Chapter 112: Birthday Present

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Of course, Ye Mo didn’t go far; he just dug a foot-deep ditch, half a square meter in area, into the hard rock inside the cave. Then, he used his chi to convert spirit chi into clear water. After half an hour, and accounting for water absorbed by the rock, the ditch was full.

When Ye Mo returned to the cave, Luo Susu stood at the entrance, looking around like a woman waiting for her husband. She had wanted him to return sooner. Without him, she felt an emptiness and loneliness she’d never experienced before. Even in the desert alone for days, she hadn’t felt this way, but after only half an hour, she felt it acutely today.

“You’re back,” Luo Susu said, her voice betraying the joy in her heart.

“Mhmm,” Ye Mo nodded, smiling.

Luo Susu found his smile genuine and pleasing, and couldn’t help but smile back. Ye Mo had never seen her smile before. He knew she was extraordinarily beautiful, but smiling, she was like a goddess descending to earth. He was captivated by her smile, and a poem came to mind: “Looking back and charming the world with a smile, all the women in the royal palace look colorless in comparison.” Perhaps it wasn’t entirely suitable, as her smile lacked seductive charm, but it stole his breath. It was purely natural, like a clear well or a fresh spring.

Luo Susu blushed under his gaze. Just as she was about to speak, Ye Mo said, “Susu, come with me.”

Susu? Luo Susu didn’t object to the name. She wanted to ask why he’d called her master upon first meeting, but she didn’t. She wasn’t overly curious.

Ye Mo took her hand and ran toward the clear well. Luo Susu was startled and tried to pull away, but he released her hand, pointing to the well. “Happy birthday! This is the birthday gift the heavens told me to give you. Do you like it?”

Luo Susu stared, dumbfounded. She couldn’t contain her joy and excitement. Was this truly a gift from the gods? How could a pool of clear water appear in such blazing sun? The stone was too hard to be manmade.

“Thank you, Ye…” Luo Susu turned to him, unable to continue. She felt the urge to cry. She even felt her power regressing, but the joy overwhelmed her. It wasn’t just the water itself; it was that she’d wanted this water desperately, and it had appeared. The impossible had become real.

“Susu, our Serene Door must stay away from joy, concern, anger, sadness…”

But today, she felt sadness, happiness, and even fed a man. Only today did she feel these emotions, and feel like a normal person. She didn’t want to think about her roles or her chains. Perhaps she would want them again upon returning to the Serene Door…

She didn’t dare ask about the water’s origin. She feared the question would break the spell and the water would vanish. This was her first birthday present, and her favorite, though she couldn’t take it with her.

She walked to the pond and drank the water. It tasted as before—faintly sweet and refreshingly clean. She wanted to wash herself, but turned to find Ye Mo gone. Feeling gratitude, she whispered, “Thank you, Ye Mo, thank you for your birthday present.”

She didn’t question the water’s origin, content not to doubt her good fortune.

Ye Mo waited alone at the cave entrance. He wondered if Luo Susu was his master, but quickly dismissed the thought. She was herself, the same as twenty years ago.

Yet, even knowing she wasn’t Luo Ying, he couldn’t face her calmly. He harbored the thought, ‘what if she was Luo Ying?’

Seeing Luo Susu return, washed and refreshed, Ye Mo was awestruck. She hadn't changed clothes or worn makeup, yet showed no signs of days spent in the desert. He couldn’t fathom how she’d done it with only water. She still wore no face covering, but held a water bottle.

He didn’t take the water, but offered her biscuits. “This is what you gave me, you should eat some too. I’m going out, what about you?”

Luo Susu took a biscuit and nodded. “Mhm, we’ll go out together. Perhaps…” She paused. “Did those men with guns come for you? Do you need my help?”

Ye Mo shook his head, smiling. “I don’t need your help. Let’s go.”

Luo Susu didn’t ask again. If he didn’t need her, he had his ways. On their journey, neither of them mentioned her presence here, as though they’d just met.

With Luo Susu’s guidance, their return was swift. By nightfall, they reached a road. Though still in the desert, following the road would lead them out. The Nan Qing people had seemingly vanished. They even encountered another group venturing into the desert.

It was dusk when they met. Seeing only two people emerging from the desert without equipment, the group offered them a tent, food, and water. Luckily, it was dusk; Luo Susu’s complexion wasn't visible, preventing any alarm.

With these supplies, they were no longer rushed. Though they spoke little, sometimes not for a whole day, they enjoyed the serenity. Luo Susu was especially grateful that Ye Mo never entered the tent, always staying outside, even when she urged him to rest. Even as she slept, she felt peaceful knowing he was nearby.

…

Ning Qingxue and Chi Wanqing searched for days, but still had no news of Ye Mo. Their supplies dwindled, and the weather grew hotter. Though reluctant, they left with their group. Their next search would be near May or June; the desert wasn’t easily navigated at any other time.

“Qingxue, look, people sleeping at the desert’s edge. So romantic. The nearest hotel is only 6 kilometers away,” Chi Wanqing said, trying to cheer Ning Qingxue, who seemed downcast.

Ning Qingxue looked at the tent and gasped. The person at the entrance was Ye Mo. Her nose felt sour. She’d searched for half a month, only to see him as they left the desert. Was heaven showing mercy?

“Qingxue, what’s wrong?” Chi Wanqing saw Ning Qingxue’s tears and saw Ye Mo.

“It’s Brother Ye…” Chi Wanqing felt like she would suffocate. She finally told the driver to stop.

As Chi Wanqing and Ning Qingxue rushed towards the car, they stopped. A woman emerged from the tent; she was living with Ye Mo?

“I’m going,” Luo Susu said simply.

“I know,” Ye Mo replied, his voice bitter. He didn’t know how to express himself.

Silence, heavy and suffocating.

After a while, Ye Mo said, “Can I look for you?”

Luo Susu didn’t speak, but produced a silk cloth. “Help me wear it.”

Ye Mo helped her, and she took the water bottle. “I’ll take this. Don’t look for me; you won’t find me. If you do, it will harm us both. I won’t say goodbye. Thank you for the happiest birthday.”

Ye Mo fell silent. She thanked him not for saving her, but for the birthday gift.