Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 989 - 495:

In the kitchen, the morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting light on two figures,

One stood at the counter, eyes lowered, gazing at the freshly washed rice, while crystalline droplets still clung to her fingers.

The other leaned against the table holding a cup of water, brows furrowed, seemingly deep in thought.

The room was briefly silent for a few seconds, the only sound being the monotone ticking of the wall clock.

Lin Chuqiao took a deep breath, as if trying to calm her heavy emotions.

"Although I can’t see the vision clearly, according to my prediction, this is most likely an extremely ominous sign."

"It suggests that Fang Cheng will face nine deaths and one life, about to be engulfed in darkness with only the last sliver of light, a thread of vitality remaining."

After speaking, she stopped what she was doing and turned to look at the person by the table.

"In this kind of situation..."

Ye Zhiran pondered quietly, trying to find a reasonable explanation to reassure her:

"It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an ominous sign, maybe it’s just interference, causing the image to distort..."

"Professor, don’t deceive yourself."

Lin Chuqiao let out a bitter smile, interrupting him:

"Since I’ve awakened my spiritual power, I’ve never encountered a situation like this."

"When predicting others’ fates before, even if there were variables, clear images would still appear."

"The worst-case scenario was just a blurry vision or being shrouded by mist, making it difficult to see the details clearly."

"But it would never be this... pure dark void."

She lifted her gaze, eyes intently fixed on Ye Zhiran:

"Now that Fang Cheng’s fate has undergone such an extreme change, and you just admitted that you didn’t use the ’Formless Barrier’ to shield him from the heavenly secret."

"Doesn’t this suggest that the person... has already made a move?"

Seeing Ye Zhiran remain silent, Lin Chuqiao spoke with added weight, presenting the most compelling argument:

"Especially after absorbing the blood rain on Mist Mountain, my powers have made a breakthrough, worlds apart from before, and I can even glimpse at a thing or two when facing spiritual power users of the same class."

"Previously, when you and Crow took action at that village, even with the ’Formless Barrier’ concealing your movements and appearances, I was still able to predict and indirectly see the scene around the altar through Xuan Zhen, that S-Class Spiritual Ability User."

"So, predicting Fang Cheng and seeing that dark image this time is definitely not as simple as interference."

Lin Chuqiao’s voice, though not loud, carried a resolute determination:

"This indicates the only variable, the only thread of vitality, lies within me."

"Perhaps only by entering the situation myself can I help him escape this predetermined line of fate."

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhiran fell into a long silence.

He took off his glasses and rubbed his temples.

Faced with Lin Chuqiao’s careful reasoning and the heavy prediction results, his firm stance began to waver.

"Professor."

Seizing the moment, Lin Chuqiao lowered her stance:

"As long as you don’t say it, I won’t say it, Fang Cheng won’t know."

"Once a danger is perceived, I will immediately inform you and Fang Cheng, and by then, we can come up with ways to deal with it together, which is better than being in the dark."

Outside the door, Fang Cheng, having heard this, furrowed his brows with a slight frown, a momentary flicker in his gaze.

His fingers tightened slightly at his side, choosing not to remain a silent listener any longer.

He directly stepped forward, walking to the study door, extending his hand to push open the slightly ajar door.

"Creak—"

A soft sound echoed, especially clear in the quiet hallway, instantly breaking the heavy atmosphere in the study.

The two speaking inside immediately turned their heads at the sound.

Upon seeing Fang Cheng standing at the doorway, Ye Zhiran’s hand froze in place, a hint of embarrassment in his expression.

Lin Chuqiao looked alarmed, instinctively straightening her posture.

Like a child caught red-handed doing something behind their parents’ backs, her fingers subconsciously twisted together.

"Brother Cheng... you’re back from your morning exercise?"

Fang Cheng walked into the room, his body still carrying a hint of evaporated sweat.

He first glanced at Ye Zhiran, then his gaze fell on Lin Chuqiao.

Without scolding or ridiculing, he simply looked at her calmly.

Yet this gaze carried more weight than any harsh words, dissipating Lin Chuqiao’s previous resolute aura in an instant.

"Using yourself as bait to ensure my safety?"

Fang Cheng shook his head, his tone not high but carrying undeniable authority:

"What kind of solution is that? Lin Chuqiao, it’s best that you abandon that thought immediately."

"I’m not acting as bait, I’m confident..."

Lin Chuqiao wanted to argue, but faced with Fang Cheng’s gaze, her voice grew smaller, lacking in confidence.

"In the eyes of a monster that views everything as insignificant, the words ’noble family’ weigh no more than a scrap of paper."

Fang Cheng stepped in front of her, his tall figure casting a shadow over her.

He looked into her eyes, speaking each word clearly:

"As long as I, Fang Cheng, live, I’ve never fallen to the point where I need to let my woman stand in front to bear the risk.

"You are a member of the Illuminati, my comrade, not a sacrifice, do you understand?"

The phrase "my woman" shattered all of Lin Chuqiao’s mental defenses like a heavy hammer.

Her previously tense body softened abruptly, her heart pounding violently in her chest, uncontrollable blushes spreading across her cheeks.

The counter-arguments she had prepared were now impossible to utter.

Fang Cheng no longer looked at her, instead turning to Ye Zhiran, giving him a warning glance: