Chapter 66: Gone?

Chapter 66: Gone?

His unnervingly calm gaze and demeanor threw Sang Yu into even greater panic.

"You're not allowed to look at me like that!"

Sang Yu gritted his teeth in anger, his eyes reddening, though even he didn't know what he was so angry about.

Li Zhiming looked at him coolly. "If you want to strangle me, go ahead."

He'd died so many times by now that he was used to it.

Sang Yu was stunned. Li Zhiming waited a few seconds, and seeing that he made no move, carelessly straightened his clothes and pulled open the door to leave.

For once, no one came chasing after him.

"Feng Yin!"

Li Zhiming called out, and Feng Yin zipped into view. Seeing the marks on his throat, he was shocked. "Young master, how—"

"I'm okay." Li Zhiming cut him off, not slowing his steps. "How is Ruoyao? Has she woken up yet?"

"Not yet. Don't worry, young master, someone's been watching over her. She'll be fine."

"Good."

Li Zhiming's face stayed cold.

Feng Yin wanted to ask more than once but didn't dare, just looking at him worriedly, then glancing back at the figure in the courtyard behind them.

It felt a little lonely.

He always felt something was off between his master and Sang Yu, but Sang Yu was so crazy—even if his master was into pretty boys, he wouldn't dare go there.

So what was it, then?

His master wouldn't say, and Feng Yin didn't dare push, just quietly doing his own thing.

Li Zhiming didn't speak to Sang Yu for days. Once Li Ruoyao's health improved, he relaxed, and only then, in his spare time, did he realize—

It felt like something was missing.

The brother and sister sat across from each other, chatting, and Li Zhiming kept zoning out.

"Brother? Hey, brother?"

"Huh?"

"What's wrong? Do you have something on your mind?" Li Ruoyao looked at him with concern. "You look out of it, brother."

Feeling bad for making his sister worry, Li Zhiming was a little apologetic. He'd meant to help her unwind, but instead he'd only made her more worried.

"I'm okay."

He sighed and took out two jade pendants, handing them to her. "Ruoyao, these are blessing charms I got from the temple. One for you, one for the baby. Wear them."

Li Ruoyao lowered her eyes, took them, and smiled a helpless, bitter smile. "You went to so much trouble, brother. Don't worry about me—my path is already set."

"Ruoyao..."

"Brother, don't try to talk me out of it. I'm fine. But what about you? Both your engagements fell through, and there's been endless gossip. What do you plan to do? You can't keep going on like this."

Li Zhiming looked at the mature, composed Li Ruoyao and felt a sudden pang of sadness.

She'd changed a bit since getting married.

Now that her husband was dead, she'd changed even more—her old lively, carefree spirit seemed to be gone entirely.

A bright, innocent girl had suddenly become so proper and reserved, speaking to him like someone who'd been through it all.

A helpless feeling of time having moved on crept up from his feet.

Li Zhiming forced out a smile. "I don't have a plan. I'll tell you this—I might never be able to get married in this life. I..."

He hesitated, wondering whether to use that excuse again, but saying that kind of thing to a young lady wasn't really appropriate.

It was Li Ruoyao who spoke up first. "Men's ailments aren't incurable. As long as you're willing, brother, there's bound to be a good doctor."

"?"

Li Zhiming was startled. "How do you—"

"My family mentioned it to me a few days ago. You're the only one who can carry on the family name. With things like this, how could Mother not worry? Her hair's turned quite gray."

Li Ruoyao sighed, looked down at her round belly, and smiled. "If only I were having twins."

That way, we'd all be happy.

Her husband was dead, and she wanted to leave heirs for the Lu family, while also feeling sorry for her brother's helplessness.

This world is too unfair.

Li Zhiming didn't explain, just told her not to worry, saying he'd handle things.

What plans? Either deal with Sang Yu, or just say screw it.

Why hadn't he seen him around lately...

Li Zhiming felt a strange unease. Li Ruoyao noticed and asked cautiously. "Brother, are you thinking about Sang Yu?"

"?" Li Zhiming looked up, shocked.

"Brother, going back to his home country is dangerous, but it's still his homeland, and besides—"

"What? He's going back?"

Li Zhiming shot to his feet, his face full of shock, as if he had no idea about any of this.

Li Ruoyao was puzzled. "Brother, didn't you know? He said goodbye to Father a few days ago, saying he needed to prepare some things and would be leaving for home in a few days."

He didn't hear anything Li Ruoyao said after that.

His mind was filled with only one thought: Sang Yu was going back.

Back to Nanxun?

Why so sudden? And how come even Li Ruoyao knew, but he didn't?

He made up an excuse and went back to his own courtyard.

He'd been staying in the small courtyard on the other side these past few days, just to avoid Sang Yu—didn't want to see him.

Now that he was back, he went straight to Sang Yu's room and sure enough, all his stuff was gone.

Not that there was much to begin with.

He was really gone.

A huge wave of panic hit him, and he couldn't even name the feeling.

He hated Sang Yu's cold-blooded ways, but he'd gotten used to his bossy presence and having him around.

Now that he was suddenly gone, it felt weird—like there was a hollow gap in his chest.

He grabbed the servant boy who tended the courtyard.

"Where's Sang Yu? When did he leave?"

The servant, rattled by the look on his face, stammered, "Young Master Sang left four days ago."

Four days...

Fine, Sang Yu. You played me and just took off—real clean exit.

Li Zhiming asked around, got Sang Yu's new address, and rushed out of the manor to find him.

He was going to give him a piece of his mind.

But when he got there, they told him he'd just left.

"..."

Li Zhiming fumed, climbed back into the carriage, and raced toward the city gate. By the time he arrived, Sang Yu was already a good ways off.

Even the people who'd come to see him off were already heading back.

He gritted his teeth, climbed up onto the city wall, and watched the familiar figure get smaller and smaller.

"Master, shall we give chase?"

Li Zhiming's anger and frustration suddenly faded. He shook his head without a word.

No.

What right did he have to chase him? What standing?

Besides, he didn't even like someone like Sang Yu—he was just pissed about being played and tricked, and he wanted to demand an explanation.

If the guy left for good, maybe he wouldn't be stuck in that endless cycle of dying over and over.

Come to think of it, it'd been a long time since he'd last died.

Li Zhiming wouldn't chase, but he couldn't make himself leave either. Torn, he watched the figure slowly walk away.

Sang Yu spotted the figure on the city wall too. It was blurry, but he'd know that silhouette even if it were burned to ashes.

Li Zhiming, oh Li Zhiming. You really can't bear to let me go.

"Master, the scout's back with news."

"Talk."

The capital of Nanxun is already rigged with traps—a death zone within a hundred paces.

I see.

Sang Yu stared at the tiny speck on the city wall and smiled faintly. "Then kill them all."

"Understood."

From a distance, the two faced each other, and he was already looking forward to coming back.