Chapter 58: Found the Place
Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn
Ye Mo smiled. “Tell me,” he said, “as long as it’s convenient and not troublesome, I’m happy to help.” He felt positively toward Chi Wanqing and wouldn't mind spending time assisting her.
Chi Wanqing beamed. “My cousin opened a company in Luocang City, Jiangnan Province, but she’s short-staffed. Would you have time to work for her? It’s simple—mostly factory surveying,” she explained, her joy evident. She’d smiled more in the past half hour than in an entire year.
Ye Mo understood. This thoughtful girl feared hurting his pride, so she framed her request as a favor. Otherwise, the offer—paid work requiring minimal effort—was too good to be true. She was meticulous but didn’t fully understand him. He smiled slightly. “Thank you, Chi Wanqing. If I were looking for work, I’d certainly consider your cousin’s company. To be honest, I don’t know how to do much of anything.”
He couldn’t directly refuse her kindness, but he couldn't work now. He needed to tend his Silver Heart Grass until it ripened.
“You don’t need to do anything…” Chi Wanqing realized her words were too forward. “Just walk around the factory,” she amended quickly.
“Wait,” she continued, “I’ll give you my number.”
“Sorry, I don’t have a phone,” Ye Mo replied.
Chi Wanqing was stunned. Who didn't own a phone? But given his appearance and apparent lack of employment, perhaps he couldn't afford one.
Seeing her concern, Ye Mo smiled. “Just tell me once; I’ll remember.”
Chi Wanqing was skeptical. Even if he remembers now, he'll forget later, she thought. She assumed he was embarrassed to refuse. Undeterred, she took out an exquisite hairbrush, used a small knife to carve her number into it, and gave it to him. Finally, she felt relieved.
Ye Mo examined the brush, which still held a faint scent. “A unique number,” he smiled. “Thank you, Chi Wanqing! If I need a job, I’ll call.”
Chi Wanqing’s delight was palpable. “Brother Ye, that’s a bit formal. Call me Wanqing, or Xiao Qing, like my father does.”
“Okay, Wanqing,” Ye Mo said, having only heard her teammates call her Chi Wanqing.
Her jubilance was evident. Forgetting to leave, she asked, “Brother Ye, Guo Qi said you were searching for something. Found it?”
Ye Mo shook his head. “Not yet, but it should be nearby. Two evergreen trees and a valley. I think this valley might be it, but I haven’t seen the evergreens.”
“Evergreens? I know! When we hid in the valley, I saw two. It’s not far! I’ll take you,” Chi Wanqing exclaimed, pleased to help. Before Ye Mo could respond, Lu Lin called out. Chi Wanqing replied, “Sister Lin, I have some business with Brother Ye. I’ll be back soon.”
Her voice was unusually bright. Lu Lin was astonished. “Since when is Chi Wanqing so cheerful? She was always so cold. Did… did they…?” She shook her head, unable to comprehend the change.
Chi Wanqing stood, a little unsteady. Ye Mo caught her. “I’ll carry you.”
He had no ulterior motives; he simply wanted to reach the site quickly and see what the Lama left behind. Finding a large quantity of Purple Heart Vine would be crucial.
“Mm, thank you, Brother Ye,” Chi Wanqing said, accepting his offer without hesitation. Having already seen him without his pants, this seemed insignificant.
She wasn’t shy, a trait Ye Mo admired. He wondered if all soldiers were so forthright. Two soft curves rested against his back; it was comfortable, but he harbored no inappropriate thoughts.
“Captain Lu, did Brother Ye carry Chi Wanqing? Did I see that right?” Fang Wei asked incredulously, rubbing his eyes. Chi Wanqing, usually aloof toward male squad members, was being carried by a man she’d just met. It was unbelievable.
Lu Lin replied coldly, “You saw correctly. Now hurry and pack up those guns. They’ll be back soon.”
Guo Qi, having also witnessed the scene, nodded. “Brother Ye is a heroic man. Wanqing is cold, perhaps because she hasn’t met the right person. Who knows, maybe it’s Brother Ye! They’re a good match…”
From Ye Mo's back, Chi Wanqing asked, “Brother Ye, am I too unrestrained?”
Ye Mo nearly stumbled. “No, I like your straightforwardness. You’re very frank.”
Chi Wanqing hesitated. “I’m usually cold with my teammates. I hardly speak, maybe less in a month than I’ve spoken to you since we met. My parents divorced; I joined the army under family pressure. Because of my father, I naturally reject men. But Brother Ye, I sense a feeling of freedom and nature from you—things I’ve always longed for. That’s probably why I don’t feel that rejection. I’m not usually this unrestrained…”
She looked worried, fearing he wouldn’t like her personality.
Ye Mo understood. She sensed the natural freedom emanating from him, indicating she possessed a Spiritual Root [1], altering his perception of her. On this Earth, so lacking in spirit chi and cultivation resources, spiritual roots were rare.
“Live as you wish; don’t compromise yourself. Like what you like; dislike what you dislike… Hmm, there they are! Two evergreens,” Ye Mo said, having spotted them during their conversation.
[1] The Spiritual Root is the determining factor in cultivation potential, allowing a connection to the world's spirit chi.