Lin Ming

Lin Ming froze at the voice behind him. Shi Jingtian, who had been lying on the ground, was now back on his feet. He glanced at the figure behind Lin Ming, then at Lin Ming’s stiffened back, a smug grin spreading across his face.

*Hah! Hah! Hah! Damn, karma comes fast. Serves you right for messing with my game!*

"So it’s Luoxue!" Shi Jingtian called out to Shangguan Luoxue behind Lin Ming, his voice extra loud on "ChildhoodSweetheart." "Lin Ming just got back, and you’re already here? Truly inseparable!" His grin turned wicked.

Hearing "ChildhoodSweetheart," Lin Ming felt a wave of pressure. A killing intent washed over him. His sharp eyes darted to its source—a squad of Personal Guards hidden in the shadows, their gazes icy. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

*Heh heh, Personal Guards, perfect timing. Every time Luoxue visits, it’s showtime. Let me fan the flames…* Shi Jingtian chuckled inwardly at Lin Ming’s sweating brow.

*Damn it! How did Luoxue know I’m back? Wait—the Headmaster’s broadcast! Damn you, old man! You set me up!* Lin Ming’s mind raced. *Time to run!*

Just then, Shi Jingtian clapped a hand on his shoulder, teasing, "Bro! Luoxue’s here. Why not greet her? She’s been waiting ages."

Lin Ming cursed Shi Jingtian silently—the bastard had blocked his escape route.

Trapped, Lin Ming scratched the back of his head and turned with a forced laugh. "Luoxue! Fancy meeting you here! No missions today? Hahaha!"

"Lin Ming," Shangguan Luoxue’s voice cut through his laughter, sharp with Interrogation. "Why did you hesitate so long before turning around?"

*Sweat flooded his temples. Can I admit I was about to bolt?*

"Uh… I just noticed how nice the weather is. Got lost in the view for a sec." He gestured vaguely at the sky.

Shangguan Luoxue narrowed her pretty eyes, suspicion flashing. "You weren’t trying to run away, were you?!"

"N-no way! Why would I run? No reason at all!" Sweat trickled down his neck as he wiped it away, inwardly weeping. *Why wouldn’t I run? Every time you show up, you either grill me about my past, use "training" as an excuse to practice Sword on me, then demand I cook for you—without paying! And your Personal Guards give me the death stare!*

"Right, Jingtian?" Lin Ming shot a pleading look at Shi Jingtian.

Shi Jingtian whistled innocently, eyes wide with fake ignorance.

"Then why are you here?" Shangguan Luoxue’s tone turned icy. "I told you to find me after your mission."

Lin Ming’s face twisted in tragic despair. "I *was* going to see you—*not really, I just wanted to rest*—but that old man the Headmaster dragged me to his office. Then he sent me on another task."

"Another task? You just returned! You could’ve refused." Her brow furrowed, recalling the broadcast.

Lin Ming’s eyes suddenly gleamed gold. "Refuse? Why? The Headmaster’s offering insane rewards this time!"

"So you’re leaving again. If I hadn’t come looking, you’d have vanished without a word." Her expression darkened.

"Obviously! We can meet anytime. But miss a task? The reward flies." Lin Ming missed her stormy face completely.

*Holy crap, bro. She’s one of the Academy’s top four goddesses. Do you know how many guys would kill for her attention? The Personal Guards already marked you as Public Enemy #1. And you’re bragging about ditching her? Look at her face—you’re doomed.* Shi Jingtian facepalmed inwardly.

"Why have you become so greedy? So obsessed with profit? Don’t you know they call you ‘Profit Seeker’ now?" Her voice was low, dangerous.

"I’m just broke! Not greedy. And ‘Profit Seeker’? I’m just doing my job. Rude nickname, by the way." Still oblivious to her fury, he complained about the label.

"You’re not angry about that name? Do you even know what ‘Profit Seeker’ means?" She stared at him, stunned.

"Someone who values profit? Huh… kinda accurate, actually." He nodded earnestly, his white ahoge bobbing.

Shangguan Luoxue’s eyes flashed with anger. *The Lin Ming I knew as a child wasn’t like this. Not so careless. Not so money-hungry. What happened to you after your Clan Annihilation? Why won’t you tell me? Don’t you trust me?*

"Lin Ming," she demanded, locking eyes with him. "What changed you after your Clan was destroyed? Why won’t you tell me?"

*Clan.* The word snapped him out of his act. He met her gaze, sighing heavily. "That’s none of your concern. You don’t need to know."

*Oh shit. She crossed continents as your ChildhoodSweetheart, and you say "none of your concern"? Bro, you’re so screwed.* Shi Jingtian’s eyes bulged.

"You… bastard!" Shangguan Luoxue’s fist shot out, slamming into Lin Ming’s left cheek.

He didn’t flinch, taking the blow as she glared down at him.

*Thud!* He flew backward, crashing into a flowerbed beside the path.

"Whoa!! The goddess just punched someone!" A murmur rippled through the watching students.

"Ow!!" Lin Ming yelped from the dirt.

"Lin Ming, why didn’t y—" Shangguan Luoxue started, then choked back the words at his earlier "none of your concern." She bit her crimson lip, turned sharply, and strode away.

"Ah! Lin Ming, you idiot!" Shi Jingtian hissed once she was gone. "Alert! Personal Guard Squad Two—initiate ‘Tianzhu’ on Lin Ming now!" he whispered to his hidden team, pointing at the flowerbed.

"Roger!"