Chapter 114

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring her up, but I haven't seen Senior Sister Lin Ling at all lately; it's as if she vanished into thin air," Yu Xingyue said. When he mentioned Lin Ling's disappearance, Wu Guanzhong first looked surprised, then said indifferently, "If I'm not mistaken, she disappeared to find me—to find a loser like me."

"Brother Wu, don't talk about yourself like that." Yu Xingyue couldn't bear to hear him belittle himself. In his eyes, Wu Guanzhong was a good man, honest and incapable of doing anything vulgar.

"Everything I do is usually with others' consent, but this is the one thing I chose for myself. As long as I stay out of sight, she will eventually give up and forget about me," Wu Guanzhong said.

"Perhaps. But if she still doesn't give up, how will you handle the situation between you two?" Yu Xingyue asked.

"I will handle my own affairs. Don't worry about me. I have to go; I'm not sure if she's in the area."

Wu Guanzhong scanned his surroundings nervously, clearly terrified of a sudden encounter with Lin Ling. Yu Xingyue was left speechless. Shortly after Wu Guanzhong said his goodbyes, Sun Ying arrived, but the person accompanying her surprised Yu Xingyue.

"Butler Luo, why are you here?" Yu Xingyue asked in astonishment. It was indeed Butler Luo E. He would be accompanying them on their two-year study abroad trip to Japan until it concluded.

"Mr. Yu, this was the young lady's request. She said she wouldn't be as afraid with one more person around," Luo E said, casting a meaningful glance at Sun Ying. Yu Xingyue did the same, making Sun Ying too shy to meet his gaze.

Yu Xingyue checked his phone and said, "We need to board soon. Let's go." He picked up his luggage, which included gifts for everyone—except for Wang Tianqi's massage chair, which he had left for Yang Shuting since it was too bulky to carry.

"Xingyue! Brother Yu!" Two voices called out simultaneously. Yu Xingyue turned to see Lin Zimo and Xiao Jian, with Lin Xiaxing pushing Xiao Jian's wheelchair. They had come to see him off.

"Butler Luo, please take my things ahead. I'll be right there," Yu Xingyue said.

"Very well, Mr. Yu." Luo E took the luggage and left with Sun Ying. Yu Xingyue turned to face the three of them.

"Brother Yu, make sure to call me when you reach Japan so I can stop worrying," Xiao Jian said with a smile.

Yu Xingyue patted Xiao Jian on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll call you the moment I arrive. Don't fall asleep before then!"

"Yes, sir!" Xiao Jian gave a playful salute, and Yu Xingyue returned it, both of them laughing.

Yu Xingyue looked at Lin Xiaxing. They weren't very close—having only met once—so there wasn't much to say. Lin Xiaxing simply remarked, "Even though we don't know each other well, I still came to see you off. Don't go looking for other women there, or I won't forgive you."

It was a strange thing to say, as it sounded more like something Lin Zimo would say. It was a testament to how well the sisters understood each other. Ever since Lin Zimo returned last night, she had been in high spirits, and Lin Xiaxing had seen it all and guessed the truth. She was happy for them.

Yu Xingyue nodded at Lin Xiaxing and then looked at Lin Zimo. She looked visibly reluctant to let him go. Having just defined their relationship last night, she had prepared herself for this farewell, only to realize how painful it was now that the moment had arrived.

"Um... Xiao Jian and I will head out first. You two take your time," Lin Xiaxing said, sensing the atmosphere. Being a perceptive person, she pushed Xiao Jian away. Xiao Jian, being a bit dense, didn't understand why he had to leave Lin Zimo alone—he wasn't aware they were now a couple.

Left alone, they looked like the protagonists of an idol drama preparing to part ways.

Lin Zimo spoke first: "Stay safe."

"I will. Xiao Jian already said that for you, so feel free to tell me anything else," Yu Xingyue said.

"No... that's all," she whispered, falling silent.

It wasn't what she wanted to say, but the words were stuck in her throat, unable to come out.

"Haha, why are you still acting so reserved? Don't forget, you're my queen," Yu Xingyue said, pulling her waist close. Caught off guard, she felt him press a gentle kiss to her cherry-red lips.

"Wait for me to come back, okay?" he asked.

Lin Zimo nodded without a word and then turned to leave. She didn't want him to see her vulnerability. As soon as she turned away, tears streamed down her face, and only when she was sure he couldn't see did she begin to sob uncontrollably.

He understood why the others hadn't come; the Tianyuan team was back in training at the dojo. Xiao Jian, despite his double amputation, still guided the team—they couldn't function without their captain. Lin Zimo had requested a day off from Coach Tian Nan, who had granted it without hesitation.

As he was about to board, Yu Xingyue received a message from Wang Tianqi: "We will meet again soon. Not as a surprise, but as a shock."

Yu Xingyue didn't understand the intent behind the message and dismissed it as a joke, deleting it. He had no idea that in the near future, this message would be a matter of life and death for Wang Tianqi.

"Big brother, over here!" Sun Ying greeted him as he boarded. They were in first class; Yu Xingyue couldn't help but think that money really did make a difference.

Butler Luo, sitting next to Sun Ying, said, "We will spend the next four hours in the air. Please rest well, and we will wake you upon arrival."

"Butler Luo, you're being too formal. Please, don't use 'you' (honorific) with me; just call me Yu Xingyue." Yu Xingyue felt uncomfortable with the formal address, but for Luo E, refusing to use honorifics would violate his code as a butler. Regardless of what the master requested, he would never address them by their given name, as he considered it disrespectful.

"Please rest, sir. I will wake you upon arrival," Luo E repeated, ignoring the request. Yu Xingyue was speechless but couldn't help but admire the man's dedication. Sun Yao was lucky to have such a loyal butler, even if the man wasn't physically imposing.

"The flight is about to take off. Please prepare for departure."

The roar of the engines filled his ears as the plane climbed. Yu Xingyue looked out the window, watching the ground shrink as they rose above the clouds.

Down below, people could see the plane ascending. Lin Zimo watched it disappear, praying for his safety.

On the plane, Yu Xingyue began his journey abroad. He felt both anticipation and nervousness. What would Tokyo be like? Like many, he associated it with the Tokyo Tower, but when it came to anime, the list was endless.

He stared out the window in silence. Sun Ying had fallen asleep in his arms, and he didn't dare move for fear of waking her. He couldn't sleep a wink.

Meanwhile, somewhere else…

"Miss, Mr. Yu has already departed. What should we do now?" a bodyguard asked a young woman.

"What else can we do? We follow him, obviously! Why are you just standing there?" the girl snapped.

"But your father... he was dead set against you studying abroad. He only let you go to experience it, thinking you'd come back if you couldn't handle it," the bodyguard replied.

"Then that's that. Let's go." The girl ordered her black-clad bodyguards to escort her to the airport. She would board a plane to Japan to reunite with Yu Xingyue.

Yu Xingyue could never have imagined she would come, though in hindsight, it was only to be expected.