Chapter 056 Have You Never Thought of Me Even Once?

Jiang Yao shot He Yunqing a glare, even though he couldn’t see it.

“Anyway, I can’t sleep. I’ll just go sleep on the floor,” she said, rolling over and tilting her head to look at him.

“Hm?” He Yunqing turned his head, his dark eyes half-open, half-closed.

“No, I mean—I’ll go sleep on the floor,” Jiang Yao clarified, then pointed to her bed. “You can sleep here.”

He Yunqing rolled over, presenting his broad back to her—a clear refusal.

Jiang Yao pulled the blanket over her head and turned away from him as well, her posture radiating annoyance.

Outside, the rain continued unabated.

Raindrops fell on the ground, on the leaves, on the window sill—and on Jiang Yao’s heart.

She listened quietly to the sound of the rain.

In the old house, aside from the lingering scent of age, there was now the faint, cool aroma of cedar that clung to He Yunqing.

Jiang Yao turned again, gazing at the man’s silhouette.

That back, that scent—strangely, they brought her a sense of peace.

She thought of how He Yunqing had fought to protect her that night, and unconsciously hugged her blanket tighter. “He Yunqing.”

“Mm.”

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Yao said, “Don’t get into fights anymore. Not to mention you’re a public figure—it wouldn’t look good. And if you ever got hurt, especially your face, that’d be a real problem.”

“I’ve never lost a fight,” he replied quietly, his back still to her.

Jiang Yao stared at the ceiling. “You talk as if you get into fights all the time.”

He Yunqing’s brow furrowed slightly, and he fell into a deep silence.

Ten years ago, the year they first met, had been the most bewildering time of his life. Fights, rebellion—just the sound of his name made people shudder. Everything began to change that first night he met her…

After a blow to the head, he lost part of his memory, but chose to start anew.

He hadn’t fought in years—except recently, and only for her.

Perhaps fate, in its mysterious way, had already been decided.

“And another thing,” Jiang Yao’s voice came again, “I don’t need you to make anything up to me. Don’t come looking for me anymore.”

“So you really don’t want to see me?” He Yunqing slowly opened his eyes, staring into the darkness.

Jiang Yao turned away from him, “No, I don’t.”

“And that ring—please return it to me,” she added softly.

“I won’t,” He Yunqing refused bluntly.

“You—!” Jiang Yao sat up straight in bed.

A hint of bitterness crept onto He Yunqing’s lips.

“All this time, have you not thought of me even once?”

Jiang Yao lowered her eyes, her hands twisting the blanket beneath them. “Of course not. Why would I?”

A fleeting sadness crossed He Yunqing’s gentle eyes. “Ayao, I’d rather you resented me.”

“I’ve resented others, and others have resented me. I know it never feels good, whether you’re the one resenting or the one being resented,” Jiang Yao’s nose tingled with emotion. “He Yunqing, just pretend you never appeared in my life. Let’s both move on.”

“But you’re already a part of it,” He Yunqing whispered, closing his eyes again.

You’re already living in my life.

Jiang Yao shut her eyes as well, listening to the rain continue to fall.

That night, she drifted into sleep without knowing when. When she finally woke, He Yunqing was gone.

All that remained was the neatly folded blanket.

And the faint, cool scent of cedar lingering on it.

Jiang Yao stared at the blanket in a daze. She’d said all she needed to say—this time, she and he truly might never meet again.

Yet the ring from Teacher Chen was still with him.

Her phone vibrated.

Pulled from her thoughts, she answered.

It was her boss.

“Xiao Jiang, why aren’t you here yet?”

A glance at the clock showed she’d somehow snoozed through several alarms and overslept.

“Sorry, boss, I’ll head over right away.”

“No need, you don’t have to come in,” her boss cut her off. “I’ll send you an address—just go straight there.”

“What address?” Jiang Yao asked, phone in one hand as she rushed to wash up.

“We have a client—today we were supposed to discuss the wedding details, but now we can’t reach them at all,” her boss paused. “Xie Yan usually handles this client, but she’s off today. Could you go to their house and see what’s going on?”

Jiang Yao smoothed her messy hair and, seeing the address her boss sent, had no choice but to agree.

The place was a full two and a half hours from her apartment.

Looking at her worn reflection in the mirror, she pressed her lips together. “Come on, working girl, you can do this.”

Downstairs, the bus stop was packed.

Standing amid the crowd, Jiang Yao wondered if she should buy a cheap used car—life would be so much easier.

She pulled out her phone to browse used car listings, when suddenly a new message popped up.

“Turn around.” Just two simple words.

Jiang Yao froze, staring at the star symbol she’d used for the sender’s name.

Slowly, she turned her head—and not far away, a Maybach was parked.

The man inside, seeing her turn, answered with two light beeps of the horn.

Jiang Yao walked over. The window slid down to reveal He Yunqing’s strikingly handsome face.

He wore sunglasses, his lips quirking in invitation. “Get in.”

Jiang Yao glanced around nervously. “Why are you here again?”

“Just passing by.”

“There are so many roads—why did you have to pass by this one?” Jiang Yao frowned.

“Is there a rule saying I can’t?” He Yunqing replied, arching his brow with defiant ease.

Jiang Yao ran a hand through her hair in exasperation. “Fine, go do your thing, then.”

“I’m on vacation.”

“You… Aren’t you worried about being seen like this?” she whispered, scanning the area again. “If some paparazzi spot you, what then?”

He Yunqing slowly took off his sunglasses, looking utterly unconcerned. “Every second you stand here talking, that’s one more second for them to spot me. So, are you getting in?”

Jiang Yao shot him another glare—this man always had his way.

Instead of the passenger seat, she opened the back and slid in.

He Yunqing glanced at her tense face in the rearview mirror, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile. He put his sunglasses back on and started the car.

They drove for a long time—so long that Jiang Yao dozed off without realizing it. When the car finally slowed to a stop, she woke.

It was a small villa in the suburbs.

Standing before the house, Jiang Yao stepped up to ring the bell, only to find the door wasn’t locked.

A narrow gap in the door sent a ripple of unease through her.

Still, she pressed the bell out of courtesy, then slowly placed her hand on the doorknob…