Chapter 21: I’m Free

After the press conference, Gu Chengze bought pink roses, Xu Qingqing’s favorite, and went to see her. But the hospital bed was empty, neatly made as if no one had been there.

“Where is the patient in this room?” Gu Chengze asked the nurse.

“Miss Xu has been discharged. She said she told you,” the nurse replied, surprised by the roses.  

Gu Chengze checked the cabinets—everything was gone. He called Xu Qingqing, but her phone was off. He rushed to their shared apartment, only to find her belongings missing. On the bed was a letter:

“Chengze, by the time you read this, I’ll be gone. I’m sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. I’ve thought a lot these days. I knew you were engaged, yet I stayed with you. I deceived myself until we were condemned by everyone. We’re from different worlds and shouldn’t be together. Our child is gone—perhaps it’s God’s punishment. I can’t stay by your side anymore. Don’t look for me. Forget me. I was just a woman who loved money.”

Gu Chengze’s eyes turned red as he held the letter.

Why? We agreed to get engaged after I ended my engagement. Why did you leave?

Others said Qingqing was with him for money, but he knew better. He wasn’t foolish. Even without his position, he was still the Gu family’s eldest grandson, with enough wealth to live comfortably. She didn’t leave because of that.

Gu Chengze sat slumped on the sofa, his eyes occasionally flicking toward the newspapers scattered on the coffee table. The headlines were all about them. Yes, it had to be because of that.  

During those days, they had been overwhelmed with insults. Qingqing had even suffered a miscarriage because of it. Thinking about the child he would never have, Gu Chengze’s mind drifted to her fragile state. She was still unwell. Where could she have gone?  

While he had people searching for Xu Qingqing, he drove to all the places she might have gone, but she was nowhere to be found. Her friends claimed they hadn’t seen her, and even her parents hadn’t received any calls from her.  

He even went to confront his mother, suspecting she might have approached Qingqing, but the genuine surprise on his mother’s face told him she hadn’t. As he aimlessly drove through the streets, he spotted Wen Ya entering a café. Almost as if in a trance, he followed her inside.  

“Has Qingqing come to see you?” he asked, his voice filled with desperate hope.  

“Xu Qingqing?” Wen Ya was taken aback by Gu Chengze’s appearance. In her memory, he was always impeccably dressed, but now his tie was askew, his suit wrinkled, and his hair disheveled. He looked utterly worn out.  

“Yes, has she come to see you? Or have you seen her anywhere?” Gu Chengze pressed urgently.  

Wen Ya frowned. “Xu Qingqing is missing? You’re quite the character. Why would she come to me?”  

As it turned out, it wasn’t Gu Chengze who had strange ideas—it was everyone else. The missing Xu Qingqing had indeed come to her.  

“Well, I’m sorry. I felt I needed to apologize to you in person,” Xu Qingqing said nervously, her eyes filled with trepidation.  

Wen Ya studied her calmly, trying to discern whether her remorse was genuine or just an act.  

“I know saying sorry isn’t enough, but… I’m sorry. I…” Xu Qingqing paused, then bowed deeply. “No matter how many reasons I give, they can’t undo my mistakes. I’ve decided to leave South City and start over somewhere else. I hope you find happiness in the future.”  

With that, she left.  

Wen Ya watched her retreating figure, stunned. The male and female protagonists of this CEO novel truly had a unique way of thinking.  

Should she tell Gu Chengze that she had met Xu Qingqing?  

No. Shouldn’t the hero and heroine endure countless trials before finding their way back to each other? This was clearly one of those trials. How could they see the rainbow without weathering the storm? How could their story be grand without its share of struggles? She wouldn’t interfere in their tumultuous journey.  

The house was nearly ready, with all the medical equipment in place. They just needed to let it air out before moving in.  

When Wen Ya visited her mother, she updated her on the progress. “We’ll be able to move back in half a month.”  

“Good. Your father must be missing home,” Mother Wen said with a gentle smile, glancing at Father Wen. Then, she turned to Wen Ya, who was massaging her father, and asked casually, “How’s your relationship with Ji Ming from the Ji family?”  

“Ji Ming? We’ve had a few meals together, but it was all work-related. He’s a decent guy. Why do you ask?” Wen Ya glanced at her mother, smiling faintly. “Mom, you’re not believing those silly rumors, are you? They’re all fake. Ji Ming and I are just business partners. It’s nothing like what’s written.”  

“Is that so?” Mother Wen hesitated, then let the topic drop.  

That afternoon, she had learned that the person who had helped Wen Ya before was Ji Ming. When she first discovered it was him, she was surprised. Nancheng wasn’t a huge city, and Ji Ming was one of the most outstanding young men in their social circle. He was known for his impeccable manners, good looks, and humble demeanor.  

Yet, he had gone out of his way to help her daughter. Combined with the recent rumors about them, Mother Wen couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it.  

Though she thought highly of Ji Ming, the way he seemed to watch her daughter made her decide to observe him a little longer before letting him pursue her.  

Wen Ya, oblivious to her mother’s thoughts, continued massaging her father.  

When she returned home, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Ji Ming.  

“Are you home?”  

“Yes, why?” Wen Ya replied, curious.  

“Are you free tomorrow?”  

Wen Ya hesitated before typing, “I am.”  

“Then treat me to a meal.” Ji Ming sent the message, then immediately regretted it. Was it too forward? He was about to retract it when her reply came through.  

“Boss Ji, are you chasing me?”