In fact, he wasn't stupid, nor was he oblivious to the subtle feelings Su Bingyan and Yang Yuqi harbored for him. It's just that Ling Yun wasn't currently prioritizing emotions. Or rather, he was too preoccupied with unexpected events to consider his own feelings, and his ability to manage emotions was far weaker than his control over his mental field. In other words, he adopted a passive, laissez-faire attitude, waiting for fate to bring him into the picture. Expecting Ling Yun to actively seek out love was virtually impossible.
Although Su Bingyan and Yang Yuqi are both top-tier beauties, Ling Yun is no ordinary person either. Furthermore, his mindset and spiritual level have changed. Since the fifth stage of simulation and breaking through illusions, his control over his mind and emotions has become extremely stable, and his ability to manage his feelings is exceptionally clear. At least until now, Ling Yun hasn't developed any intense infatuation with any girl, so there's no question of any romantic development.
Of course, there are people who can touch the deepest part of Ling Yun's heart, but so far, only Gu Xiaorou has evoked a vague affection in him. Su Bingyan, Yang Yuqi, and others, after all, have only known him for a short time and haven't been able to truly enter his heart. True feelings are built up over time, not through fleeting, moth-to-a-flame passion.
For a rational person, the possibility of love at first sight is less likely. However, with the accumulation of time, feelings will naturally develop. In some ways, Lingyun prefers the latter.
However, it was precisely this genuine sense of distance and his detached, unassuming nature, along with the unconscious aura of authority emanating from him as a superhuman, that gave rise to a captivatingly calm and cool charm. It was this very charm and alluring coolness that won over Yang Yuqi and Su Bingyan's hearts.
They could sense that Ling Yun wasn't pretending to keep his distance from them; in fact, he was truly acting this way, so they couldn't help but be curious. Although neither of them were arrogant, having been beautiful for so long and pampered, they naturally developed a bit of pride. When they saw an ordinary boy reacting so calmly to them, it only fueled their curiosity.
This wasn't being unconventional or trying to be different, but Ling Yun's attitude was different from most men, which made him stand out from the crowd.
What is too easily obtained is not cherished. Both Su Bingyan and Yang Yuqi grew up surrounded by men and basked in their glow. They were never short of suitors, and many of them were exceptionally outstanding, far superior to Ling Yun on the surface.
However, precisely because they were too proactive, they easily lost the favor of beautiful women. On the other hand, Ling Yun, who was unintentional, won the attention of beautiful women even more. Especially after getting to know Ling Yun's kindness and sincerity, their goodwill would deepen unconsciously until it turned into longing.
It seems that this ordinary boy possesses a kind of magic; the more low-key, introverted, and honest he is, the more people feel that he is insightful and can't help but want to know everything about him.
As for Ling Yun, whether from the perspective of avoiding suspicion or to prevent awkward emotional situations from arising from deeper contact in the future, he didn't want to have too close a relationship with these four beauties. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy a period of peace and quiet, to properly enjoy university life, and then study hard and cultivate diligently. Other thoughts... well, he could think about them later.
Chapter 114 Is it too difficult to be my boyfriend?
But seeing Yang Yuqi's touching and earnest gaze, how could Ling Yun refuse? Besides, Yang Yuqi might not have come to him to confide her feelings. At least, Ling Yun wasn't presumptuous. Although he wasn't insecure, he was quite aware of his own appearance. So he nodded gently: "I'm fine now, Yuqi. Just tell me what's on your mind, and see if I can help you."
Chen Jiaxuan laughed and said, "Looks like we're all going to be third wheels. Let's go, Bingyan, let Yuqi and Lingyun have a private chat while we eavesdrop outside!" She stood up as she spoke.
Yang Yuqi said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Jiaxuan, Bingyan, I'm just a little inconvenient. I'm really sorry to have troubled you."
Su Bingyan smiled and gently patted her shoulder: "What are you saying, Yuqi? We're best friends. Don't worry about trouble. Jiaxuan and I will go out now. You can talk to Lingyun without worry."
As she spoke, she suddenly leaned close to Yang Yuqi's ear and whispered, "Yuqi, you don't like him, do you? Are you going to confess tonight?"
Yang Yuqi's face flushed instantly, becoming as beautiful and captivating as the sunset glow. She spat at her, "What nonsense are you talking about? I have other things to do. I think you're the one who's..."
Su Bingyan smiled slightly, feeling relieved. Although she didn't believe that Yang Yuqi would only talk to Ling Yun about other things, at least Yang Yuqi wouldn't confess her feelings to Ling Yun tonight.
Having seen countless people, she naturally understood the thoughts of Yang Yuqi, a naive girl. Although the two were similar in appearance, they were incomparable in terms of experience and life experience. Compared to Su Bingyan, Yang Yuqi was merely a delicate flower in a greenhouse.
The two walked out of the private room one after the other. Chen Jiaxuan giggled and closed the door behind them, not forgetting to make a face at Ling Yun.
Ling Yun secretly made a gesture behind her back, signaling Xia Zhen, who was still eavesdropping, to disappear. Eavesdropping on other people's secrets seemed inappropriate in any case. Yang Yuqi wanted to talk to Ling Yun alone, naturally wanting to keep it a secret. No matter how good Xia Zhen and Ling Yun's relationship was, Ling Yun felt he would be letting Yang Yuqi down if he allowed Xia Zhen to continue her clandestine activities.
The young girl naturally understood his meaning, secretly cursing him for prioritizing women over friends, and suddenly felt a pang of jealousy. After pinching Ling Yun's waist hard twice, she disappeared like a gust of wind.
Ling Yun endured the pinching pain in his waist, pretending to be completely unaware. After a while, he looked at Yang Yuqi, who was looking down and seemingly lost in thought, and said, "Yuqi, didn't you have something to tell me? Did something happen?"
Yang Yuqi looked up at him. Her jade-like face was lightly made up, and under the warm, yellow light of the private room, she looked exceptionally beautiful. Ling Yun couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart, and he couldn't help but have the urge to touch her face. But as soon as this thought arose, he immediately stopped himself.
"Ling Yun, I want to ask you for a favor." Yang Yuqi looked at him with her beautiful eyes for a long time before letting out a soft sigh and speaking softly.
"What is it?" Ling Yun asked. He wouldn't blindly agree; what if he couldn't do it?
"Can you promise me first, Ling Yun?" Yang Yuqi stared intently at Ling Yun, her expression pleading. "I won't make things difficult for you."
"Okay." Seeing her gaze, Ling Yun's heart softened instantly, and without thinking, he blurted out "okay."
"That's wonderful, Lingyun. I was so afraid you wouldn't agree." Yang Yuqi was radiant, as if she had become a completely different person in the blink of an eye. She smiled and said, "Lingyun, aren't you afraid I'll make you do something difficult?"
"..." Ling Yun almost fainted. Girls are really strange creatures. One second she can sincerely beg you for something, and the next second when you soften your heart and agree, she will start to find ways to torment you.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't make things difficult for me..." Ling Yun's forehead was already sweating. What kind of situation was this? Even when facing the terrifying Medusa and the hideous humanoid creature in the fifth simulation, Ling Yun had never been this embarrassed.
The young man thought he had cultivated his mind to a high level, and should be able to achieve a state of perfect tranquility, unmoved by the eight winds. He would bend his finger to hold a flower and smile with the enlightenment of Venerable Garan, which was such a carefree and selfless state. But now... Ling Yun wanted to cry. Heavens and earth, why can't I continue to maintain that carefree posture?
Twice in a row, once by Chen Jiaxuan and once by Yang Yuqi, Ling Yun was so provoked that he lost his composure.
Calm down, calm down! In a corner of the boy's heart, a little boy with tears streaming down his face waved a tiny white flag and shouted.
"Of course I won't put you in a difficult position, for example..." Yang Yuqi had somehow picked up Chen Jiaxuan's mischievousness and cleverness, her bright eyes darting around adorably, as if she were thinking of some wicked idea. "How about making you my boyfriend?"
"..." The boy suddenly picked up the ice-cold coffee he hadn't touched for a long time, gulped it down, and grinned foolishly, "Yuqi, this coffee is so hot and delicious, hehe."
Yang Yuqi's pretty face darkened: "Ling Yun, is it so difficult for you to be my boyfriend? Do you think I'm not good enough for you?"
“Yuqi…” Ling Yun said, forcing a smile, “It’s not that you’re not good enough for me, it’s that I’m not good enough for you. Just look at our appearances and you’ll know. Besides, if I’m going to be your boyfriend, I need to know why, right?”
"Sigh, I knew you'd be upset. That's just your personality." Yang Yuqi regained her elegant and calm demeanor and said softly, "I'm sorry, I was just trying to joke with you. I hope you don't mind."
Ling Yun felt relieved and quickly comforted him, "I'm not upset, really not. I'm just a little surprised because you don't usually talk like that. I'm a little taken aback."
"Really?" Yang Yuqi said softly, "Actually, what I really want is for you to pretend to be my boyfriend and come to my house with me during winter break."
"Pretend to be your boyfriend?" Ling Yun was taken aback, and couldn't help but recall the plots that often appeared in TV shows and novels. "Why? Is your family forcing you to get engaged to someone you don't like?"
"How did you know?" Yang Yuqi looked at him in surprise, as if Ling Yun had already grasped all the secrets.
"Moreover, your family may be facing difficulties or want to gain greater benefits, so you have to seek help from a certain interest group. However, their condition is that you must marry the son of an important person." Ling Yun said slowly and deliberately, "Otherwise, your family will not be able to overcome the difficulties and may even suffer retaliation."
Chapter 115 Marriage of Interest (Part 1)
"How do you know everything, Lingyun?" Yang Yuqi's eyes widened, filled with boundless surprise, and she couldn't help but grab his arm. "Lingyun, are you a prophet?"
Ling Yun smiled slightly: "Yuqi, that's how it's written in novels and on TV. It seems that the saying 'art comes from life but is higher than life' is true. I was just saying it casually, but I didn't expect it to match your family's situation so well."
Yang Yuqi finally understood what had happened and couldn't help but sigh: "You guessed right. Although the details are not quite the same, they are basically the same. I'm really troubled, Lingyun. I don't know what to do. I can't find anyone at school who can help me. After thinking about it, it seems that only you can help me."
"Tell me what happened first, and then we'll figure out a solution." Only then did Ling Yun understand why the girl had inexplicably looked so haggard lately.