Chapter 24: A Warmth Upon the Face

Ever since that night, Lin Xihe had noticed that Yu Tingye’s attitude toward her had softened considerably. Whenever he had a spare moment, he would come to see her. Most importantly, he even allowed her to kiss him, hold him, and let her...

As Lin Xihe pondered this, her face flushed warm.

"Miss, why have you been giggling to yourself lately?" A-Jiu was worried sick. When the young lady cried, she worried; when the young lady laughed, she was still worried.

Lin Xihe smiled at her and couldn't help but ask, "A-Jiu, is there any man you like?"

"I look so ordinary, what man would ever like me?" Embarrassed by the question, A-Jiu made an excuse about needing to get back to her chores and hurried away.

*A-Jiu must have someone she likes,* Lin Xihe guessed to herself.

Lin Xihe took a slip of paper from under her pillow; it had an address written on it. It was time to go and pick up Shuangyi and Shuangyu.

Passing by a small bamboo grove, Lin Xihe saw Luoxue and Yi Lanshu inside, whispering endearments and embracing.

The two of them...

Lin Xihe watched for a moment before walking away.

The thought that Yu Tingye intended to kill Yi Lanshu made her heart heavy. If Luoxue loved Yi Lanshu, she would be heartbroken. Between her master and her lover, what would Luoxue...

Lin Xihe sighed, feeling as though there was little she could do to help. She couldn't understand why Yu Tingye wanted to kill Yi Lanshu; weren't they friends?

Lin Xihe shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it; she wouldn't be able to figure it out anyway.

She found the place where Shuangyi and Shuangyu were staying—a gathering spot for low-level demons. It was full of life, the environment was pleasant, and it seemed like a wonderful place to live.

"Are you two certain you want to come with me?" Lin Xihe asked once more. If she could, she would have liked to move to this cozy little town herself; it was so peaceful.

Shuangyi nodded, her tone firm. "Although we are safe for now, there is no guarantee that Meng Yan won't track us down here eventually. Therefore, we..."

"Very well."

Lin Xihe brought Shuangyi and Shuangyu back to the Night Palace and went to seek Yu Tingye’s opinion, but he simply told her to make the decision herself.

Seeing that he seemed to be searching for some books and had no time to attend to her, she had to handle the situation on her own.

From a distance, she saw Tang Xin'er chatting with Shuangyu.

Full of curiosity, Lin Xihe walked over. When Shuangyi saw her, she immediately stepped forward to bow. "Demon Venerable."

Lin Xihe reminded her, "Shuangyi, don't call me Demon Venerable anymore. Just call me Xihe. If that feels too unfamiliar, you can call me Wanwan or Miss Wan in private." Compared to Lin Xihe, "Wanwan" did sound more natural; it was what Yu Tingye had always called her, never once changing it. She hadn't insisted otherwise, choosing to let him be as he pleased.

"Sister-in-law," Tang Xin'er asked Lin Xihe, "is Shuangyu going to be working at the Night Palace from now on?"

Lin Xihe nodded. "What is it, Xin'er? Do you have an idea?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xin'er was overjoyed. "How about he becomes my personal bodyguard?"

"That would depend on Shuangyu's wishes," Lin Xihe said, turning to him. "Are you willing?"

Shuangyu cast a glance at Shuangyi. Seeing that she remained silent, he replied, "Very well. I will do my utmost to protect Miss Xin'er."

After settling Shuangyu in, Lin Xihe took Shuangyi back to her own sleeping quarters.

"Shuangyi, from now on you will stay with me..."

Shuangyi suddenly knelt down and pleaded, "Miss Wan, I would like to follow Lord Tingye, if that is possible?"

Lin Xihe: "..."