Chapter 123: A Petty Spat

Chapter 123

A night had passed. Ye Jingxuan had assumed that after a night’s sleep, even if Mei was still angry, she would at least be willing to listen to his explanation.

He was wrong.

From the moment she woke up, every time he tried to speak to her, she would either start a conversation with someone else or walk away immediately before he could even open his mouth. To make matters worse, Mo Chen was deliberately causing trouble on the sidelines, and Cyril was obstructing him—whether intentionally or not—meaning he had not found a single opportunity to say a word to her all morning.

Seeing Mei standing on the railing, clutching her hood with one hand and leaving the other unsupported while the sea breeze whipped her cloak into a frenzy, Ye Jingxuan’s heart tightened. Just as he moved to pull her down, Mo Chen reached her first.

"You’re perfectly fine, why are you standing so high up? Careful you don't fall and feed the fish!" Mo Chen said, reaching out to help her down.

"I wouldn't have fallen!" Despite her words, Mei did not resist his hand.

Glancing at Ye Jingxuan, who had stopped in his tracks not far away, Mei hesitated and whispered, "Is it wrong of me to vent my anger on him like this?"

"How could that be venting? He was the one who didn't know what was good for him; it’s only right that you ignore him!" Mo Chen replied without a second thought.

"I just feel that since he decided to leave with me, I should at least ensure he doesn't have too many worries left behind. But then I feel like I'm meddling—after all, he is capable of handling his own affairs." Mei felt internally conflicted.

"Why do you worry so much? Leaving was his own decision, not yours. Whether he manages the Ye family well or not is his problem. Why should you be the one worrying for him?" Mo Chen said dismissively.

Mei thought about it and felt his logic held some weight, yet she still felt uneasy. Why she felt this way, she couldn't quite grasp herself.

"That sounds reasonable, but I still feel bad for Uncle Ye and the others. When we went to the Ye residence to say goodbye before leaving, the look in Uncle Ye’s eyes when he looked at Ah Ye was so reluctant! It gives me a sense of guilt, like I’m kidnapping someone else’s son!" Thinking back to the look Ye Shitian had given Ye Jingxuan, Mei felt uncomfortable all over.

Watching Mei’s spirits sink, Mo Chen couldn't help but curse Ye Jingxuan—Mei was right to ignore him! Unlike them, he couldn't just walk away without any attachments, yet he insisted on dragging Mei back to say goodbye.

Honestly, wasn't this just deliberately making things hard for her?

"You’re just overthinking it! It’s natural for parents to be reluctant to let their children go, but parents cannot accompany their children for their whole lives. Once a child grows up and leaves to seek their own life, it’s even more normal. What do you have to feel guilty about?"

"Is that so? Even if it weren't for me, would Ah Ye not have stayed by Uncle Ye’s side?" Mei asked uncertainly.

Mo Chen didn't want her to keep dwelling on this; if anyone should be worrying, it was Ye Jingxuan, not her.

So, he said firmly, "Exactly. Even without you, Ye Jingxuan couldn't have stayed at home forever. As a man, he has to strive for his life and career. Otherwise, what kind of a man is he? I dare say that even before the apocalypse, he couldn't have spent more than a few days a year at home. Now that the world outside is so chaotic, if he wants to survive, he has to go out and fight. So, even if it weren't for you, the result would be the same. You have no reason to take all the weight on yourself!"

While Mo Chen was busy "brainwashing" Mei, Ye Jingxuan was encountering trouble of his own.

A fiery woman in tight leather, her figure curvaceous, walked up to Ye Jingxuan on high heels. With a seductive sway, she winked at him and greeted, "Hey there, handsome, care to tell me your name?"

As she spoke, she reached out to put a hand on his shoulder, leaning her body into him.

Ye Jingxuan was stunned for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. He shifted his body slightly to avoid her touch, watching as the woman stumbled due to her lost center of gravity.

"Handsome, don't be so cold! It’s a long journey; getting to know each other is a good way to pass the time!" Though she felt a bit embarrassed by his evasion and complained internally about his lack of chivalry, she persisted.

"Get lost!" Ye Jingxuan, enveloped in a dark, cold aura, said coldly.

Whether the woman was thick-skinned or simply confident that Ye Jingxuan wouldn't—or couldn't—do anything to her, she didn't leave. Instead, she stepped closer.

"Tsk tsk, good build, and a cool personality—I like it. Are you sure you won't reconsider? I’m a very good lover!" As she spoke, she lightly stroked her bright red lips, her movements filled with suggestion and temptation.

Several men nearby swallowed hard at the sight, but Ye Jingxuan didn't even spare her a glance and turned to walk away.

Had her charm failed? That couldn't be; the men nearby were practically drooling! How could this man have no reaction at all?

Frustrated but even more intrigued, the woman chased after him in her high heels.

"Handsome, don't go!" She reached out to grab his arm.

Her movement was swift and unconventional—a grappling technique. If Ye Jingxuan were caught, it would take effort to break free.

Feeling her move, Ye Jingxuan’s already frayed nerves snapped. Dodging, he unleashed a kick directly at her abdomen without hesitation.

"Oh my, I didn't expect such a fiery temper! Can't handle it anymore? Must have been holding it in for too long, haven't you?" The woman dodged and continued to taunt him.

Seeing her swift and clean movements, Ye Jingxuan knew she was trained. He increased his force from thirty percent to fifty. The woman soon couldn't keep up; suddenly, she flashed, and four identical figures appeared around her.

However, Ye Jingxuan remained unfazed. While dodging all attacks, he focused his heavy blows on only one of the five figures.

"Stop!" Having taken a few solid hits, the woman couldn't bear it. She retreated quickly, shielding herself with her illusions, and shouted for a halt.

Seeing her retreat, Ye Jingxuan didn't pursue. He turned and kept walking.

"Wait, tell me, how did you see through my real body!" She blocked his path again, but her seductive demeanor was gone, replaced by a serious expression.

Ye Jingxuan’s impatience grew, but before he could speak, someone else interjected.

"Why should he tell you?"

Mei had naturally noticed the commotion. When she saw the woman’s face, her expression soured. This woman was none other than Wanqi Wenyue, the second-in-command they had met at the remote mountain stronghold.

Back then, she had spared Wenyue out of mercy, but to prevent anyone from leaking news of Ye Jingxuan’s ordeal, she had wiped everyone’s memories.

She had thought they would never meet again, but only a few months had passed—not only had they met, but Wenyue was targeting Ye Jingxuan once more!

The thought that her presence would remind Ye Jingxuan of that night made Mei’s mood plummet. Forgetting she was still angry with him, she stepped in front of him.

Upon hearing that clear, sweet voice, Wanqi Wenyue’s eyes lit up. She shifted her gaze from Ye Jingxuan to the petite figure shrouded in a cloak. Although she couldn't see her face, her intuition told her it was a very cute little girl!

Ye Jingxuan was initially happy to see Mei approach, but upon seeing the gleam in Wenyue’s eyes and remembering her unusual obsession with little girls, his expression darkened.

He stepped forward, shielding Mei behind him, even though Wenyue couldn't see her face anyway.

"Leave! Or die."

As he spoke, a black-purple metallic glow shimmered on his hands. He released his killing intent without reservation, locking firmly onto Wanqi Wenyue.

Realizing he truly meant to kill her, Wenyue gave up and chose to retreat.

Once she was gone, Ye Jingxuan retracted his ability. He grabbed Mei’s hand, giving her no chance to pull away, and led her toward a quiet corner.

Mo Chen watched them from afar. He hesitated, but ultimately didn't follow, staying behind to "admire the view." As for whether he was actually looking, only he knew.

"Mei’er, I’m sorry! I said the wrong thing yesterday. I apologize; please, don't be angry with me anymore, okay?" Ye Jingxuan said, his tone urgent.

Mei shook her head.

"No, Ah Ye, you don't need to apologize. I was the one throwing a tantrum; I’m the one who should apologize! I’m sorry, I shouldn't have interfered in your family affairs. I should have at least asked for your thoughts first."

After being "guided" by Mo Chen for so long, Mei realized she had been acting unreasonably.

Hearing her, the explanations Ye Jingxuan had prepared died on his lips.

After a while, he said, "Mei’er, I just want you to know that choosing to be by your side was my own decision, and I am willing to bear all the consequences. I don't want you to feel guilty, and I certainly don't want you to compromise with others because of me! Do you remember what I once said? In my heart, nothing is more important than your safety. And you must trust that I can handle the Ye family affairs. Do you really think I’m that irresponsible?"

"I know, Ah Ye. I trust you!"

Mei finally let go of her internal knot. She would no longer dwell on the relationship between Ye Jingxuan and the Ye family. It was better for him to handle it himself; after all, she didn't know what family affection was, so it was best not to interfere blindly.