Chapter 127: The Moment of Exposure

Lu Yuxiu reached out with extreme caution. His fingertips longed to touch her face, yet it was as if some unseen force held him back; he could only let his hand tremble in the air just inches away.

He pulled his hand back, suddenly appearing flustered. Even the longing gaze he cast upon her turned timid, and they stared at each other for a long moment.

Lin Xi looked at his gaze, which seemed on the verge of shattering, and felt a pang in her heart. Regaining her senses, she let out a long sigh and softly called out to him, "Xiu."

It was as if a switch had been flipped. He lunged forward, embracing her tightly.

His lips brushed against her neck, causing Lin Xi to relax all at once, a thrill of shivers racing through her body. His sharp chin rested on her shoulder, and his arms wrapped firmly around her waist, holding her back in a crushing embrace.

He held her entire being as if he would lose her the moment he loosened his grip.

Only after a long while did he let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness! Thank goodness!" His low, magnetic voice seemed to possess a certain magic, flowing slowly into Lin Xi's ears and bringing her a profound sense of peace.

She returned his embrace, feeling the strength in his arms and stroking his back gently, as if wanting to give him more strength in return.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," she said, her voice as warm as a gentle breeze.

"Mm." He closed his eyes, savoring the stillness of the moment and enjoying this rare, tranquil peace.

She didn't know what else to say to comfort him, but she knew that all he needed right now was time. Lin Xi did not disturb him, choosing instead to stay by his side, letting him slowly settle his emotions.

Neither spoke; they simply held each other tightly, as if doing so would ensure they would never be separated again.

"Darling," after they had embraced for a long time, Lin Xi heard his raspy voice.

"Yes?"

"I love you!" He whispered into her ear, as if pouring all his remaining strength into the words, his tone heavy with profound affection.

These three words sent a jolt through Lin Xi’s heart. Her heartbeat skipped a beat, and she felt an indescribable sweetness. She stood there stunned, her eyes brimming with joy.

She pressed her face against his chest, listening to the powerful thrum of his heart and the rhythmic sound of his breathing. Feeling his warmth and his scent, she was so moved that she found herself at a loss for words.

Nearby, Lin Tianyou ignored their display of affection, focusing instead on Wen Yiming, who lay half-dead on the ground. His expression remained calm, yet a cryptic glint flickered in his dark, deep eyes.

"Boss, how should we handle these two?" a subordinate asked.

Hearing the commotion, Lin Xi realized the situation and hurriedly tried to pull away from Lu Yuxiu's embrace, pushing against his chest.

Lu Yuxiu only held her tighter, burying his face in her hair and murmuring, "Don't move."

His voice was deep and resonant, and Lin Xi felt the hot breath he exhaled tickling her neck. His arms were like iron bands around her waist, making it impossible for her to escape.

Lin Xi tapped his shoulder firmly, her face flushed red, and whispered a reminder: "My brother! My brother is right there!"

Lu Yuxiu’s arms remained locked around her waist, his voice muffled: "I know."

*If you know, then let me go!*

Lu Yuxiu kept his arms around Lin Xi, his head buried in the hollow of her neck, and muttered again, "I know, so don't move around!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xi’s face turned even redder. Lu Yuxiu took a deep breath against her neck and finally relaxed his grip.

Lin Xi scrambled out, pouting, and walked toward her brother with the submissive air of a student facing a principal.

Seeing this, Lu Yuxiu raised an eyebrow and stifled a laugh. Truly, what goes around comes around! To think there was actually someone who could keep this little girl in line.

"Brother, I'm sorry. I just wanted to know what happened back then. I was confident I could handle it; I wouldn't have let myself get into a dead end." Lin Xi hung her head and mumbled, looking as pitiful as a naughty kitten that had just been caught.

Lin Tianyou was not surprised by his sister’s tendency to act first and apologize later. He simply flicked her dainty nose and said helplessly, "You... I really can't control you anymore. There was no need for you to get involved in this messy business."

"Brother, you had already found out, hadn't you? You knew everything about what happened back then..." Lin Xi said in surprise, realizing her brother had known all along.

"Yes, I knew everything. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you’d overthink it and your condition would flare up again," Lin Tianyou explained.

"You really are something. If you knew, why keep it from me? Am I that fragile?" Lin Xi glared at Lin Tianyou in mock annoyance.

Lin Tianyou cherished his sister above all else. "I can't take risks with anything that concerns you. Wasn't I just trying to keep you from worrying?"

"Brother, don't worry, I can manage my condition very well now," Lin Xi said, lifting her chin with a hint of pride. She then glanced at Wen Yiming’s bruised and battered face and looked back at her brother with a guilty expression. "Um... aren't you curious about my fighting skills?"

Lin Tianyou chuckled. "Finally decided to come clean? Did you think I didn't know anything? If I hadn't given the green light, Eldest Brother would never have allowed you to join."

"Huh? You knew that, too? I thought I had hidden it so well," Lin Xi pouted, dissatisfied. It turned out she was the only one who didn't know, and her secret had been exposed long ago.

Lin Tianyou tapped her forehead and narrowed his eyes. "You have the nerve to say that? There better not be a next time. You should thank Eldest Brother; he’s been on your side the whole time."

"Fine, fine, I promise!" Lin Xi waved her hand dismissively. She knew Eldest Brother was the best; her brother here would only lecture her.

Lin Tianyou frowned, continuing to admonish her, "No brushing me off. No more sneaking around like you did today."

"I know, I know! Brother, you are such a nag!" Lin Xi looked up at him, her face full of impatience.

Lin Tianyou shook his head with a wry smile, feeling both frustrated and fond. How had this girl become so disobedient as she grew up?

Lu Yuxiu listened to their exchange, increasingly eager to meet this legendary "Eldest Brother." He reached out and pinched Lin Xi’s cheek; this was the first time he had seen her act so rebellious.

He raised an eyebrow at her and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Miss Lin, so it turns out you were just acting like a tiger using the fox's power all along?"

"!" Lin Xi was startled. Realizing he was referring to when she "taught him a lesson" at the company, her face turned bright red.

"That's not true!" Lin Xi said, lacking conviction but stubbornly refusing to back down.

They looked at each other and laughed.

"Kill me! Just kill me!" From the side, Wen Yiming’s wailing continued. The three of them turned to see him struggling pathetically on the ground.

Neither Lin Tianyou nor Lu Yuxiu spoke, but Lin Tianyou’s expression was incredibly grim, and Lu Yuxiu’s fists were clenched, his handsome face filled with dark, seething rage.

Lin Tianyou signaled, and his men stepped forward to haul the half-dead Wen Yiming and the sobbing Jiang Ziqi onto the plane, preparing to hand them over to the police.

"Alright, let's go," Lin Tianyou said.

The three of them departed immediately, returning to Dragon City.