Volume One, Chapter 56: Clear Skies Turn to Clouds, Clouds Turn to Overcast, Overcast Turns to Light Rain (A Change of Face)

His eyes, tinged with a faint red at the corners, were strikingly noticeable, and the wariness within them was unmistakable. He glanced at Yu Mo and the man beside her.

“Miss Yu, I’ll need to discuss this matter with my father and mother. Since you and your friend have come a long way, why not stay at the Qi residence for a few days? Enjoy yourselves here, and there’s no rush to return.”

Yu Mo exchanged a glance with Douzi; they had no reason to refuse such an invitation. She nodded in agreement.

“Alright.”

At the Qi residence, Yu Mo and Douzi stepped out of the car and followed Qi Yancheng toward the house. The Qi family’s courtyard was vast, ancient, and tranquil—perfect for those who wished to cultivate themselves in peace.

Yet Yu Mo glanced at Qi Yancheng, striding ahead with long legs. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine someone like him enjoying such a serene environment.

Qi Yancheng settled them into their rooms before leading them to tour the back garden of the old residence.

“The back garden here isn’t very large. When we have time, I’ll take you to the new residence. I prefer the gardens and landscapes there,” he said.

Yu Mo wasn’t particularly interested in the garden and only spoke after he finished. Her almond-shaped eyes gleamed with a dark light.

“Master Qi, I’ve already explained my purpose for coming here. I’m afraid I’m not in the mood to admire the scenery.”

Douzi, though captivated by the surroundings, withdrew his gaze at her words, remembering their true purpose.

“That’s right, Master Qi. Please take my senior and me to see Lord Qi and Lady Qi.”

The three began heading back. As Yu Mo passed a flower trellis, she couldn’t help but look up. The trellis was tall, nearly three meters, holding several pots of blooming moth orchids.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through—the trellis toppled straight toward her. Before she could react, Qi Yancheng’s arm was already shielding her eyes.

Blood streamed from his hand.

A metal carving from the trellis had pierced his flesh.

Back inside the main house, Qi Yancheng now bore several wounds on his hand. Though the bleeding had slowed, the sight was still alarming.

Meng Pei rushed over at the scene, cradling her son’s hand, tears almost falling.

“Ah Cheng, what happened? Let me bandage you right away, and then we’ll head to the hospital.”

Qi Yancheng’s expression remained calm, distant even toward his mother.

“Mother, it’s alright. Just a bandage will do—I don’t need to go to the hospital.”

Meng Pei's tears fell, her hand wiping them away.

“Ah Cheng, you must go to the hospital. You need a tetanus shot; what if it leaves a scar?”

Yu Mo couldn’t help stepping forward.

“Lady Qi, I’ll accompany Master Qi to the hospital. I’m a doctor.”

Qi Yancheng turned to look at her deeply.

Yu Mo felt a pang of guilt.

“No matter what, it happened because of me—”

“Shut up!” Qi Yancheng’s voice was cold and alluring, cutting her off with a sharp glare.

“Yu Mo, since you’re a doctor, I’ll fetch the medicine box. Help me bandage my hand.”

Yu Mo was briefly stunned, then nodded.

Once the servants brought the medicine box, she began tending to his wounds. Fortunately, the injuries weren’t deep; with proper disinfection, there should be no lasting scars.

“Thank you,” Qi Yancheng suddenly said, his tone no longer as harsh.

Yu Mo paused, half rising, and replied instinctively, “It’s nothing.”

After dinner that night, Yu Mo and Douzi returned to their rooms.

“Senior Yu Mo, that Qi Yancheng was so odd today. He was fine one moment, then suddenly changed his face and became fierce. We’d best not befriend him.”

Yu Mo walked silently, recalling Qi Yancheng’s demeanor. Her hand rested on her chin, deep in thought.

“I don’t think he’s that strange. It’s Lady Qi who’s odd. Considering his injuries weren’t serious, her fussing was excessive. If Qi Yancheng were still a child, I’d understand, but he’s grown, yet she acts that way—something feels off.

And Qi Yancheng seems so distant from his mother. Don’t you think?”

Douzi didn’t bother pondering further. He opened his door.

“I’m going to sleep.”

Yu Mo bade him goodnight and returned to her own room.

At nine o’clock, a chill had crept into the season.

Unable to sleep, Yu Mo donned a coat and descended the stairs, slowly making her way to the back garden they’d toured earlier.

At night, the Qi residence remained tranquil, broken only by the occasional chirp of crickets.

She approached the flower trellis, now fixed with wire. The moth orchids rested peacefully.

A steady rhythm of footsteps caught her ear.

Yu Mo turned.

Qi Yancheng wore loose home clothes beneath a coat. He stopped beside her, tall and languid.

“I apologize for being rough with you this afternoon.”

Yu Mo tightened her coat.

“You mean telling me to shut up?”

“Yes.” Qi Yancheng shoved his hands in his pockets, tilting his head toward the sky.

“If my mother learns I was injured because of you, you’ll be in trouble.”

He spoke lightly, but Yu Mo sensed a deeper meaning.

“Your mother seems very concerned for you.”

He suddenly bent over, laughing heartily as if he’d heard the funniest thing. When the laughter faded, only the trembling of his shoulders betrayed him.

Yu Mo had the strange impression he was crying.

The night lamp was dim, and Qi Yancheng stood in the shadows beyond its reach.

Yu Mo stepped forward, trying to see his face clearly.

Qi Yancheng straightened abruptly, his voice icy.

“Get some rest. While you’re here, be careful of my mother. Remember that.”

With those words, he strode away without a backward glance, as if the man who’d just laughed wasn’t him at all.

Yu Mo lingered a moment longer, then jogged after him.

“Qi Yancheng, tomorrow I’ll go with you to get a tetanus shot at the hospital. I checked—the trellis was heavily rusted, so the risk of infection is high.”

“Alright.”

Qi Yancheng’s tall figure vanished from her sight.

Yu Mo returned to her room and picked up her phone, only to see several messages from Pretty Boy.

[Mo Mo, I’m in the Imperial Capital now. Where are you?]

She frowned. Why had Pretty Boy come to the capital?

Yu Mo: [I’m at the Qi residence. Did you come for something?]

Pretty Boy: [I missed you too much, so I came to keep you company. I’ll visit the Qi residence tomorrow morning.]

Yu Mo pressed her forehead, not expecting him to be so clingy.

The next morning.

Yu Mo got the Qi family’s address from Qi Weicheng and sent it to Pretty Boy.

During breakfast, Meng Pei kept serving dishes to Qi Yancheng, but he barely touched them, stacking them aside instead.

After eating, Yu Mo prepared to go to the hospital with Qi Yancheng.

A familiar figure appeared before her.

Mu Shaozhou greeted Yu Mo with a sweet smile. Upon seeing Douzi, who clung to Yu Mo’s arm, his sunny expression turned cloudy at once.

Then, noticing the man on her other side—tall and striking, his face nearly rivaling Mu Shaozhou’s own—clouds gathered, threatening rain.