin Yao was suspicious! Lin Yao was puzzled! Servants from the main courtyard of the De Lin family? Treating him with respect?

This is even more outrageous than a sudden rainstorm on Yellow Sand Planet.

In the past, in the De Lin family, the servants looked at him with either contempt or disregard. Not to mention bowing, it was considered polite to just look at him straight in the eye.

Is he changing his ways today? Or... did something go wrong at Delinwei's wedding?

As he was thinking, he heard the crisp sound of high heels hitting the ground behind him.

Looking back, it was Delinwei.

She was wearing a champagne-colored custom-made long dress, the hem of which dragged on the ground like a spread peacock's tail. Her face was delicately made up, but it couldn't hide the hostility in her eyes.

When she saw Lin Yao, she paused and immediately rolled her beautiful eyes, as if she had seen something dirty.

Lin Yao responded with an even more obvious eye roll without any hesitation, and even a hint of sarcasm appeared at the corner of his mouth, his eyes full of: I've spoiled you with bad habits!

De Linwei obviously did not expect his action. She was so angry that her face turned pale. Just as she was about to say something, she was stopped by the maid behind her.

Then the maid whispered something in her ear. She glared at Lin Yao fiercely and finally stomped her feet and walked away.

Looking at her angry back, Lin Yao touched his chin and hurried to work without thinking much.

But now I see that something is wrong, something is very wrong.

The abnormal attention from colleagues, the respect from the servants of the Delin family, Delinwei's frustration... These fragments put together like the answers to a puzzle.

Lin Yao arrived at 32-09. After packing up, he took out his laptop, hesitated for a moment, and clicked on the Star Network hot search.

The pinned entry was followed by a bright red word "Explosion" and the title was very eye-catching:

#The Ye family recognizes Lin Yao#

# Ye Heng personally forwarded #

# Red Shadow Army forwarded the statement #

Lin Yao's fingertips stopped on the screen and he suddenly understood.

No wonder everything was so weird today. It turned out that there was finally some movement from the Ye family.

He looked at those trending search terms, but there was no emotion in his heart, not even the slightest bit of joy. He just felt... a little strange, which was hard to explain.

He had just complained about Ye Heng and the Ye family yesterday, and they had issued a statement the previous night. How could his complaints have become a nightmare, creeping into the Ye family's dreams and frightening them? So they issued a statement overnight!

This idea was like a fantasy in a weird story. After Lin Yao thought of it, he quickly overturned it. No matter what the reason was, it didn't do him any harm, right?

The killer ice-blue aerial vines poked out from his sleeves, and the leaves gently rubbed the back of his hand, sensing his emotions.

Lin Yao patted the vines, put away the laptop, and began to look through Old K's medical records.

No matter what happens outside, he still has important things to do today, and he cannot delay counseling Old K.

As for all the troubles... let's talk about it after he's done with his work.

-

The fluorescent numbers on the electronic clock had just jumped to 15:09 when three knocks on the door sounded, "knock, knock, knock," with a brisk rhythm and a sense of efficiency.

"Mumu, I'm glad to see you!" Before the door slid open completely, Old K's loud voice burst in, mixed with the unique salty and fishy smell of the Aquamarine Star.

He strode into the room, a washed-out work jacket draped over his shoulders, a bulging canvas bag in his left hand, and his right hand casually slung behind his back, looking very similar to how he looked on the training ground.

The only difference is that in reality he doesn't have a right leg.

He was dressed very formally, but the cold light of his metal prosthesis still shone through the trouser legs that were intentionally or unintentionally raised. However, this did not diminish his bold and generous demeanor in the slightest.

"You're on time." Lin Yao put down the clipboard in his hand, a smile on his face. "Leiya and the others said you've been draining yourself dry lately."

"Hey, those young people are just making a fuss."

Old K slammed the canvas bag onto the table with a thud, revealing half a bag of salt-roasted dried star fish from the bag, and the aroma of oil mixed with the flavor of the sea filled the air.

"I still cherish my life. After all, the babies are so young and still need my help..."

Having said that, a faint blush quietly appeared on his dark cheeks. He glanced at Lin Yao's cuffs. The ice-blue vines were sticking out, and the leaves were swaying gently, as if greeting him.

This familiar color made Lao K's heart move.

Every time they team up, Mumu's spirit body is this ice blue, and even the frequency of its swaying is exactly the same.

"It's good to have some concern!" Lin Yao pointed to the counseling chair, "Sit down. The sooner you get treated, the better."

Old K sat down with a chuckle. Just as he connected the device to the monitoring device in the counseling room, a sharp alarm sounded.

The waveform image on the light screen was torn into pieces by the strong wind and twisted into messy lines. The peak pointer was fixed at 79, and the edge was still shaking wildly.

“Fuck…” Old K cursed softly, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead, and his knuckles clenched white.

Lin Yao also frowned. Lei Ya told him last night that Lao K's volatility index was 73, and it rose by 6 points in one night.

His fingertips slid quickly across the console, calling up Old K's mental sea scan records.

In the three-dimensional projection, the old crack that ran across the mental barrier was expanding, and it was constantly trembling with the fluctuations, as if it would completely collapse in the next second.

Lin Yao's voice deepened, and he pointed to the diversion area: "We need to use the diversion warehouse. I'll go in and strengthen the barrier for you."

Old K was stunned for a moment, looking at the closed door of the counseling area, his Adam's apple rolled: "Do you want... do you want to enter the spiritual sea?" He knew that this kind of deep counseling was effective, but the risk was high. If you were not careful, the counselor would be retaliated.

"Well, the crack in your barrier is too wide and too fragile. Ordinary drainage can't suppress it. No wonder the medicine is useless." Lin Yao stood up as he spoke. "If you can't repair it properly, you know the consequences."

"So, believe me!" Lin Yao looked at Lao K with a smile on his face.

Old K looked at Lin Yao's clear eyes, and thought of Mu Mu who always helped him in times of crisis on the training ground. He suddenly calmed down and nodded in agreement.

"Please in!" Lin Yao pressed the switch of the gate to the diversion area, and the door slowly slid open.

"Okay, I believe you!" He gritted his teeth, supported himself on the handrail and stood up. His metal prosthesis made a 'thump' sound on the ground, and he stepped steadily into the diversion area.

Lin Yao activated the evacuation cabin, and the transparent cabin slowly opened, emitting a soft white light, and a soft energy pad was laid inside.

Lin Yao asked Lao K to lie down and adjust his breathing to the rhythm of the soothing light inside. Lao K did as Lin Yao said and lost consciousness after a while.

Through the spiritual power channel in the diamond-shaped area on the cabin, Lin Yao and Sha Sha successfully entered Lao K's spiritual sea.

Old K's spiritual sea was like a ruin burned by war, with the ground covered with cracks. The most eye-catching thing was the crack in the barrier that ran through it. Dark purple negative energy continuously poured out of the crack, gnawing at the surrounding barriers like a poisonous snake.

"Roar!" An armored bear rushed out, its right hind paw covered in blood.

It stared at Lin Yao and his vines warily, growling threateningly from its throat, but it was too weak to stand steadily, and it swayed and fell to the ground.

"It's me." Lin Yao's voice rang out in his spiritual sea, and the ice-blue vines turned into a stream of light, gently wrapping around the grizzly bear's injured paw.

A light blue halo flowed past, and the bloodstains on the wound gradually faded.

The grizzly bear was stunned for a moment, and its nose moved, as if it recognized this energy.

It whimpered softly, stopped struggling, and just rubbed its head against the vines, as if asking for help.

Lin Yao took a deep breath, and the vines suddenly grew rapidly, turning into a huge net, spreading towards the crack.

After more than an hour of repair, the crack was finally filled.

Lin Yao's fingertips still felt slightly numb from overdrawing his mental strength. When he and Shasha withdrew from Lao K's spiritual sea together, the ice-blue vines had already shrunk back into his sleeves, and they almost lost the strength to wrap around his wrist.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he sat up by holding onto the edge of the evacuation cabin, his eyes immediately falling on the monitor.

The waveform on the light screen turned into a gently undulating curve, and the fluctuation value remained steadily at 50. Although it was still above the health line, it had completely left the danger zone.

"Huh..." Lin Yao let out a long sigh, and his tense shoulders finally relaxed.

He raised his hand and pressed his solar plexus. It felt like a piece of his spiritual sea was hollowed out, leaving it empty and painful.

I originally wanted to use my healing ability to give Old K's spiritual sea a comprehensive combing, but now it seems I don't have the energy.

But it doesn't matter. He looked at Old K who was still sleeping in the cabin, and a trace of relief flashed across his eyes.

As long as the mental barrier is stabilized, the remaining values ​​can be stabilized by drugs.

Next month he will reserve a place for Old K to be counseled and thoroughly clear his spiritual sea, and the matter will be over.

To be on the safe side, Lin Yao reached out and tapped the operating console, switching the evacuation cabin to stable mode.

A light blue energy film flowed on the surface of the cabin, making a soft humming sound. It was not easy for Old K to come here, so it would be good to consolidate it for a while.

-

After doing all this, he dragged his tired body to open the door of the counseling area.

The metal door made a slight sliding sound, and when the scene of the office area came into view, Lin Yao's footsteps suddenly stopped.

A strange sentinel sat on the floating sofa.

The man was wearing a well-tailored black and red uniform with crisp shoulders. Even when he was sitting casually, his back was as straight as if calibrated with a ruler, revealing the toughness unique to a soldier.

His profile was clearly defined and expressionless. Although his face was a little pale, it gave him an air of elegance. He had a high nose bridge and pale red lips. Even when he sat on the chair, he looked like a tall pine tree, quiet and resilient.

Lin Yao frowned. Today, apart from Old K who was added temporarily, he did not accept any other evacuation tasks. Was he a temporary assignment from Bai Ta?

But this man's temperament was too fierce. He didn't seem like someone who came to mediate, but rather like a sentry who came to take his life.

While he was thinking, the person on the sofa raised his eyes and their gaze met his.

The dark green eyes were like ice-cold stars, staring at him without blinking, without any ripples, but with a strong sense of presence.

"Who are you?" When Lin Yao opened his mouth, he realized that his voice was a little hoarse, probably because he had just spent too much energy in his spiritual sea.

"Ye Heng."

The sentry's voice was as clear as a spring, echoing in the quiet office area, but it was like a stone thrown into an icy lake, instantly stirring up silence.

Lin Yao's heart skipped a beat.

Dark green eyes, clear voice... This is exactly the same as the 'Su Ye' on Star Network who teamed up with him and listened to his complaints for more than half a month!

He was just wondering in his mind whether it was Su Ye, but the other party said it was Ye Heng.

The name exploded in his mind like a thunderbolt.

Lin Yao suddenly remembered what happened last night. He subconsciously looked away and clenched the door handle of the counseling area with his fingers, his knuckles turning white.

It turned out that it wasn't his complaints that became a nightmare, but that he criticized the person from head to toe in front of the person.

Lin Yao's eyes moved around the room, and he encouraged himself in his heart. He just said he was Ye Heng, and didn't say he was Su Ye, so what was there to be afraid of!

Even if they were the same person, wouldn't it just be heard by the real person? They weren't doing it right anyway! What's there to be afraid of?

So, while sleeping like this, Lin Yao closed the door of the counseling area, walked back to his desk, sat down on the chair, and then asked, but the bitterness in his voice was even stronger:

"Mr. Ye, why are you here?"

"Sorry." Ye Heng lowered his voice, his dark green eyes filled with guilt. He leaned forward slightly, keeping a very low profile.

"It's my fault and the Ye family's fault that you were dragged into those unbearable public opinions and endured pressure that shouldn't belong to you."

This sentence was like a key, completely unlocking the lock of pretending to be confused in Lin Yao's heart.

He looked into Ye Heng's honest eyes and sighed deeply, his tone carrying a hint of fatigue, yet also a hint of relief that everything had finally been settled: "So, Su Ye is..."

"It's me." Ye Heng admitted it without any hesitation.

His fingertips tightened slightly, as if he was choosing his words, or as if he was mustering up his courage:

"Su Ye is my smurf account. I did register this account for a purpose. Didn't you ask the other day why there was no one from Chi Ying? Su Ye is the answer!"

He raised his eyes to look at Lin Yao, his gaze sincere: "Meeting you was an accident. Teaming up with you and training with you were not fake."

Mentioning the Ye family's previous actions, Ye Heng's Adam's apple rolled, and his tone became a little more self-deprecating:

“I didn’t take the engagement with the Delin family seriously, so when they proposed a marriage swap, I didn’t care.

Grandpa said, 'Leave it to me,' and I entrusted him with full authority. At that time, I didn't even know who Lin Yao was, let alone think about finding out."

"The cold treatment after the marriage exchange, neither admitting nor denying, was all Grandpa's decision. I am also wrong!"

Ye Heng's voice sank, filled with deep regret.

Even though it was the old man who made the decision on this matter, Ye Heng did not put the blame on him. Instead, he reflected on his own attitude, which led the old man to do things the way he did.

"Thinking about it now, it wasn't 'indifference'; it was outright arrogance. I never considered that this marriage, which I regarded as an 'interlude', would put an innocent guide in the spotlight."

"Lin Yao, I'm sorry." He apologized again, this time with an unconcealable heaviness in his voice. "I never respected your dignity, let alone considered your situation."

The air in the office was tensely quiet, with only the occasional flicker of light from the computer screen.

Lin Yao listened silently, ice-blue vines poking out from his sleeves, leaves drooping, as if digesting the complex information for its owner.

Ye Heng took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and said something even more hurtful:

"Later... I met Mumu on the training ground. The tacit understanding we had when teaming up, and the comfort we felt when our mental powers collided, were all experiences I had never had before.

Mumu and I are a perfect match, so perfect that I'm even thinking about breaking off my engagement with Lin Yao once I'm done with the current affairs."

His voice became hoarse. "I know this idea is unrealistic. Grandpa won't agree, and neither will the Ye family. So I restrained myself and stayed away from Mumu. I didn't expect that this would lead to Mumu saying, 'That's it.'"

"Actually, at that time, I blamed Lin Yao. I thought it would be better if Lin Yao wasn't there, but I also knew that Lin Yao was innocent."

"People's hearts are always biased. Because I like being with Mumu so much, I am even more reluctant to acknowledge Lin Yao as my engagement partner. I am very selfish."

"I once made a decision. My heart must be numb, and I can give my body to Lin Yao."

"I hurt you as Lin Yao, and I also hurt you as Mu Mu."

Ye Heng's gaze was fixed on Lin Yao, his dark green eyes filled with pain and regret, but also with relief and joy.

"So when I found out that Mumu was Lin Yao, besides regret, I felt happy and relieved, because I finally didn't have to split myself into two parts. Although this is shameless, it is the truth."

Lin Yao finally moved. He raised his eyes and looked at Ye Heng calmly, as if he was examining him, or as if he was looking through him.

The ice-blue vines swayed gently, and the tiny spots of light on the leaves looked like they were filled with grievance or relief from finally hearing the truth.

"So," Lin Yao's voice was soft but unmistakable, "those three statements on Starnet reflect your stance?"

Ye Heng nodded almost immediately, his dark green eyes showing no hesitation at all, as if he was reading out a military order: "Yes."

He paused, his Adam's apple rolling as he added, "That's the most direct and appropriate compensation I can think of."

"Accept the engagement." He looked into Lin Yao's eyes and said word by word, "Let everyone know that the Ye family doesn't despise you. This will silence the gossips, pull you away from those rumors, and bring you under my protection."

His voice was unmistakably forceful, yet concealed with cautious sincerity, "I know you don't need to rely on anyone, but I want to hold an umbrella for you so that those prying, mocking eyes can no longer hurt you."

Having said this, Ye Heng's gaze dropped slightly, landing on the vines on Lin Yao's sleeves. There was a subtle hint of nervousness in his tone. He paused for a long time before speaking with difficulty:

"If you, Lin Yao, are willing to fulfill the engagement, that would be best. But if... if you still can't accept it, that's fine too."

He raised his head, his dark green eyes reflecting the light from the office area, surprisingly bright:

"I want to get to know you again. In the name of Ye Heng and Lin Yao, I want to pursue you and make up for the past debts little by little with my actions until you are willing to agree."

These words were so frank that they were almost clumsy. They didn't sound like a battle-hardened marshal at all, but rather like those of a young boy. However, they were very powerful, like a stone thrown into a lake, creating ripples in Lin Yao's heart.

Lin Yao was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled softly.

The smile was faint, but it dispelled the alienation between his brows and softened his handsome face. "You don't have to take all the responsibility on yourself."

"The Delin family took the initiative to exchange marriages, and the Ye family took the opportunity to deal with it coldly. This is a game between big families, and I am just a chess piece involved."

Lin Yao's tone was very calm, as if he was talking about someone else's business. "Half of what I said last night was in anger."

He raised his eyes to look at Ye Heng, and the ice-blue vine gently rested on his wrist, as if to comfort him: "Don't take those words to heart."

Ye Heng's heart suddenly relaxed, as if a stone that had been hanging for a long time finally fell to the ground.

He looked at the calmness in Lin Yao's eyes and suddenly felt that the prepared and heavier apologies seemed unnecessary.

"As for the engagement..." Lin Yao's voice was filled with self-mockery, "I still know where I am now, so thank you for holding an umbrella for me!"

What happened this morning was like a revolving lantern. Because of Ye Heng’s statement, the De Lin family also began to see him, and the comments on the Internet also restrained. This was enough to show that he needed to rely on the big tree of the Ye family.

Ye Heng's eyes lit up instantly, like ignited sparks.

"But I have to make it clear." Lin Yao immediately added, his tone much more serious, "There is no emotional basis between us. This is a marriage between the De Lin family and the Ye family."

Lin Yao's eyes were clear and frank:

"Ye Heng, I accept your apology and acknowledge your willingness to make amends. But love isn't a transaction. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the future."

The ice-blue aerial vines twirled gently around his fingertips, as if testifying to his words.

But Lin Yao knew in his heart that Ye Heng was happy that Mu Mu and Lin Yao's identities overlapped. Would he really be unhappy if Su Ye and Ye Heng became one person?

He was actually glad that Su Ye and Mu Mu could only be good friends, but Ye Heng and Lin Yao could take a step forward.

Ye Heng looked at him, and the tension in his dark green eyes gradually faded away, leaving only deep solemnity.

He nodded slowly, his voice more serious than ever before: "I understand."

Ye Heng knew that this was the best outcome.

Lin Yao did not push him away, nor did he make promises easily. This clarity and rationality was exactly what he admired.

"I won't force you." Ye Heng made this promise, but he had made up his mind in his heart that he would not let it go. Since he had come in, the only option was to stay.

The air flowing between the two of them was no longer as stagnant as before, making the tranquility of this moment particularly clear.

From this moment on, something was quietly changing.