Chapter 1438: Shy Moon Shadow! So it

Long before entering the mothership, everyone had set their resting rooms in the same area.

Yue Ying's room was even closer to Xu Jingming's, directly across.

Thus, when Xu Jingming had adjusted his state and changed his clothes,

he opened the door and immediately saw the slender figure leaning against the wall opposite.

Yue Ying had already been waiting there.

Today she was not wearing her battle suit, but had changed into a casual outfit in the style of the Elf Realm.

Her top was a finely tailored moon-white silk shirt.

The fabric was soft and slightly lustrous, its hem tucked into the lower attire.

It perfectly outlined the full, graceful curve of her chest.

Her bottom was a pair of light gray trousers.

The trousers' fabric had excellent elasticity and was cut loose.

Her straight, long legs were hidden within, yet the fabric tightened sharply at the hips.

"No wonder she's the Elf Princess..." Xu Jingming silently admired.

Even he, who had seen many beautiful women,

had to admit Yue Ying's appearance and figure were truly exceptional.

Even simple casual wear could bring out a unique aura.

At that moment, Yue Ying's gaze also fell upon Xu Jingming.

Xu Jingming, too, was not wearing his battle suit, but a dark gray casual suit.

The outfit looked ordinary, yet was made striking by his tall, upright figure.

His black short hair was neat and sharp, his angular face carrying its usual calmness.

Paired with his deep eyes, it formed a unique, captivating cold elegance.

It made Yue Ying's heartbeat quicken slightly.

"Let's go, I've already reserved a restaurant."

Xu Jingming smiled and spoke.

At that moment, another door beside them clicked softly and was pushed open from within.

Yan Ji and Bess stepped out side by side.

Yan Ji still wore her fiery red leather armor, her red hair blazing with passion.

Bess wore a sea-blue long dress, her aura gentle and warm.

Both clearly were preparing to go out, whispering and laughing together.

They looked up and happened to see Xu Jingming and Yue Ying standing face to face.

The air fell silent for an instant.

Yan Ji's alluring peach-shaped eyes first glanced at the outstandingly elegant Yue Ying.

Then swept over Xu Jingming, equally dressed casually, his posture tall and straight.

A look of understanding and mischievous amusement flashed in her eyes.

She lightly nudged Bess beside her.

Then she lifted a bright smile and asked in a clear voice:

"Oh? Isn't this our busy captain and Yue Ying?

Judging by this setup... are you two going out together?"

After leading the team just once, Yan Ji had already firmly pinned the title "captain" onto Xu Jingming.

Yue Ying, however, was momentarily stunned by the question.

Then, as if her secret thought had been exposed, she quickly spoke up:

"N-No special plan.

After the mission on the Meteorite Star last time, Jingming said he'd treat me to a meal.

This time, we both have free time on the warship, so it's just fulfilling a promise."

Her voice remained cool, but beneath it lay a faint, barely noticeable fluster.

"Oh? I was just asking casually—why did you explain so much, Yue Ying?"

Yan Ji smiled sweetly, her tone brimming with teasing.

Yue Ying was now thoroughly flustered, her cheeks slightly flushed, stammering:

"You're going out too? We happened to meet—why not go together?"

"Sure!"

No sooner had she spoken than Yan Ji, without hesitation, chimed in with a beaming smile.

Yue Ying: "..."

Her expression froze for an instant.

A flicker of disappointment—unnoticed even by herself—darted through her beautiful gray eyes.

Her red lips pressed slightly together, her fingers, naturally hanging at her sides, unconsciously curled.

Though she struggled to maintain composure,

how could these subtle changes escape Yan Ji, who had been secretly observing her all along and had intended to tease her?

"Pfft—"

Yan Ji finally burst out laughing.

She stepped forward and playfully patted Yue Ying's shoulder.

Moved closer, lowering his voice just enough for the few present to hear:

"Oh my, who would've thought our noble, aloof Elven Royal Princess would ever be so anxious and uncertain?"

Her laughter rang like silver bells, brimming with unhidden teasing.

"Just kidding!

Beth and I already planned to tour the mothership's general shopping district.

We heard a new batch of rare materials arrived from the Immortal Star System—we've got no interest in being your two's third wheel.

You two go ahead and 'fulfill your promise'!"

With that, she winked at Xu Jingming.

Then gave Yue Ying a thumbs-up.

Without hesitation, she grabbed Bei Si, who had been standing quietly beside her, lips curled in a faint smile.

Waved her hand, turned, and walked straight toward the corridor opposite the entertainment zone.

Leaving behind a trail of light footsteps and faint, fading laughter.

Yue Ying stood frozen in place for two or three full seconds.

Only then did the embarrassment stirred by Yan Ji's teasing surge up, belatedly.

In an instant, it dyed her Bai Xi face and neck a charming crimson.

Even the pointed tips of her Elven ears flushed pink.

This once noble and rational Elven Royal Princess.

Now stood helplessly lowering her head, staring at her shoe tips, heart pounding hard.

Completely at a loss how to handle such a scene, and unable to understand why she reacted so strongly.

"Cough."

Xu Jingming cleared his throat at the right moment, smiling:

"Yan Ji's just outgoing—she loves pulling stunts like this. Don't take it to heart.

Let's go, my reservation at the restaurant is about to be called."

"Y-yes."

Only then did Yue Ying lift her head as if granted pardon.

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz; she dared not look into Xu Jingming's eyes, only nodded lightly.

The two walked side by side toward the middle deck's entertainment and leisure zone.

Along the way, Yue Ying kept her head slightly lowered.

Trying to make the heat on her face fade quickly, yet her heartbeat remained uneven.

Xu Jingming remained composed, steering the conversation to keep the silence from growing too heavy.

Soon, they reached the entrance to the entertainment zone.

The design here was extremely spacious, with a towering dome simulating a blue sky and white clouds.

Soft artificial light fell like natural daylight.

At the entrance, crowds surged—students of all races, dressed in varied attire, coming and going, bustling with energy.

Xu Jingming and Yue Ying, as disciples of the Supreme Sovereign, were already well-known.

And their appearances and demeanors were equally outstanding.

Especially now, dressed in casual attire, stripped of battle sharpness yet radiating greater personal charm.

Yue Ying's exquisite Elven beauty, silver hair, and pointed ears were inherently eye-catching.

Xu Jingming's tall, upright frame and his calm, composed aura were unmistakable.

The moment they appeared, dozens of curious glances and murmurs immediately swirled around them.

"Look, it's Xu Jingming and Yue Ying!"

"How come they're walking together? They seem close."

"Tsk tsk, Yue Ying really is the Elven Royal Princess—her looks and figure are beyond compare."

"......"

Xu Jingming acted as if he heard nothing.

His attention was drawn more by the bustling scene before him.

Inside the entrance stretched a wide, bright street lined with shops.

On both sides stood restaurants of all styles, cafés, game halls, theaters, even virtual reality experience centers.

Looking up, multiple tiers of circular walkways above were likewise packed with all manner of entertainment and leisure venues.

Voices rose in clamor, laughter echoed.

If not for knowing they were inside a massive warship cruising through the deep cosmos,

Xu Jingming might have thought he'd stepped into the premier commercial district of some mega-city on Blue Star.

"Even on a warship, this is hardly different from a bustling commercial zone on Blue Star."

Xu Jingming mused inwardly.

Just as he was about to lead Yue Ying into the street,

a sharply mocking, almost cruel voice suddenly cut through the crowd ahead:

"Heh, who could it be drawing so much attention?

Why, if it isn't our famous junior, Xu Jingming?"

The voice was loud enough to ensure everyone nearby heard it.