Chapter 069 The Newcomer

Night descended quietly.

Jiang Yao gazed at the three companions who had just shared hot pot with her, now slumped over the table in deep sleep, her eyes filled with tender reluctance.

"I’m sorry. I must leave for a while. Perhaps, when spring returns and flowers bloom, I will come back."

Zeng Qiwen had lost himself to madness. Only by leaving completely could everyone around her find true safety.

"My heart will remain with you, waiting for the day he is brought to justice."

Jiang Yao fought back tears with resolute strength, picked up her luggage, cast one last glance at her friends, then walked out of the villa—a place that had given her so many memories of laughter and tears—without looking back.

The horizon slowly brightened with the pale light of dawn.

The first to awaken was Ye Yiyi. She sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes and looking around in confusion. "Yao?"

Jiang Yao was nowhere to be seen.

"Yao?" Ye Yiyi yawned and called again. Glancing down, she spotted a sheet of paper with a few brief words, and panic crept into her heart.

She shook Cheng Yanchi awake. "Cheng Yanchi!"

Cheng Yanchi stirred groggily, ready to drift back to sleep. "Unless the house is on fire, don’t wake me."

"Yao, Yao…" Ye Yiyi murmured.

"What happened to Yao?" Cheng Yanchi was suddenly alert.

Their voices woke He Yunqing nearby, and the three gathered around the paper.

On the blank page, just seven words: "I’m gone. Wait for my return."

"What does she mean, she’s gone?" Cheng Yanchi raked his hair in frustration, asking Ye Yiyi though he knew the answer. "Gone where?"

Ye Yiyi lowered her head.

She had gone somewhere no one could find.

He Yunqing took the note from Ye Yiyi’s hand and walked slowly to the balcony. Behind him, the sound of doors opening as Cheng Yanchi and Ye Yiyi stepped outside.

He traced Jiang Yao’s handwriting with cold fingertips.

In his mind, he saw her radiant smile from the balcony the previous day. She must have made up her mind to leave then. That meal had been a farewell.

His large hand crumpled the note, folding it into a wrinkled ball. He closed his eyes, his body trembling slightly, a faint wetness staining his long lashes.

She had asked him to forget that night, to let go of the past.

But those memories belonged to her—he refused, utterly refused to forget even a fragment of anything about her.

Even though, time and again, those memories tormented him in the lonely hours of night.

The longer he knew her, the deeper the pain.

He was willing to share that pain with her.

Yet she did not grasp the hand he reached out—vanished once more from his world.

For a long time afterwards, there was no word of Jiang Yao.

No trace at the place she had lived, nor at her former workplace, nor at the little eatery she loved most. The woman who once appeared in his life like a fleeting vision disappeared, never to be seen again.

On a sweltering summer evening, a hint of coolness finally arrived.

The honest, lively town of Crescent Moon stirred to life, different from its daytime quiet.

People who had worked all day now set up their stalls, chatting animatedly as they sold their wares.

Jiang Yao loved wandering through such markets; she always found small treasures that delighted her.

"Yao, come try my watermelon! I’ll pick the sweetest one for you!"

She turned, and Uncle Zhang pressed a big slice of watermelon into her arms. "Eat."

Jiang Yao took a bite—sweet and icy, perfect for cooling off.

Thanking Uncle Zhang, she walked on.

"Yao, I’ve just roasted these sunflower seeds. Have a taste."

Her hands were soon filled with seeds.

"Yao, those shoes look stifling. Here, try these!"

Jiang Yao swapped her shoes without protest, slipping into the pair offered, and strolled boldly down the street.

She hadn’t gone far before Aunt Zhang pulled her over. "Yao, we’re one short for mahjong! Come play!"

Jiang Yao, helpless, took a seat at the table.

"You won last time—this time, I’ll win it back!" Aunt Zhang laughed heartily.

Jiang Yao waved her hand. "Prepare to be disappointed then."

Laughter echoed from the table and the stalls.

Jiang Yao loved this place—the vibrant, lively atmosphere let her forget all her worries for a while.

"Yao, you’ve been here for months now. Are you settling in?"

Jiang Yao played a card. "I am. Aunt Zhang, Sister Wang, so many people bring me food every day. Look, I’ve gained three pounds!"

Everyone laughed again. "So how long will you stay?"

"I’ll stay for good. I’m not leaving." Jiang Yao smiled, drawing another tile.

The others exchanged glances.

The town was honest, but not prosperous; over the years, young people had all left for bigger cities. Rare was someone as young as Jiang Yao, coming to the town and claiming she’d never leave.

Everyone knew in their hearts she wouldn’t stay forever.

"Yao, mind if I ask—why did you come here?"

"This place…" Jiang Yao’s mind conjured He Yunqing’s cold, handsome face.

She had seen in his file—this was his ancestral home.

"What’s wrong?" Aunt Zhang prompted when Jiang Yao remained silent.

Jiang Yao shook her head, revealing her hand. "Mahjong!"

Everyone slapped their foreheads in dismay.

How was her luck always so good?

"Let’s play again!"

They gathered for another round.

Uncle Zhang brought over more watermelon, watching the game from the sidelines.

"By the way, Yao, have you heard? You have new neighbors."

"Hmm?" Jiang Yao played her tiles without pause. "Who?"

Crescent Moon was a small town; newcomers were rare, and everyone noticed.

Aunt Zhang shook her head. "Not sure. Just a woman with a little girl. Keeps to herself. As long as she’s not trouble, it’s fine. Safety is most important for you living alone."

"Right, safety matters," Sister Wang chimed in. "If you ever feel scared alone, you can stay at my place—we have an empty room."

"Yes, yes."

Jiang Yao shook her head. "It’s fine. Just a new neighbor. I’m not afraid."

If it was only a woman and her daughter, there was nothing to fear.

Zeng Qiwen would never find her here; she had no reason to be so vigilant.

The townsfolk retired early, and the game ended around eight.

Jiang Yao returned home alone, glanced up to see the lights still on next door.

She paid it no mind, was about to unlock her door, when suddenly a loud crash sounded from the neighboring house, followed by a child’s wailing…