The Return of the God Level Assassin

1186  YUNYUE VS FENGHUANG (XXI)

MRS. Thompson and Miss Thompson exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes reflecting equal parts confusion and disbelief. Mrs. Thompson, summoning a surge of courage, stepped forward resolutely, positioning herself as a barrier to Shen Ji Yun's advance. Her voice, steady despite the tension in the air, carried an unspoken warning as she extended a hand to halt him in his tracks.

"Your Grace, pray, what on earth do you think you are doing?"

"Jane! What of Jane?" Shen Ji Yun's voice trembled with urgency, his words spilling out in a flurry as he continued his frantic acting. "I was told—God help me—I was told she was attacked! Is she hurt? Gravely so? Where is she? You must take me to her at once!"

A sudden realization flickered across the faces of both mother and daughter as Shen Ji Yun's words sank in.

"Could it be that you are referring to Mrs. Winslow?" Mrs. Thompson inquired cautiously.

"Yes! Where is she?" Shen Ji Yun said quickly, his voice tinged with just the right amount of urgency to keep up his act.

"Forgive me, Your Grace, but may I ask what your relationship with Mrs. Winslow is?" Mrs. Thompson inquired, her gaze narrowing with suspicion.

The commotion outside reached the ears of Luo Yan and Dr. Grant. As they stepped out of the cabin, they arrived just in time to catch Shen Ji Yun's response to Mrs. Thompson's question.

"We are lovers."

Shen Ji Yun put on an air of heartfelt sincerity, his features carefully arranged to convey just the right mix of determination and vulnerability. Luo Yan blinked, staring at Shen Ji Yun in surprise. Wow. Who would have thought his boyfriend had such an aptitude for acting? Maybe Shen Ji Yun had this hidden talent all along, but never had the opportunity to show it. Come to think of it, during their first run through the Thousand World Fantasia dungeon, he had been impressive then, too. Perhaps this was simply Shen Ji Yun tapping into his full potential.

What Luo Yan hadn't considered was that Shen Ji Yun had learned by observing him all this time. Unbeknownst to him, he had unintentionally become his boyfriend's acting mentor. After all, as people said, the best way to improve was to learn from the best.

Mrs. Thompson and Miss Thompson reacted with varying degrees of shock to Shen Ji Yun's declaration. Mrs. Thompson seemed surprised, her expression more aligned with how any reasonable person might react to such news. Miss Thompson, however, looked utterly aghast, as though she had just been confronted with the scandal of the century.

"Your Grace! I beg you, have some self-respect," Mrs. Thompson exclaimed as she regained her composure. "You cannot go about tarnishing a good woman's reputation in such a manner!"

"Besides, weren't you just openly flirting with that well-known former courtesan yesterday? We saw it ourselves, and so did Mrs. Winslow!" Miss Thompson exclaimed, her voice rising as though voicing Mrs. Winslow's grievance on her behalf. Then, as if suddenly recalling she was speaking to a duke, she reluctantly added, "Your Grace."

Mrs. Thompson shot her daughter a sharp, disapproving glance. "Sarah, mind your tongue. That is no way to speak to a duke," she chastised, before turning to Shen Ji Yun with a strained, apologetic smile. "I must apologize for my daughter's boldness, Your Grace. She was merely overcome with concern for Mrs. Winslow, who, as I'm sure Your Grace can appreciate, has a reputation to uphold and would naturally be distressed by such… behavior."

Luo Yan raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. Why did it feel like Mrs. Thompson was subtly scolding Shen Ji Yun, cleverly disguising her words with a layer of politeness?

Shen Ji Yun pretended not to notice the veiled reprimand and, staying in character as a devoted lover, simply asked, "Where is Jane?"

At that moment, Dr. Grant cleared his throat, drawing the attention of all three. Almost in unison, they turned to look at him. Luo Yan caught the brief flicker of embarrassment on Shen Ji Yun's face when their eyes met, but he quickly resumed his previous expression. Luo Yan almost chuckled when he saw that.

"Mrs. Winslow is in this cabin. If Your Grace wishes to see her, I must ask that you make it as brief as possible," the doctor said politely.

Dr. Grant stepped aside, allowing Shen Ji Yun to enter the cabin. Without hesitation, Shen Ji Yun stepped inside. As Dr. Grant reached for the door to close it and grant them privacy, Mrs. Thompson stopped him. It was clear she still didn't trust Shen Ji Yun and wanted to keep an eye on what he would do.

So, they saw Shen Ji Yun stop abruptly at the foot of the bed, his eyes fixed on Mrs. Winslow's still form. Her face was ghostly pale, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. His lips parted slightly, but no words came out, as if he were momentarily stunned by the sight. He stepped closer, the floorboards creaking under his weight. When he reached the bedside, he hesitated for a moment before lowering himself to his knees. His hand hovered uncertainly before finally settling on hers, his fingers curling around her limp, icy hand. He stared at their joined hands, his throat bobbing as if swallowing back an emotion he couldn't afford to show. Leaning closer, he lowered his head, his voice soft and raw. "I failed you," he murmured, the words thick in his throat. "I should have been there to protect you. I'm so sorry, Jane, my love." His grip on her hand tightened slightly, his knuckles whitening, but he immediately loosened it as though afraid of hurting her. His eyes lingered on her face, searching for any sign of response, but none came.

Luo Yan raised an eyebrow, fighting the urge to applaud. For a moment, he considered suggesting that Shen Ji Yun try his hand at acting—he clearly had the talent for it. But he quickly dismissed the idea, shaking his head. Why would he willingly create more competition for himself? He was certain that anyone who saw Shen Ji Yun would instantly be drawn to him. No, it was better this way. Better that only he truly knew how incredible Shen Ji Yun was. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om