Encounter

National Day.

A holiday that brings universal joy.

At the very least, there was no shortage of days off.

The mall was absurdly crowded, making the walkways feel half as wide.

Jiang Yunlu and Wang Qin walked side by side, flanked by two bodyguards in the front and two in the back. They followed them everywhere, making Wang Qin feel as though she was also basking in the prestige.

However, the bodyguards kept a respectful distance.

"Sigh, I really didn't feel anything that day. It just felt like I took a nap," Wang Qin remarked, pinching her milk tea straw.

"It's better that you didn't feel anything."

Jiang Yunlu didn't elaborate, but she remembered it clearly. She could still recall those scenes now, and they were incredibly bloody.

"At least without the memories, you won't be scared."

Wang Qin didn't remember, but she did. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Jiang Yunlu and Wang Qin were able to come out shopping partly because Wang Qin's family vacation had been canceled.

Father and Mother Wang had been startled upon hearing about the incident. Ultimately, they converted the vacation funds into pocket money and stuffed it into Wang Qin's hands, telling her it was better to just stay in Yangcheng.

But the incident Wang Qin was involved in had also happened in Yangcheng, making it hard to understand her parents' train of thought.

Holding the money, Wang Qin felt depressed for a good while before finally deciding to drag Jiang Yunlu out to spend it together.

Jiang Yunlu's original National Day plan was to cultivate at home.

Usually, around this time, she would be traveling all over the place.

But now that she had touched the hidden side of the world, it meant she had a chance to stand by Lin Mo's side.

Of course, the appearance of Chu Miaomiao's dominant personality gave her an even stronger desire to catch up to Lin Mo.

However, when Wang Qin sent the message, she glanced at the calendar. It was the first day of the holiday, so going out for a walk wouldn't hurt.

And so, here they were.

The jade pendant around her neck pressed against her collar. She subconsciously reached up to touch it; it was warm.

She had to wear it every day now. Otherwise, if Lin Mo found out she wasn't wearing it, he would definitely be disappointed.

Although Zhou Nianqian was gone and there wasn't much danger left, Jiang Chengshan was still worried. Therefore, he arranged for extra bodyguards so that if anything happened, they could notify them immediately.

As the two were walking, Wang Qin suddenly paused and nudged her with an elbow. "Hey, isn't that Xie Yuling? And the one next to her, is that Lin Mo's sister?"

Jiang Yunlu followed her gaze.

It really was.

Xie Yuling was talking to Zheng Yuan. Ning Qingcheng stood beside them, carrying two shopping bags, looking like they had just bought something.

Sensing the gaze, Xie Yuling turned her head to look.

Ning Qingcheng also sensed it and turned around, her eyes lighting up.

"Oh?! It's Sister Yunlu!"

This shout wasn't quiet, drawing the attention of several people nearby.

Jiang Yunlu: ...

Xie Yuling also turned her head, met her gaze, and gave a slight nod.

Zheng Yuan followed Xie Yuling's gaze and saw a young woman standing in the crowd. She looked familiar.

"Yuling, isn't that Yunlu?"

Xie Yuling gave an affirming hum and pursed her lips. "I'll take Qingcheng over to say hello. Mom, you keep browsing for now."

"Go on, go on." Zheng Yuan waved her hand. "I still need to go to the market later. Are you coming back for dinner tonight?"

"We're just saying hello, it won't take that long," Xie Yuling said.

After all, Xie Yuling had a cold personality toward outsiders, so she didn't plan on chatting too much with Jiang Yunlu and the others.

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Yunlu and Wang Qin made the first move, already walking toward them.

Jiang Yunlu spoke first. "Hello, Auntie. Yuling, Qingcheng."

Wang Qin followed. "Hello, Auntie! What a coincidence, you guys are out shopping too?"

Zheng Yuan smiled and nodded. "Hello."

It wasn't Ning Qingcheng's first time meeting them either, so she greeted them very politely. "Hello Sister Yunlu, hello Sister Wang Qin."

Wang Qin was quite fond of the adorable, doll-like Ning Qingcheng.

She dug a handful of candies straight out of her pocket and offered them to Ning Qingcheng. "Oh my, Little Qingcheng is just too cute. Do you want some candy?"

Ning Qingcheng looked down, picked out two pieces, earnestly said thank you, and put them in her pocket without unwrapping them.

Xie Yuling glanced over but didn't say anything.

Zheng Yuan, however, was amused. This child knew exactly what she was doing with the candy; taking it was one thing, but eating it was another.

Xie Yuling and Jiang Yunlu didn't have much to say to each other.

The group stood by the walkway and chatted briefly before Wang Qin took the initiative to wrap things up. "Alright, we won't bother you anymore. We should also..."

"Xie Yuling."

Jiang Yunlu spoke suddenly, interrupting the second half of Wang Qin's sentence.

"My parents said they want to invite you over for a meal. How about going over today, and bringing Qingcheng and Auntie Zheng along too?"

Wang Qin paused in surprise, and even Zheng Yuan cast an extra glance at Jiang Yunlu.

Xie Yuling didn't reply immediately, pausing for two seconds.

"Let's wait until Lin Mo comes back to talk about it."

Her tone was neither soft nor harsh. It was a rejection, but not an absolute one, leaving a bit of leeway.

Jiang Yunlu nodded. "That's fine too."

Zheng Yuan smiled and added, "Thank you for the invitation, maybe another time when we have the chance."

"You're too polite, Auntie."

Jiang Yunlu always knew her boundaries with elders. After speaking, she glanced at Xie Yuling again without saying much else. "Then we'll be going now."

"Okay, have fun."

After exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Yunlu turned and left with Wang Qin.

Watching their retreating figures, Ning Qingcheng couldn't help but look up. "Sister Yuling, I thought you would accept her goodwill?"

"It's not that I'm not accepting it, it's just not the right time."

Xie Yuling withdrew her gaze and shifted her shopping bags to the other hand.

She was more concerned about Chu Miaomiao's situation. Lin Mo had said he would be back today, so her heart remained anxious.

She never felt that just because she saved Jiang Yunlu's life, the other party should be deeply grateful to her.

So maintaining her previous attitude was perhaps for the best.

On the other side, the two girls walked to a different section of the mall. Wang Qin hesitated for quite a while before speaking.

"Why does it seem like you're treating Xie Yuling a bit better?" Wang Qin hesitated before finally asking the question.

"I should treat her better. She saved you, and she saved my life too. If it weren't for her warning, I might not have ever found out that you were being threatened."

"Ah?!" Wang Qin covered her mouth, somewhat surprised.

"That happened?!"

"Mhm."

"Then I really should thank her properly. It's a good thing I didn't give her attitude just now."

After all, Wang Qin was a loyal supporter of Jiang Yunlu.

But when it came to a lifesaver, she wasn't an ungrateful wretch either. It was just that she didn't know before. Now that she knew, she had to keep it in mind.

After browsing the mall, Xie Yuling's group of three went to the market.

The vegetable market was bustling with people. Ning Qingcheng followed behind carrying a bag of ribs, Zheng Yuan held a bunch of greens in her arms, and Xie Yuling walked in front carrying a bag of shrimp. The three of them were chatting and laughing.

After finishing their grocery shopping and returning home, as they went upstairs, sounds came from Lin Mo's rented apartment. The noises were sparse, but they definitely came from inside.

This made Xie Yuling's gaze sharpen, and she immediately spread out her divine sense.

She then scanned and found Lin Mo sitting inside, playing video games.

Zheng Yuan didn't know all this. She stared warily at the iron door.

"Is there a thief? Should we call the police?"

"No need."

Xie Yuling stepped forward and patted the door. "Lin Mo."

It was quiet inside for a second, followed by a shout of "Hey!"

Footsteps then began to ring out.