Zombie Bodyguard

Chapter 1916 - 1913: The Woman Who Returned After Leaving

"I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not suitable to take action tonight." Zhang Ruyan nodded slightly as she saw Lin Tian’s meaningful glance. "Something so shocking just happened here, many people will be awake all night. If we act, we’ll easily be exposed."

Zhang Lingyu nodded in agreement. "Sister Ruyan is right, the sight of your earlier contest was too grand and drew too much attention. This matter needs to wait a bit."

"I only have a ten-day vacation. At the latest, this matter must be resolved before the final exams." Lin Tian stated decisively.

"Ten days is enough. In the next few days, you can accompany Lingyu, isn’t that nice?" Zhang Ruyan teased with a smile, maybe only in front of Zhang Lingyu would she show a genuine smile.

"Who wants her to accompany me? Let him accompany Sister Ruyan, I’m done with you all. I’m going to sleep." Zhang Lingyu glared at Zhang Ruyan, then ran off like the wind, seemingly fleeing to avoid showing the blush on her face.

Zhang Ruyan glanced at Lin Tian, smiling faintly, "You don’t need me to accompany you to the guest room, right? Someone outside will attend to you, so go quickly."

After speaking, Zhang Ruyan also left, like a gust of wind. Lin Tian watched her beautiful yet lonely silhouette leave, shaking his head with a bitter smile. I don’t dare let you escort me to the guest room; what if you bring up some S and M stuff, should I accept it or not?

Lin Tian turned to scan the plaza. The moonlit area was tranquil, yet the shattered stone ground, collapsed gate eaves, and dilapidated guest rooms were all a shocking sight.

I still underestimated the zombies’ strength, Lin Tian thought to himself, unsure how he felt, then he too left the plaza.

As he reached outside the Baihua Pool, a boy around twelve or thirteen waited in the pavilion. Seeing Lin Tian approach, his eyes showed admiration, his expression nervous, like a fan meeting their idol.

"Lin... Mr. Lin, hello, I am in charge of arranging your accommodation." The boy stepped forward a few paces, speaking with some nervousness and excitement.

The boy was quite handsome, his eyes bright—the eyes are the windows to the soul; one can often see a person’s inner self through their eyes. This simple, sunny boy gave Lin Tian a good impression, unlike how Zhang Zhicheng annoyed him.

"Don’t call me mister, it’s awkward to hear. I’m not much older than you; you can call me Lin Tian or Brother Lin." Lin Tian replied with a smile.

Perhaps Lin Tian’s smile reassured him; the boy relaxed considerably and shyly said, "This way, Brother Lin."

"By the way, what’s your name?" Lin Tian asked curiously as they walked side by side.

"My name is Zhang Mingxing." The boy replied clearly.

Lin Tian was startled, asking strangely, "Star? Wow, your parents’ expectations for you all lie within your name, hoping you would become a star in the future. But why are you staying on the mountain to study Dao techniques?"

The boy looked a bit embarrassed, answering awkwardly, "Actually, it’s the ’ming’ from Pluto, not the ’ming’ as in understanding."

Finishing, his face turned somewhat gloomy, and he spoke softly, "Actually, I didn’t study Dao techniques; I’m not a Demon Exorcist."

"Oh? Why is that?" Lin Tian wondered further. Not every family member must learn Dao techniques; some must manage other things, like business, and be ordinary people.

Not studying Dao techniques yet staying on the mountain is a bit of a youthful waste—like the boy before him.

Zhang Mingxing lowered his head, feeling very depressed: "I can’t learn them, don’t know why, no matter how I practice, I can’t learn, not even the simplest spells, the easiest runes, I can’t learn. Everyone says I have no talent, maybe that’s true."

"Then you can do other things, like learn business. The Zhang Family is so big; there should be significant family businesses to operate?" Seeing Mingxing quite downcast, Lin Tian couldn’t help but offer some encouragement.

Zhang Lingyu could drive race cars and live in villas; it’s impossible for the Zhang Family not to have family businesses. Yet, being a member of the Zhang Family and unable to learn even the simplest spells likely subjects Mingxing to much ridicule on the mountain.

But the boy stubbornly shook his head: "I want to learn Dao techniques, so besides studying, whenever I have time, I come to the mountain; even if I’m just doing odd jobs, I’m willing."

"You have perseverance; I believe in you. As long as you work hard, there will always be rewards." Lin Tian patted his shoulder encouragingly.

But Lin Tian knew; these were ultimately just encouraging words. Some people’s physiques reject Dao techniques, mana, and true energy; they are born incapable of becoming Demon Exorcists and Ancient Martial Artists.

Zhang Mingxing might be such a person. However, boys need dreams, regardless if they can achieve them. As a movie line puts it, a man without dreams, what difference does it make from a salted fish?

Receiving Lin Tian’s encouragement seemed to imbue Zhang Mingxing with immense motivation. He nodded vigorously, the gloom on his face swept away.

"Brother Lin, the guest room is just up ahead." Passing Baihua Pool, Zhang Mingxing pointed to a row of guest rooms and handed Lin Tian a key.

Using a spare key, the boy opened a guest room, politely saying, "Brother Lin, please rest. There’s fresh clothing inside, if anything arises in the coming days, feel free to instruct me. Good night."

Parting from Zhang Mingxing, Lin Tian glanced at his worn trousers, entered the bathroom, and took a relaxing hot shower. Emerging with just a towel into the living room, he was planning to inspect the Heavenly Tribulation Sword when a breeze blew in through the window.

Then a shadow leaped through the window, causing Lin Tian to frown and look over. It was a woman in a black dress with silver hair.

"My dear Sister Ruyan, can’t you be normal and use the door?" Lin Tian rolled his eyes, quite speechless; the one coming in through the window was indeed Zhang Ruyan.

Zhang Ruyan scanned Lin Tian up and down, her eyes unrestrained, entirely unconcerned about him being only wrapped in a towel.

Damn, I’m dressed like this, yet this woman shows no shame, and is quite brazen; seeing her so presumptuous, Lin Tian couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, completely speechless.

However, with the woman not being bashful, Lin Tian, as a man, had even less reason to feel awkward. Casually sitting on the sofa, he asked readily, "You came back, what’s up with me?"

Lin Tian certainly wouldn’t believe she came to do anything improper. No matter how wild this woman was, she wouldn’t act recklessly in the family abode.

"I came to find you, of course, it’s..." Zhang Ruyan smiled briefly, about to say something, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Lin Tian, it’s me..." Zhang Lingyu’s pleasant voice followed.

Damn, what’s with these two girls? Not even an hour apart, yet they’ve both come over again; Lin Tian was unsure whether to be happy or frustrated.

Moreover, realizing he was only wrapped in a towel, Lin Tian was indeed annoyed; if Zhang Lingyu saw him dressed so with Zhang Ruyan, alone, what would she think?