Chapter 34: Welcome Back
Ling Yu remembers that man from her past life.
In fact, he is the strongest creature that Ling Yu crossed paths with till now, and she wanted to make use of the small information that she had about him in her past life.
Though it’s a shame she couldn’t meet him right now, Ling Yu was certain that she would meet him in the near future. She wasn’t worried about that; she just wanted to confirm something.
The week passed in a blur of monotonous classes, her daily part-time jobs, and calculated moves to gather information. Though she had to stay on edge because of the rumor going around the campus about Ru Feifei’s confession, which went viral after these guys present in the cafeteria recorded it and spread it online.
Aside from that, it seemed as if He Xun was also keeping her in check. She could spot him everywhere she went, which felt too suspicious to be a coincidence.
But there wasn’t much left to do at the University anyway, so Ling Yu acted as she does regularly.
Ling Yu moved through her routines like a dancer locked in a familiar rhythm, her body adapting with ease while her mind remained leagues away. Each day passed with little change, yet within her heart, she marked time like a hunter waiting for the perfect opportunity.
It wasn’t time yet. But it would be soon.
By the time the weekend rolled in, she was more than ready to put all the work down. Without waiting for anyone else, she left campus alongside Ye Qingxue, both of them tucked in the sleek black car that always picked them up discreetly at the side gate. Because Ru Feifei is going to return back too her home, her father’s guards will come to pick her up. There was no need for Ling Yu to worry about her.
The city passed by quickly. Neon lights dimmed into elegant manor walls, and before long, they passed the dessert, and the mansion gates opened silently to welcome her home.
The scent of grilled lamb, lotus-root soup, and crispy duck hit her the moment she stepped inside. Her tired eyes softened just slightly. She didn’t need to ask anything; it seems that Butler Song already knew her favorites and prepared them just right.
"Welcome back, Master," Song greeted her in his usual polished tone, inclining his head in a perfect forty-five-degree bow. He wore his butler’s uniform with unbroken elegance, a silver watch ticking precisely on his wrist, eyes as calm as ever.
Even as she reached out to ruffle his sleeve in a mock-grumble. "Song-ge, you still bow like I’m a wrinkled dowager. Are you trying to make me feel old?"
Song’s expression was calm as ever, as he didn’t even flinch.
"I bow out of respect, not age, Master." He replied mildly. "Please wash your hands before sitting at the table."
Ling Yu rolled her eyes, flopping into the nearest couch with exaggerated drama. "Do you see how he treats me, Qingxue? Such cruelty. I’m going to write this down and tell the entire world how terribly I was abused by my own housekeeper!"
Ye Qingxue, who was already devouring the candied walnuts on the table, paused only to blink. "Mm. Terrible abuse," she agreed around a mouthful.
Butler Song merely retrieved a warm towel for her and offered it with the grace of someone entirely immune to her dramatics.
The house felt warmer now, if only slightly. The kind of warmth that comes not from fires, but from routine. From people who knew how to exist together without forcing each other to explain too much.
During this entire time, both of them were absent. Song stayed in the manor all by himself, dealing with all kinds of work as usual.
Once dinner ended and Ye Qingxue retreated to nap in the sunroom, Ling Yu lingered in her office upstairs. The window overlooked the back hills, where the mining operations continued under heavy security.
She reviewed the reports first. Standard output. Coal on the lower veins, diamonds in smaller clusters than usual, but still profitable. The supply lines were stable, the workers rotated efficiently, and the underworld contractors hadn’t stirred up trouble again. At least not this week.
Satisfied, she set the report down and turned toward Song, who stood near the bookshelf, adjusting the placement of a few documents.
"I’m going to the Dark Forest," she said without preamble.
Song turned to her, pausing only a heartbeat. "That’s near the borders, correct? It’s dangerous for you to go by yourself."
"Mm." She crossed her legs, resting her chin on her palm. "It’s remote enough, and the beasts there have adapted to the chemical runoff from the old war factories. The beasts inside the forest evolved and are stronger than other usual beasts. It’s the best place to train Qingxue without being disturbed."
Song walked over to the window, hands clasped behind his back. "It is indeed quiet there. The terrain is treacherous, though. Do you intend to bring your own guards?"
"No," Ling Yu said. "Just me and her. I’ll carry the necessary supplies."
He didn’t argue. He never did when it came to her training. Even though he had no understanding of the reasons behind her choices, he trusted her instincts with an unshakeable conviction.
"If you believe it is the best location, I will prepare the equipment and brief the logistics team for backup supply runs," Song said simply. "You should leave Monday morning if you want to avoid next week’s weather shift."
"You’re the best," she grinned, then sighed in satisfaction and leaned back. "Truly, if it weren’t for me being uninterested in getting married, I’d ask you to marry me and run away to the mountains."
"Thankfully, you are neither," Song replied smoothly, placing a teacup in front of her. "Which means I remain safely unmarried."
She laughed quietly. Not the loud and open kind, but the restrained one she’d forgotten how to have.