Chapter 94: I Will Agree to Anything You Ask Without Hesitation

All the way home, Ye Zehong did not disturb her grief, nor did he ask a single question; he simply stayed quietly by her side. If she was unwilling to speak, she must have her reasons. He could not force her.

When they arrived at their residence, Shen Qingyin had already prepared the noodles as Ye Zehong had instructed earlier and brought them to the dining table. She smiled at the two as they came upstairs, about to say something, but when her eyes met Lu Yao’s reddened gaze, she held her tongue. Ye Zehong shook his head at her, and she silently withdrew.

Lu Yao intended to return to her room, but before she could, a strong arm pulled her forcefully, sending her tumbling unprepared into a solid chest. Ye Zehong bent down, his voice gentle by her ear. “You’ve been busy all day and haven’t eaten a single grain of rice. Have a little noodles to fill your stomach, or your gastritis will act up and make you suffer even more.”

Lu Yao looked at the fragrant egg noodles on the table, but her nose caught none of the aroma. Her whole body was engulfed in an uncontrollable sadness, leaving her with no appetite at all. She lowered her gaze to her shoes and shook her head softly. “I’m not hungry.” She tried to break free from his embrace.

Yet he held her hand and led her to the table, his tone commanding. “Whether you’re hungry or not, your stomach needs something. Consider this an order from your personal doctor.”

Lu Yao looked up into Ye Zehong’s eyes, a faint ripple stirring in her heart. The feeling of being cared for hurt even more than she had imagined. She choked up.

“I’m sorry, I really don’t have any appetite. Please apologize to Aunt Yin for me—I’ve let her down after all her effort.” Once again, Lu Yao turned to leave, but Ye Zehong hooked her shoulder from behind and drew her into his arms. In a voice bordering on pleading, he said, “Just have a little, for my sake, won’t you?”

Lu Yao’s heart was once again touched. With her back facing Ye Zehong, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She shook her head gently and struggled to return to her room.

“Lu Yao, even if it’s just for me—can’t you eat a little?”

“I’m sorry.”

Ye Zehong did not insist. Reluctantly, he let go and watched her back as she left, his eyes gradually darkening. Sitting alone in the vast, empty living room, he felt the air around him growing colder by the second. The noodles on the table congealed and stuck together, just as muddled as his own feelings.

Once the door was closed, Lu Yao slid weakly to the floor, her little fists clenched. She took out the jade pendant, pressed it to her cheek, and in that moment, all her tightly held emotions collapsed. Tears poured out like a breached dam.

She covered her mouth and sobbed uncontrollably.

She cried for a long time.

When at last Lu Yao wiped away her tears, her eyes shone with determination.

She got up, went to her dressing table, took out a chain to thread through the jade pendant, then fastened it around her neck. In the mirror, her watery eyes regarded her own reflection, the sorrow on her face already vanished.

Tonight would be the last time she shed tears for past tragedies.

Starting tomorrow, she would do everything in her power to bring every villain who had ever harmed her to justice. This was one of the reasons she had insisted on studying law.

Once she had composed herself, she stepped out of her room.

Ye Zehong heard the movement and immediately got up to hurry to her side, his eyes full of concern.

Lu Yao looked up at him, a faint smile curving her lips.

Ye Zehong couldn’t help but smile in response.

She said, “If you can help me get the detailed financial records of Ye Hua for all these years, I’ll agree to one request of yours, without condition.”

Ye Zehong gazed into her eyes and shook his head. The power behind Ye Hua was not something she could provoke.

“No.”

Lu Yao’s heart twinged slightly as she countered, “Even if it means I’ll leave your side, you still refuse?”

(End of this chapter)