Chen Jiaxuan didn't even glance at the chilling dagger twirling between her fingers. She casually pointed at Ling Yun and said, "No need to thank me. Thank him instead. I chased after him here, otherwise I wouldn't be here."
Su Bingyan then glanced at Ling Yun. The boy had remained silent the whole time, and she wouldn't have noticed him if he hadn't spoken. Although she was also a freshman, she hadn't participated in military training for some reason, so she didn't actually know Ling Yun. But seeing how ordinary he was, and how Yang Yuqi and Chen Jiaxuan seemed to value him so much, she couldn't help but be quite surprised. So she nodded and smiled, saying, "Hello, Ling Yun."
Ling Yun replied indifferently, "Hello, Su Bingyan." He was actually a little impatient. He hadn't been able to get what he wanted to do tonight, Xia Zhen hadn't shown up for some reason, and he'd run into Ding Hao, that infatuated and unreasonable guy, wasting a lot of time. He was ready to leave. Although Chen Jiaxuan's background was mysterious, and he didn't know who had sent her with him, Ling Yun had no interest in that. What he needed to do now was find Xia Zhen immediately and ask her what was going on. Besides, he needed to enter the barrier to cultivate that night, and every second was precious to him.
Su Bingyan glanced at Ling Yun in surprise. From childhood to adulthood, no man had ever treated her with such indifference and lack of enthusiasm. Usually, even when she had a cold expression, countless suitors would greet her with enthusiastic smiles, hoping to win a smile from the beauty. Of course, after seeing it so many times, she became annoyed. Su Bingyan, true to her name, had become a cold and beautiful ice goose.
This ordinary, unassuming young man, faced with her stunning beauty, showed not even the slightest gentlemanly courtesy. His gaze remained indifferent, as if he were looking at a mere stone. Based on Su Bingyan's vast experience with people and her keen intuition, this young man's indifference was definitely not feigned to attract attention; it was likely his true nature and emotions.
This young man is definitely someone extraordinary. Su Bingyan made this judgment in her mind, remaining outwardly calm but inwardly filled with intense curiosity.
She walked a few steps to the center of the cafe's lobby and said loudly to the customers who were sitting and watching the show, "I am truly sorry that this incident has disturbed everyone's mood tonight, and I thank you all for giving me this face. So, as compensation, I announce that all the coffee and desserts ordered tonight are on the house. Our Bingyan Cafe will also give everyone a complimentary cup of rich coffee and a fruit dessert later. I hope everyone can have a pleasant evening!"
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Disguise
The café was quiet for a moment, then erupted in cheers. Everyone was overjoyed, their earlier worries vanishing. After all, a single visit here usually cost several hundred yuan, and to get a free meal from the owner, plus the chance to admire the four beautiful women up close, made many of the guys feel incredibly happy, completely oblivious to the murderous glares from their girlfriends.
Ling Yun, Yang Yuqi, Lin Naimei, and the others nodded in agreement. Su Bingyan was clearly not just a pretty face; she knew exactly what to do at crucial moments. Although still a student, she possessed far more courage and decisiveness than most adults. This quality wasn't something she acquired suddenly, but rather an ability that comes from having some talent and going through trials. With just a few words, she had appeased the vast majority of customers. Although she had given up an entire evening of free coffee, she had gained a group of customers who trusted the café. This long-term value far outweighed any short-term gains.
Su Bingyan called over a head waiter and whispered a few instructions. Seeing that the customers had quieted down, she turned around, her cool, elegant face blossoming into a beautiful smile: "I wonder if I have the honor of treating some of the famous beauties from Jinghua University to a cup of coffee I made myself?"
Lin Naimei glanced at Ling Yun seemingly casually before smiling and saying, "I couldn't be happier."
Chen Jiaxuan continued playing with the sharp dagger, tilting her head as she said, "I'll drink if it's free, and I won't drink if it's not free. I didn't bring any money."
"Hehe, Jiaxuan, you're so funny." Su Bingyan smiled slightly, then turned her gaze to Yang Yuqi and Ling Yun.
"Then thank you very much for your hospitality, Bingyan." Yang Yuqi smiled gently. She was always gentle and didn't like to refuse others. Since Su Bingyan had taken the initiative to treat her so warmly, she might as well stay for a drink. In fact, although the four of them were all named the Four Beauties and knew who each other was, they had never spoken to each other. This was a good opportunity for them to get to know each other. With the Four Beauties accompanying them, Ling Yun would surely give them face no matter what.
Chen Jiaxuan chuckled: "Ling Yun, you're so lucky! The four of us beauties are here to have coffee with you. If word gets out, you'll cause a sensation throughout the whole school again."
Ling Yun gave her a disapproving look, then turned to Su Bingyan and said indifferently, "Thank you for the invitation, but I have something to do and must go now. Have a good time and enjoy your drinks."
He was actually leaving, which greatly surprised them all. To have a cup of coffee with any one of these four beauties in an elegant café in public was a rare and precious opportunity. Now, with all four beauties present, this guy was showing absolutely no respect, simply turning his sleeves and walking away, treating them as if they didn't exist. He was such a show-off! This was intolerable! The four beauties' faces immediately turned cold, and they were on the verge of exploding and giving Ling Yun a good beating…
"Hehe, even the Four Beauties aren't enough, Ling Yun, you really have style. Well then, I'll join you too, you won't refuse to give me face again, will you?" A perfect voice came from the doorway again, and a beautiful, elfin-like girl walked into the coffee shop with elegant steps. It was Xia Zhen.
Ling Yun's gaze sharpened, questioning him. Xia Zhen gave him a look that said not to ask for now, and then walked up to Su Bingyan with a smile: "Hello, fellow juniors. My name is Xia Zhen. I'm a friend of Ling Yun. I wonder if I would have the honor of having coffee with you beauties?"
Hey! Su Bingyan and the others couldn't help but glance at Ling Yun again. This guy was really something, making friends with the school beauty right after the start of the semester. Yang Yuqi rolled her eyes at Ling Yun, thinking to herself, "You seem honest, but you know quite a few beautiful girls." Suddenly, she felt a little uneasy.
Meanwhile, the four beauties also developed a sense of kinship with Xia Zhen. The title of school beauty was second only to the four beauties, and now that they had seen her, she was indeed stunningly beautiful, with a charm surpassing the others—truly deserving of the title. Su Bingyan quickly invited Xia Zhen and the others into a private room. Ling Yun, helpless, could only accompany the beauties to their seats.
Tonight, the customers of Bingyan Cafe are in for a treat. Not only have the four beauties miraculously gathered together, but Xia Zhen, the famous campus belle of Jinghua University, has also come to visit. The combined power of the five beauties is unparalleled, leaving many male customers dizzy with happiness.
Ling Yun was the only exception. So, among the five beautiful girls, an ordinary boy remained silent, seemingly oblivious to everything, drinking a cup of sweet and strong Mandheling coffee that cost over a hundred yuan.
.
The city nights are cool and still, with a chilly night wind swirling through, making one realize that autumn has perhaps arrived.
Xia Zhen took two steps forward and stepped onto the railing at the edge of the building's rooftop. Her delicate Pettis sandals rested on an iron pipe no more than three centimeters in diameter. Beyond the railing lay a hundred meters above the ground. Toy-like vehicles flowed endlessly through the narrow streets, and in the distance, the city lights shone brightly, creating a captivating night scene.
A gust of wind blew, causing Xia Zhen's long, beautiful hair to flutter and her beige trench coat to rustle in the wind. Under the hazy moonlight, she looked breathtakingly beautiful.
"You had a good night, didn't you, Lingyun?" Xia Zhen's lips curled into a faint smile.
Ling Yun silently watched Xia Zhen's retreating figure: "I want to know why you came so late? And why waste time having coffee with them? It's almost ten o'clock now, and I have to go back to my dorm to sleep. It closes at eleven o'clock."
"I'm going to chase after someone," Xia Zhen said softly, turning gracefully on the railing to face Ling Yun. "An ability user!"
"There are other superhumans?" Ling Yun was startled.
“This world is vast, and there are more than just the two of us with superpowers.” Xia Zhen stared intently at Ling Yun. “Moreover, I suspect that the superpowered person is one of the four beauties tonight, which is why I’m having coffee with them to observe everyone’s clues.”
"Oh? Is there something special about that superhuman that makes them so important?" Ling Yun finally understood why Xia Zhen hadn't come. However, he didn't think much of it.
“Every superhuman deserves our attention, especially those who appear in Beijing. Their movements should be monitored by the Superhuman Headquarters. This isn’t about surveillance or control; superhumans are too powerful for ordinary forces to restrain. Besides, every superhuman has a background.” Xia Zhen suddenly looked at Ling Yun. “Just like you, Ling Yun, don’t you also have many secrets you’re keeping from me?”
Ling Yun's heart skipped a beat. Xia Zhen's words had a deeper meaning, and she seemed to harbor resentment towards him. He thought for a moment before sincerely saying, "Xia Zhen, there's only one thing I haven't told you, and that is the strange arts I've learned. That is indeed my secret, and I can't tell anyone. Please understand."
Xia Zhen jumped down from the railing, walked a few steps to Ling Yun, and said excitedly, "Okay, let's put this matter aside. I didn't want to pry into your secrets. So let me ask you, why didn't you tell me about your family background? We are friends, you should at least tell me about your origins, even if it's just to me alone."
Ling Yun was startled and quickly said, "Xia Zhen, don't get agitated. Didn't I already tell you about my background when we first met? My parents and relatives are all ordinary people..."
Xia Zhen waved her hand angrily: "Don't say you're an acquired mutant!"
"I was born that way!" Ling Yun shook his head helplessly, wondering why acquired mutations were so special.
"Ling Yun, if you don't reveal your true origins today, don't ever see me again. Just pretend I don't have you as a friend," Xia Zhen said coldly, her eyebrows furrowed.
"..." Ling Yun frowned silently, seemingly considering something.
"Ling Yun, you saved my life. Don't we even have the most basic trust?" Xia Zhen couldn't help but ask again when she saw him hesitate.
"Have you seen Yang Yuqi?" Ling Yun suddenly asked.
"Weren't we together all night? How come...?" Xia Zhen was taken aback and answered subconsciously.
Ling Yun smiled slightly: "It's nothing."
A silver glint suddenly flashed in his eyes, and his mental field was activated instantly. His unparalleled power attacked Xia Zhen at close range.
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Questions
Xia Zhen was taken aback. She instinctively raised her arms to block in front of her chest. The moment her mental energy field was activated, Ling Yun's telekinetic power struck her like a heavy hammer.
Xia Zhen flew backward in a straight line. With a bang, the sturdy steel railing was smashed open as if it were made of paper. Xia Zhen was already in the air, but after a brief moment of slump, she stood steadily in the void.