Chapter 488: Face-to-Face

Hearing the voice, the two girls simultaneously turned their heads toward the direction it came.

They saw a tall and graceful figure running lightly toward them, swift as the wind.

In this world, the only one who would call Lin Xiao “Master” was none other than Chen Lingxin.

After getting off the train, Chen Lingxin and Lin Xiao had split up. Chen Lingxin went outside the station to contact people from the Chen Martial Hall, while Lin Xiao came to find Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing, arranging to meet at the front of the station.

Lin Xiao stopped walking and waved at Chen Lingxin.

Originally, Chen Lingxin had wanted to leap straight into Lin Xiao’s arms, but she quickly noticed the two girls beside him. Her forward momentum came to an abrupt halt.

She stood two meters away, her bright apricot-shaped eyes wide open, glancing back and forth between Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing. Her eyes were filled with surprise, confusion, and a deep sense of wariness.

Huang Caixing looked back at Chen Lingxin with the exact same expression. Her big eyes didn’t even blink.

Yuan Yu, by contrast, behaved more naturally, though curiosity was visible in her clear, spiritual gaze.

The three girls, all close in age, stared at each other without speaking.

Finally, Lin Xiao broke the silence. “Let me introduce you all.”

Before he could finish, Huang Caixing and Chen Lingxin suddenly spoke at the same time:

“Master, who are they?!”

“Big Brother Lin, who is she?!”

Hearing the other’s voice, the wariness in their eyes only deepened. Their gazes collided midair, sparks practically flying.

“Hey! Lin Xiao, Caixing, Little Yu, what are you all standing around here for?” Just then, a graceful, magnetic female voice sounded behind Lin Xiao. “And who’s this young lady?”

Lin Xiao turned around and was instantly stunned by the sight, a feeling of amazement rising in his heart.

Today, Huang Xinyu was wearing a modified cheongsam that outlined her graceful curves, revealing a pair of slender, fair legs. She exuded a mature woman’s unique charm as she walked over with cat-like steps.

As she reached Lin Xiao’s side, whether by chance or intention, she and the other three girls formed a complete circle. Four beauties, each with distinct styles yet equally dazzling, immediately drew the attention of everyone around.

As the only man among them, Lin Xiao naturally became the center of attention—every gaze filled with envy and resentment.

“Damn! I’m in luck today. So many beauties!”

“Yeah, prettier than TV actresses! And there are four of them, what a rare sight.”

“Who is that guy? His luck with women is off the charts!” One man stared at Lin Xiao with a lecherous gaze, filled with jealousy.

“Look, two of the girls are even clinging to his arms. Damn it, I’m dying of envy!”

“God is so unfair! I don’t even have one girlfriend, and this guy has four. It’s feast or famine!”

“If I could be like him, I’d give up thirty years of my life!”

Others cursed Lin Xiao bitterly.

“I hope he dies from exhaustion tonight!”

These murmurs entered Lin Xiao’s ears. He frowned slightly and spoke again:

“This isn’t a good place to talk. Let’s go somewhere quieter.”

With that, Lin Xiao walked toward a nearby quiet corner. Yuan Yu and Huang Caixing held their arms and followed closely behind.

As they turned, Huang Caixing shot Chen Lingxin a provocative glance and stuck out her tongue.

Chen Lingxin bit her lower lip lightly, staring at Huang Caixing’s back, her eyes filled with unwillingness.

On the other side, Huang Xinyu smiled warmly and waved to Chen Lingxin. “Come along, dear.”

For some reason, Chen Lingxin felt an immediate sense of closeness to Huang Xinyu, the elegant and graceful woman. A rare obedient look appeared on her face as she walked alongside her.

Once they reached the corner, Lin Xiao introduced them to one another.

He had already decided he wouldn’t explain any personal relationships, only give names.

After the introductions were done, Huang Caixing was the first to act:

“Hey, Chen Lingxin, what’s your relationship with Big Brother Lin? Why do you call him ‘Master’?”

Before she could finish, her head received a knock from Huang Xinyu’s knuckle.

“How can you speak to her like that? Where are your manners? Chen Lingxin, how old are you this year?”

Chen Lingxin looked at Lin Xiao, then replied somewhat shyly, “I’m twenty this year, one year younger than Master.”

“Twenty already? Tsk tsk… old—”

Huang Caixing seized the chance to mock, but before she could finish, Yuan Yu clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Mmm-mmm—!”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Big Brother is listening,” Yuan Yu whispered in her ear. “If you make him angry, see how you’ll deal with it.”

Huang Caixing instantly quieted down.

“Twenty? That makes you three years older than Caixing and Little Yu. That makes you their older sister now.”

Since Lin Xiao wasn’t speaking, Huang Xinyu naturally took over the conversation.

“I’m Huang Caixing’s mother. You can call me Auntie Xinyu like Lin Xiao does. Even though you’re his disciple, we can each call as we please, no need to worry about seniority.”

“Okay, Auntie Xinyu.”

To Lin Xiao’s surprise, Chen Lingxin was exceptionally well-behaved in front of Huang Xinyu. He couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times, wondering if she had changed her temperament.

Even in front of him, she was rarely this obedient.

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re learning martial arts from Lin Xiao, right?” Huang Xinyu smiled, “We’re all family to Lin Xiao. Since you’re his disciple, you’re one of us too. No need to be nervous, just relax.”

Chen Lingxin blinked. A heavy weight lifted from her heart, and she smiled brightly.

“Got it. Thanks, Auntie Xinyu. I felt close to you the moment I saw you, like we’ve known each other for a long time.”

With her mouth still covered, Huang Caixing gave a humph and turned her head away, muttering under her breath, “Old woman, shameless…”

But her voice was too soft for anyone else to hear.

“I feel the same. Like we were destined to meet.”

Huang Xinyu gently took Chen Lingxin’s hand. Her palm, though soft, was calloused—a mark left by years of training.

“Training must be hard, huh? If Lin Xiao bullies you, just tell me, and I’ll give him a lesson.”

“Not hard at all! I love martial arts!” Chen Lingxin quickly shook her head. “And Master is very kind to me, he’s never bullied me.”

The second half was clearly not true.

Lin Xiao hadn’t just bullied her, he’d practically tormented her. Every time she was bruised and battered, it was his doing.

“We were about to eat. Do you want to join us?” Huang Xinyu invited.

“No, thank you. I just came to greet Master. My father and brother are waiting for me over there.” Though tempted, Chen Lingxin declined. “Auntie Xinyu, I’ll go first. Master, I’ll come find you in a couple of days.”

Lin Xiao nodded. “Alright. Be careful on your way.”

Chen Lingxin waved and turned away, quickly disappearing from sight.

She’d wanted to give Lin Xiao a hug before leaving, but seeing Huang Caixing clinging to him like a possessive cat, she gave up on the idea.