Chapter 477: Reply Letter

Chen Lingxin nodded in sudden realization. “I was wondering why every time I tried to use a kick, my leg would get caught by Master. So this was the reason.”

“Also, you focus too much on the continuity of your moves. Martial arts techniques exist to defeat opponents, but to win, sometimes you must adapt and abandon the form altogether.”

“I understand that in theory, but I just can’t do it.” Chen Lingxin blinked, then suddenly said, “Master, are you really going to let your disciple lie here like this?”

Lin Xiao bent down and extended a hand. “Then get up.”

Chen Lingxin giggled and took Lin Xiao’s large hand, using his strength to pull herself up from the ground. But suddenly, her body gave way, and she fell into Lin Xiao’s arms.

“Master, you really don’t know how to be gentle with a delicate girl. My whole body feels like it’s falling apart.”

“Falling apart because of me?” Lin Xiao said speechlessly. “Can you not say things that are so easily misunderstood?”

“What’s there to misunderstand? It’s you who has impure thoughts.”

Chen Lingxin stuck out her tongue at Lin Xiao, then wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her forehead against his chest as she said in a spoiled tone, “I really have no strength left. Carry me back to the room, please~”

“Fine, fine. Whatever you say.”

Lin Xiao naturally knew she was teasing him again, but he couldn’t be bothered to argue.

“But really? No strength at all?”

“You threw me around so many times; how could I be faking?” Chen Lingxin pouted and grumbled, “Master, did you forget I’m a girl?”

“In the future, your enemies and opponents won’t show you mercy just because you’re a girl,” Lin Xiao said calmly, then picked her up by the waist and strode downstairs.

Chen Lingxin pressed her cheek against Lin Xiao’s chest, listening to the powerful rhythm of his heartbeat and breathing in the masculine scent on his body. Feeling safe, she closed her eyes.

A few minutes later, the two returned to the small single room.

“You take a shower first. I’m going out to make a phone call.”

Lin Xiao set Chen Lingxin down and walked out of the cramped single room that barely had enough space for one person to sleep, closing the door behind him.

Chen Lingxin bit her lower lip and stood there in a daze for a moment. Then, supporting herself against the wall, she picked up her change of clothes and toiletries and hobbled into the bathroom.

Lin Xiao walked to the corridor, took out his phone, and dialed Yuan Yu’s number.

The call connected quickly, and from the other end came Yuan Yu’s clear, sweet, gentle voice, “Big Brother Lin, is that you?”

“It’s me. How are things at home?”

“I’m doing well. Right now, I’m at Aunt Xin’s house. Little Cow is in the bathroom taking a shower. Aunt Xin isn’t back yet,” Yuan Yu said obediently. “Big Brother Lin, did everything go smoothly? Are you hurt?”

Lin Xiao looked at his left hand, which was wrapped in bandages, and told a small lie.

“Everything went smoothly. I didn’t get hurt. If all goes well, I should be back in Jinghai tomorrow.”

“You’re coming back tomorrow? That’s great!”

Yuan Yu’s voice carried a hint of joy, followed by a touch of shyness. “Big Brother Lin… I really miss you… do you… miss me?”

Lin Xiao’s heart warmed. “I miss you too.”

“Mm.” Yuan Yu let out a soft hum. “Big Brother Lin, guess what? We had exams today.”

However, before she could finish, Huang Caixing’s bright and lively voice suddenly rang out on the other end.

“YuYu, who are you talking to? So sneaky… Is it Big Brother Lin?”

“Mm, it’s Big Brother Lin.” As she spoke, Yuan Yu’s voice suddenly grew louder, “Little Cow! Why did you come out without putting on clothes? Hurry up and get dressed.”

“Oh my! It really is Big Brother Lin? Give me the phone, I want to talk to him.”

“You get dressed first! I haven’t finished talking to Big Brother Lin yet…”

“I don’t care! If you don’t give it to me, I’ll snatch it myself…”

“…”

Even through the phone, Lin Xiao could hear the two girls quarreling and fighting over the phone. The intensity of the battle was obvious, and he couldn’t help but feel speechless.

But along with the exasperation, he also felt a warmth in his heart.

After about half a minute, Huang Caixing’s voice returned, “Big Brother Lin, are you still there?”

“Mm, I’m here.” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but smile. “You took the phone?”

“Yep! YuYu’s no match for me. Right now, I’ve got her pinned underneath me.” Huang Caixing said proudly, “Big Brother Lin, why did you go to Dongzhou? When are you coming back?”

“I had some things to take care of. I can’t really explain in detail,” Lin Xiao leaned against the wall, one hand in his pocket, “But if nothing unexpected happens, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“When you come back, make sure to tell me. I’ll come pick you up at the station,” Huang Caixing said, then suddenly burst out laughing and shouting, “YuYu! What are you doing?! Don’t touch me there… Ah—!”

About ten seconds later, Yuan Yu’s voice came through again.

“Big Brother Lin, you don’t know how ridiculous Caixing is. She didn’t even put on any clothes and insisted on stealing my phone.”

“You two could’ve just talked to me together. Why fight over the phone?” Lin Xiao said helplessly. “Forget it, let’s stop here for now. I’ll be back tomorrow anyway. Sleep early tonight; don’t stay up studying too late.”

With that, Lin Xiao decisively hung up the call.

On the other side—

Yuan Yu put down the phone and glared at Huang Caixing. “It’s all your fault! Big Brother Lin hung up!”

Wrapped in a large bath towel, her black hair draped over her shoulders, fair skin and long legs fully exposed, Huang Caixing retorted, “Big Brother Lin just didn’t want to waste his breath on you. If you’d given me the phone earlier, he wouldn’t have hung up.”

Yuan Yu rolled her eyes. “You’ve got some nerve. I was having a good conversation with him until you barged in. Weren’t you supposed to be taking a shower? Why’d you come running out?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Because Big Brother Lin and I are connected telepathically.”

Huang Caixing stuck out her tongue, made a playful face at Yuan Yu, and then turned and ran back into the bathroom.

“Not talking to you anymore. I’m going back to my bath. It’s cold!”

While Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing were bickering, back in faraway Dongzhou, Lin Xiao sent separate text messages to Ning Xi and Wan Caixuan, briefly updating them on his situation. Only then did he put away his phone and return to the small single room.

On the not-so-large bed, Chen Lingxin was sitting hugging her knees, wearing a white T-shirt. Her long, slender legs were drawn up, exposing her full thighs and shapely calves completely. Under the light, her skin glowed with an alluring snowy sheen.

Beside her sat a bottle of medicated liquor. She was pouring some into her palm, apparently preparing to apply it to the bruises scattered across her body.

All those participating in this martial hall assessment were elites. Though Chen Lingxin had won her matches, a few bumps and bruises were inevitable.

When Lin Xiao entered the room, Chen Lingxin reflexively tugged down her T-shirt hem to cover her legs.

“Master, you’re back.”

She lowered her head shyly, a faint blush blooming on her porcelain-like cheeks.

Looking at Chen Lingxin’s nearly half-naked figure, Lin Xiao’s expression didn’t change. His demeanor toward her was as calm and steady as always.

“How’s your body feeling?”