Chapter 117: Living a Few More Days

"Nuosang, let's head back!"

Seeing the sun rise and the mist dissipate, they had finished their meal. It seemed both had enjoyed themselves immensely. Si Nuosang rose from the ground and gently brushed the dust—or rather, the dew—from her clothes.

The cool, refreshing sensation was delightful. This morning had been truly meaningful. Turning her head, she caught the soft sunlight illuminating Ye Xuan. He looked so captivating, like a scene from a Japanese drama—simply beautiful.

Si Nuosang stared at him, stunned. Ye Xuan smiled back at her with equal warmth.

They locked eyes, and then both burst into laughter, sharing a moment of perfect understanding.

Si Nuosang and Ye Xuan returned to the Ye Estate and spent the day there. By the end of it, Si Nuosang intended to leave.

"I must go back now."

"Won't you stay a few more days?" Ye Xuan asked, looking at her.

"Aren't you coming with me?" Si Nuosang asked in return. Ye Xuan hesitated, then shook his head.

"I... I have to stay for a few days."

Leaving just like that was impossible. His father would not let him go so easily.

"I’ll be worried about you."

"Haha, don't worry. This is my home; no one would dare do anything to me. Rest assured, I’ll be perfectly fine."

"Rest assured? How can you expect me to do that?" Recalling the look of despair on Ye Xuan's face earlier, she knew that leaving him behind was a terrible idea.

Ye Xuan reached out to ruffle her hair, his smile as bright as the sun. "Thank you for caring so much about me."

"We are friends. You care for me, so naturally, I care for you. You don't have to choose a path you don't want just for my sake. You'll only drive yourself mad. I don't want my friend to become like this because of me."

"Alright, why are you still stuck on this? Don't worry, I'm not doing this just for you. I'm doing it for myself, too. Think about it: Ming Lou will never let me go, and Qin Shuang will kill me sooner or later. So, it's not about you—I'm afraid of dying, and taking over the Ye Estate has many benefits."

Ye Xuan shook his head; Si Nuosang was truly too clever, or perhaps he was just too foolish. Anyone could see he was choosing this path for her.

"Fine, I know that nothing I say will change your mind."

Si Nuosang felt helpless seeing his stubbornness. Her own face flushed with agitation and a touch of nervousness, though it was mostly worry.

"I'll see you to the capital tomorrow," Ye Xuan proposed. Si Nuosang nodded.

She agreed to let him escort her, even though she could have left alone. She wanted him to see her off. They lived close enough that, at a fast pace, the journey took only half a day, meaning they could visit each other often.

"You must come visit me at Sang Residence often. I’ll be lonely on my own."

Si Nuosang said this with a touch of affectation, feeling a bit awkward, but she knew Ye Xuan was susceptible to it. If she wanted him to take the initiative, she had to be a little more sentimental.

"Don't worry, even if you didn't ask, I would come. Having a friend like you is the greatest stroke of luck in my life."

Indeed, it was a stroke of luck—the greatest luck in Si Nuosang's life to have met a friend like Ye Xuan.

The next day, Ye Xuan and Si Nuosang left the Ye Estate. Ye Quan was somewhat anxious, as Ye Xuan had left in a similar manner before, but he didn't dare ask any questions. He feared that if he spoke up, Ye Xuan might truly never return, and he couldn't bear another disappointment. He had only told Ye Xuan those things to prevent him from repeating his own mistakes, as he had lived a life of regret.

Yuan Liuli approached Ye Quan. "He will return, Master."

"Shut up." Ye Quan cast a cold glance at her, his eyes fixed on Ye Xuan’s departing figure. Perhaps with age, his ambition had withered away. Even though he was only in his forties—in the prime of his life—for those at the Ye Estate, this was a turning point. It meant he could no longer live under the sun. How joyful a thing it must be to live in the light.

Yuan Liuli was too frightened to speak further. She had never seen Ye Quan like this. Ever since Ye Xuan returned, everything seemed to have changed. She stepped back and quietly slipped away.

Ye Xuan and Si Nuosang arrived at Sang Residence in the afternoon. Yiyi was overjoyed to see Si Nuosang, but her expression shifted slightly when she noticed Ye Xuan. Yiyi had spent so long reading others that her own camouflage was impeccable. She focused her gaze entirely on Si Nuosang, pointedly avoiding Ye Xuan. Ye Xuan sensed it, though Si Nuosang did not. He found it strange that a young maid would harbor such resentment toward him; he was completely baffled. This was only their second meeting. The first time, one could say they were just unfamiliar and cold, but now, there was clear animosity.

Ye Xuan knew how much Si Nuosang cared for the girl, so he remained silent, not wanting Si Nuosang to think him petty. He didn't want to tarnish his image in her eyes, not even by a fraction.

Once they entered the residence, Ye Xuan prepared to take his leave. Si Nuosang handed him a large bundle of food and supplies from the shop. Ye Xuan accepted it gladly, happy to take anything she gave him.

"Are you truly not staying for a few days?"

"I will come often. Keep a close watch on the situation with Ming Lou. I will leave someone stationed at the inn in the East City. If anything happens, notify him immediately, and I will come at once." Ye Xuan looked at her, deeply unsettled. Ming Lou had been quiet, but he didn't know what might be happening behind the scenes. With no one else to protect her, he had to take on that responsibility himself.

"Don't worry, I want to live a long time, so I'll take good care of myself. You come visit often, too."

After all, she truly had few friends she could talk to. A wave of melancholy washed over her at the thought.

"I will."

"I don't really have many friends."

"Don't worry, I'll come often. And with Yiyi by your side, I trust she will take good care of you and keep you safe." He smiled at her. Yiyi watched her closely; surely, she would protect her mistress if anything happened. Even if Yiyi lacked martial arts skills, at the very least, she could raise the alarm.

"Haha, alright, go on now." Si Nuosang shook her head. She was the one who should be protecting Yiyi, a delicate young girl.

Ye Xuan mounted his horse and rode off at full speed. He had chosen not to take a carriage, as it was too slow; even at a leisurely pace, a horse could cover the distance in half a day. Watching him go, Si Nuosang felt a sudden pang of loneliness. Returning to the residence, she found she had nothing to do.