Chapter 23: Ning Qingxue's First Impression

Su Jingwen, noticing Ye Mo appeared unharmed, exclaimed, "Your hand?" pointing to his hand in shock. Ye Mo, seeing Su Mei, frowned and said, "Jingwen, I'm going to rest for a while," then moved to another table.

Ning Qingxue looked at Li Mumei quizzically, asking, "Who is Ye Mo?" Li Mumei sighed, pulling Ning Qingxue aside. "He's the Ye Mo you were engaged to. He's… different. His looks and temperament have completely changed. I haven't seen him in a long time, and I don't know why Jingwen invited him."

Ning Qingxue glanced again at Ye Mo. His demeanor was neither arrogant nor servile. Despite his simple clothes, he possessed a natural, effortless grace. He lacked the awkwardness typical of spoiled rich children, exuding a quiet charisma that intrigued her.

"How could someone like him be… impotent?" she mused, then chuckled at her own skepticism. If this was truly Ye Mo, she doubted he'd agree to her plans.

Li Mumei, seeing Ye Mo, hesitated. "Qingxue, he's changed drastically. Let me gather some information. You can sit down." The Ye Mo before them was nothing like the "useless" man she'd heard about. At most, his hair was slightly unkempt.

Ning Qingxue took Li Mumei's hand. "Mumei, I should handle this." Ye Mo, observing the opulently dressed guests, remained unfazed by his comparatively simple attire. His calm demeanor reflected a perspective unburdened by material wealth. Even with fine clothes, he'd live life on his own terms. His ambitions lay elsewhere; yet, he was confident he could achieve wealth if he desired it. Ultimately, life was short—a fleeting few decades. We arrive with nothing and depart with nothing.

His primary goal had been achieving immortality. While his cultivation had slowed, his resolve remained unchanged. However, he now also cared deeply for his master, Luo Ying. Their feelings were undeniable, eclipsing all other concerns.

Ning Qingxue approached Ye Mo's table, her slightly unsteady voice revealing her apprehension. "Ye Mo…"

He smiled faintly. "Please, sit." A sense of familiarity washed over her, despite this being their first meeting.

"Thank you," she sat, feeling a sense of ease, a serenity. He was like a calm lake, providing a sense of safety.

Ye Mo, aware that Ning Qingxue wouldn't approach him without reason, preemptively said, "Your eyebrows are furrowed, and your eyes look tired. Is something troubling you? If I can help…" He'd overheard her conversation with Li Mumei. He hadn't imagined his former fiancée was so beautiful—almost as lovely as Luo Ying.

He felt nothing negative towards Ning Qingxue, but her troubled expression reminded him of Luo Ying. Ning Qingxue was astonished by his perceptiveness. "This is the useless, good-for-nothing child his family abandoned?"

Ning Qingxue hesitated, sighing. "If only Li Mumei had said it…" Ye Mo's presence radiated calm. Finally, she began, "It's about my marriage—"

Ye Mo, unusually, frowned, a ripple in his composure. "Your Ning family broke our engagement. I'm no longer a member of the Beijing Ye family…" He implied he wouldn't help with marriage-related issues. Their family had initiated the breakup; their return was unacceptable. Though he had a positive impression of Ning Qingxue, this didn't excuse their actions.

"I'm sorry…" she felt helpless. He smiled faintly. "You don't need to apologize. I'm a 'good-for-nothing' cast out by the Ye family. I'm not a suitable match for your family, and the broken engagement is a form of freedom for me. I'm not reproaching you; I simply don't wish to discuss it."

Ning Qingxue felt uneasy. Before meeting him, she would have dismissed him. Now, her previous contempt felt absurd. The Ye Mo before her was confident, open-minded, a far cry from her memory. He wasn't the penniless Ye Mo, but one who seemed to stand above the world, a feeling that unsettled her.

Ye Mo sighed, knowing he couldn't help with her problem. "Since—"

Ning Qingxue, sensing his intention to end the conversation, interrupted, "Tonight, I want to go to—"

She felt a strange satisfaction in interrupting him, as if it balanced the earlier interruption. However, her words were immediately interrupted.

"Qingxue? I didn't expect to see you at Jingwen's party! What a surprise!" A young man, half a glass of wine in hand, appeared at their table. Ning Qingxue frowned. He was pleasant-looking, but his eyes darted nervously. He initially ignored Ye Mo, seemingly dismissing him as insignificant.

"Move! I haven't seen Qingxue in ages," the young man declared, pushing past Ye Mo.