Fortune Across the World

Chapter 92: When Paths Diverge (Part Two)

"Weixi!" "Miss!" Qing'er and Lu Weiming quickly caught her as she fainted. Weixi, overwhelmed by days of tension and sleepless nights, finally succumbed. With her mother just awakened and Weixi now unconscious, it was destined to be a sleepless night at the General’s Manor.

…

"Mother, I’m leaving. I’m going to Fenglin Dock to catch the boat," Ding Qiyu said after lunch, having returned from waiting at the dock all morning. She had her bags packed, ready to leave, her voice tinged with emotion. "Lian'er doesn’t know yet. Please comfort her for me, don’t let her cry." Though, she thought, Lian'er probably wouldn't cry over her anymore...

Mother He, wiping her tears, held Qiyu’s arm, "Are you sure you won’t tell her yourself?" She couldn’t understand what had happened between the two children.

Qiyu shook her head, "No. Mother, take care. I’m leaving now." Not wanting to prolong the tearful goodbye, Qiyu quickly left her mother’s room, glancing toward the kitchen before resolutely stepping out the door.

On her way, she stopped by the General’s Manor to drop off her resignation for Lu Weiming, then hurried to Fenglin Dock, arriving before the appointed time with her companions. She now counted five companions, as the old man from the inn decided to join them on their journey to Jiangnan.

The old man, having found no useful information in Xing City, resolved to follow his original plan to Jiangnan, hoping those he sought had not moved away.

As time passed, Qiyu stared at the road, growing more despondent. She had decided that if Weixi accepted her, she would merely visit Jiangnan for a brief exploration, focusing on her mechanical pursuits instead of seeking Yan Huaike. If not, she would spend a longer time in Jiangnan.

Time, impartial and unyielding, did not pause for her. Her other companions had arrived, and the boatman called for the remaining passengers to board. Qiyu felt as if her feet were weighed down, unable to move. The old man sighed, pulling her aboard. Taking one last deep look down the road, she saw no sign of the person she longed for, allowing herself to be half-dragged into the cabin.

…

At dinner time, Lian'er prepared meals for three as usual, calling her mother to eat while sitting quietly, waiting for her mother and the one who had been out all day. Lian'er was confused and troubled, unable to process the revelation that Ah Yu was a woman, and yet she had fallen for her. Seeing Ah Yu avoiding her each day pained her deeply, and at night, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ah Yu’s scent and warm voice. Despite knowing the truth, she couldn’t let go of her feelings for Ah Yu, but as someone new to love, she didn’t know how to handle the awkward situation between them.

Mother He joined her at the table, still unsure how to break the news to her daughter. After a long afternoon of internal debate, she still had no solution. Lian'er, growing uneasy from waiting, asked, "Mother, where is she?"

Faced with no choice, Mother He adjusted her chair and took Lian'er’s hand, "Ah Yu left at noon, she’s gone to Yizhou..."

"What? Gone... already gone..." Lian'er's heart felt hollowed out. "Why... why would she leave without a word..." Tears streamed down her face. Lian'er knew Qiyu had gone out at noon but assumed it was for errands like the past few days, never expecting her to leave without saying goodbye.

Heart aching, Mother He embraced her daughter, voice trembling, "Tell me, what happened with you two these past few days?" She desperately wanted to understand what had transpired between the children that left them unable to speak to each other.