Douluo Continent: The Ice Dragon King Martial Soul, Ma Xiaotao is Addicted

The expo is still in full swing in Shrek City.

The rare treasures and soul-guided technologies from all over the mainland were dazzling. However, for Meng Hongchen, this bustling scene seemed to be separated by an invisible barrier.

Ever since her brother Xiao Hongchen "caught" her on the wall last time, she has been kept under even closer watch.

Although Jing Hongchen didn't say it directly, he seemed to have sensed something and immediately placed Meng Hongchen under house arrest, preventing her from going too far from her residence.

Xiao Hongchen stayed by her side almost every step of the way, ostensibly to "protect his sister's safety," but in reality, he was keeping a close watch on her and preventing her from having any further opportunities to see Ye Chen.

Meng Hongchen felt suffocated, yet there was nothing she could do.

She was well aware of her brother's concerns. Her status as the heir to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, as well as the delicate relationship between the Sun Moon Empire and Shrek Academy, were like heavy shackles binding her.

She cannot be willful, at least not openly.

But longing, like a vine, grows wildly in my heart.

Every minute and second felt incredibly long when Ye Chen was not around.

Fortunately, she still had the Universal Communicator.

When no one was watching, she would hide under the covers and couldn't help but take out her communication soul tool, carefully inputting soul power to send a message to the name engraved in her heart.

"Ye Chen, today I saw a really interesting soul-guided toy, it can hop like a little rabbit..."

"Ye Chen, there are so many snack shops in Shrek City! So many snacks I've never tried before, I really want to try them all..."

"Ye Chen, my brother had a long face again today, like someone owed him money..."

"Ye Chen, are you busy? Are you tired today?"

"Ye Chen..."

Each message, like a pebble thrown into a lake, carried the girl's anxious yet excited feelings to the unknown shore.

The content mostly consists of trivial daily observations, minor complaints, and longings for delicious food, but between the lines lies an unspeakable yearning.

Ye Chen's replies were always slow and brief.

"Ah."

"understood."

"Fortunately."

"Busy."

"Take care of yourself. I'll treat you to a meal when I'm done with this."

Sometimes they would only reply after half a day.

If it were someone else, they might have already lost heart and felt that the other party was being perfunctory and indifferent.

But Meng Hongchen did not.

Holding the communication device, she could be happy for a long time just looking at the few words in the reply.

A single word of concern from Ye Chen could make her so happy she'd roll around on the bed.

Because she knew Ye Chen was very busy. He must have a very high status at Shrek Academy, and he was also the leader of the Tang Sect. He not only had to cultivate, but also had to deal with all sorts of things.

The fact that he could find the time to reply, even if it was just a single word, proved that he had seen her message and that she was on his mind.

This unwavering trust sustained her through every day and night she couldn't see him.

Xiao Hongchen naturally noticed his sister's little trick.

Every time he saw her secretly take out her communication soul tool, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed something, and then a smile of anticipation or sweetness appeared on her face, his brows would involuntarily furrow.

He didn't need to guess who she was contacting.

He wanted to speak up to stop her several times, but when he saw his sister's cautious yet pleading eyes, he swallowed his words.

Anyway, it's only a few days left. After the expo ends, they will set off to return to the Sun and Moon Empire.

The distance of thousands of kilometers, combined with the limited transmission range of the communication soul guide, meant that contact was almost completely severed.

Forcibly stopping her now might provoke her rebellious side; it's better to let things cool down.

Time heals all wounds, and distance severs ties. However, this doesn't mean he'll stand idly by.

He would seemingly unintentionally pour cold water on Meng Hongchen when she put down her communication soul tool, her smile still lingering on her face.

"Is she contacting that Ye Chen again?"

Xiao Hongchen sat on the sofa, flipping through a book of soul tool diagrams, and said without looking up, his tone carrying his usual arrogance and a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm.

“Meng, I’m not trying to be mean, but you’re too naive. Ye Chen is obviously a pretty boy, all smooth talk and smooth talk. He’s the best at fooling young girls like you who are still innocent.”

Meng Hongchen immediately retorted angrily, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, "Brother! What nonsense are you talking about! Ye Chen is not that kind of person! He... he is very reliable!"

"reliable?"

Xiao Hongchen chuckled, put down the map, and looked at his sister, "Meng, wake up. That pretty boy will never lack girls in a place like Shrek Academy. He probably already has someone he likes, and he's just teasing you because of your special status."

The four words "my heart belongs to someone else" were like a fine needle, unexpectedly piercing the heart of Meng Hongchen.

"No way, bro, you're talking nonsense! I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Meng Hongchen stomped her foot angrily, turned around and went back to her room, slamming the door shut with a bang.

The color drained from Meng Hongchen's face, and her lips tightened slightly.

Although she vehemently refuted it.

But Xiao Hongchen's words were like a poisonous seed, quietly planted in the softest and most vulnerable part of her heart.

"Yeah... Ye Chen is so outstanding... Could it be... that he already has someone he likes?"

"What does he really think of me?"

"We don't seem to be officially a couple yet... Hmm... He's not really just teasing me, is he... He definitely knows I like him..."

Once this idea takes root, it grows wildly like weeds.

In the following days, although Meng Hongchen continued to send messages to Ye Chen, her smile always carried a hint of gloom.

Looking at Ye Chen's concise replies, she couldn't help but wonder: Was he spending time with someone else?
Is it because he replies so little that... he doesn't want to talk to me?
Worry and suspicion entwined her heart like vines, tightening their grip until she could barely breathe.

She desperately wanted an answer, an answer that would put her at ease or give her complete peace of mind.

Finally, late one night.

Meng Hongchen curled up on the soft bed, clutching the communication soul tool tightly in her hand.

She took several deep breaths, as if using all her strength, before her trembling fingers activated the voice call function of the communication soul guide.

The soul tool emitted a slight buzzing sound, indicating that the connection was being established.

Every second of waiting felt like an eternity.

Meng Hongchen's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.

"Little Dream?"

Ye Chen's voice finally came from the soul tool, carrying a hint of surprise, but without any sleepiness, indicating that he was still awake.

Upon hearing that voice, Meng Hongchen was overjoyed. Suppressing her excitement, she said in a slightly trembling voice, "Ye... Ye Chen, it's me..."

"Hmm, I can tell. It's so late, and you're still awake?" Ye Chen's voice softened.

"I...I...I can't sleep..."

Meng Hongchen opened her mouth, but couldn't bring herself to ask the question, and her palms were sweating with nervousness.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Ye Chen seemed to notice her unusual behavior, his tone filled with concern.

Of course, Ye Chen's concern was genuine and not feigned.

If Meng Hongchen encounters any difficulties, he can instantly teleport over to help.

The reason I haven't gone to see Meng Hongchen recently is mainly because I don't want to have a conflict with Jing Hongchen at this time, nor do I want to damage our relationship and affect our business.

(End of this chapter)