Chapter 133: Chapter 133: A Private Conversation

“Cough cough!” A cough interrupted the ambiguous game between the two.

When Lin Shen and Ye Yuzhen saw Madam Ye and Ye Tianzhen approaching, Ye Yuzhen quickly pushed Lin Shen away, subconsciously straightening her hair that wasn’t even messy.

Lin Shen was also somewhat flustered, feeling as though he had been caught in an affair, despite seemingly having done nothing wrong.

“Tian, take Lin Shen to change his clothes, then come to the living room. Yuzhen, come with me,” Madam Ye was notably colder toward Lin Shen this time, and she left with Ye Yuzhen right after she finished speaking.

Lin Shen could understand; the rumors about him and Bai Shenfei were rampant, so it would be strange if Madam Ye were pleased.

“Little Brother Lin, what exactly is going on between you and Bai Shenfei? From what I see, you seem like a decent person, not the type to play two sides. There must be some misunderstanding here,” Ye Tianzhen seemed to have a good impression of Lin Shen.

“I really have nothing to do with Bai Shenfei, and I don’t know why she would say such things,” Lin Shen said helplessly.

Ye Tianzhen pondered, “Maybe she didn’t want to choose Ouyang Yudu so easily, and that’s why she dragged you in to be a shield. You go change your clothes first, and then explain things clearly in front of Yi, and that should clear up any misunderstandings. After all, Yi is an elder, and if she says something harsh, you should just take it as a sign of respect for an elder.”

“Don’t worry, Tian, I understand,” Lin Shen nodded.

After such an incident, it was only natural for an elder to say a few words, and anyone would understand that.

After changing, Lin Shen followed Ye Tianzhen to the living room, only to see Madam Ye sitting alone on the sofa, without Ye Yuzhen in sight.

“Tian, go out first, I have some words to speak with Lin Shen alone,” Madam Ye stroked the black cat in her arms without looking up as she spoke.

“Yi, then I will go out first,” Ye Tianzhen did not dare to disobey Madam Ye and quietly made a gesture to Lin Shen before leaving and closing the door behind him.

Lin Shen looked at Madam Ye, pondering how to explain himself.

“Lin Shen, how do you think your talent compares to your second brother’s?” Before Lin Shen could speak, Madam Ye began, her question catching Lin Shen off guard.

“Naturally, it’s far inferior,” Lin Shen answered honestly, acknowledging that his talent was not outstanding among the Lin siblings.

Madam Ye nodded slightly, “You do have a clear understanding of yourself, your talent is indeed far inferior to your second brother’s.”

“Does Madam Ye know my second brother?” Lin Shen asked in surprise, sensing from her tone that she seemed very familiar with his brother.

Madam Ye didn’t answer him, continuing on her own, “Your brother was a prodigy, able to learn any skill at a glance, and even improve upon them, surpassing their original masters with ease. He could also challenge higher-level opponents without difficulty. Even such a genius had his moments of grievance. You are not as quick to learn as your brother but are far more adept at causing trouble.”

“Madam Ye, I haven’t actively caused any trouble, have I?” Lin Shen was puzzled, feeling that Madam Ye’s relationship with his brother was more than just an acquaintance.

“Haven’t you?” Madam Ye coldly remarked, “Even though your brother is arrogant, he would not attract the attention of Ascenders while at the Steel Level like you have. Isn’t that skill more impressive than his?”

Lin Shen was left speechless; although he hadn’t intentionally provoked Zheng Guyuan, it was indeed what had happened.

“You’re lucky to have the Mushroom King help you through a disaster, but that is your fortune. People can’t always rely on luck, and Yuzhen can’t marry someone who gambles with their life.” Madam Ye’s tone grew increasingly stern.

Lin Shen was startled. Madam Ye actually knew about the incident, which meant someone had been secretly watching their battle with Zheng Guyuan in the Blue Tree Sea. He just wasn’t sure whether the spy was Madam Ye herself or one of her subordinates.

Whether it was the former or the latter, it proved that this Madam Ye was no simple character, definitely not like the Ye Family he had imagined.

Madam Ye, keeping her eyes fixed on Lin Shen, continued saying, “I am somewhat familiar with you Lin Family members. If all you want is to find a woman to marry and have children with, then stop pursuing Yuzhen. I only have this one daughter, and I won’t let her marry someone who just wants to use her.”

Lin Shen remained silent. His initial plan had indeed been such, but after getting to know Ye Yuzhen better over time, he truly developed feelings for her.

“So you need to think it over, why you want to be with Yuzhen. If you truly want to be with her, as a person, then no one can tear you apart. Otherwise, you should clear things up with Yuzhen sooner rather than later,” Madam Ye said slowly, still watching Lin Shen.

“Madam Ye, you are right, if I were only to consider her a tool, that would indeed be unfair to her.” Lin Shen met Madam Ye’s gaze and said calmly, “But please believe that I do have feelings for Yuzhen, yet there are things beyond my control. If I marry Yuzhen and one day my brothers and sisters are waiting for me to save their lives, requiring me to gamble with my life, what should I do?”

“A gentleman can seek revenge for ten years without haste; you can endure and wait, wait until you have the strength to solve your problems without taking risks, then resolve them. If you can’t put Yuzhen first, you shouldn’t trouble her,” said Madam Ye.

Lin Shen wanted to argue with Madam Ye, but he knew in his heart she was not wrong.

Ye Yuzhen wasn’t like the bad girl he had imagined and had even stirred some feelings in Lin Shen, which in turn made him hesitant.

“Madam Ye, could you give me some time? I need to think things over carefully,” Lin Shen said thoughtfully.

“Time is not given by others,” Madam Ye said lightly.

“Thank you for your protection, Madam. I will take my leave now.” Lin Shen rose and bowed. The fact that Madam Ye knew about his alliance with the Black-Capped Mushroom Beast to kill Zheng Guyuan meant she probably wanted to protect him from the shadows, at least showing no hostility.

Having the ability to remain undetected even by someone like Zheng Guyuan meant her power was certainly not less than his. If Madam Ye had wanted to harm him, there had been plenty of opportunities.

“Go ahead, when you have made up your mind and truly want to be with Yuzhen, no one in the Ye Family will stop you. Until then, you should not see Yuzhen again,” Madam Ye said calmly.

Without saying anything further, Lin Shen turned and left.

Once outside the Ye Family’s gate, Lin Shen let out a self-deprecating chuckle: “Trying to take advantage without taking responsibility, I really am a scoundrel.”

He understood what Madam Ye meant; her intentions were the same as his brothers’ and sisters’—for him to stay peaceably at home like a wealthy gentleman, not involving himself in external affairs.

If it had been earlier, Lin Shen would have agreed readily; he had lived that life for twenty years and didn’t mind it, happy to continue and so living out his life seemed quite good.

But the words his fourth brother said in the middle of the night made Lin Shen realize that his brothers must have gotten into serious trouble.

Although he didn’t know what kind of trouble or how serious it was, he couldn’t pretend to be oblivious and go on living comfortably like that.

“I’m still not strong enough; I need to become stronger quickly,” Lin Shen muttered to himself.