Thus, Lin Hao spent two years there, in a state that was neither entirely peaceful nor completely uneventful.
Those people, for various reasons, stopped bothering Lin Hao.
In the classroom, an elderly man adjusted his glasses and spoke to the children before him with a serious tone: "For the next year, you will no longer be coming to this classroom. We will be engaging in practical combat lessons from now on. Also, should any accidents occur during the final combat simulation, we will not be held responsible. Therefore, for the coming year, everyone should focus on learning survival and combat skills."
After finishing his remarks, the middle-aged man glanced around at the boys seated below.
However, his gaze seemed to linger briefly on Lin Hao before moving on.
Then, after saying these words, he turned and walked out of the classroom.
As he walked, the middle-aged man mused, "Is that the person Lord Ye has taken a liking to?"
There was nothing particularly special about him.
If there was one thing that stood out, it was that his mental strength was the weakest in the entire class.
Perhaps after Lord Ye's period of peace, he simply favored challenging endeavors. After all, it had been a long time since Lord Ye had seemed so happy. Keeping this person as a plaything might be a good option.
Lin Hao, the one being treated as a plaything, naturally noticed the old man's gaze.
The man looking at him had a look of amusement mixed with a hint of ridicule in his eyes. Perhaps he, too, thought Lin Hao was just a pretty boy who followed that girl around.
Sigh.
Lin Hao raised his hand to rub his aching head. It had been two years, yet why did that girl still come looking for him from time to time? While it hadn't caused any major trouble, it was still quite annoying.
After contemplating this, he tidied his belongings from his desk and then walked out of the classroom.
He wondered what kind of training awaited them next. Hopefully, it wouldn't be something like snake catching.
He was afraid of nothing except snakes. He didn't know why, but every time he saw a snake, he froze in fear. It was for this very reason that he had been teased by that brat for a whole year.
Thinking of this, a child's figure suddenly flashed in Lin Hao's mind.
He had watched that child grow from infancy, and his own feelings had transformed from annoyance to continued annoyance.
Lin Hao looked up at the sky, which was still relatively clear, and saw a few birds flying by.
He felt a pang of longing for that noisy child.
Today, the army seemed to be showing some humanity, granting them two days of rest to prepare for the next phase of training.
Lin Hao's gaze slowly drifted downwards, watching the crowd heading towards the exit.
It seemed he could go out today.
He felt an impulse to visit the Zhao family and see Fei'er, but this place was still far from the Empire's main planet, and it would be impossible to return within two days.
Moreover, he wondered how Zhao Jianye would mock him if he returned, or if he would retaliate against Fei'er after Lin Hao left. It was probably best not to go back.
He would visit Fei'er again after this matter settled down.
"Aren't you going out? Everyone else is leaving."
A slightly gloating female voice echoed from behind Lin Hao. Upon hearing it, his brow unconsciously furrowed.
Even at this hour, he still had to encounter her.
It had been two years, and she truly had remarkable perseverance.
Yet, he still disliked any interaction with this girl. Even though everyone warned him of her formidable reputation and the benefits of befriending her, he still didn't like his fate to be intertwined with a stranger.
After all, who would want their destiny to be revealed to them in advance?
Even if what she predicted turned out to be true.
Lin Hao turned his head to look at Ye Xue, who stood behind him with a radiant smile. Her captivating eyes seemed to meet his, a flicker of nostalgia and relief passing through them, though mostly amusement.
"You haven't gone out either, have you?" Lin Hao said to Ye Xue, his tone rather displeased.
Seeing her meant he would know his arrangements for the next week. This feeling of having his future spoiled was unpleasant.
Ye Xue, seemingly oblivious to Lin Hao's expression and grumpy demeanor, skipped merrily towards him and asked with a smile, "Want to go out with me?"
Seeing Lin Hao's darkening expression, Ye Xue's eyes twinkled. She moved closer to his ear and whispered, "I won't divine for you for a month. Does that entice you?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Hao's brow furrowed, and he fell into deep thought, no longer feeling any aversion to the girl being so close to him.
He was considering the feasibility of this transaction.
Seeing Lin Hao still contemplating, Ye Xue quickly moved away and then put on a solemn expression. "Alas, if you don't want to go, then I'll divine for you. You'll have romantic encounters soon. Let me see exactly when that will be?"
She then struck a pose and began to idly move her fingers.
When her fingers stopped on a particular point, she looked at Lin Hao with feigned surprise and exclaimed, "Guess when? It's on..."
Just as Ye Xue was about to reveal the time, Lin Hao, with a resigned sigh, said to the amused Ye Xue, "Alright, alright, let's go. Where do you want to go?"
His tone was filled with helplessness and a hint of accusation towards the girl.
It was because, half a year ago, he had refused her request regarding a certain matter that she had implanted his entire month's schedule into his mind using her mental energy.
And for that month, her words were like an alarm on the Star Network, repeatedly reminding him of what he needed to do. Even planned changes were meticulously recorded and fed to him.
During that month, he felt like an NPC in a game, with every route meticulously planned.
He didn't want to live like that again. It was just accompanying her out for a trip, and it would give him a month of peace. Why not?
Ye Xue, standing opposite Lin Hao, smiled when she heard him agree. "Then let's go."
Lin Hao followed her obediently, walking quietly behind her.
However, as they reached the guardhouse, a group of burly men suddenly emerged and respectfully addressed Ye Xue: "Lord Ye, there are regulations from above. If you wish to leave, we must escort you."
Lin Hao, standing behind her, could feel her aura growing colder, even without seeing her face.
Through Ye Xue, he noticed that the faces of the imposing men standing before them had all turned pale.
Lin Hao, on the other hand, felt no discomfort.
Was this the power of a high-level mental energy user?
Lin Hao couldn't help but think as he witnessed the scene.
Ye Xue glared at the imposing men with a dark expression and said mockingly, "Which 'above'? Tell me, so I can hear?" After speaking, she swept her captivating eyes over the group of men.
As her gaze lingered on them for longer and longer periods, the leading man among them finally couldn't bear it and said weakly, "Lord Ye, please don't make things difficult for us. We are merely following orders. We hope you can understand."
Ye Xue regarded them for a few more moments before waving her hand. "You may follow, but do not appear before my eyes."
Let them follow then. It was likely to prevent her from escaping. She had been here for so many years, and that child still couldn't trust her to go out alone?
She wouldn't make things difficult for them. It was just having someone follow her.
The group of men heard this and a look of surprise spread across their faces.
After all, Lord Ye had never allowed anyone to accompany her on her outings before. Perhaps she was in a particularly good mood today.
Today was truly a happy day.
The leading man thought to himself.