Chapter 66: Where Did He Go

Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn

Ning Qingxue had already purchased Ye Mo's former residence. Finding him felt like a torment, but she had no leads. Unable to remain in Yu State, she returned to Ning Hai. Though the small yard remained unchanged, he was gone.

Xu Wei, unaware that Ning Qingxue owned the property, still lived in her original room. However, recent inquiries and investigations, culminating in the theft of all surveillance equipment, led her to suspect Ye Mo's involvement.

Remembering their time together, she realized she knew next to nothing about him. As she opened the door to go shopping, she was startled to find Ning Qingxue standing alone at the entrance. "What are you doing here?" she asked instinctively.

Ning Qingxue knew Xu Wei disapproved, but didn't fault her. Her understanding of Ye Mo was even more limited.

"My lease isn't up," Ning Qingxue replied, concealing her purchase of the house. Revealing the truth would likely prompt Xu Wei's immediate departure, a result she wanted to avoid. She longed for things to be as they were, knowing it was impossible; even with everything else unchanged, Ye Mo was absent.

Xu Wei hesitated. Unsure of Ye Mo and Ning Qingxue's relationship, and aware of his year-long lease payment, she remained silent. However, she left shortly afterward to buy groceries.

Alone in the room, Ning Qingxue felt an overwhelming sadness. She looked at the bed where she and Ye Mo had lain, even taking photos. She had even gone further, an act witnessed by Li Mumei. Had that been her true intention? After a time, she tidied the room, leaving everything as it was, except for Ye Mo's small medical case, which remained in her luggage—perhaps his last remaining possession.

She reopened the case and finally took out Ye Mo's letter. She had resisted opening it, but the temptation proved too strong in this place. A bold, beautiful script met her eyes; she hadn't expected his handwriting to be so forceful.

"Hello Shi Xiu, I'm leaving this letter for you. I had some things to give you, but you haven't been to school lately. Being here, I was lonely, and you were my only friend. I was disowned by my family, and my former father-in-law publicly broke off our engagement. You're the only friend who hasn't left me; you're a true friend.

"I'm most grateful for that day you woke me. Without you, I might never have awakened Sigh, I've been homeless these past few days, making it hard to write, but when I've settled, I'll write again. This is all for now."

The letter ended abruptly. Ning Qingxue understood his homelessness stemmed from her actions, deepening her gloom. He had been lonely, and she had hurt him further. Now, she too was alone. She packed her things and left.

Xu Wei returned, washing vegetables without speaking to Ning Qingxue. Ning Qingxue went to the flowerpots in the backyard where Ye Mo had grown flowers, tending to them.

A new bud caught her attention. It sprouted where the Silver Heart Grass had once grown—a plant Ye Mo had cherished. She recalled its disappearance coinciding with his departure.

Could this be the same plant? She carefully fenced the bud, replicating Ye Mo's previous protection. Regardless, she would care for it.

Seeing Ning Qingxue gardening, Xu Wei grew curious. Was her relationship with Ye Mo more than platonic? Their similar interests were striking.

"I've cooked dinner. Will you join me?" Xu Wei offered.

"Thank you, I'm not hungry," Ning Qingxue replied. Then, after a pause, she asked, "Xu Wei, did Ye Mo often eat with you?"

"Ye Mo?" Xu Wei was surprised. "He ate with me once and said he'd take me out, but he never did and left without a word. By the way, what's your relationship with him?"

"I…" Ning Qingxue trailed off. Their engagement was a sham; they had no relationship. What was she doing here?

…

A week later, Xu Wei was astonished by Ning Qingxue's lifestyle, strikingly similar to Ye Mo's: both were intensely zhai (staying home constantly), rarely venturing out, and both loved gardening. Ning Qingxue would spend entire days tending the flowers without boredom. The only difference: while Ye Mo lived there alone, Ning Qingxue received visits from Li Mumei and a stunning woman named Su Jingwen, leaving Xu Wei bewildered.

…

In a Beijing Song Family mansion, Song Hai, the external affairs manager, studied a map. A report indicated a youth resembling Ye Mo had entered Feng Tang town, boarding a bus toward Qi City, but disembarking before reaching his destination—in the Gui Xiang mountain range. The trail went cold. He stared at the map, a vast expanse of forest and mountains. Finding Ye Mo there would be difficult.

His phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. Frustrated by the search, he answered impatiently.

"What is it?"

"Master Hai, Ning Qingxue of the Ning Family has moved into Ye Mo's old home in Ning Hai. What should we do?" The caller was one of his informants.

Song Hai rubbed his temples. "Keep an eye on her, but don't act yet. If there's no news in a few days, find some thugs and take her away."

"Yes, Master Hai."

Song Hai hung up, sneering. "I'll leave the Ning Family alone for now, but not you, Ning Qingxue. You'll see!"