Chapter 30: Life After Marriage

Translator: Tim; Editor: Tehrn/Carolin

"Why are you wearing pajamas?" Ye Mo asked, his tone odd. He wondered if they were about to participate in some sort of bizarre photoshoot. As if reading his thoughts, Li Mumei said, "If Qingxue isn't scared, why should you be? Do you think you're the star of this photoshoot?"

Although Ning Qingxue didn't have a high opinion of Ye Mo, Li Mumei's blunt words embarrassed her. The photoshoot itself made her uncomfortable.

Ye Mo wanted to refuse, but Ning Qingxue's melancholic eyes reminded him of Luo Ying. He ultimately agreed. Perhaps, subconsciously, he saw Ning Qingxue as Luo Ying, or used her as a way to process his feelings for Luo Ying. Besides, if Ning Qingxue wasn't afraid, why should he be? It shouldn't matter to him; he had nothing to lose by helping.

He put on his pajamas and sat on the bed with Ning Qingxue. A strange feeling washed over him. Ning Qingxue's faint, virginal scent captivated him; he unconsciously moved closer, seemingly oblivious to the performative nature of the situation.

Ning Qingxue, also in pajamas, lay beside him. Her eyes briefly registered disgust, but she quickly composed herself. Ye Mo's scent wasn't unpleasant; it was fresh, a faint masculinity tinged with an almost baby-like fragrance that confused her.

She noticed him move closer but, without conscious thought, didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into him, closing her eyes.

Ning Qingxue's soft body felt comfortable against his. But soon, remembering the performance and Li Mumei's presence, Ye Mo realized he wasn't aroused. This sobering thought made him want to pull away.

However, Li Mumei exclaimed, "You two, don't tell me you're actually getting into it! Hey, I've taken the pictures. You can get down now. Really"

Ning Qingxue jolted awake, blushing furiously. She was mortified, unsure how she'd gotten so involved. Avoiding eye contact with Ye Mo and Li Mumei, she nervously grabbed her coat and pulled it around herself.

Ye Mo chuckled, touched his nose, and calmly dressed as if alone. Then, he left the room.

"Mumei, I" Ning Qingxue stammered, unsure how to explain her behavior. She didn't understand why she'd been drawn to Ye Mo and hadn't pushed him away.

"It's okay; I have the pictures. I'll send them to Jingwen and take a copy back to Beijing. For now, you should stay here alone for a month or so. Things will become clearer then. I'll visit often," Li Mumei sighed. "Luckily, Ye Mo has… a certain condition; otherwise, I think things would be very dangerous for you two."

Ning Qingxue understood Li Mumei's implication but didn't know how to respond. She even doubted Ye Mo's impotence. How else could he have slept with Xu Wei? She was too embarrassed to voice this thought.

However, she knew her feelings for Ye Mo. Regardless of his potency, Mumei was overthinking. It was an accident. In that moment, there was only peace.

The next day's biggest news wasn't Ye Mo and Ning Qingxue's marriage, but the discovery of two injured homosexual men in a BMW near Genesis Square. Police intervention revealed one was the vice mayor's son. The attack was clearly premeditated. Although Zheng Wenqiao and the other man survived, they suffered severe mental disabilities. The case remained unsolved.

After Li Mumei left, Ye Mo's life resumed its previous course. He discovered Ning Qingxue essentially starved unless he brought home food. He didn't realize she'd arrived with only a card, which she'd given him. She was now penniless and too embarrassed to contact Li Mumei, especially after he'd taken $500,000 from her. Even eating on his money wouldn't make much of a dent.

Ye Mo, alone, wouldn't have minded, but with Ning Qingxue, he had to provide meals. After a few days, he noticed she ate very little of the takeout he bought. He realized she likely had dietary preferences and wasn't accustomed to takeout.

He began buying groceries and cooking. With only $20,000 left after purchasing herbs and other necessities (from his initial $50,000), he considered using Ning Qingxue's card. He didn't plan to keep the remaining funds anyway; he just needed enough for essentials.

However, the card was frozen, preventing him from withdrawing even a small amount. Despite setbacks, Ning Qingxue surprisingly enjoyed his cooking, eating heartily, easing Ye Mo's worries. Otherwise, Li Mumei would likely erupt in fury, and he didn't want to risk her causing a scene at Ning Hai University.

He also found Ning Qingxue agreeable and didn't want her to starve. Strangely, though he bought minimal groceries, she ate more when he cooked. Perhaps his cooking suited her palate. Within a week, she gained a little weight.

Most importantly, his Silver Heart Grass had matured, its seeds ready for harvest. Ye Mo carefully collected the thirty-nine seeds, storing them in a jade bottle. He didn't want to plant them in his current yard, as he planned to leave Ning Hai within two years. He felt the city was no longer a suitable place for him.

He prepared to utilize the Silver Heart Grass optimally; he hoped it might help him reach the second stage of Chi Gathering. Spending over $10,000 of his remaining $20,000 on high-quality medical ingredients, he prepared a medicinal soup.

Ning Qingxue, aside from borrowing books, rarely spoke to Ye Mo. This was the first time she initiated conversation.

"Ye Mo, I need your help."