Chapter 31: Helpless Blood Donation

“What is it? Say it, I’m in a good mood today,” Ye Mo said, having just finished preparing a bowl of Silver Heart Grass soup. He truly was in a good mood.

“Could you lend me two thousand dollars?” Ning Qingxue asked calmly. She assumed he wouldn’t refuse; after all, she considered his money hers.

Ye Mo’s good mood soured. “I don’t have the money,” he replied. He only had three thousand, and she wanted half.

Ning Qingxue was furious. He’d received five hundred thousand from her and wouldn’t lend her two thousand? “You…” she sputtered, accusing him of stinginess.

“The interest on the five hundred thousand I gave you alone would cover that,” she argued, surprisingly reasonably. “You’re a man with a future! How can you be like this?”

Seeing Ning Qingxue plead, Ye Mo held up his hands. “Stop, stop, stop…” He produced a wad of cash and gave her two thousand. “This is the only time. Don’t ask me for money again; it’s hard-earned.”

Ning Qingxue was contemptuous but didn't rebuke him. If his money wasn't easy to come by, neither was anyone else's. After all, he'd made five hundred thousand simply by providing her lodging.

The reason for her request? She was broke, out of phone credit, and needed feminine hygiene products—a deeply uncomfortable situation.

…

That night, after Xu Wei and Ning Qingxue slept, Ye Mo went to the backyard, drank the soup in one gulp, and began cultivating. The potent medicine surged into his chest. He channeled his chi to rapidly expand and strengthen his meridians, overjoyed at the Silver Heart Grass's power. Reaching the second stage of Chi Gathering seemed possible.

Four hours later, his cultivation essence surged, then abruptly stopped, burning his meridians. Shocked, he realized he was in danger of permanent injury. In a desperate move, he bit his wrist.

“Spew!” Hot blood spurted out, relieving the pressure. He'd been lucky; otherwise, he would have been ruined. He shouldn't have drunk the soup so quickly. The altered recipe, lacking several key spirit grasses, had caused adverse effects.

After the burning subsided, Ye Mo cultivated to heal. Despite the blood loss, he'd reached the tertiary stage of the first stage of Chi Gathering—a remarkable breakthrough. The medicinal power was not exhausted; further cultivation might even reach the second stage.

However, the next day, the burning returned as he prepared for school. He dreaded another bloodletting. The thought pained him.

But he persevered, going to the hospital to donate blood until the burning stopped. Relieved, he went to school, bypassing the library to cultivate. He needed to fully absorb the medicinal power.

…

Ning Qingxue contacted Li Mumei daily, avoiding thoughts of the chaotic Ning family. News of her marriage to Ye Mo had reached Ning Hai, but the furor was less intense than in Beijing.

Reassuringly, the Song family seemed to have given up on pursuing the matter with Song Shaowen since the news broke. Ye Mo, meanwhile, lived a life of joy and pain—cultivation progressed daily, but he had to donate blood. The pay was meager, but it was income.

On the sixth night, while cultivating, Ye Mo heard cracks in his body—something had broken open. A feeling of freedom and comfort flooded him. The remaining medicinal power was spent; his cultivation essence had greatly increased, and his spirit sense expanded.

He'd reached the second stage of Chi Gathering! The ordeal was over. He resisted the urge to shout, knowing it was midnight. His joy was overwhelming. The next day, he bought Ning Qingxue breakfast, preparing to leave for school and make some medicinal pills for Shi Xiu before leaving Ning Hai. He was now at a stage where he could create them.

He'd expected trouble after marrying Ning Qingxue and releasing their photos, but after almost two weeks, nothing happened. He relaxed.

“Ye Mo,” Ning Qingxue stopped him at the door. He braced himself—last time, it cost him two thousand. He couldn't ignore her.

He turned. She was as beautiful as ever, slightly fuller. His cooking, he suspected. A stranger might think she was on holiday, not seeking asylum.

“What?” Ye Mo asked despondently. Seeing his helpless expression, Ning Qingxue felt a pang of sadness. Am I not good enough for him? Even a fake marriage…, she thought. Her indifferent nature allowed her to stay.

“A classmate, a journalist, is coming. You understand. I need to appear… credible. Will you join us for dinner tonight?” Ning Qingxue regained her composure.

“I can cook. Why go out?” Ye Mo's first thought was saving money.

Ning Qingxue shook her head incredulously. It wasn't about appearances; she wanted their relationship to seem real.

“Okay, okay, I’ll come,” Ye Mo conceded weakly, turning to leave.