An hour later.
When Ye Ming had stabilized the seal within Xiao Aiyin's body, he descended from upstairs and felt the heavy atmosphere in the hall.
He glanced at Fang Junxue, who nodded gently, indicating that there was no major issue.
Previously, she had not only informed everyone about the changes in Qin Shuang but had also revealed Xiao Aiyin's identity.
It was understandable that Nangong Qianyu and the others were in low spirits.
"Everyone, don't worry, I won't let anything happen to Xiao Aiyin!"
Ye Ming walked over, looking at Nangong Qianyu, whose eyes were slightly red. He sat beside her and said softly, "No matter the cost, I will eradicate the厄源 (E Yuan) within her. Believe me!"
Through their interactions, not only had Nangong Qianyu and the others come to regard Xiao Aiyin as a younger sister, but he himself had also done so.
Therefore, he was determined to protect Xiao Aiyin, no matter what.
"Is there really a way?"
Nangong Qianyu tightly gripped Ye Ming's hand, the worry in her eyes congealing into frost.
"Yes!"
Ye Ming replied firmly.
Even if there wasn't, he would forge a path.
"Qianyu! Believe Ye Ming! If he says there is, then there must be!"
Fang Junxue patted her hand and smiled gently.
Doris and Ji Hongying also nodded heavily. They believed their man could save their little princess.
"Mmm! There definitely will be!"
Hearing their words, Nangong Qianyu's spirits finally lifted slightly. "Is Xiao Aiyin alright now?"
"Rest assured! This time, the seal loosened because Aiyin was too agitated. With my reinforcement, she's fine now," Ye Ming comforted. "This kind of thing shouldn't happen again in the future."
Ye Ming continued with a smile, "Aiyin is resting now and even clamoring for the fish-flavored sweet donuts I make!"
"Fish-flavored sweet donuts?"
Hearing about this peculiar food, the women exchanged smiles. Their little princess was still as adorable as ever.
Seeing that the women had all smiled, Ye Ming secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, there was one thing he hadn't mentioned: the seal placed on Xiao Aiyin's body was not as optimistic as he had described.
According to his original plan, the seal should have been able to suppress the "厄源 (E Yuan)" for at least five years.
But now, it seemed he had underestimated the power of the "厄源 (E Yuan)."
Under the erosion of the厄难之力 (E Nan Zhi Li), the seal he had set was being assimilated. In at most a year, the seal's power would no longer be able to suppress it.
Before that, if no other method was found to suppress the "厄源 (E Yuan)," the consequences would be truly unimaginable.
Therefore, Ye Ming had to resolve all outstanding matters within a year and take Xiao Aiyin to the resting place of the previous "厄灵 (E Ling)."
There, perhaps, he could find a way to save Xiao Aiyin.
One year!
He had to accelerate his plans once again.
Even if it caused considerable turmoil, Ye Ming had no other choice.
Some things would happen whether he acted or not. Since that was the case, he might as well speed up their occurrence to balance his remaining time.
Only in this way could Ye Ming take another step forward in the approaching new era.
...
"Alright! Now let's talk about Miss Qin Shuang!"
With Xiao Aiyin's matter resolved, it was time to tell them about what had happened to Qin Shuang.
"Ye Ming! Was Shuang'er controlled?"
When Qin Shuang was mentioned, Ji Hongying was naturally the most anxious.
She truly did not wish for her subordinate and friend, who had accompanied her since the early days, to do anything untoward.
To live a peaceful life was her most cherished wish for her.
But reality was cruel; when you became entangled with certain individuals, threads of karma would unknowingly ensnare you.
And Qin Shuang had just become one of those people.
The reason she was targeted stemmed from her connection to Ji Hongying.
No!
To be more precise, it was through Ji Hongying that she became connected to Ye Ming.
"Hongying! You don't need to worry just yet!"
Ye Ming comforted her. "Miss Qin Shuang was not controlled. If we had to use one word to describe her situation, it would be... assimilation!"
Assimilation?
"What do you mean?"
Although Fang Junxue had seen some clues before, she still didn't fully understand.
Therefore, when Ye Ming uttered the word "assimilation," even Fang Junxue found it difficult to comprehend.
"Let me put it this way,"
Ye Ming thought for a moment and gave a simple example. "Imagine suddenly having some unfamiliar memories appear in your mind. At first, you might dismiss them as lingering dream fragments and not pay them much mind.
"But as those memories continue to surface, you start to doubt yourself, wondering if you'd actually experienced those things before and simply forgotten them.
"Subsequently, when you begin to accept those memories, it means you believe you've had another life experience, which you merely forgot.
"Ultimately, the new memories perfectly merge with your original ones, and you are, in essence, assimilated."
This was what was meant by assimilation.
After hearing this explanation, Fang Junxue and the others fell silent. They each possessed their own wisdom and understood Ye Ming's meaning.
"Ye Ming, are you saying..." Ji Hongying still found it hard to believe, "that Shuang'er had memories implanted that didn't belong to her?"
"That's right!"
Ye Ming nodded, his voice heavy. "Do you know what Miss Qin Shuang was doing when I found her?"
"Wh-what?"
Ji Hongying's heart pounded in her chest.
"She was spying!"
At this point, Ye Ming's voice turned cold. "She was spying on Xiao Aiyin."
"What?"
Upon hearing this news, Ji Hongying stood up abruptly, her face paling, a look of horror appearing.
The others' eyes also turned cold, and a chill emanated from them.
Of course!
This was not directed at Qin Shuang, but at the person who had implanted the memories in her.
It was precisely because of this discovery that Ye Ming had not rushed to the school to pick up Xiao Aiyin immediately. But fortunately, he had discovered it in time; otherwise, Xiao Aiyin could have been in danger at any moment.
Then the question arose: what was the purpose of spying on Xiao Aiyin?
The answer, it seemed, was already obvious.
"Someone wanted to use Xiao Aiyin against you!" Fang Junxue deduced this immediately.
"That's likely correct!"
A murderous glint flickered in Ye Ming's eyes, his tone unusually grim.
To dare to extend their reach to Xiao Aiyin was absolutely unforgivable.
"Hongying! Miss Qin Shuang is your subordinate. I'm telling you all this specifically, hoping you'll be mentally prepared," Ye Ming said gravely. "After I remove the control, if you can persuade Miss Qin Shuang to reveal everything, that would be best. But if..."
Ye Ming did not finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
"I... I understand!"
Ji Hongying clenched her fists and said with her eyes closed,
"Release her control."