I Miss Him a Little

After packing her things, Jiang Yunlu prepared to head out.

Just as she stepped out of the classroom, she ran straight into the badminton team's coach, Wang Yiping. He looked as if he had been waiting specifically for her.

"Hello, Coach," Jiang Yunlu stopped and greeted him politely.

Wang Yiping's gaze fell upon her, his eyes carrying a mixture of regret and confusion, which eventually turned into a heavy sigh.

"What's going on? You haven't been coming to training lately."

"I'm sorry, Coach."

Jiang Yunlu's tone was somewhat apologetic, but her attitude was clear. "I'm participating in a special training program recently, so... I probably won't be able to come to badminton practice anymore."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Mo's face inexplicably popped into her mind, along with the words he had once said.

"I am a martial arts expert. I'm not allowed to participate in sports events. It's against the rules."

At the time, she just thought it was a lame joke. Thinking about it now, that guy had been telling the truth from the very beginning.

She had even scolded him for it.

At this thought, the corners of Jiang Yunlu's mouth curled up unconsciously, but she quickly flattened them back out.

Wang Yiping took a deep look at Jiang Yunlu.

Judging from Jiang Yunlu's gear, he knew the girl came from a wealthy family. Even if she didn't pursue a career in sports, her future would be smooth sailing.

But the team he led really couldn't afford to lose her, their pillar of support.

It seemed there weren't any strong players among this year's freshmen either.

Without Jiang Yunlu, their ranking would probably plummet.

"Yunlu."

Wang Yiping's voice softened, carrying a hint of pleading. "The team can't do without you. The upcoming matches are one after another..."

Jiang Yunlu shook her head gently, interrupting him.

"I'm sorry, Coach. I have more important things to do."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable tone of finality.

Wang Yiping looked into her clear yet determined eyes, knowing that saying anything more would be a waste of breath.

This girl had always been assertive; once she made a decision, not even ten bulls could pull her back.

What else could he say?

In the end, all the words stuck in his throat, turning into another long sigh.

"Alright then. I won't force you."

He waved his hand and turned away.

Jiang Yunlu watched him leave, feeling no turmoil in her heart.

She had won enough honors for the team; she didn't owe anyone anything.

Behind a pillar not far away, Zhou Nianqian took in this entire scene, his brows knitting together tightly.

He understood Jiang Yunlu far better than a coach did.

That was rigorous training starting from the age she could firmly hold a racket. The calluses formed on her hands, the sweat flowing in the training hall during summers—he had all the corresponding information about it.

Badminton was no longer just a hobby to her; it was a habit ingrained in her very bones and blood.

How come right after Lin Mo left, she immediately threw away the racket she had held since childhood?

This change was too sudden.

Zhou Nianqian's gaze darkened as the cloud of suspicion in his heart grew larger and larger.

He wanted to see exactly what kind of magic potion that guy named Lin Mo had fed Jiang Yunlu!

Ye Minghui's palm slapped heavily onto Zhou Nianqian's shoulder with considerable force.

"Let's go, Old Zhou. We agreed that you'd come with me today to tail Xie Yuling."

Zhou Nianqian stumbled from the slap and brushed off his shoulder in disgust. "Are you out of your mind? A girl from an urban village is worth all this attention? And stalking her? If word gets out, how will our circle save face?"

"You don't understand, it's called contrast."

Ye Minghui spoke plausibly, putting on the airs of a veteran in romance. "During the day at school, she's as aloof as a little fairy. Who knows what she's like in private? I need to get firsthand information. This is called knowing yourself and your enemy, so you can cater to her tastes."

As a person, Ye Minghui was flamboyant, but he wasn't stupid; he just didn't use his brains for the right things.

Zhou Nianqian couldn't be bothered to argue with him, treating it merely as accompanying him to experience life.

The two of them trailed behind Xie Yuling at a moderate distance. It wasn't exactly stealthy, but they were careful enough.

Watching Xie Yuling's figure turn into an alleyway, the two followed suit.

Opposite the alleyway was the urban village, a place where dragons and snakes mixed.

How could two rich kids born with silver spoons in their mouths have ever seen such a sight?

The air was mixed with a damp, musty smell and an indescribable scent of cooking oil and smoke. Beneath their feet were pitch-black puddles left by the recent rain, reflecting the gloomy gray sky.

Ye Minghui looked down, his gaze landing on the brand-new Air Jordans on his feet, the white soles dazzlingly bright.

Then he looked up again at the muddy ground.

The eager excitement on his face instantly deflated like a popped balloon.

"Forget it, let's go back."

Zhou Nianqian was just finding the sight novel. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Retreating already? What about your firsthand information?"

"Retreat, retreat," Ye Minghui waved his hand impatiently, as if trying to swat away the foul air of the area. "It's too dirty. Reeks of poverty. How boring."

Before his voice even faded, he had already turned around and was striding back.

His so-called interest in Xie Yuling was so fragile that it collapsed at the first blow before this puddle of dirty water.

Zhou Nianqian looked at his back and smiled silently. The smile carried a hint of mockery, as well as a knowing look of expected as much.

He quickly followed him.

Xie Yuling, walking ahead, didn't pause her steps at all. It was only before turning into another alley that she glanced out of the corner of her eye toward the spot where they had just been standing.

The corners of her lips curled up silently.

That slight curve held no warmth.

As her cultivation deepened, the coverage area of her divine sense grew wider and more precise.

After all, the Yellow Court Nerve Nourishing Scripture was originally designed specifically for cultivating divine sense.

The conversation between those two guys replayed clearly in her mind, without missing a single word.

Arrogant, rude, and they even dared to scheme against her.

But that was fine.

She promised she would make that Young Master Ye taste a bitterness he would never forget in his lifetime.

The thought flashed by, and she had already arrived downstairs at her apartment building.

Going upstairs, her footsteps paused in front of the door of Lin Mo's rented apartment on the fourth floor.

She stared at the familiar door panel. A moment later, as if possessed, she still fished a key out of her pocket.

The key was inserted into the keyhole and turned gently.

The door opened.

Pushing the door open and stepping inside, she found the place tidy and free of any strange odors.

Every weekend, she would come down and clean the place once, just to avoid Lin Mo accusing her of being a lazy landlady.

In reality, it wouldn't matter even if she didn't clean; Lin Mo could instantly make it spotless upon his return.

She stood at the doorway for a while, her gaze sweeping across the empty living room. Finally, she gently closed the door and turned to go upstairs.

Upon returning home, the aroma of food greeted her face.

Ning Qingcheng was just walking out of the kitchen carrying a plate of stir-fried meat with onions. Seeing her, she blinked mischievously.

"Sister Yuling, missing my senior brother?"

Hearing this, she knew her actions downstairs just now had been completely discovered.

Xie Yuling didn't avoid the topic. She changed her shoes, walked over to the dining table, sat down, and nodded very seriously.

"Yes, I miss him a little."