Chapter Forty-Five: The Storm Approaches 13

Although Zhang Yu’s words were unpleasant, they were the truth. Both He Zheyu and Mo Qinghan had to admit that in high society, most marriages were alliances between powerful families—rarely did people come together purely for love. That was why, whenever the four of them gathered here, none ever brought their significant other, except for Lin Mo. His family background was not as distinguished as the others, but when it came to marriage, he alone could choose freely.

The sudden crash of a kettle hitting the floor broke the silence that Zhang Yu’s words had cast over the room. He Zheyu was the first to rise and step out, while Mo Qinghan, standing outside the door, looked nervously at the four men emerging one after another and said timidly, “I just slipped and accidentally broke the kettle. You all carry on, I’ll clean it up.” With that, she went to find a broom. They knew that Mo Qinghan had certainly overheard Zhang Yu’s remarks.

He Zheyu walked to Mo Qinghan’s side, noticing the slight shimmer in her eyes. His voice was soft but warm as he said, “No need, Lin Mo will take care of it. As long as you weren’t burned, it’s fine.” After a moment’s silence, he added, “Let’s go home.”

Mo Qinghan simply nodded, saying nothing.

After exchanging a few casual words with Lin Mo, Zhang Yu, and Gu Yan, He Zheyu left, holding the somewhat dejected Mo Qinghan close as they walked away.

Once Mo Qinghan and He Zheyu had left, Lin Mo and Gu Yan exchanged a wordless glance at Zhang Yu. He looked back, innocent, and said, “I didn’t expect she’d come back so soon.”

Gu Yan turned to Lin Mo, curiosity in his eyes. “Third Brother, you’ve known about him and that girl for a while, haven’t you?”

“Not much,” Lin Mo replied. “I only know that when Third handed Mo Qingyu, who had leukemia, over to me, he said, ‘Do whatever it takes—manpower, money, resources—to help him live a little longer.’”

Gu Yan asked, “Who’s Mo Qingyu?”

“Mo Qinghan’s younger brother.”

Zhang Yu and Gu Yan exchanged a look of understanding, grasping the nature of their relationship, and asked nothing further.

In the passenger seat, Mo Qinghan rested her head against the window, her eyes dull, watching the scenery flash by. Zhang Yu’s words echoed in her mind: “Do you intend to hide her for a lifetime? Let her live in the shadows forever, unknown and unseen?” A dull ache throbbed in her chest. She’d considered these issues from the moment she signed the agreement with He Zheyu, but facing them directly always left her feeling stifled.

Outside Maple Leaf Apartments, He Yurou had been pacing around the building for countless laps. She was on the phone, her tone irritable as she spoke with someone. “Is your information reliable or not? Didn’t you say Mo Qinghan lived here? I’ve practically worn a path around this place these past few days, and I haven’t seen even a trace of her.” The person on the other end was still speaking, but He Yurou, impatient, hung up.

Just as she ended the call, a familiar car drove past her. She turned, puzzled, to watch as the car slowed to a stop. Muttering to herself, she wondered, “Why is Uncle’s car here? Could it be Han Mo…?”

With this thought, He Yurou quickly hid behind a nearby tree, eager to see what was happening.

Inside the car, Mo Qinghan’s face remained cold, but her tone carried emotion. “Just drop me at the gate. You shouldn't come here again for a while.”

He Zheyu, aware that Zhang Yu’s words had wounded her, tried to explain. “You—” But before he could finish, Mo Qinghan interrupted, “I’m scared! I’m afraid your fiancée will discover me! Yurou says they already suspect you’re seeing another woman. I don’t want these things to disrupt my life.”

With that, she got out and closed the door. Seeing this, He Zheyu quickly followed her, but as soon as he tried to take her hand, she pulled away.

Mo Qinghan said, “Can you give me a little space to breathe?”

From her vantage point not far away, He Yurou’s eyes widened in shock as she watched the scene unfold. In a flash, she understood why her uncle had beaten Zhao Qingwu so severely—it wasn’t for her, but for Mo Qinghan.