West Mountain

The two walked out of the Academy and proceeded along the street, soon arriving at a mountain peak far from the bustling city.

The peak was neither tall nor beautiful, and was even overgrown with weeds at this time.

Only a narrow, winding path led to the summit.

This place was known as West Mountain, and atop it stood a pavilion, unchanged from days past.

Ye Qiu and Ye Ru followed the winding path, pushing aside the weeds, and ascended West Mountain, entering the pavilion.

Sitting before the stone table, they silently watched the east.

In the past, they often did this, coming here together, chatting, eating, and watching the sun rise and set.

"Brother Ye Qiu," Ye Ru called out at this moment. Following that, she opened her Storage Ring, took out a gray paper packet, and opened it. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted out.

Ye Qiu looked over. At this time, Ye Ru smiled. She wasn't exceptionally beautiful, but she was pleasant to look at, and when she smiled, two cute dimples appeared at the corners of her lips.

Ye Qiu's gaze shifted down to the paper packet. Inside were two crumbly osmanthus cakes.

Ye Qiu's eyes flickered slightly.

Ye Ru said, "I remember when we were little, we often stole pastries and came here to enjoy them. I remember, you loved osmanthus cakes the most back then... Try one..."

Ye Qiu paused, then picked up a piece and took a small bite.

Osmanthus cake, still osmanthus cake, but Ye Qiu couldn't taste the sweetness of the past.

"Sister Ye Ru... just say what you need to say," Ye Qiu knew that she wouldn't have come if it wasn't important.

"It's rare that you still call me 'Sister'..." Ye Ru's gaze became somewhat complicated.

Ye Qiu said softly, "You're different."

The memory of her crying as she sent him off had left a deep impression on Ye Qiu's heart.

Ye Ru fell silent for a long time, as if reminiscing about the past... But, it was all in the past now.

She took a deep breath and said, "About Lu Li..."

Ye Qiu said, "I guessed as much, but I can tell you, this was absolutely not my doing, and I can't control Lu Li, nor do I have the right to interfere."

Ye Ru looked at the young man. "I know this might have nothing to do with you, but now, everyone in the Ye Family, including the Patriarch, believes it was you."

Ye Qiu remained silent.

Ye Ru continued, "Whether you did it or not, they've decided. If it wasn't you, then it must have been you."

Ye Qiu said softly, "Whatever."

Ye Ru stared intently at Ye Qiu. Ye Qiu had intended to leave, but seeing her gaze, he added, "What else did they tell you? Go ahead."

He didn't want to make things difficult for the young woman.

Ye Ru clutched the osmanthus cake in her hand. The cake in her grasp gradually twisted and deformed.

Finally, she looked up and said, "The Patriarch and Matriarch's intention is... could you... go back to South Mountain?"

Ye Qiu was slightly stunned, then looked at Ye Ru. As if unable to meet his gaze, she looked away.

Ye Qiu felt a hint of disappointment.

But the disappointment passed in an instant. He said, "I still have some things to take care of. Give me some more time..."

The cake in Ye Ru's hand shattered completely. She said, "Their intention is for you to leave today!"

Ye Qiu's gaze froze.

Ye Ru took a deep breath and looked at Ye Qiu. "South Capital is too chaotic. It's not very suitable for you to stay here."

"Besides, you only need to leave for five months. After five months, when everything is settled, you can return anytime... I'll personally pick you up then."

Ye Qiu gave a bitter smile. He stood up and said, "Sister Ye Ru... Ten years ago, I was driven out of the family. Over the years, the Ye Clan has offered me no help whatsoever."

"When I first returned, the Ye Clan caused me trouble multiple times. Ye Jiangshan demanded that I break off my engagement and give it to Ye Rudí... Even Liu Xiu sent people to assassinate me... she almost succeeded!"

"I can let all of that go and not dwell on it... but why, when I've done nothing and want nothing, should my freedom be controlled by them?"

"Must I do whatever they say?"

His voice carried a hint of anger.

So, because they believe it was me, I have to take responsibility?

I have to back down again and again?

Even if it really was me, Ye Qiu and your Ye Clan made things clear long ago. What I want to do, why should you dictate?

Ye Ru lowered her head silently.

Ye Qiu's disappointment deepened. "So, you knew all along, yet you still did this..."

He shook his head and said, "Go back and tell them, I, Ye Qiu, control my own life. They have no right to interfere!"

With that, Ye Qiu started to descend the mountain.

However, at the foot of the mountain, more than a dozen people suddenly appeared and surrounded him. Their auras were all formidable.

Ye Qiu fell silent and looked back at Ye Ru. Ye Ru had already stood up. "Brother Ye Qiu... I'm sorry!"

This is West Mountain, far from the bustling city. No one is around, so they can act as they please.

Ye Qiu looked at Ye Ru and said softly, "So, we've all grown up... Growing up really changes things..."

They used the feelings he cared about to lure him to West Mountain, and here, everything had already been arranged.

This was a trap.

The trap was set the moment Ye Ru appeared!

Ye Qiu had to leave, whether he wanted to or not!

No...

Perhaps, it wasn't about him leaving at all!

In South Capital, Liu Xiu dared to send people to assassinate him. What's more, now that he had left South Capital... he might not even have a chance to return to South Mountain!

Ye Ru's eyes were filled with unshed tears, her expression showing a hint of shame. Then, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her gaze was clear. "Brother Ye Qiu, you should leave."