Seeing that he hadn’t responded for quite some time, Li Shiyan’s heart suddenly surged with an ominous premonition.

“Ziluo, did you hear me?”

Su Ziluo’s eyes flickered slightly.

The next moment, Li Shiyan directly snatched the book from his hands, lightly slammed it down beside him, furrowed his brow tightly, and asked impatiently, “Say something! Don’t tell me I have to go searching all over the estate again?”

Only then did Su Ziluo lift his eyes to look at him. After a moment of silence, he told him seriously, “You’ve come too late. Miss Ji has already left.”

Uh!

Li Shiyan froze, his body trembling slightly. “You… what did you say? What do you mean she’s already left?”

“She left early this morning. As for exactly where she went, I don’t know either.”

Li Shiyan immediately became anxious like a fire was lit under him. “What have you done? Why did you let her go? Why didn’t you stop her when she wanted to leave? Where on earth is she now? Tell me quickly! Maybe I can still catch up to her now, at least let me see her once!”

He was so anxious he was nearly breaking down!

But Su Ziluo sat calmly and composedly, only saying, “Where Miss Ji went, I truly don’t know, and I have no right to inquire. You shouldn’t ask too much either.”

“Do you know that I’ve… I’ve waited for her for five years! Now that we’ve finally reunited, no matter what, I must see her before I can give up. Tell me, did she leave with that what’s-his-name Lichuan… no, I mean Prince Rong? Did they leave together?”

“Yes! They left together. Perhaps they’ve returned to Dalin.”

“She really left?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can go search for yourself.”

Li Shiyan truly didn’t believe it. He stepped back a few paces. “Fine, I’ll search myself. I refuse to believe she really left.”

Having said that—

He rushed out and truly began searching the estate room by room.

Su Ziluo let him do as he pleased without stopping him.

In the end, he nearly turned the entire Su estate upside down but still didn’t see any trace of Ji Yunshu.

Could it be… she really had left?

Li Shiyan was like a deflated ball, his entire person weak and powerless as he sat in the corridor, his face full of disappointment, murmuring softly, “Shu’er, how could you just leave like this? We finally managed to see each other once.”

Su Ziluo wheeled his chair in front of him and said, “If there’s fate… you’ll meet again.”

“What fate or no fate—I think… Shu’er and I have no fate, otherwise we wouldn’t miss each other like this.” He let out a heavy sigh.

“What difference does it make whether you see her or not?”

“Of course there’s a difference! At least seeing her once…”

“How so?”

Li Shiyan suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

That’s right! What difference did it make whether he saw her or not?

In Ji Yunshu’s heart, there was only Jingrong.

But—

He gritted his teeth and said, “I don’t care. I must see her once, at least… so I haven’t waited in vain.”

Su Ziluo told him again, “She’s already gone. You shouldn’t be so stubborn.”

“Then…” An idea suddenly popped into Li Shiyan’s mind. He stood up abruptly and said, “What if I go to Dalin right now? What do you think?”

“I think that won’t work! That’s a bit foolish!” Su Ziluo wasn’t one to speak in euphemisms.

Li Shiyan felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. The hope that had just ignited in his heart instantly cooled, and he sat back down weakly and powerlessly…

At this moment, a servant came over and said, “Young Master, Miss Zhu, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel, has arrived.”

Zhu Yao?

Hearing this, Li Shiyan stood up with a start.

His eyes widened round.

He didn’t know when it started, but whenever he heard the name Zhu Yao, he felt an extremely strong sense of guilt.

To be honest, he didn’t know how to face that kind-hearted young lady!

Su Ziluo asked, “Why has Miss Zhu come calling?”

“She says… she’s come to find the heir.”

Li Shiyan immediately waved his hand and instructed, “Tell her I’m not here!”

The servant looked troubled. “But… Miss Zhu says she knows you’re at the estate, and just now the people at the gate couldn’t keep their mouths shut and said you were here.”

“You… bunch of useless things!”

Su Ziluo said, “Miss Zhu isn’t some terrible monster. Why are you avoiding her like this?”

“What do you know?” Li Shiyan’s face flushed red. Not knowing how to explain, after a long while he finally forced out these words: “She’s a perfectly good young lady—why should she be ruined on me? I don’t have feelings for her. Even if she marries me, in the future she’ll just suffer endlessly. I can’t do such a thing. It’s better to cut things off cleanly from the start, so she doesn’t harbor any hopes in her heart. Only this way can I be worthy of her sincere feelings.”

“But I think that young lady won’t give up on you so easily. For you, she’d probably even be willing to die.”

“You… what do you mean by that?”

Su Ziluo told him, “Miss Zhu is a deeply devoted and righteous person. Once someone like that sets their heart on someone, it’s for life. She will marry no one but you in this lifetime. If you reject her and keep her at a distance, I’m afraid it would be equivalent to taking her life.”

Uh!

Li Shiyan’s expression stiffened. He placed one hand on his hip, feeling quite a headache. He wasn’t a heartless person, so naturally he could understand Zhu Yao’s feelings. He said, “Then what should I do now? I can’t just marry her because of this, can I?”

“That depends on what you choose to do yourself? Or… what you choose to say?”

“I’ve done what I should do and said what I should say, but Miss Zhu is just stubborn and unreasonable.”

“Everything just needs a key point. If you can grasp that point, naturally everything will come untangled.” Su Ziluo’s words were too meaningful.

And quite vague.

Li Shiyan also heard them vaguely—he seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to understand. Meanwhile, Su Ziluo had already instructed the servant to treat the young lady from the Zhu family well, saying he and Li Shiyan would come shortly.

Zhu Yao was now sitting in the hall, her hands placed on her knees and tightly clasped together. She felt her palms and the soles of her feet were all cold. From time to time she looked outside to see if Li Shiyan had come.

Cai’er bent down and said to her softly, “Miss, you must take care of yourself. No matter what the heir says later, you absolutely cannot be sad! Don’t harm your health, otherwise your illness will become even more serious. And even if this slave had ten lives, it wouldn’t be enough to answer to the master and mistress.”

Zhu Yao breathed slightly heavily and nodded. “I know. Don’t worry. I just… want to ask Shiyan a few questions. No matter what the outcome is, I’ll accept it.”

Actually, she didn’t need to ask to already predict what Li Shiyan would answer, but even knowing this, she still held onto that tiny bit of hope.

After the servant had served her tea twice, Su Ziluo finally arrived.

Li Shiyan was nowhere to be seen!

She was about to rise and bow in greeting when Su Ziluo said, “Miss Zhu, no need to be polite. Please sit.”

“Coming to disturb you, I hope General Wen won’t take offense.”

“How could I mind? Miss Zhu’s presence is an honor for this Su estate.” He always spoke so gently—even courteous words sounded so comfortable to the ear.

Zhu Yao smiled, but couldn’t hide the pallor all over her face. She asked, “Where is the heir?”

Just as she spoke, Li Shiyan arrived. He felt like two huge stones were tied to his feet—each step felt so heavy. After quite a while he walked in. When his gaze fell on Zhu Yao, his heart felt very ashamed, even somewhat at a loss for how to face her.

Zhu Yao slowly stood and walked before him, tears welling in her eyes, smiling faintly. “I thought we would never see each other again.”

“Miss Zhu…”

She interrupted him. “I snuck out, so I can’t stay long. I just want to ask you a few questions. After I’m done… I’ll leave and never come to disturb you again.”

Hearing such words, Li Shiyan took a heavy breath. Just as he was about to speak, Su Ziluo preempted him, saying, “Then you two have a good talk.”

Immediately, Su Ziluo had someone push him out and also dismissed the servants in the hall.

Cai’er also went out!

In the hall, only Zhu Yao and Li Shiyan sat facing each other.

“Shiyan.” She called out softly and said, “I’ve come only to ask you two questions. Answer me properly.”

Li Shiyan nodded. “Go ahead and ask. I’ll definitely tell you everything I know.”

Zhu Yao was silent for a moment before asking aloud, “The person in your heart—is it Miss Ji?”

Li Shiyan seemed to have guessed what she would ask, so he didn’t want to hide it anymore and answered directly, “Yes. I met her five years ago in Dalin. At that time, I fell for her at first sight. It’s just that due to various reasons, we were separated for five years. But in these five years, I’ve never forgotten her.”

Hearing such words, Zhu Yao was very quiet. She smiled and only said two words: “As expected!”