Chapter 32

Chen Siyu said, "Yet Yu Xingyue puts on an act every day, and I never know which version of him is the real one. But at the same time, I don't want his theatrical facade to disappear. I don't know why, but I've grown so fond of the persona he projects. Perhaps I've simply gotten used to his fake personality. There's a damnably magnetic charm to him. It seems he truly is someone who sees right through the mundane world."

Lin Zimo shook her head and smiled. "His insight into the secular world isn't nearly that exaggerated. He simply has his own unique perspective on things, doesn't he? Everyone has their own thoughts, including you and me. I think the way Yu Xingyue is right now is quite wonderful, but I worry he might lose his true self in the process. My purpose in coming into his life is to alter his current disposition, so he never reverts to being as introverted as he used to be."

"Why is the scent of romance so suffocatingly heavy all of a sudden?" Chen Siyu frowned. "It's almost been a month, and Yu Xingyue is going to be away for two full years. Who knows if he'll end up cheating on you over there?" As soon as Chen Siyu voiced this, Lin Zimo began to worry just as intensely. What if he really did find someone else there, exactly as Chen Siyu suggested? After all, since Yu Xingyue's usual personality was entirely a facade, Lin Zimo had no idea what his true nature actually was.

"That is precisely one of my greatest anxieties. Secondly, I have no clue what Wang Tianqi and Yu Xingyue might be up to over there together." Lin Zimo imagined the various scenarios that could unfold between Yu Xingyue and Wang Tianqi. Even though she knew it was wrong to think this way—since in a long-distance relationship one had to learn to trust each other—Lin Zimo realized she hadn't yet completely surrendered her whole heart to Yu Xingyue.

Chen Siyu replied, "Yu Xingyue isn't that kind of person. If he were to actually get involved with Wang Tianqi... well, let's not even think about it. In short, I believe Yu Xingyue's character isn't that rotten. If he genuinely does something to wrong you, I will be the very first person to stand up, beat him black and blue, and demand an explanation."

"Having your word gives me peace of mind." Lin Zimo let out a sigh of relief. "With you having my back, what is there for me to fear from Yu Xingyue? No, Xingyue is the only person I love now. Even if he rejects me, I can find it in my heart to understand. But I demand a valid reason for his rejection. If I am unable to refute his reason, then I truly am a failure for having loved such a person."

"You consider yourself blessed, but have you forgotten about Senior Sister Lin Ling? I heard from others that her partner went missing, and Lin Ling has been searching for him relentlessly ever since." When Chen Siyu brought up Lin Ling, Lin Zimo was, of course, well aware of the situation. Wu Guanzhong had left first, leaving behind neither an explanation nor a single trace. To this day, the reason behind Wu Guanzhong's disappearance remained an absolute mystery.

Lin Zimo sighed and said, "Senior Sister Lin Ling is searching for Brother Wu like a madwoman right now. I truly hope nothing terrible happens to her. I never imagined the Senior Sister could be so infatuated. This must be the absolute pinnacle of love. I believe Brother Wu loves her just as deeply; there must be some insurmountable difficulty he's facing, and he chose to bear the burden alone rather than share it with her."

Both of them gazed up at the sky outside the window, lost in deep thought. They prayed that Lin Ling would suffer no further harm during her tireless search. They remembered an occasion when someone claimed to have a lead on Wu Guanzhong, and Lin Ling had been lured into a dark alley by that person with sinister intentions. However, that scoundrel had targeted the wrong person—someone he should never have crossed—and now, that villain had already departed from this world.

As for Lin Ling, she was currently searching for Wu Guanzhong in other cities. Wherever there was even the slightest clue of Wu Guanzhong, Lin Ling would rush over immediately, refusing to miss a single trail. That old saying about how love drives people out of their minds described Lin Ling to perfection. Normally a mature woman, she had been driven frantic and exhausted by romance, willing to travel to the ends of the earth for the sake of a single person. Lin Zimo couldn't help wondering what she would do if she were in Lin Ling's shoes, though she had no answer.

...

Upon returning to the internet cafe, Liu Hai Riko gazed sternly at Yu Xingyue. Judging by her expression, Yu Xingyue knew the matter was far from simple. He asked, "Riko, what has made you so serious? Did a thief break into the cafe?" Liu Hai Riko merely shook her head to indicate otherwise, then pointed toward the front desk, where Wang Tianqi was standing.

Liu Hai Riko said flatly, "Classmate Tianqi has something to discuss with you. Take your time chatting." With that, Liu Hai Riko headed upstairs, leaving Yu Xingyue to look at Wang Tianqi by the front desk and ask, "Why are you here? Could it that you've already found out about my situation?"

Wang Tianqi huffed petulantly, "I heard everything about your situation from Auntie! You really are a piece of work as a son. Not a single word of news from you, and your mother has been so worried she hasn't had a single night of sound sleep. How can you bear to keep this from her? Just how much longer do you intend to hide?"

"What is your actual purpose in coming here today? If you aren't going to state it, then please leave." Yu Xingyue made a gesture inviting her out. Undeterred, Wang Tianqi continued, "My purpose in coming here is for Auntie's sake. She managed to find my contact information and learned that I am also in Japan, so she asked me to check whether something had happened to you. This is what infuriates me: why couldn't you even give your mother some peace of mind?"

Yu Xingyue retorted coolly, "If I had told her the truth, do you think I'd still have any reason to remain here?" This simple question momentarily silenced Wang Tianqi. "What do you mean, reason to remain?" she demanded. "Explain yourself clearly."

Yu Xingyue stated, "If I told her I was out here all by myself, my mother would instantly demand that I pack up and return from Japan to China. If I left, wouldn't you feel quite awkward being here all alone?" Yu Xingyue possessed a talent for intimidation; merely a few sentences frightened Wang Tianqi, causing her to instinctively take a couple of steps back.

"Don't you dare try to scare me! If you leave and I'm left at school without knowing a single soul, what am I supposed to do?" Wang Tianqi seemed to be making a concession to Yu Xingyue, realizing she was utterly incapable of defeating him in an argument of logic.

Yu Xingyue smiled faintly. "There's nothing to worry about. Since Auntie sent you to look for me, I certainly need to let her know I'm safe. However, when I speak with my mother, you'll need to tone down your phrasing a bit—make sure not to mention that I'm working the night shift out here."

"Look at how easily frightened you are! I won't mention that you're on the night shift. If she calls right now, I'll say everything is fine and omit the details. But what I find far more suspicious is why you are living together with our teacher?" Wang Tianqi asked.

"Ah, about that..." This question came so abruptly that Yu Xingyue had no immediate reply. If he simply claimed the teacher had taken him in out of charity, Wang Tianqi would never believe it. Just then, Liu Hai Riko, who had been observing from the staircase, stepped forward to clarify things with Wang Tianqi face-to-face.

"It was I who took him in, Tianqi-chan. He encountered some domestic troubles, which is why he is staying here. Besides, you didn't come here solely to question Xingyue-kun about this, did you?" Liu Hai Riko asked.

Wang Tianqi nodded and said, "That's true. I happened to pass by your villa, and that little girl is terribly worried. She hasn't been able to eat a proper meal without any news from you. Can you truly bear to let her wait for you in vain?"

Liu Hai Riko defended Yu Xingyue, saying, "Things are often not as you imagine them to be, Tianqi-chan. The predicament Xingyue-kun is facing is entirely beyond the ability of his family to resolve. He wishes to bear this burden alone."

"Have you forgotten that I exist?" Wang Tianqi patted her own chest. "If you have difficulties, you should talk to me about them! Are you treating me like thin air?"

"It's not like that, Tianqi," Yu Xingyue hurriedly explained. "This is truly a matter you cannot possibly get involved in. How could I ever tell you about something that threatens my very life?" Yu Xingyue quickly clapped a hand over his mouth, but the slip of the tongue was already done; the words had simply tumbled out.

"A matter threatening your life? What kind of situation could possibly endanger your life?" Wang Tianqi pressed Yu Xingyue.

Yu Xingyue replied quietly, "That precisely is my reason for leaving home. I refuse to let that little one be put in danger. Every single peril must fall entirely upon my shoulders to bear."

Liu Hai Riko patted Yu Xingyue on the head and said, "Xingyue-kun, it's admirable that you want to protect your family, and I understand you left home to avoid implicating others. But sometimes, one must rely on the strength of friends to help pull through. Tianqi-chan, I'll leave it to you to talk some sense into Yu Xingyue." With those words, Liu Hai Riko walked away, leaving Wang Tianqi and Yu Xingyue to talk alone.

"Now, let's get down to business. Have you recently been targeted by Honda Hayun's men?" Wang Tianqi went straight to the point. Hearing this, Yu Xingyue did not look particularly surprised; nothing ever escaped Wang Tianqi's notice, and even if it was a matter of life and death, she would still insert herself into it.

"So what if I have? I nearly died at his hands just yesterday," Yu Xingyue admitted.

"Then what do you intend to do now? Are you just going to muddle through the next two years like this?" Wang Tianqi demanded.

Yu Xingyue shook his head. "Of course not. I've decided that within these two years, I will personally eradicate that demon Honda Hayun. Since he wants my life, I will certainly not allow him to draw breath."

"You already know Honda Hayun is a psychotic lunatic—who could possibly defeat him? Unless you have some tremendously powerful weapon to end him once and for all, that would be the ideal scenario. When I return, I'll find someone to get you a firearm for self-defense. That way, you won't have to be afraid anymore, right?"