Volume One Chapter 40: Qin Xiang

A young woman stood behind him, carrying a bag of groceries she had just bought. Fu Yanting thought she looked familiar. The girl seemed to recognize him as well.

“You’re the ex-boyfriend of the person who lives here, right? She hasn’t been back for a long time.”

Fu Yanting remembered that he’d seen this girl a few times when he’d come by before. He quickly asked, “Did she move away?”

“No, no one has moved in or out recently.”

“Do you know where Yu Mo went?”

Shaking her head, the girl opened her door and went inside her own apartment.

Fu Yanting had no idea how he made his way home. Lin Hua had already left. But her things were still scattered around the room. In a frenzy, he threw all of Lin Hua’s belongings into the trash can, then dragged the whole can out to the entrance and tossed it outside. Only after doing this did he feel a little relieved.

He took out his phone, wanting to call Yu Mo, but realized he didn’t have her number saved. He found her on WeChat and dialed. The ringtone kept going, but no one answered.

Once again, Fu Yanting’s heart plunged into an even deeper abyss. He finally understood. No one waits for someone forever. Once lost, it might never be recovered. Clutching his chest, a stabbing pain like a knife twisted into his mind. Bit by bit, he slid down the wall and sat on the floor. The agony, as if his very flesh was being torn away, nearly suffocated him.

-

Manager Yao informed Yu Mo that she would be temporarily in charge of managing the pharmaceutical factory for a while. She first went to see Grandpa Fu, then headed to the factory. Once in the laboratory, she began her research. This time, her focus was on developing AAV2-type drugs, which target certain genetic and muscular diseases.

Three years ago, Yu Mo’s mentor had fallen ill with a rare muscular disease; his muscles gradually atrophied and weakened. Therefore, her primary research was directed at treating muscular illnesses with AAV2-type drugs.

Her master had taught her so much—she couldn’t just stand by and watch him suffer. She spent over a dozen hours at a stretch in the lab. When she checked her phone again, it was already the next morning.

Feeling hungry, she left the lab. Her phone reminded her that her university classmates’ gathering was scheduled for that evening. Yu Mo planned to attend, curious to see how Lin Hua would clear her name in front of the reporters.

After grabbing a bite to eat, she went home and took a nap.

When she woke again, it was already five in the afternoon. She got up, changed clothes, and drove to the hotel where the gathering would be held. As soon as she got out of her car, a Mercedes S450 pulled up quietly beside her. The person inside was none other than Lin Hua.

Today, Lin Hua wore a white dress, her makeup meticulously applied, though she looked somewhat haggard. Beside her stood Xie Mengqi. Yu Mo was surprised—Xie Mengqi hadn’t gone to the same university as her. She hadn’t expected Lin Hua to bring Xie Mengqi instead of Fu Yanting. Yu Mo found it intriguing.

Both women had noticed Yu Mo early on. As soon as she stepped out, Xie Mengqi sized up Yu Mo’s car with obvious disdain. Folding her arms, she said lightly, “Yu Mo, you actually came to the reunion driving a domestic car? That’s really embarrassing for us. If I were you, I’d rather take a taxi than show up in that.”

Yu Mo glanced at Lin Hua’s car. “That car must have cost at least one and a half million. Did Uncle Chu buy it for you after you returned to the Chu family?” She tapped her lips as if suddenly remembering something. “Oh right, I recall that Chu Xirui used to have an S450, but she recently got an S580. Lin Hua, could this car be a gift from Chu Xirui? After all, you’re her long-lost sister.”

Lin Hua’s face turned especially unpleasant. Yu Mo’s guess was correct—the car did belong to Chu Xirui, but it wasn’t a gift from her. It was a present from Father Chu; Lin Hua had been delighted when she first received it. But she soon learned that it was Chu Xirui’s old car, and Father Chu hadn’t bought a new one for Xirui. At first, she had been happy to snatch a car from Chu Xirui, but that joy quickly faded when Chu Xirui’s second brother bought her a car a whole class above this one the very next day—Lin Hua was so angry she almost smashed her own car.

Xie Mengqi hadn’t expected such a backstory and glanced at Lin Hua’s sour expression. Lifting her chin, she looked down on Yu Mo. “Even so, it’s a hundred times better than your clunker. And look at your outfit—probably bought at some no-name thrift shop, right? You’re really bold to wear that in public. My sister-in-law’s random dress could buy your entire wardrobe for a year.”

Lin Hua tugged at Xie Mengqi’s sleeve, not wanting her to say any more. Now that she’d broken up with Fu Yanting, she wanted to keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention.

“Mengqi, let’s go inside. Don’t waste words on irrelevant people.” Attending tonight’s reunion, she might cross paths with someone wealthier than Fu Yanting. She couldn’t afford to lose face or appear petty.

Seeing that Xie Mengqi was in no hurry to go in, Lin Hua regretted bringing her along. She had wanted Xie Mengqi to make her shine by comparison, but now it might backfire.

Several reporters had been waiting outside for a long time. When they saw Lin Hua, they rushed over, thrusting microphones at her. “Miss Lin, last time you said you’d clear your name at this reunion. Is that true?”

“Miss Lin, why didn’t you come with Young Master Fu tonight? Did you two have a fight?”

Not seeing Fu Yanting anywhere, the reporters naturally assumed the worst. Lin Hua lowered her gaze and ignored their questions, pulling Xie Mengqi toward the hotel.

Each time the reporters tried to question her, she evaded them deftly.

Yu Mo sensed something was off. With Lin Hua’s personality, even if the reporters couldn’t enter, she’d surely have some close friends vouch for her. Yet now, there was no sign of any such plan. Instead, Lin Hua looked evasive. Had she truly broken up with Fu Yanting?

Yu Mo followed Lin Hua and Xie Mengqi into the hotel’s private room. As soon as she entered, she was greeted by a massive red wooden round table loaded with a variety of dishes. Nearby were several mahjong tables, a billiard table, and even a small indoor golf area.

A group of men and women surrounded the table. Yu Mo recognized only a few faces. She found a seat, but as soon as she sat down, someone complained.

“Yu Mo, why are you sitting there? That’s Jia Jia’s seat. Get up right now.”

A woman with heavy makeup looked at Yu Mo in disgust, her words laced with sarcasm. “Yu Mo, you’re just an ordinary girl—why bother showing up here? Everyone here is from a prominent family in Shanghai. Do you think just because Jia Jia invited you, you have the right to eat and drink for free?”

Yu Mo had heard of this Jia Jia—Yan Kejia, the daughter of a nouveau riche Shanghai family. Her father had made some money in recent years and was eager to join the city’s upper crust. Yan Kejia had organized tonight’s gathering. The fact that it was held in a five-star hotel showed she had some means.

The woman speaking was Wang Hui, who came from an average family and was known to be Yan Kejia’s loyal sidekick.

When Yu Mo didn’t move, Wang Hui stood up, pointed at her nose, and scolded, “How shameless can you be? Jia Jia is the real star tonight, and you, a freeloader, still dare to act so arrogant.”

Yu Mo picked up her chopsticks and tasted a dish, frowning as she looked at Wang Hui. Was she being arrogant? She hadn’t even said a word yet.

At that moment, Yan Kejia rose from a nearby sofa and sat down beside Yu Mo with a show of exaggerated grace. “Wang Hui, if Yu wants to sit there, let her. It’s just a seat.”

Yan Kejia was hosting this reunion to introduce everyone to her new boyfriend—the second son of the Qin family, Qin Xiang.