Chapter 15: Strangers

The woman from Qingbei seemed unfazed by such a grand occasion, maintaining an aloof and detached demeanor throughout. Even while smiling and conversing with others, there was always a faint sense of distance about her.

After listening to their conversation for a while, Shen Xing gathered some new information.

1. The woman’s name was Ouyang Lin, likely her real name. Ying’s identity remained unclear—perhaps a code name or something else.

2. She would be Tang Xinya’s mentor after her admission, having arrived early to assess the student’s situation and tailor a development plan accordingly.

3. Achieving an S-level aptitude was no small feat. Tang Xinya’s energy should be wholly devoted to study and training, as she had the potential to become a major figure in the future. Matters such as romance, which could affect her energy, spirit, and mental state, were strongly discouraged. If she had a boyfriend, she must end the relationship immediately.

This last point stirred Tang Tianming, Zhao Sujuan, and the others into a sudden flurry of excitement.

They promptly informed Ouyang Lin of the recent cancellation of their daughter’s engagement.

Curious, Ouyang Lin hadn’t expected them to be so prescient.

She casually inquired about Tang Xinya’s fiancé.

“Xinya, for the future of Daxia and humanity, you must endure some hardship! You must have liked him very much after knowing him so long, right? Is he here?”

Ouyang Lin held Tang Xinya’s hand warmly, clearly fond of this nearly top student of the cohort.

Tang Xinya’s smile stiffened, her reply vague:

“We weren’t that close... just lived together for a few years. He is here, but his aptitude is poor and he has no promising future. There’s no need to see him, right?”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and a surge of resentment toward Shen Xing welled up within her.

Everything had been fine until now, but because of this unimpressive man, she was about to lose face in front of her mentor!

Though the engagement was broken, his influence still weighed on her, leaving her with an indescribable discomfort.

“No matter. Ordinary people have ordinary lives. I just wanted to see who was so ill-fated. About to have an angel, yet forced to watch her fly away...”

Those around were taken aback, thinking this teacher had a somewhat sharp edge.

Others pitied the girl enough already—why must the wound be torn open and rubbed with salt?

Tang Xue’er frowned deeply, harboring a very poor impression of Ouyang Lin.

No matter how politely phrased, it was clear she sought to mock Shen Xing openly and curry favor with others.

Shen Xing was her fiancé now—why should he endure such humiliation?

Tang Xue’er was ready to retort.

“Are you talking about me?”

Before she could speak, a gentle tap on her shoulder interrupted her.

Shen Xing’s soft voice whispered near her ear.

Tang Xue’er looked at him reproachfully, not understanding why he had suddenly appeared.

Wasn’t this just handing others ammunition to mock her?

“Heh, this is Shen Xing, Xinya’s former fiancé. Shen Xing, this is Teacher Ouyang, a pillar of our great nation Daxia! Greet the teacher properly.”

Nearby, Zhao Sujuan introduced the two.

Ouyang Lin sized Shen Xing up, nodding slightly.

“He’s quite handsome, not unworthy of Xinya’s beauty. But in other respects... hehe, I’m straightforward, please don’t take offense. I believe it’s better to end things early. Xinya is destined to soar, while you can only watch from below. This brief pain now is far easier than helplessly watching her fly away.”

Though polite in tone, her eyes told a harsher truth.

Shen Xing felt her naked contempt and disregard keenly.

It was a thousand times worse than Zhao Zhenzhen’s disdain.

He had intended to get close to her to see where the woman’s problem lay.

Now, however, a strong feeling overwhelmed him.

“She truly doesn’t remember me! No... it’s not just forgetfulness; it’s as if she’s a completely different person from before! Was that really her yesterday? Yet she did say she was from Qingbei and came to see Tang Xinya...”

Shen Xing was confused beyond reason, unable to make sense of it all.

Even the absurd thought of dissociative identity disorder crossed his mind.

“Mr. Shen? Mr. Shen? You seem unwell—let me help you sit down to rest,” said the quiet assistant who had been standing by Ouyang Lin.

It seemed an attempt to defuse the tension, as Ouyang Lin’s words had struck sharply.

“No trouble. I’ll handle this,” Tang Xue’er volunteered.

“No trouble at all,” she insisted, but the assistant remained firm, already gripping Shen Xing’s arm.

“Well then...” Tang Xue’er glanced at Shen Xing.

“It’s okay. Stay and chat a bit more with Teacher Ouyang.”

Shen Xing patted her hand and allowed himself to be led away.

This scene left Ouyang Lin momentarily stunned.

She looked at Tang Xinya with a puzzled expression.

“What are he and your sister...?”

Tang Xinya flushed, unable to answer.

Zhao Sujuan quickly interjected, briefly explaining the situation.

Ouyang Lin now understood and looked at Tang Xue’er with some sympathy.

“Sorry for troubling you. With your looks, you could have had better options.”

Tang Xue’er forced a dry laugh, barely restraining herself from snapping back.

If not for the respect she owed her sister’s teacher, she would have lashed out.

“Judging others without understanding, then immediately belittling them! I don’t see myself as wronged, yet she’s pitying me? Infuriating!”

Turning anger into appetite, Tang Xue’er began eating voraciously.

As a martial artist with abundant vitality, no amount of food would make her gain weight.

...

Unnoticed, the two soon left the hall and stepped outside.

“Let’s find somewhere quiet. This is your home; you know it better,” the female assistant yawned softly.

Shen Xing stared at her in surprise, disbelief shining in his eyes.

“Ying?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Though a stranger in appearance and voice, the familiarity was undeniable once she spoke.

Shen Xing felt he had many questions but sighed instead.

“Follow me. I’m truly confused now.”

He led her away from the Tang residence.

“Where are we going?”

“City Walk, is that okay?”

“...Yeah, I guess that’s fine.”

Ying didn’t object, and they entered the nearby park, strolling beneath the trees.

The midday sun blazed fiercely, yet both instinctively headed toward the shaded paths.

“Are you really Ying, or Ouyang Lin?”

“Hehe, I thought you’d ask why I look different from yesterday.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Compared to names, don’t men usually notice a woman’s face more?”

Ying teased with a playful smile.

“Makes sense. Then I guess I’m not the typical man you know. So, can you answer me?”

Shen Xing couldn’t help but smile as well.