Chapter 155 – Aren't You Moved?

Yun Langyue knew that after successfully obtaining the Nightmare Species Bloodline and becoming a Dual Professional, Su Ming was no longer the same person as before.

Not to mention that with the Nightmare Species Bloodline as his foundation, Su Ming’s starting point as a Hunter was already very high. The mere fact that he had awakened the Vision Mark was enough to prove that Su Ming was no longer the student who had to constantly lay low due to concerns about his insufficient strength, but a genuine existence possessing the power of an Upper-Rank Professional.

Yet even so, Yun Langyue never expected that shortly after awakening the Vision Mark and obtaining the Nightmare Species Bloodline, Su Ming would be able to repel a veteran Upper-Rank Hunter of the Qilin Blade’s caliber.

The most terrifying part was that, to her knowledge, Su Ming hadn’t even exposed his identity as a Dual Professional in the process, seemingly accomplishing this feat relying solely on his Hunter abilities.

Such performance had far exceeded Yun Langyue’s expectations.

Even with her inexplicable trust in Su Ming and her efforts to view him in the highest regard, she never imagined he could achieve this level.

If this didn’t count as a pleasant surprise, then what did?

Yun Langyue’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Su Ming.

“Ahem…”

Su Ming coughed uncomfortably twice, his gaze briefly shifting to the third person present.

However, Uncle Wu acted as if he hadn’t heard anything, maintaining his composure without any reaction to their conversation.

In such circumstances, Su Ming didn’t know how to respond to Yun Langyue’s words.

“Fine, do whatever you want. It’s not like I can stop you anyway.”

For now, Su Ming could only resign himself to the situation and stop pondering Yun Langyue’s intentions.

But Yun Langyue clearly had more to say.

“Do you think Xu Yongfeng’s invitation to his family dinner is really just to express his gratitude?” she asked casually while instructing the driver to start the car.

“What are you trying to say?” Su Ming’s expression remained as unamused as ever.

Yun Langyue pursed her lips into a smile and suddenly brought up a little-known matter.

“Xu Yongfeng’s current situation isn’t actually very optimistic,” she began. “During the Huaming Campaign, as a precautionary measure, he was urgently dispatched to Yinze City to establish contact with the higher-ups of that Base City. The original intention was to potentially request reinforcements from them and have Yinze City send personnel.”

Yun Langyue spoke leisurely.

“As it turned out, Longyao City successfully withstood the crisis, and Xu Yongfeng returned without accomplishing his mission. However, the leading figure of another faction within the Xu Family seized this opportunity to strike against the forces under Xu Yongfeng’s command.”

Upon hearing this, Su Ming remained silent.

He hadn’t known about this matter, nor had Xu Qianqian ever mentioned it to him.

But upon careful consideration, since even Xu Qianqian had been attacked, it wasn’t surprising at all that other important figures under Xu Yongfeng’s command would be targeted by scheming individuals during his absence.

And clearly, not everyone could be as fortunate as Xu Qianqian to have someone come to their rescue.

Therefore, one could easily imagine what kind of blow Xu Yongfeng’s forces must have suffered.

Su Ming could also grasp the underlying meaning behind Yun Langyue suddenly bringing up this matter.

“Are you trying to say that the true purpose of this invitation isn’t to thank us, but to win you over?”

Su Ming roughly understood what Yun Langyue meant by saying this.With his forces under attack and his situation deteriorating, Xu Yongfeng seemed intent on leveraging external power beyond his Family to break through the current predicament.

Given the connection between Su Ming and Xu Qianqian, Yun Langyue was clearly the easiest link to establish.

Thus, Xu Yongfeng had organized this Family banquet—ostensibly to express gratitude, but covertly to explore potential collaboration with Yun Langyue, testing whether they could form a cooperative relationship.

No, even if cooperation couldn’t be achieved, it wouldn’t matter.

“As long as word gets out that I’ve stepped into Xu Yongfeng’s home, even without any formal collaboration, those who take note will grow suspicious and hesitate, becoming restrained and unwilling to act recklessly, right?”

Yun Langyue spoke these words as if it were of little concern to her.

“So, whether cooperation is achieved or not, as long as you accept the invitation to attend this Family banquet, Xu Yongfeng stands to benefit?” Su Ming said in astonishment. “That’s quite the shrewd calculation.”

At the very least, until now, Su Ming hadn’t realized there were so many intricacies hidden within this matter.

Yun Langyue, however, didn’t seem surprised in the slightest.

“After all, he’s a heavyweight active in the political arena. Every word and action of his could carry an agenda,” Yun Langyue said, as if offering a reminder. “Don’t assume Xu Yongfeng is as straightforward and easy to read as Xu Qianqian. For a man who, as a second son, has maneuvered to such prominence within the Xu Family and secured his current status, his cunning runs deep.”

“Then why did you accept his invitation?” Su Ming looked at Yun Langyue curiously. “Since you already know he intends to exploit this situation, why not refuse the invitation instead of joining in the commotion?”

“Didn’t I say it before? It’s because of you and Xu Qianqian,” Yun Langyue chuckled lightly. “What Xu Yongfeng wants to do doesn’t concern me, nor do I care. It makes no difference to me either way. So why not take this opportunity to have some fun with my great benefactor and the Young Miss he has his eye on?”

As she spoke, Yun Langyue cast a flirtatious glance at Su Ming, her movements so natural they made his heart flutter involuntarily.

Su Ming could only curse inwardly, calling her a temptress, while forcing his body to relax.

“You’re right. This has nothing to do with me anyway. I’m just a side character, a mere extra.”

Su Ming had come to accept this.

In Xu Yongfeng’s eyes, Su Ming might truly be nothing more than an add-on, someone brought along merely to serve a purpose.

That was fine—more than satisfactory, in fact.

At the very least, Su Ming had no desire to draw the attention of such a deeply cunning political heavyweight. Being an inconspicuous extra suited him perfectly.

Just as Su Ming was thinking this, Yun Langyue’s subsequent remarks shattered his complacency.

“No, I’m certain that man would want to meet you.”

Yun Langyue voiced this thought.

“Huh?”

Su Ming was taken aback.

Seeing his reaction, Yun Langyue found it amusing and reached out, tapping his cheek with her delicate finger.

“I mean, my great benefactor, you haven’t forgotten that in the eyes of certain people, you’re quite special now, have you?” she said with a teasing smile. “You’re the man who can ‘interact intimately with me, even persuading me to take action,’ and who also shares ‘a noteworthy relationship with Xu Yongfeng’s notoriously unapproachable treasured daughter,’ aren’t you?”Upon hearing this, Su Ming jolted with a start.

“In others’ eyes, a lucky person like you must be quite glaring, right?” Yun Langyue said with a cheerful smile. “Xu Yongfeng is surely wondering what makes you so special that you’ve earned my favor to such an extent—even his daughter treats you differently. It’s easy to guess that he’d want to meet you in person, isn’t it?”

Otherwise, why would Xu Yongfeng personally call Su Ming?

Even with Xu Qianqian’s involvement and Yun Langyue’s connection, the probability of Xu Yongfeng—a political heavyweight with a seat among Longyao City’s upper echelons—personally contacting an “ordinary student” was still very low.

Yet, Xu Yongfeng had done just that.

This precisely indicated that Su Ming had indeed caught his attention.

“Damn it!”

As soon as Su Ming cursed, Yun Langyue’s delicate finger swiftly covered his mouth.

“Don’t be so vulgar,” she chided, shooting him a reproachful glance.

Su Ming, however, brushed her hand away. “It’s all because of you,” he grumbled resentfully. “If you weren’t always so blatant in your actions, why would anyone pay attention to me?”

At this point, Su Ming recalled another matter.

“Don’t think I don’t know—you’ve been spreading rumors in your circle about having a sweetheart, haven’t you?” he said with evident frustration. “Are you trying to push me into a pit of fire?”

With just a little thought, Su Ming could imagine how much trouble Yun Langyue’s actions had sown for him.

Given this enchantress’s charm and family background, her suitors and admirers were surely numerous enough to form a line stretching from Longyao City to Yinze City. The mental state of these people upon hearing Yun Langyue’s claims was entirely predictable—and how much they must resent him, what thoughts they harbored, were equally easy to surmise.

The mere idea of being unwittingly despised by so many people—all from Yun Langyue’s social circle, with presumably notable status and backgrounds—made Su Ming deeply uneasy.

In contrast, Yun Langyue saw no issue with her behavior whatsoever.

“I just wanted to tell those unrealistic people to stop deluding themselves—I’m already spoken for,” she said, her eyes glimmering with a pitiable charm. “I’m so devoted to you; aren’t you touched?”

Touched?

I’m too scared to move!

“Anyway, for this family dinner, you’d better keep your wits about you, my great benefactor,” Yun Langyue cut off Su Ming’s chance to complain, stating bluntly, “Xu Yongfeng might test you in some way. If you’re not careful, you could end up so manipulated by such a political heavyweight that you’d question your entire life.”

Su Ming curled his lip, ignoring Yun Langyue’s warning.

Nevertheless, he took her words to heart, storing them away internally and growing more wary and guarded toward Xu Yongfeng.

People who enjoyed playing mind games had always been Su Ming’s greatest concern. Now that Yun Langyue had alerted him, he naturally wouldn’t take it lightly.

And so, after offering the necessary reminder, Yun Langyue proceeded to tease Su Ming relentlessly.Su Ming was utterly defenseless against this enchantress’s flirtations, soon wearing an expression of utter despair.

Across from him, Uncle Wu watched the entire interaction between the two with a beaming smile, his eyes exceptionally kind.

Not long after, the wedding car turned into a scenic area and slowly drove toward an extraordinarily luxurious manor ahead.

(End of Chapter)