“Dream on.”
Nangaka Akiyama’s face flushed crimson as she glared at Ye Qiu. How could she possibly give such a personal item to someone?
“Fine, forget it then,” Ye Qiu said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
“Get some rest,” Nangaka Akiyama said, wrapping her clothes tightly around her and quickly leaving the room. At the door, she suddenly called out, “Hey!”
Ye Qiu looked up just as a flash of purple shot towards his face.
He caught it in his hand, a wide grin spreading across his face.
“Don’t let Xiaoxue find out,” Nangaka Akiyama said before fleeing as if her life depended on it.
“What a contradictory woman, heh,” Ye Qiu chuckled, bringing the purple garment to his nose and inhaling deeply, catching her lingering scent.
Then, he lay down to sleep.
Twenty minutes later.
Just as Ye Qiu was drifting off, Qianshan Xue pushed open the door, slipped into bed, and hugged him, her body pressed against his back.
Ye Qiu turned over, facing her.
“Is your master back?” he asked.
“Yes,” Qianshan Xue murmured softly. “I feel like Master’s acting a bit strange today.”
“How so?” Ye Qiu asked.
Qianshan Xue said, “I asked her where she went today, and she said she just wandered down the mountain. I think she’s lying.”
Feigning ignorance, Ye Qiu replied, “She wouldn’t lie about something like that, would she?”
“You don’t know my master. She’s obsessed with cleanliness—her clothes are usually spotless. But today, I noticed her clothes were creased and had some dirt on them, like she’d travelled a long way… wait.”
Qianshan Xue frowned suddenly, sniffing the air. “Why do I smell Master’s scent?”
Ye Qiu’s heart raced, but he kept his composure. “Didn’t you just see her?”
“Yes,” Qianshan Xue nodded.
“That explains it. You just saw her, so her scent must still be lingering in your nose,” Ye Qiu said, spouting nonsense with a straight face. “According to the latest medical research, a familiar scent can linger in your nostrils for up to three hours.”
“Really?” Qianshan Xue asked, surprised.
Ye Qiu nodded. “Absolutely.”
Qianshan Xue continued, “I’m just curious where Master went today. Why wouldn’t she tell me the truth?”
“Xiaoxue, don’t overthink it. It’s not worth dwelling on something so small.”
Qianshan Xue smiled at his words. “You’re right. I won’t think about it anymore. You’re leaving tomorrow, and tonight, I just want to be with you.”
Ye Qiu hugged her, kissing her face twice. His actions seemed to ignite something in Qianshan Xue.
She climbed onto him, blushing, and began undoing her clothes.
“Xiaoxue, what are you…”
“Don’t move. Let me take care of you, darling.”
Her soft “darling” nearly melted Ye Qiu’s bones.
“Xiaoxue, you’re pregnant…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”
Soon, the room filled with sweet sounds.
It wasn’t until much later, exhausted, that they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
The next day.
After breakfast, Ye Qiu bid farewell to the two women.
Qianshan Xue and Nangaka Akiyama accompanied him to the foot of the mountain.
No one spoke along the way, a heavy sense of reluctance hanging between them.
“That’s far enough. Don’t see me off any further,” Ye Qiu said, breaking the silence.
At the moment of parting, he hugged Qianshan Xue and said, “Xiaoxue, take good care of yourself.”
“Don’t worry about me, Ye Qiu. Our daughter and I will wait for you at Shuiyue Sect.”
Qianshan Xue smiled, showing no trace of sadness. She kissed his face softly and said, “Take care, my love.”
“You too,” Ye Qiu replied, turning to Nangaka Akiyama with a smile. “Thanks for everything these past few days.”
“No need to thank me,” Nangaka Akiyama said, her eyes brimming with reluctance.
She wanted to hug Ye Qiu like Qianshan Xue had, but with her disciple watching, she felt too shy.
Sensing her hesitation, Ye Qiu said, “Sect Leader Akiyama, I’m leaving. No hug goodbye?”
Nangaka Akiyama froze, unsure how to respond. “Well…”
Ye Qiu stepped forward, pulling her into his arms. “I’m entrusting Xiaoxue to you.”
“If I get the chance, I’ll return to Shuiyue Sect.”
“Take care of yourself too.”
Nangaka Akiyama said, “Ye Qiu, do what you must. With me here, you don’t need to worry about Xiaoxue or the child.”
Ye Qiu knew this was her promise to him.
“Thank you,” he said, releasing her. He took a long look at both Qianshan Xue and Nangaka Akiyama, as if etching their faces into his memory.
Ten seconds later.
“Goodbye!”
With that, Ye Qiu turned and strode away.
Suddenly, an autumn breeze stirred.
Red leaves drifted down like scattered blossoms, as if bidding Ye Qiu farewell, deepening the mood of departure.
Qianshan Xue watched his retreating figure, her eyes gradually reddening, tears shimmering in her gaze.
When Ye Qiu was a hundred metres away, he paused, wanting to look back at Qianshan Xue. Her voice rang out.
“Don’t look back!”
“Keep walking!”
“Ye Qiu, remember this: I’ll wait for you at Shuiyue Sect. If you don’t come back in a year, I’ll wait a year. If it’s three years, I’ll wait three. If it’s ten, I’ll wait ten!”
Her words struck Ye Qiu’s heart, his eyes growing moist.
“Xiaoxue, I’ll definitely come back.”
Hardening his resolve, Ye Qiu quickened his pace and left.
When his figure vanished completely, Qianshan Xue could no longer hold back. She collapsed into Nangaka Akiyama’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Nangaka Akiyama, moved by her disciple’s grief, gazed in the direction Ye Qiu had gone, tears streaming down her face as she thought, *Ye Qiu, I’ll wait for you at Shuiyue Sect too.*
*You must stay alive!*
…
An hour later.
Ye Qiu arrived at Dadong International Airport.
As he prepared to board, his phone rang.
*Beep beep beep—*
He checked the screen—a stranger’s number. Answering, he said, “Hello, this is Ye Qiu.”
“Ye Qiu oppa, it’s Xu Changjin,” came Xu Changjin’s voice from the other end.
Ye Qiu was taken aback. “Changjin, why are you calling me?”
Xu Changjin said, “Ye Qiu oppa, could you come to Daehan? There’s trouble at home, and I need your help.”
“What’s wrong?” Ye Qiu asked.
Sobbing softly, Xu Changjin said, “My grandfather is dying!”
