Chapter 283: The Defeated Beibei
Soon after, Zhang Lexuan stepped out of her room.
She had changed out of the torn clothes and ripped stockings Ye Chen had ruined, now wearing a tight, violet long dress.
Though the gown was modest in design, her flawless figure made even the simplest outfit breathtaking. Her curves were accentuated naturally, and her face still carried a faint blush, adding a mature charm that gave her the air of a graceful, alluring woman.
Glancing around the freshly cleaned courtyard, she took a discreet sniff to ensure no trace of any unusual scent lingered. Satisfied, she smiled softly.
"You did a decent job cleaning up."
Then she looked at Ye Chen and said, "You'd better hide for now. Things between you and Beibei aren't exactly friendly—if he sees you, there'll definitely be misunderstandings."
"Got it, got it~"
Ye Chen shrugged and turned toward the house.
Of course, he went straight into her bedroom.
As for Beibei—he couldn't be bothered.
At Ye Chen's current level of cultivation, he and Beibei weren't even on the same plane. The power gap was far too wide.
Back at the start of the semester, Ye Chen had been curious enough to spar with Beibei just to gauge the strength of the Outer Court's elites.
But now? Ye Chen didn't even have interest in talking to him.
"Senior Sister~"
Ye Chen had barely disappeared inside when Beibei's voice called from outside.
Stepping into the courtyard, Beibei immediately caught sight of Zhang Lexuan, seated gracefully by the stone table, sipping tea. His eyes brightened for an instant.
He couldn't explain why, but today Zhang Lexuan looked especially captivating.
He had always thought of her like an older sister, but he was still a man. And seeing her this way for the first time made his heart waver for a moment.
Zhang Lexuan lifted her gaze to him, setting her teacup down with a calm smile—gentle, but faintly distant. "Beibei, what brings you here? Is something the matter?"
She motioned toward the stone bench beside her, inviting him to sit.
"It's… nothing major. I just wanted to see you, Senior Sister," Beibei replied, forcing a smile as he sat down.
"It's because of Tang Ya again, isn't it? You still can't let her go?"
Seeing his lowered head and that aura of melancholy around him, Zhang Lexuan sighed inwardly.
He had come more than once. Always for the same reason.
To be exact—he came for comfort.
In the past, she had comforted him, even offered advice on mending the relationship.
But today she knew the truth—Tang Ya had been stolen away by Ye Chen.
Beibei never mentioned Ye Chen before, so she hadn't realized. But now she knew better—and she couldn't keep encouraging him. She'd have to persuade him to let go instead.
He likely didn't know the full story yet, but the sooner he moved on, the less pain he'd face. If he found out the truth too late, he might lose his mind… or worse, confront Ye Chen in anger.
That would be suicide.
Even though she now belonged to Ye Chen, Zhang Lexuan had promised Elder Mu she'd look after Beibei. And she meant it—she couldn't just watch him walk to his death.
With Ye Chen's current strength, even a faint breath could crush Beibei.
"Yeah…"
Beibei's tone was bitter. "It's just… everything's changed. She keeps drifting away, distracted all the time. When I ask what's wrong, she won't tell me. Just… sighs. Senior Sister, lately I can't even see her. She keeps hiding from me."
His voice carried deep sorrow, confusion, and helplessness—like a lost child.
Zhang Lexuan listened quietly, then replied gently, "Beibei, love can't be forced. If things really can't work out, maybe it's time to let go."
"Let go? No! I'll never give up on Xiao Ya. No matter why she's avoiding me, I'll bring her back!"
Beibei's voice suddenly rose, driven by a desperate determination. "I can't give her up!"
Zhang Lexuan frowned subtly. His stubbornness was beyond what she expected.
But it reminded her of herself in the past—perhaps just as stubborn, before meeting someone better.
There's no pain like comparison. After meeting Ye Chen, she finally understood what true excellence looked like.
Just a short time with him, and she had completely fallen.
He was simply too brilliant—irresistibly so.
If Beibei could meet someone better than Tang Ya, maybe things would be different for him too.
"Beibei," she said softly, "you need to calm down first. Maybe Tang Ya has her own pressures, things she can't speak about yet. Give her space—and give yourself time, too. When you're both settled, you can talk again."
Her words were measured, calm, almost like a mentor guiding a lost student.
"Calm down... space…"
Beibei repeated the words bitterly. "You're right, Senior Sister—but I can't help it. I can't stop thinking about her... It hurts so much…"
His voice weakened, filled with helpless emotion and a fragile hope for comfort.
He came to Zhang Lexuan not just for advice—he needed reassurance, care, and warmth.
For some reason, her comfort always calmed him. And that dependence only grew stronger each time, drawing him back to her over and over again.
"Beibei."
Her tone suddenly hardened, carrying an edge of disappointment. "You're no longer a child. Pain and failures in love are part of growing up. No one can feel or solve them for you. I can only give you advice."
"I…"
Her words struck coldly, like a splash of ice water, dousing his heated mind.
For the first time, Beibei noticed something different about her today.
The gentle sister who had always been his emotional refuge… no longer seemed quite the same.
She was still graceful and composed—but somehow more distant now, like a flawless jade statue shining with light he could no longer touch.
That warmth she once gave him was fading, replaced by polite detachment.
"Senior Sister… do you think I'm… annoying?"
The question slipped out before he could stop it, his head bowing as he avoided her gaze.
Zhang Lexuan was momentarily startled—she hadn't expected him to ask outright.
After a few seconds of silence, she looked down at her teacup, tracing its edge slowly.
She didn't want to hurt him—but she also couldn't keep getting dragged into his turmoil.
Choosing her words carefully, she said, "Beibei, some things you have to face on your own. Hiding in sadness or relying on others won't solve anything."
Her tone made her feelings clear: she was tired of Beibei's endless visits.
Maybe, deep down, even irritated.
He never truly listened to her advice anyway.
And compared to Ye Chen—who always acted with confidence and vitality—Beibei's constant misery only made her feel disappointment... even disgust.
Yes, Ye Chen had caused this situation by taking Tang Ya, but that only proved something else: there had already been cracks in Beibei's relationship.
Otherwise, how could Tang Ya have fallen for Ye Chen?
It wasn't just Ye Chen's charm—Beibei himself had failed to meet her needs.
She knew Tang Ya wasn't a frivolous girl.
Whatever happened, Beibei bore part of the blame.
Zhang Lexuan no longer wanted to involve herself. She had tried to help only out of lingering affection from their youth.
But he kept running to her again and again… even today, interrupting her right after she'd been enjoying time with Ye Chen.
That was just too much.
"I…"
Beibei opened his mouth, but no words came.
The reassurance he'd sought—the hope for understanding—crumbled in the face of her cool detachment.
A crushing disappointment washed over him, mixed with shame.
Even the person he trusted most thought he was weak... bothersome.
"I see… Thank you, Senior Sister, for listening."
The words came heavy and hollow. He felt utterly defeated.
Not only had he lost love—he'd lost even this bond of friendship and trust.
He stood abruptly. The sudden movement made the stool creak beneath him.
"I… I won't take any more of your time."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and rushed out of the courtyard.
His back looked lonely, humiliated—like a beaten stray dog.
"I knew it… early love never ends well," Zhang Lexuan murmured with a sigh.
Beibei was still too young, too easily swept away by emotion. One heartbreak and he'd lost his composure entirely, even his drive to cultivate.
She couldn't help but wonder if Elder Mu knew about Beibei's current state.
If he did… he would surely be disappointed.
(END CHAPTER)
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