When Gu Qiaoqiao asked about it, it quickly shook its head, "I really donât feel anything. My contractual relationship with Dongfang Yu is dissolved. Even if he actually has trouble, I canât sense it."
Indeed.
Gu Qiaoqiao glanced at Gu Junbai, who looked at her with amusement and said warmly, "I noticed this little girl never lets anything slip by. Just let things run their course; life or death is up to fate. Dongfang Yu surely wonât be unprepared."
Gu Qiaoqiao felt a bit awkward, touched her nose, and muttered, "Iâm Shang Qingâs good friend, and I know Dongfang Yu too. Thereâs a bond between them. Itâs quite unsettling that theyâre suddenly disconnected like this; I feel uneasy for Shang Qing."
"Dongfang Yu isnât a child; he naturally knows what heâs doing. He and Shang Qing share a destined relationship; itâs not something easily broken just by one party leaving, unless..."
At this point, Gu Junbai paused.
Gu Qiaoqiao asked curiously, "Unless what?"
"Unless heâs dead. This relationship automatically ends with the heavens," Gu Junbai said calmly.
"Could it be that Dongfang Yu is dead?" Ling Nan blurted out, startled.
"Heâs not dead; heâs probably hidden somewhere to treat his illness," Xiao Bai suddenly interjected.
Gu Qiaoqiao squinted her eyes and suddenly laughed, "Xiao Bai, do you know something youâre not telling us?"
"Iâm only speculating; since I dissolved the contract with Dongfang Yu, I havenât felt anything. But I know he gets sick in autumn, and itâs worse in winter..."
Xiao Bai explained hurriedly.
Gu Qiaoqiao thought for a moment and bent over to pick up Xiao Bai, "Xiao Bai, come back to the Imperial Capital with me."
Xiao Bai didnât refuse; it had already thought about trying to find Dongfang Yu.
Gu Junbai didnât stop her. Although he was somewhat opposed to Gu Qiaoqiaoâs decision, thatâs just how the child is; she always has to try to find an outcome for whatever situation sheâs in.
However, since her journey didnât seem dangerous, and might even yield some unexpected rewards, Gu Junbai nodded and let her go.
Gu Qiaoqiao came and went in a hurry.
She drove herself here, and nowadays Gu Qiaoqiao was quite adept at driving. She put Xiao Bai in the passenger seat, slammed on the accelerator, and sped towards the Imperial Capital.
Though it was early autumn, some places had gradually yellowing wild grass. There were numerous wild fruits along the roadside that Gu Qiaoqiao hadnât had time to collect when she hurried over, but now she stopped.
For next time she returns, she doesnât know when that will be.
Whenever it will be, these wild fruits certainly wonât be there.
This area had a lot of wild fruits, purple ones resembling wild blueberries, hanging heavily on the branches, some already fallen. These wild blueberries tasted very sour, with a hint of sweetness, but they were incredibly nutritious, rich in phytochemicals beneficial for eyesight, though picking them was tricky.
But Gu Qiaoqiaoâs hands were extraordinary. In the trunk of the car was a small red plastic bucket with a lid, and within an hour, Gu Qiaoqiao had picked a small bucketâs worth.
While not much, everyone could have a taste. If she had time over the next few days, Gu Qiaoqiao thought she should return once more. If no heavy autumn rains fell, these wild fruits wouldnât drop quickly.
Likely still many hanging on the branches, and when frosted, theyâll be even prettier and tastier.
Then Gu Qiaoqiao picked some wild dates and hawthorns and put them in the trunk, took Xiao Bai, and continued the journey.
Thanks to the straight road, it took less than three hours to return to the Imperial Capital, just in time for sunset, its afterglow cloaking this ancient and bustling city, the streets teeming with cars and people, bustling with activity.
The development here was rapid, changing daily; if you hadnât been here for a month, it would seem as though everything had changed. Gu Qiaoqiao knew this was just the beginning; the pace of development would accelerate even more.
Upon arriving at Gu Garden, Gu Qiaoqiao tossed the wild fruits and mushrooms Ling Nan had collected to Lian Yuhong and then called Shang Qing, informing her she was now in the Imperial Capital, asking if Shang Qing had the keys to Dongfang Yuâs apartment. If she did, both Xiao Bai and she wanted to check it out.
Shang Qing didnât expect Gu Qiaoqiao to return so quickly and nodded hurriedly, "I have his apartment key, but arenât you going to rest, Qiaoqiao?"
"Itâs fine, Iâm not tired. Set off now and wait for me at the entrance."
After saying that, Gu Qiaoqiao swiftly hung up the phone.
Shang Qing worked at the Shang Familyâs company, so her schedule was relatively flexible.
Although she was new, she was after all a member of the Shang Family. After hanging up, Shang Qing drove towards Da Vinciâs apartment.
When the neon lights flashed in the night and the two girls and a cat met at Dongfang Yuâs apartment entrance, they quickly proceeded to his floor without wasting words.
Here, a clever barrier remained; Dongfang Yu evidently still disliked disturbances.
Shang Qing took out the key and opened the door, and they stood in the entrance hall of Dongfang Yuâs apartment.
Gu Qiaoqiao hadnât been here for a long time; it hadnât changed, still cold and empty, yet extremely clean.
Same style as Dongfang Yu.
As Gu Qiaoqiao walked, she asked Shang Qing, "Youâve never been here?"
"Iâve been here, but he wasnât."
This was something Gu Qiaoqiao noticed upon entering; there was no trace of him in the apartment. She couldnât help remembering the first time she met Dongfang Yu, him shivering like a frozen dog. Gu Qiaoqiao curled her lips; he might be trembling somewhere now.
They circled the place again, indeed finding no traces or messages, clearly hastily departed like Xiao Bai hypothesized, likely due to illness.
Though Gu Qiaoqiao didnât want to say it, she informed Shang Qing nonetheless.
Outwardly indifferent, Shang Qing quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Sometimes, people look for excuses to comfort themselves about things; even if none exist, theyâll create them. This one was readily available.
Gu Qiaoqiao asked Xiao Bai, "Xiao Bai, where do you think Dongfang Yu might have gone?"
In frustration, Xiao Bai scratched its cat head; its purple eyes rolled around, suddenly remembering something, darted into the bedroom, and pointed to a painting on the wall, saying to Gu Qiaoqiao and Shang Qing, "Dongfang Yu painted this. The place is real; itâs the Dongfang Familyâs old home, protected by barriers and formations, invisible to ordinary people. I guess Dongfang Yu might have gone there."