Chapter 30: Look Not, See Not…
Soon, the carriage carrying Xu Bai and Lin Yan arrived at a magnificent mansion.
They had been mostly silent during the ride. Xu Bai was naturally quiet, and being in close proximity to Lin Yan made her even more reserved, careful not to reveal anything.
Lin Yan, on the other hand, had been observing Xu Bai with undisguised admiration, marveling at her beauty.
“We’ve arrived, Miss, Miss Bai.”
Uncle Lin opened the carriage curtain, his expression returning to its usual calmness.
But Xu Bai still felt his attention lingering on her.
“Alright, alright,” Lin Yan waved her hand, reluctantly tearing her gaze away from Xu Bai, then extended a hand expectantly.
“Bai, let’s go.”
Xu Bai hesitated, then placed her hand in Lin Yan’s, wanting to avoid any unnecessary trouble.
“Uncle Lin, you go ahead. I’ll take Bai for a walk,” Lin Yan said, her grip on Xu Bai’s soft hand surprisingly firm, her excitement barely concealed.
“Miss, really… well, as you wish.” Uncle Lin smiled, shaking his head, then looked at Xu Bai, his voice low and deliberate. “Miss Bai, I hope you and the Miss have a pleasant time and prepare well for tonight’s banquet.”
Xu Bai nodded slightly, understanding his implied meaning. His “preparation” wasn’t just about choosing clothes.
This banquet with Glaimond… was likely to be more than just a social gathering.
“Alright, Uncle Lin, you go ahead. We’ll be well prepared. Bai, let’s go find you a new dress!” Lin Yan waved her hand dismissively, pulling Xu Bai towards the mansion. “Hmm… a dress like mine. I think I brought a smaller size.”
As they walked into the mansion, their figures receding, Uncle Lin’s smile faded, his expression turning complex.
“Miss Bai, who are you really? Do you truly come from ‘Vikarn’? To appear in that place…”
He clearly remembered Xu Bai’s expression as she stood before the mysterious building complex. She truly believed her home was inside.
But that place had been abandoned and forgotten for centuries, only remembered by the locals as a dangerous place.
The complex was, according to records, the gateway to “Vikarn.”
But after the fall of the ancient empire that maintained “Vikarn,” that gateway had been destroyed.
“Regardless, perhaps bringing you along will help the Miss escape this whirlpool…”
“The shadows of the ancient empire are not ours to bear.”
Uncle Lin masked his expression, then followed them into the mansion.
…
The Lin family, a lineage stretching back to the ancient empire, was vast and influential, with branches throughout the North Empire. Lin Yan’s branch was only a minor one.
However, blood ties were no match for strength. Lin Yan had secured her position within the family through her own abilities, her status surpassing many direct descendants.
Even among the Empire’s younger generation, she was among the strongest, with few rivals her age.
So, when the Vikarn Port branch learned that Lin Yan would be stationed there with the Garrison Knights, they immediately prepared their finest mansion and a luxurious carriage—the one Xu Bai had arrived in—to accommodate her.
As Xu Bai stepped into the mansion, she was captivated by its lavishness.
Lin Yan, no longer as excited as she had been outside, maintained a composed demeanor, nodding to the servants who greeted her.
This was the Lin Yan Xu Bai remembered. However, once they were inside a private room, Lin Yan’s expression relaxed.
“Oh, that was tiring,” she stretched, rubbing her stiff cheeks, then chuckled, seeing Xu Bai’s surprised expression. “I have to maintain appearances. I’m a young lady from a prominent family, after all… well, sort of.”
“Were you always like this in the Knights, big sister?” Xu Bai asked curiously.
She had always found Lin Yan’s aura intimidating, though that was usually before she beat her up.
“Yes, it’s tiring keeping up a facade, but I represent the Lin family within the Knights… well, not anymore, I suppose.” Lin Yan sighed, remembering some unpleasant memories.
A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes, quickly vanishing.
She was thinking of him again. It had been over a year, yet she couldn’t forget…
“Well, let’s get you changed.”
Lin Yan shook her head, pushing aside the melancholic thoughts, and began removing her heavy armor, revealing her undergarments.
Xu Bai quickly averted her gaze, blushing.
Although she was a girl now, seeing another girl undress so casually was still embarrassing… Look not, see not…
Lin Yan, seemingly oblivious to Xu Bai’s discomfort, continued, “Bai, do you want to take a bath first? If you don’t mind… I can scrub your back?”
“N-no, thank you…” Xu Bai tried to control her blush, but Lin Yan’s words flustered her.
“Oh, alright…” Lin Yan’s voice was laced with disappointment. She turned to see Xu Bai shrinking back against the wall, her head down.
“Bai, what are you afraid of? Are you… shy?” A mischievous grin spread across Lin Yan’s face as she approached Xu Bai, now clad only in her undergarments.
“It’s nothing…” Xu Bai looked up, seeing the scantily clad Lin Yan approaching, and quickly averted her gaze, her blush deepening.
“Shy Bai. Wow, even cuter.”
Lin Yan reached out, wanting to pinch Xu Bai’s flushed cheeks.
Just then, a knock came at the door, followed by two cheerful voices in unison.
“Miss, Uncle Lin asked us to bring the dresses.”
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