Free Web NovelChapter 178: Chapter 178: A Thorn Between Brothers
Both of them remained wrapped in each other’s arms, lost in the quiet warmth of the moment. The world around them seemed to fade away. The air felt still, peaceful, almost sacred. Neither of them wanted to move. Neither of them wanted to break the embrace.
Yue Yue continued resting against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Xing Luoguang’s chin rested lightly on top of her head, his arms secure around her shoulders. For that small stretch of time, nothing else existed.
They did not notice the faint sound of footsteps approaching from a distance.
The footsteps stopped right in front of the gate.
A tall figure stood there, watching the scene silently.
It was Xing Luoye.
He had not expected this...to see them in such an intimate position.
For a moment, he simply stood still, his gaze fixed on the two figures wrapped around each other so naturally and intimately. His fingers slowly curled into fists at his sides.
He forced himself to breathe.
Wasn’t this inevitable?
He had seen the way they looked at each other. He had known something like this would happen sooner or later. And yet... seeing it with his own eyes was different.
It hurt.
A strange, sharp pain stirred inside his chest. It felt as if something precious was slipping away from him. But what exactly was that precious thing?
Was it his brother?
Or was it the female who had somehow refused to leave his thoughts no matter how hard he tried?
He didn’t know.
He closed his eyes briefly. The image before him felt like a thorn pressing into his vision.
Yue Yue with her eyes closed, leaning fully into his brother’s arms with complete trust. Her small frame was almost swallowed by Xing Luoguang’s broad shoulders.
And his brother holding her like she belonged there.
Like she was his.
Everything about it felt like a knife stabbing at his heart.
"Cough."
The sound broke the silence.
Xing Luoguang’s body stiffened instantly. Yue Yue startled and pulled back quickly. Both of them stepped apart, flustered, completely unprepared to be caught like this.
Yue Yue’s cheeks flushed. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, unable to meet anyone’s gaze for a second.
Xing Luoguang, however, quickly regained his composure.
Xing Luoye did not comment on their embarrassment. His expression returned to calm, almost indifferent. His eyes moved from his brother to Yue Yue and then back again.
"I... I will wait outside," Yue Yue said softly, already taking a small step forward.
But before she could leave, Xing Luoguang reached out and caught her wrist.
"Stay," he said firmly. freёwebnovel.com
Then he looked at his brother. "She’s not an outsider. Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of her."
Xing Luoye’s brows lifted slightly.
Not an outsider?
Was he really assuming that he would refuse to speak because of her presence?
Why were they acting as if he were some villain plotting to separate them?
Even though... a small, ironic smile appeared on his lips. frёeωebɳovel.com
Even though the thought had crossed his mind more than once. Still, he was not that despicable.
He let out a quiet breath and spoke evenly, "We caught someone behind the polluted sand beast."
Xing Luoguang’s expression changed immediately.
"Someone?"
"It’s an orc," Xing Luoye continued. "From an unknown place."
For the first time, surprise appeared clearly in Xing Luoguang’s eyes. How could someone else have been present there without them noticing?
Xing Luoye rubbed his brow lightly as if tired. "We need to find out his motive. Whether he was involved... or just an unfortunate passerby."
His tone remained neutral. After saying that, he turned to leave.
But before walking away completely, his dark gaze flickered once more toward Yue Yue.
Yue Yue instinctively avoided his eyes.
And then he was gone.
Leaving behind a silence that felt far less peaceful than before.
Yue Yue placed a hand on her chest and let out a long breath.
"I really thought your brother was going to eat me alive," she muttered dramatically. "When did he become so scary?"
Xing Luoguang looked at her exaggerated expression and couldn’t help but chuckle.
"He’s not that scary," he said lightly, reaching out to pinch her soft cheek.
She puffed her face in protest.
"He is!" she insisted. "The way he looks at me... it’s like I’m some prey he’s observing."
Xing Luoguang laughed openly this time. "He’s just under too much pressure lately. Don’t overthink it. He’s always been like that when he’s stressed."
Then he added casually, "He’s just a spoiled brat."
Yue Yue blinked. "That cold-faced man is a spoiled brat?"
He nodded seriously. "Very much."
She tilted her head, thinking about it. She knew Xing Luoye’s usual personality was cheerful and easygoing. But ever since she had grown closer to Xing Luoguang, his brother’s attitude had changed completely.
It was like a full turn of personality.
That was what scared her.
Xing Luoguang saw her frowning face and found it unbelievably cute. He leaned forward and flicked her forehead gently.
"Stop making that silly face."
She rubbed her forehead and glared at him, but there was no real anger in her eyes.
He smiled softly. "You can wait here. I’ll be back soon."
With that, he turned and began dressing properly inside the portable cabin. Yue Yue stood there quietly, but her eyes betrayed her.
She couldn’t help watching.
First, he pulled on his shirt. The fabric stretched slightly over his broad shoulders. Then he adjusted his vest, the dark material outlining the firm lines of his chest and arms.
Her breath slowed. He really was too handsome.
The way his muscles moved naturally under the cloth... the strength in his arms... the confident way he carried himself...
That man had some very real, very solid muscles.
Her face grew warmer by the second.
She quickly looked away, but her mind replayed the image again.
And again.
She pressed her lips together, almost embarrassed by her own thoughts, and felt her cheeks burn.
Xing Luoguang turned back toward her, completely unaware of the storm in her head.
"I’ll finish up with the situation outside," he said calmly. "Then we’ll go home together."
She nodded quickly.
"Okay."
He gave her one last look before stepping out. The door closed softly behind him.
Yue Yue remained standing there for a moment before suddenly covering her face with both hands.
"Calm down..." she whispered to herself. But her heart was still beating very, very fast.
