Chapter 60

Chapter 60

The sky had not yet fully darkened, but the dense black clouds looming on the horizon hinted at an impending storm. The trees outside the hotel window in the small town swayed wildly in the fierce wind, while inside a room on the third floor, the temperature was steadily rising.

Chen Mo felt a bit dizzy and disoriented.

As the service provider and with no experience to speak of, his initiative did not grant him full control.

Every pause in the other person's breathing, the flush that rose on their neck, and the slight furrow of their brows all brought about different sensations.

This purely visual experience, coupled with the phone call from half an hour ago, intensified the impact. Because the person who should have been soaring into an endless future was now trapped with him in this tiny hotel room in the small town.

Intimate, unrestrained touching and closeness.

And what caused all of this today was simply because Chen Mo was no longer just Chen Mo.

This time, they met at the same point but arrived at a completely different outcome. From strangers to acquaintances, from acquaintances to close, every detail and scene flashing back now felt like a doomsday celebration.

Because Chen Mo realized.

Some things could change, some couldn't.

This wasn't about trivial choices in youth or a crossroads with room for maneuver like choosing a school. This was an inevitable path, much like how Chen Mo, given another chance, would still face certain trade-offs.

Xi Siyan took quite a while.

Of course, this was partly due to Chen Mo's lack of skill.

But young bodies could easily heat up. A kiss, a breath mingling, a touch of lips against skin—both Xi Siyan and Chen Mo were drenched in sweat.

When Xi Siyan finished, Chen Mo unhesitatingly collapsed onto his chest, letting their bodies stick together in the dampness.

Xi Siyan lowered his arm from his eyes and pulled him closer.

"Are you that tired?" He seemed amused and a little exasperated. "Why did you suddenly get so reckless? I told you not to mess around."

Chen Mo turned his head to breathe, his fingers brushing the sweat off Xi Siyan's chin, without saying a word.

Xi Siyan got up, glanced at Chen Mo's lower half, and asked, "Need help?"

"No need." Chen Mo finally climbed off his chest, got out of bed, and said, "I'm not going to torture a patient."

Chen Mo went to the bathroom for a shower.

Afterward, he said he was going to buy some food for Xi Siyan to eat, grabbed his phone, and went downstairs.

A few people were playing mahjong in the lobby when the owner saw him and warned, "It's getting dark, and there's going to be a heavy rain soon. Are you sure you want to go out?"

"I'll just buy some food from the supermarket across the street," Chen Mo said.

Fifty meters away, Chen Mo didn't even bother taking an umbrella.

As he approached the supermarket, his phone beeped, indicating an email notification.

He checked it; the message was short in English, translating to one sentence:

—Leg is injured, but life is saved. Information confirmed.

This was a private intelligence email account Chen Mo had contacted in his previous life. For a price, he used it to investigate the overseas accounts of one of Yang Zhi's confidants. It proved useful now.

Although the old man had said it was grim, Chen Mo guessed that since the Xi family mentioned giving three days, they wouldn't say such a thing if Xi Jianxing's life was truly in danger.

Scaring a real high school student might work.

But Chen Mo was not that.

As it turned out, his guess was correct.

This alleviated Chen Mo's guilt considerably, as even with certainty, he wouldn't dare risk that one-in-a-thousand chance.

Especially since he had seen Xi Jianxing.

Chen Mo picked up some bread and milk from the supermarket.

As he was checking out, the sound of raindrops pounding the metal roof outside suddenly grew louder.

From scattered drops to a torrential downpour in an instant.

He stepped out of the supermarket, hesitated before rushing into the rain, and watched the rainwater splashing into puddles on the ground, lost in thought for a moment.

When he looked up, he suddenly paused.

The person holding an umbrella across the street seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

The night streets of the small town were empty, with only the dim yellow lights from the shops illuminating the road. Through the rain, they stared at each other for a long time until Xi Siyan finally moved, stepping forward.

Xi Siyan walked up to Chen Mo, closed his umbrella, shook off the rain, and stood beside him, silent and unhurried.

Chen Mo glanced at him.

Understanding: "When did you know?"

"After you left. It wasn't hard to figure out," Xi Siyan said calmly. "There are always ways."

Chen Mo genuinely wondered: "Am I really that transparent?"

"It's not that you can't hide it; it's that I know you," Xi Siyan replied, looking back at him with deep, unreadable eyes. "I could tell you had something to say, just not this."

Chen Mo was stunned for two seconds before smiling again.

"Xi Siyan, do you know what the first creed I live by is? It's every man for himself. Your uncle's fate wasn't caused by me, and whether your family agrees or not has nothing to do with me. I like you, and it's just the beginning of our relationship. The feeling isn't enough yet, so I planned to keep it hidden."

Xi Siyan's gaze turned sharp. "You know that's not what I'm concerned about. From the moment you didn't tell me right away, did you already make up your mind?"

Chen Mo stepped on the rainwater splashing at his feet and, when he looked up, changed his address: "Brother Yan. We both know this was an accident."

Xi Siyan pressed his forehead, frowning.

"I'm sorry."

Chen Mo: "What are you apologizing for?"

"For making you face the consequences of this." Xi Siyan said, "I was too confident, thinking there would be enough time, and..."

"Hey." Chen Mo interrupted with a smile.

Laughing helplessly: "If people knew how good you are at self-reflection, others wouldn't have to live anymore."

With a serious look in his eyes, Chen Mo stepped forward, facing Xi Siyan.

"You're extraordinary; you've shattered all my preconceived notions about you. You're loyal and patient with friends, and you have clear life goals that you work tirelessly towards. And with me." At this point, Chen Mo smiled again, "This is what surprised me the most. Being with you makes it hard to notice your background. Because you've shown me so much care, tolerance, and understanding. You empathize with my past and are willing to go anywhere with me, no matter who I am. I don't think I'll ever meet anyone like you again."

Helping him study.

Making decisions for him, controlling his smoking and drinking.

Always being there, whenever he needed.

So many memories were tied to this person.

He amazed countless people's youth, becoming a legendary figure in school, someone people would talk about for years. Even someone like Chen Mo, with his unique experiences and life trajectory, couldn't escape his influence.

Throughout the conversation, Xi Siyan remained silent.

He seemed to know what Chen Mo was about to say next.

His brows deeply furrowed.

Indeed.

Chen Mo said: "But. That's where it ends."

"Because your family only gave you three days?" Xi Siyan spoke as if on the brink of restraint.

Chen Mo smiled and shook his head: "Not because of anyone else. I hate having expectations or attachments. This might be hard for you to understand, but that's who I am. I won't promise to wait for you, nor will I abandon my path to follow you. I'm living for myself."

Chen Mo spoke with such conviction.

Eighty percent true, twenty percent false.

That twenty percent came from underestimating his own feelings.

Realizing that making this decision wasn't easy, and saying it out loud was even harder. They say the stomach is an emotional organ, and he had to look up at the night sky, where rain kept falling, to suppress the urge to vomit.

A long-dormant stomach ailment had quietly returned.

Xi Siyan's path was already set.

And Chen Mo had just signed a contract with Su Qianran and Old K.

He had plenty of other reasons, like his family's disapproval, lack of confidence, or fear. But he chose the most realistic and cruel one.

From an adult's perspective, he was informing the other party.

Simply that he didn't want to continue.

He was letting go.

They had booked an early morning train back to Sui City.

Just a short while ago, they were chatting casually in their rental apartment, and the day before, they were intimately close in the countryside. In such a short span, just one night and a high-speed train ride, everything had changed.

Stepping out of the station after getting off the train,

two black cars were parked outside.

This time, it wasn't Uncle Lin driving, but a driver Chen Mo had never seen before.

Two bodyguards stood by the car doors, looking stern.

The bodyguards respectfully opened the car door, waiting.

Xi Siyan still held Chen Mo's suitcase and said, "Let me take you home first."

"No need." Chen Mo took the suitcase, glanced at the open car door, and said, "I'll take a taxi later. After this... I won't see you off. Your cold isn't fully gone yet, remember to take your medicine."

Xi Siyan didn't let go of the suitcase.

"Chen Mo." He scrutinized Chen Mo's face, frowning: "You look terrible."

Chen Mo reflexively touched his face, "Really? I didn't sleep well last night. Neither did you."

At that moment, a young man in the passenger seat leaned out. He appeared to be under thirty, with a mischievous glint in his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses. He said, "Siyan, your grandfather said since you're back early, you should fly abroad tonight. Your ticket is booked. Don't worry about your... classmate. Someone will ensure he gets home safely."

Xi Siyan gave him a cold glance.

The man raised an eyebrow and sat back.

Chen Mo, not knowing who this person was, asked, "Who is that?"

"Han Qian, he was practically raised by the Xi family." Xi Siyan frowned. "He's always acting unserious. Don't pay him any mind."

Chen Mo nodded.

"Then, have a safe journey."

The station bustled with people.

Xi Siyan looked at Chen Mo before him and realized that over the past year, he had undergone a complete transformation.

He had climbed to the top of his class, severed ties with the Yang family, and adeptly handled all the troubles brought by Chen Jianli.

Xi Siyan imagined every possible misfortune and crisis that could befall Chen Mo, but in the end, he had to admit that even without him, Chen Mo would still live well.

The future held promise.

Bright and splendid.

Just as they once hoped for each other.

In the end, Chen Mo still refused Han Qian's offer to send him off.

He watched the car carrying Xi Siyan drive further and further away.

Xi Siyan didn't say anything in the end—no farewell, no blessings, no hugs. He merely paused when turning to get into the car, then sat inside, allowing the bodyguard to close the door.

Inside the sedan that merged into traffic, Han Qian kept staring at the rearview mirror and said, "He's also on his way now."

"Mm." Xi Siyan leaned back against the seat with his eyes closed, not looking back.

Han Qian continued, "I thought I'd witness a tearful goodbye today. Are you two really together? Or did the family investigation get it wrong?"

Xi Siyan opened his eyes and looked over, "Have you been living too comfortably abroad these years?"

"Don't be so aggressive." Han Qian curled his lips, "Honestly, aren't relationships at your age supposed to be passionate? But today, I don't know whether to say you're ruthless or your little boyfriend is more ruthless."

Xi Siyan frowned, not bothering to respond, and asked, "How is Uncle?"

"He's awake but needs rest." Han Qian suddenly became serious, pushing his glasses up, giving an impression of a sly fox. The mention of Xi Jianxing's injury brought a fierce look to his face, "We've identified the attackers. Their shell company operates illegally and has ties with local criminal gangs. Your uncle hadn't fully understood the situation yet."

At this point, Han Qian covered his forehead, seemingly speechless.

"He appears to be just an educator. Has your family run out of capable people?"

Xi Siyan: "Do you know the internal situation of the Xi family? With Grandfather ill, even close relatives can turn into ravenous wolves. Many have been waiting for this moment. There's no one more suitable than Uncle."

"The rich have their share of troubles." Han Qian summarized, then added, "Your attitude, willingly cutting ties, is because you finally realize the Xi family's problems won't be solved anytime soon, right?"

Xi Siyan remained silent.

Han Qian clapped, "Indeed, only the young show such mercy."

"Are you done?" Xi Siyan kicked the back of the passenger seat.

Han Qian continued, "What a pity. Your... no, ex-boyfriend? If you were really together, he should be your ex-boyfriend, right? A college student, imagine how many eligible candidates he'll meet. Aren't you jealous?"

He added, "He looks great. Heard he's academically excellent too, right? If I were you, I'd tie him up and throw him in the car."

Xi Siyan tugged hard at his collar.

When his fingers accidentally touched the bite mark on his neck, he paused slightly.

"Han Qian," he suddenly spoke.

The person in the passenger seat turned around, "What?"

"From now until we board the plane, don't let me hear another word from you."

Everyone in the car, including the driver and the bodyguards in the following vehicle wearing earpieces, fell silent. This new representative of the Xi family, about to step into the limelight, was shedding something old and growing something new.

The transition of power in a large family always comes with its price.

Only Han Qian saw clearly.

The Xi family's designated successor, chosen by the old patriarch, had more than just a hidden ferocity beneath his gentlemanly facade. He also had a forbidden zone.

A boy named Chen Mo, whom he met during his youth.

The one who stayed behind as Xi Siyan approached adulthood.

Xi Siyan might have thought countless times about taking him away.

But he didn't do it.

So he wouldn't allow anyone else to touch him.