Chapter 286: Distance

"This station’s latest report: Miss Tang Shiyun, an artist under Silver Star Entertainment Company, will hold a fan meeting at East Sea City International Square in two days. This will also be Miss Tang’s first public appearance since she was attacked. Up to now, neither Silver Star Entertainment nor the police have released many details about the previous attack. Our station will broadcast the entire fan meeting live, so please tune in..."

Watching the news, Ling Chen frowned. Several days had passed; had they still not found the suspect? Could the police’s efficiency be this low?

With the attacker still at large, Tang Shiyun was actually appearing in public again. He wondered what her company was thinking. What if something happened again?

While pondering, he picked up his phone, pulled up Tang Shiyun’s number, and his thumb hovered over "call," hesitating, never pressing down. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but just thinking about Tang Shiyun’s mother, Yao Li, made him somewhat indecisive.

After thinking, he decided against it; better not let Yao Li know he contacted Tang Shiyun and bring that girl trouble.

Having lazed around all morning, Ling Chen really couldn’t stay idle any longer. He got up from bed, dressed himself, and stealthily opened the door. Seeing that Nanny Wang was not in the living room, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ran out.

He had no choice, as Nanrong Wanqing, afraid he wouldn’t rest properly, had specifically instructed Nanny Wang to watch over him and not allow him to go out.

Once outside, Ling Chen went straight to his car. Accompanied by a roar like that of a beast, the car swiftly sped off and entered the road.

He initially wanted to go to the company to have a look, but then thought, if Nanrong Wanqing happened to be there, he couldn’t predict the "lecture" he’d get. Thinking of this, he directly drove to Qingyun Martial Arts Hall. Regarding the Prajnaparamita Sutra, he had too many questions to ask He Ziyun.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at the destination.

Ling Chen walked up to the Martial Arts Academy and gently knocked on the door. In no time, the door opened, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. Their eyes met; both paused briefly. After a short moment, Ling Chen was the first to recover and greeted with a smile.

"Xiaozhu, long time no see."

Since they last parted, it had been almost one or two months since he saw Zhu Xiaozhu. After so many days, Zhu Xiaozhu was still as gentle and graceful as ever, like tranquil autumn water casually flowing into one’s heart and intoxicating it.

"Come in."

Watching Ling Chen, Zhu Xiaozhu spoke softly. Her beautiful eyes shimmered like water, carrying a hint of unusual emotions.

Walking into the Martial Arts Academy, Ling Chen and Zhu Xiaozhu walked side by side, occasionally exchanging a few words—mostly Ling Chen asking and Zhu Xiaozhu softly responding a couple of times, silently, with her head down, her eyes on the ground, seemingly lost in thought, appearing distracted.

"Big brother!"

Seeing Ling Chen walking over, Little Hua cheerfully ran out from the hall and affectionately wrapped his arm, seemingly wanting to hang her whole body weight on it.

"Careful, careful," Ling Chen said hastily. His body hadn’t yet recovered, and it couldn’t withstand this girl’s frolic.

"Big brother, you haven’t visited me for a long time." Little Hua pouted, somewhat displeased.

"I’m here now, aren’t I?" Ling Chen knew how demanding this girl could be, and fearing she might seize the chance to "blackmail" him, he quickly changed the subject and asked, "Where is Mr. He? I need to see him for something."

"Sniff!" Little Hua frowned with dissatisfaction, mumbling through her nose, "Every visit is to see that old man, never just for me."

Hearing this, Ling Chen was caught between laughter and tears. How cunning a child she was! Who knew what was going on in her little head?

"You guys go ahead and talk; I have some other things to take care of," Zhu Xiaozhu said softly. Without waiting for Ling Chen to respond, she had already headed towards her own room, not looking back. Watching her graceful, slender figure leaving, Ling Chen opened his mouth, tried to speak several times, but the words seemed stuck in his throat.

Little Hua glanced at Zhu Xiaozhu, then back at Ling Chen, a subtle twinkle hardly noticeable in her big round eyes.

"Big Brother, did you have a fight with Sister Xiaozhu?"

"Nothing of the sort."

"Then why won’t Sister Xiaozhu talk to you?"

"This..." Ling Chen was momentarily speechless, unsure how to explain to her. Indeed, there was a seemingly insurmountable chasm between him and Zhu Xiaozhu. However, that didn’t prevent them from being friends. In fact, he had realized upon arriving at the Martial Arts Academy that avoiding the issue was not a solution. As a man, he ought to be more magnanimous.

Yet, Zhu Xiaozhu’s attitude was puzzling. Although on the surface nothing seemed amiss, he could sense that Zhu Xiaozhu was keeping him at a great distance. The smile on her face was merely polite, no longer as sincere as before.

Thinking it over, he hadn’t seen Zhu Xiaozhu for a while and couldn’t figure out where he might have offended her.

Ah, the heart of a woman is like a needle in the depths of the sea; not something a man like him could easily fathom. Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it and stepped into the lobby. Little Hua nibbled on her finger, her eyes wandering cunningly before she hurried to Zhu Xiaozhu’s room.

At this moment, He Ziyun was seated in the hall, holding a scripture. Beside him, an incense burner wafted faint blue smoke, filling the room with the delightful fragrance of sandalwood.

"Mr. He." Ling Chen greeted him as he approached.

He Ziyun slightly lifted his head to gaze at him, a sharp light flashing through his cloudy, aging eyes. He set down the scripture and said, "You’re injured."

"I knew I couldn’t hide it from your eyes." Ling Chen smiled, sat down uninvited, and began to recount the events of the past few days.

"Yangcheng’s Jiang Family?" He Ziyun nodded. "I’ve heard of them. That family is deeply hidden and not to be trifled with."

Ling Chen touched his nose, his face filled with curiosity. "Mr. He, everyone says the Jiang Family is no simple matter, but I really can’t see what’s so complex about them."

He Ziyun gave a light smile. "What’s visible on the surface isn’t frightening. What’s truly terrifying are the things hidden behind. It applies to both situations and people. You can know one’s face but not the heart. The outward appearance doesn’t represent the inside unless you have the skill to dissect and lay everything bare. Otherwise, do not take it lightly."

Ling Chen took the lesson to heart. "Right! Mr. He, there seems to be an issue with the Prajnaparamita Sutra I’ve been practicing."

"Any Internal Cultivation Method, without predecessors’ guidance or references, must be tackled through self-exploration. It’s normal to encounter problems. Tell me about it, and let’s see if I can help you solve them."

Promptly, Ling Chen recounted the sparring encounter with Qiu Wen and his brothers, including the sudden emergence of a strange, malevolent fire within him.