Chi Yu tightly clutched his phone. Suddenly, a transparent teardrop fell, landing precisely on the three characters "I'm sorry".
He took a deep breath, turned off the phone, and walked into the bedroom.
On the other side.
Tan Si returned to Shen Yu'an's residence. As if afraid of waking Shen Yu'an, he gently opened the door and placed the car keys at the entrance as usual.
The house was dark, with the curtains tightly drawn. It was pitch - black, and he couldn't see a thing.
"Did she get home safely?"
Shen Yu'an's voice suddenly rang out in the darkness, nearly scaring Tan Si to death.
He nervously stroked his chest and replied, "I safely took her home."
"Did you see Chi Yu?"
Hearing this, Tan Si was momentarily stunned. Shen Yu'an hadn't said he had to see Chi Yu before leaving.
Tan Si didn't know how to answer and remained silent for a long time.
After an unknown amount of time, Shen Yu'an's voice sounded again. "Go and rest."
This time, it was different from usual. At least this time, it carried a bit of warmth, like the voice of a living person.
Tan Si turned to leave but suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He turned around and looked at Shen Yu'an not far away.
It was too dark inside the house. He couldn't see the man's expression clearly. After a moment of thought, he decided to "butt in".
"Sir, just now the young lady said that she would come to have dinner with you often in the future. She also asked me to tell you to take care of your health and not to overwork."
In the darkness, a strange look flashed across Shen Yu'an's face. It was a long while before he responded. "Okay, I got it."
As soon as the words were out, Tan Si finally let out a sigh of relief. He knew Shen Yu'an well.
He could also detect the slightest hint of anticipation in his tone.
"Please rest well."
Tan Si turned and left.
With a "click", the sound of the door locking echoed in the house.
Shen Yu'an also withdrew his gaze and sat down on the sofa in the middle of the living room.
His eyes scanned the room, and then he picked up the remote control on the table.
The next second, the curtains slowly opened.
The moonlight from outside shone into the house, falling on Shen Yu'an. A gentle breeze blew in, carrying the fresh air and the faint fragrance of flowers and grass, all of which filled his body.
Perhaps it had been a long time since he last felt the breath of nature. Shen Yu'an gradually calmed down without even realizing it.
After a while, he slowly took out his phone and dialed Chi Yu's number.
It rang for a long time before it was finally answered.
"What's up?" Chi Yu's voice on the other end sounded a bit hoarse.
Shen Yu'an thought he had been woken up by the ringing and didn't think much of it. He straightforwardly asked, "Why did Qingmian have a gun on her?"
After injecting the medicine into her just now, she vomited due to the effect of the medicine, and a little dirt got on her clothes.
After the hourly worker came to change her clothes, Shen Yu'an noticed a gun tucked in the back of her waist.
In a place like the imperial capital, only a few people could get their hands on a gun.
Shen Yu'an never expected Chi Yu to let Qingmian use such a dangerous thing.
Even now, just thinking about it made him feel scared. If the gun accidentally went off, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Hearing the name "Qingmian" on the other end of the phone, Chi Yu's fingers unconsciously curled.
He didn't say a word.
Shen Yu'an didn't mind either. This call wasn't to ask Chi Yu for an explanation. He just wanted to warn him not to let Qingmian touch things she shouldn't.
"I don't care where you got it for her. Just get it back the way you got it."
"She's my sister. I know better than anyone how brave she is. Those things aren't meant for her. If you can't guarantee her safety, then don't meet her again in the future."
Shen Yu'an's voice carried an irresistible tone.
But Chi Yu on the other end of the phone suddenly let out a soft laugh.
"Shen Yu'an, can't you even recognize your own sister?"
Chi Yu's voice was filled with obvious mockery.
Shen Yu'an was stunned for a moment. A strange look flashed across his eyes, and his hand holding the phone tightened slightly.
"Do you know what you're saying?"
"If your mind isn't clear, I don't mind punching you a couple of times to wake you up."
"I'll say it one last time. If you can't protect her, then stay away from her."
After saying that, Shen Yu'an didn't give Chi Yu a chance to speak and directly hung up the phone.
After a while, Chi Yu took the phone away from his ear.
He slumped weakly on the bedroom bed.
In his other hand was the very gun that Shen Yu'an had just mentioned.
Jiang Zhirou had hidden the gun well, in the bottom compartment of the cabinet.
Looking at the gun in his hand, Chi Yu couldn't quite describe his current feelings.
But he could feel a stabbing pain deep in his heart.
It was as if someone was digging a big hole in his heart every once in a while. Just when it started to heal, they would start digging again.
This cycle repeated itself without end.
There was no longer anything related to him around her.
Not a single thing.
...
...
After Jiang Zhirou returned to Yuelan Manor, she locked herself in her room and didn't open the door for three whole days.
"Third Master, Miss Zhizhi hasn't eaten for three days. This can't go on!"
In the study, Uncle Shen looked anxiously at Si Moshen, hoping that he would go and persuade Jiang Zhirou.
If this continued, not to mention investigating her background, her health would also deteriorate. There would be no point in continuing the investigation.
It was bad enough that she had suddenly come back without saying a word. After coming back, she locked herself in the room, neither eating nor drinking, looking like a soulless person. Uncle Shen felt extremely heart - broken.
Si Moshen's face was grim. Without saying a word, he walked out of the study and headed straight for the third floor.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
He raised his hand and pounded on the bedroom door forcefully, as if venting his anger.
Uncle Shen quickly tried to stop him. "Third Master, please don't be so agitated. You'll scare Miss Zhizhi!"
The last time Uncle Shen had seen Si Moshen so emotionally unstable was twenty years ago.
Seeing him lose control like this now, Uncle Shen couldn't help but worry.
Right now, Jiang Zhirou was in a bad state. Si Moshen couldn't afford to have an accident at this crucial moment.
"Jiang Zhirou, do you really want to die that much?"
"What do you mean by locking yourself in the room?"
"I'm telling you, if you want to die, don't do it in Yuelan! It's bad luck!"
"For a man, look at what you've become!"
"Does he care about you? Does he care whether you live or die?"
"Jiang Zhirou, I'm telling you, even if you die here today, Chi Yu won't feel the slightest bit of heartache for you."
Si Moshen's words were intense. Uncle Shen, standing beside him, was extremely frightened. He wanted to stop him but couldn't even get close.
Due to his emotional outburst, Si Moshen's breathing became rapid.
He slapped the door hard, but there was no sign of movement from inside.
After a while, he slowly lowered his hand, and his voice became much softer than before.
"You're not Shen Qingmian. He won't feel heartache."
As soon as the words were out, there was a "click".
The doorknob turned, and Jiang Zhirou stood by the door, looking at him.