49.2. I’ll go with you (Main x Deputy Cp)

Qin Zhaoyi unintentionally thought of Zhong Ling again.

Over the years, people came and went around her, and the same was true for Zhong Ling. But in the end, they were the only ones left.

Perhaps it was because Zhong Ling had accompanied her through the toughest times.

So her presence became more meaningful.

But clearly, Zhong Ling knew she was affected by these things, yet she still left without a word.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Qin Zhaoyi muttered angrily under her breath, “Damn dog.”

She cursed all day long.

But the sunlight on Moon Island was too good. Qin Zhaoyi sat on the bed soaking up the sun for a while before getting up leisurely.

After taking a shower, she finally felt a bit better.

Then the lawyer called again, discussing the handling and details of the matter with Qin Zhaoyi, and consulting with her on which accounts to sue. Some accounts didn’t meet the criteria for prosecution, such as not having enough reposts and comments to meet the criteria for spreading rumors, but Qin Zhaoyi was determined to fight fire with fire.

Even if they didn’t meet the criteria, she still wanted to sue. Even if she lost the case and had to pay, she wanted those people to spend a sleepless night after receiving the court summons.

She didn’t believe those internet trolls wouldn’t be afraid.

The lawyer was shocked. It was the first time he had seen a “celebrity” take internet trolls so seriously.

But Qin Zhaoyi corrected him, saying, “I’m just a novelist, but they treat me like a public figure. It’s their mistake.”

Qin Zhaoyi had always thought that what she sold was books, not an image.

She didn’t give a damn about her image.

The lawyer understood her intentions and promised to handle everything responsibly.

Qin Zhaoyi also looked through the materials he sent.

It had to be said that money had its advantages. In just one night, the information online had been meticulously organized into Word documents, detailing which individuals to sue and for what charges, and what statements they had made.

But the more Qin Zhaoyi looked at them, the angrier she became, wishing she could go to court right now.

After finishing the call with the lawyer, it was already afternoon. Qin Zhaoyi hadn’t eaten or drunk anything since last night until now. She felt completely drained.

She picked up her phone and saw that new news had replaced yesterday’s headlines.

But there were still storylines about her and Zhong Ling, which made her feel nauseous.

So she threw her phone down and went for a walk.

Qin Zhaoyi didn’t expect to run into Luo Yue just as she stepped out.

Luo Yue was walking out with her elderly yellow dog.

Qin Zhaoyi was slightly stunned. It had only been a day, but seeing her again gave her a feeling of deja vu.

Luo Yue was wearing a loose, moon-white silk blouse, high-waisted jeans, spotless white sneakers, and her hair was casually tied into a low ponytail. Her gentle and energetic senior sister style was fully displayed.

Especially when she smiled.

She probably didn’t expect to meet Qin Zhaoyi. After seeing her, she hesitated for a moment before smiling instinctively and saying, “Hi.”

Before seeing Luo Yue, Qin Zhaoyi thought she didn’t have any feelings.

Even when her best friend went missing, she drove hurriedly back to Jiayi, then drove overnight back to Moon Island. She contacted the lawyer calmly, trying to sue those rumor-spreading marketing accounts to bankruptcy. She sat on the bed, dazed, basking in the sunlight, silently reading the malicious comments online and the slanderous remarks.

She thought she had numbly accepted all of this.

Just like Zhong Ling, avoiding the pain.

Or perhaps, after facing previous doubts and negative reviews, she had grown used to the online vitriol and wouldn’t be upset by it anymore.

But seeing Luo Yue now, her long-maintained calm shattered completely.

A crack appeared in her heart, letting light in.

It made her want to cry.

“Luo Yue.” Qin Zhaoyi stood before her, her normally cool voice tinged with a sob, which she quickly suppressed once she realized it.

Afraid that speaking would reveal her vulnerability and grievances.

Afraid of burdening Luo Yue.

But she was too distressed.

So distressed that it felt like countless ants were gnawing at her heart, leaving it aching and incomplete.

Luo Yue looked at her. The afternoon sunlight was particularly harsh, and she raised her hand to block the light, squinting as she looked over, her voice gentle. “You’re back?”

As if nothing had happened yesterday.

Qin Zhaoyi buried her bottled-up worries deep inside, struggling but managing with practiced ease.

She replied calmly to Luo Yue, “Yes, I came back this morning.”

Luo Yue walked to her side. The old yellow dog sniffed at her leg, then sensibly moved to the other side of Luo Yue, its steps slow and lazy.

“Did you find the person?” Luo Yue asked.

Qin Zhaoyi shook her head, “No.”

“Did you call the police?” Luo Yue asked again.

Qin Zhaoyi hesitated, “…No.”

Luo Yue continued to chat with her unhurriedly, her voice gentle. “Why didn’t you call the police? Do her parents know?”

“They know,” Qin Zhaoyi said, “but they don’t really care.”

Luo Yue frowned, “Why not?”

“Maybe because my friend has been very mature since childhood,” Qin Zhaoyi said with a bitter smile, not daring to tell Zhong Ling about this. Otherwise, Zhong Ling would certainly be furious, cursing her heartless parents in front of her, but would never mention it in front of them.

She would only fiercely argue and debate over freedom and love, such as her major in college or coming out.

In other matters, she didn’t have much defiance.

Luo Yue was slightly taken aback by this, then remarked, “Mature people seldom receive attention.”

Her words carried a sense of empathy.

Qin Zhaoyi said, “Maybe she doesn’t need it?”

It was just her guess.

Luo Yue agreed, “That could be.”

“Then why not call the police?” Luo Yue asked again. “The public security system is very good now. With consumption records and entry-exit records, she could be found easily, right?”

“She left a note,” Qin Zhaoyi said.

That tattered little piece of paper barely qualified as a note.

Qin Zhaoyi embellished the situation in front of Luo Yue.

In reality, seeing that little piece of paper made her want to strangle Zhong Ling.

Clearly, Zhong Ling had OCD about paper and handwriting, yet she left her something like that.

“She went to take a break,” Qin Zhaoyi said. “Maybe she’ll contact me after a while.”

Luo Yue felt reassured. “That’s good.”

Her voice remained gentle and strong, without excessive questioning or perfunctory responses, allowing Qin Zhaoyi’s agitated heart from the previous day to gradually calm down.

Her mood also improved significantly.

It was strange. Just walking side by side with Luo Yue, chatting casually, seemed to provide an endless source of strength.

It was as if she was drawing energy from Luo Yue.

Luo Yue, like an energy orb, was always so gentle, calm, and quietly standing there, forever able to be a steady presence.

As her mood improved, Qin Zhaoyi remembered the conversation that had been interrupted yesterday. “By the way, what were you trying to tell me yesterday?”

Luo Yue, considering what Qin Zhaoyi had been through since yesterday and the difficulties she might face in the future, shook her head after some thought. “Nothing important.”

Qin Zhaoyi felt as though she had missed something significant.

But before she could ponder further, Luo Yue asked, “And you? What did you want to tell me yesterday?”

Luo Yue held onto a bit of hope.

Both of them knew what Qin Zhaoyi intended to do yesterday.

That’s why Luo Yue had planned to give her a surprise first.

She couldn’t let Qin Zhaoyi always be the one feeling wronged.

Just like Qin Zhaoyi had said, she shouldn’t keep stringing her along.

Luo Yue didn’t want to string her along; she just had a strange feeling that Qin Zhaoyi wasn’t the type to settle down by her side, so she wanted to take things slowly, very slowly.

No need to rush.

But repeatedly rejecting Qin Zhaoyi would surely make her feel wronged.

Thinking about this made Luo Yue smile and her heart soften.

Since they were bound to take that step, she might as well give the eager puppy a pleasant surprise.

Unexpectedly, things didn’t go as planned.

At this moment, she doubted Qin Zhaoyi had the energy to deal with it.

But Luo Yue still hoped that Qin Zhaoyi would bring it up.

After a brief consideration, Qin Zhaoyi also shook her head. “I forgot.”

In reality, she hadn’t forgotten. She just felt that missing the perfect moment yesterday made it harder to bring it up again.

Especially now, on this path with people passing by occasionally, standing close to Luo Yue, it was difficult for Qin Zhaoyi to resist the urge to kiss the girl who had agreed to be her girlfriend.

She feared being rejected by Luo Yue.

That would only worsen her already bad mood.

After some thought, Qin Zhaoyi decided to wait for another opportunity.

In the meantime, she cursed Zhong Ling, who had ruined her confession plan, thoroughly in her mind.

Zhong Ling slowly woke up from her dream, sneezed, and noticed her voice was a bit hoarse, her back exposed.

She pulled the blanket over herself, ready for Cheng Shiyu to have left the room, only to find Cheng Shiyu facing away from her, sending messages.

It seemed her sneeze startled Cheng Shiyu.

Cheng Shiyu put down her phone and turned around, tugging the blanket over her, then reached out to feel her forehead, finally showing a relaxed expression.

Zhong Ling turned over, feeling like her entire body had been run over by a car.

“What…” Zhong Ling managed to say only one word before realizing her voice was hoarse beyond belief.

So she pressed her lips together and remained silent.

“You had a fever this morning,” Cheng Shiyu said. “You were even talking in your sleep.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

She just prayed she hadn’t said anything foolish.

Cheng Shiyu asked, “Are you hungry?”

Zhong Ling was slightly stunned, not expecting Cheng Shiyu to be so gentle.

It was completely different from the fierce person who almost tore her apart last night.

And different from the Cheng Shiyu who used to just lie in bed after they were done.

This was completely unexpected treatment for Zhong Ling.

Zhong Ling shook her head, “Not hungry.”

Her voice hurt too much to speak.

Last night, she had shouted too loudly and cursed a lot.

Cursed Cheng Shiyu, cursed Lu Xinyan.

When Cheng Shiyu heard her cursing Lu Xinyan, she nearly worked Zhong Ling to death on the bed.

Cheng Shiyu had leaned into her ear and asked, “Are you cursing her because she wasn’t good in bed?”

Zhong Ling laughed, “But she’s pretty.”

But soon she couldn’t laugh anymore.

She could only cry, calling out Cheng Shiyu’s name over and over.

After waking up, Zhong Ling didn’t mention last night, but seeing Cheng Shiyu hadn’t left was different from what she had expected.

It had been two years since they last saw each other or did anything, and there was a bit of awkwardness.

Zhong Ling didn’t want Cheng Shiyu to see her embarrassment and awkwardness, so she pretended to be calm and asked, “Don’t you have work?”

Cheng Shiyu pressed her lips together, “I took a leave.”

Even the company car was driven by a colleague.

Zhong Ling teased, “The king neglects his morning duties?”

Cheng Shiyu shot her a sideways glance, got out of bed, and started unpacking the things on the table. “If you feel better, drink some porridge and take your medicine. I’ll take you out for a nice meal tonight.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

It was like punching cotton, all the force dissipated.

Zhong Ling looked at the bite marks on Cheng Shiyu’s collarbone, some still bleeding, and knew how much force she had used last night.

She had vented two years’ worth of longing and resentment.

Yet Cheng Shiyu had gritted her teeth and didn’t make a sound.

Cheng Shiyu even indulged her, saying, “Don’t hurt your teeth.”

This made Zhong Ling bite down harder.

Zhong Ling didn’t get the result she wanted and acted out, “I can’t get up, feed me.”

Cheng Shiyu: “…”

After a brief silence, Cheng Shiyu brought the porridge over.

It had been sitting for so long that it was now lukewarm. Cheng Shiyu scooped a spoonful and brought it to Zhong Ling’s mouth, but Zhong Ling didn’t open her mouth, just looked at Cheng Shiyu, unfamiliar.

The person in front of her seemed to have changed a lot, perhaps out of guilt.

In the past, if Zhong Ling had acted out like this, Cheng Shiyu would have picked her up and put her on the table, telling her to eat by herself.

Cheng Shiyu was taller than her, slender but strong, easily able to lift her, even high into the air.

Sometimes when Zhong Ling acted up, Cheng Shiyu would lift her up, and Zhong Ling would shout, “I’m flying!”

The Cheng Shiyu of the past would not have been so accommodating.

Now, Cheng Shiyu’s every move was full of caution.

Zhong Ling clenched her hands tightly under the blanket, staring directly at Cheng Shiyu.

She could sense that Cheng Shiyu was holding her breath.

After a long while, Cheng Shiyu asked, “Aren’t you going to eat?”

Zhong Ling took a bite, her tone indifferent, “What’s this? Post-coital tenderness?”

“Zhong Ling,” Cheng Shiyu called her name, the first time since they had reunited.

Cheng Shiyu always paid special attention to the intonation when calling her name, the end of “Ling” always slightly rising, with a bit of a softening sound, but not too much.

It sounded a lot like a threat.

In fact, she only called her that way when she was threatening her.

Zhong Ling looked at her.

Cheng Shiyu stirred the porridge in her hand, “Those girlfriends you had, they were all fake, right?”

Zhong Ling frowned, “Nonsense.”

Cheng Shiyu brought the porridge to her mouth, “You were very tight last night.”

Zhong Ling: “…”

Damn it.

She never expected to be caught out like this.

Zhong Ling refused to back down, “I had surgery before coming here.”

Cheng Shiyu: “?”

“If you want to experience a first night again,” Zhong Ling said, “I can go get it fixed.”

Cheng Shiyu: “…?”

Cheng Shiyu stuffed her mouth with porridge, gritting her teeth, “Your first night was with me.”

Zhong Ling: “…Oh.”

Qin Zhaoyi and Luo Yue walked a long way, all the way to Yan Ci’s café, then strolled along the nearby beach for a while.

Then they took the dog and went to Yan Ci’s café to get some coffee.

Yan Ci handed Luo Yue a glass of milk.

Qin Zhaoyi sipped her coffee and looked out at the blue sea in the distance, while Luo Yue remained silent.

The big yellow dog lay quietly at Luo Yue’s feet.

Soothing music played softly in the café.

Qin Zhaoyi asked about Zhong Yu, and Yan Ci said she had only fallen asleep around noon, still not giving up and calling her sister several times, but her phone was off.

In fact, Yan Ci had also overheard Zhong Yu arguing with her parents on the phone, but to protect Zhong Yu’s privacy, she didn’t mention it.

Sitting face-to-face, they started to get a bit bored, so Luo Yue suggested playing a game.

Yan Ci pulled a box of Gomoku from the drawer and handed it over. Just as Luo Yue was setting up the board, Cheng Shijing burst in, “Yan Ci, have you seen my sister?”

Yan Ci shook her head, “No, I haven’t.”

“Didn’t Shiyu go to the police station?” Luo Yue asked.

Cheng Shijing clenched his fists, “She didn’t come home last night and didn’t go to work today.”

Luo Yue: “…”

“Have you tried calling her?” Luo Yue asked.

Cheng Shijing pulled out his phone to show her, “She sent me a WeChat message this morning. Look, is this something a normal person would say?”

The screen displayed: [I won’t be coming home for the next couple of days.]

No explanation was given.

Qin Zhaoyi suddenly seemed to have an idea.

“Maybe she’s busy with something,” Luo Yue said, “She’s an adult after all.”

Qin Zhaoyi stood up, “Can you guess where she might have gone?”

Cheng Shijing glanced at the somewhat excited Qin Zhaoyi and put his phone away, “Who knows.”

Qin Zhaoyi frowned, “Isn’t there surveillance on this island?”

Cheng Shijing: “No.”

At that moment, Cheng Shijing’s phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number, “Shijing, someone saw Shiyu near the Four Seasons Hotel.”

Cheng Shijing gritted his teeth, “Is she dating someone? She better not let me catch her.”

“It doesn’t seem like it,” the caller explained, “She was alone.”

Cheng Shijing paused, “Is she out of her mind? Going to a hotel alone.”

The caller didn’t know.

After hanging up, Cheng Shijing called to Luo Yue, “Come on, let’s go get her.”

Luo Yue was momentarily at a loss, about to advise Cheng Shijing not to be impulsive and to give Cheng Shiyu some personal space, when her own phone rang.

It was another unfamiliar number, this time from Jiayi.

Luo Yue hesitated for a moment before answering, “Hello?”

The breathing on the other end of the line suddenly slowed, and an elegant female voice said, “Hello, is this Luo Yue?”

Luo Yue responded, “Yes, and you are?”

“I’m Zhou Jia,” the woman introduced herself. “I’m Professor Luo Tianming’s current wife.”

Luo Yue’s expression stiffened, but after a long silence, she found her voice, “What do you want?”

“Are you busy lately?” Zhou Jia asked tentatively, “Your father is sick. Do you have time to come to the hospital and see him?”

“No,” Cheng Shijing snatched her phone away, “Don’t go.”

Then he hung up the call.

The music in the café ended abruptly, leaving a sudden silence.

Luo Yue looked up at Cheng Shijing.

Cheng Shijing’s expression was serious, “Are you going?”

Luo Yue didn’t know, so she asked back, “Should I go?”

“I don’t want you to suffer that kind of humiliation,” Cheng Shijing took a deep breath, “but if you decide to go, I’ll go with you.”

“I’ll go with you,” Qin Zhaoyi said at the right moment.

Luo Yue looked at her, her eyes glistening.

Qin Zhaoyi reaffirmed, “I’ll go with you.”