Chapter 116: Returning Home

Li Xin listened to my explanation and did not refuse, simply saying, "Alright." A moment later, he added, "I do know Senior Chu Feng. His daughter is currently abroad in Los Angeles. As for the phone number you want, I cannot obtain that. After all, you know what the Chu family is like—a prominent clan—they wouldn't leak such information easily."

Leaning against the wall, I sighed upon hearing this. Li Xin asked with a hint of suspicion, "What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you've fallen for that girl? Not bad taste, kid. When are we going for a drink?"

I was stunned, then offered a bitter smile and said, "It's nothing. Sorry to have bothered you, Senior."

Li Xin replied with a vague "Alright," and I hung up the phone. I walked back into the room, where my master was still sitting on a stool reading. Hearing the door open, he didn't even look up as he said, "Kid, holding it all inside isn't easy, is it?"

I paused, looking at my master. He closed his book, turned to face me, and said, "Chu Mengxi is just a girl who went abroad to study. Is it really worth being this dejected?"

I shook my head and walked to the bed, saying, "You don't understand."

"Hah! I don't understand? I've eaten more meals than you've walked miles. Enough, pull yourself together. Don't go mad over love; you have a long road ahead of you. If you fall apart over a trifle like this, what will you do later on?"

My master scolded me, then pulled out his phone and tossed it to me. I took it, confused. He said, "That’s the girl’s number abroad. Chu Feng gave it to me. Look at how well your future father-in-law treats you, sending it specifically to me. Stop your moping; it’s as if you’re the only one who has ever been troubled by love."

I froze, staring at the string of digits, which looked different from domestic numbers. A sudden joy surged within me. Clutching the phone, I walked outside. My master took a sip of water, chuckling and shaking his head. I reached the end of the hallway again and dialed. The connection went through quickly, and before long, a greeting in English came from the other end. I was taken aback and instinctively replied, "Wait, what are you saying? Do you speak Chinese?"

The person on the other side fell silent for a moment before saying in broken Chinese, "Hello, who are you looking for?"

I frowned, straining to understand. I looked at the number on my master's phone and said, "I'm looking for Chu Mengxi. Is she there? Isn't this her number? Who are you?"

"Chu... Meng... Xi?" The girl on the other end repeated the three characters in a way that sounded very awkward to my ears. I grunted, and then I heard her call out to someone in English. A moment later, I heard Chu Mengxi's voice: "Hello, this is Chu Mengxi. Is something the matter?"

The corners of my mouth curled up involuntarily. "Hey, Mengxi, it's me, Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan."

After I finished speaking, there was a silence on the other end, followed by a sudden shriek from Chu Mengxi. I quickly held the phone away from my ear, only to hear her call out happily, "Lin Xuan! How did you get my number? You finally decided to call this girl, huh? Hehe!"

Chu Mengxi laughed like silver bells chiming. I smiled and said, "I was busy a few days ago, and my phone broke. I just got a new one this afternoon and immediately looked for your number to call you. How is it? Are you used to being abroad? If not, come back. Our schools in China aren't any worse than the ones over there."

"I'm doing great here. My aunt helped me get into a very good school, and I've already met most of my classmates. Hey, what were you so busy with before? It wasn't that 'stuff' again, was it? Are you okay?" Her voice turned anxious at the end.

I shook my head. "I'm fine, and my master is here too. Don't worry. When are you coming back?"

"Pfft, who's worried about you? Shameless! I just got here, and you're already asking me to come back?" Chu Mengxi stuck out her tongue.

I chuckled. "Guilty as charged."

Chu Mengxi laughed as well. "Fine, I'll come back to visit you when I have time."

We talked for over an hour. Eventually, Chu Mengxi yawned. I heard someone speak to her in English, and she replied, "Okay." Then she said to me, "Lin Xuan, I have to sleep now; I have class tomorrow. Let's talk later. Remember, you promised to take me to eat good food when I come back. Don't forget, or I'll strangle you!"

I nodded with a smile. "Alright, don't worry, I won't forget. Go get some rest and take care of yourself over there."

Chu Mengxi whispered a sweet "Okay" and hung up. Holding the phone, I finally felt at ease. With a faint smile, I walked back to the room. My master was already tucked into his bed. Hearing my footsteps, he muttered sleepily, "You kid can really talk. You don't sleep, but doesn't that girl need to? Get some sleep, you've been running around all day."

With that, he stopped talking, and his snoring resumed. I had always admired my master's ability to fall asleep instantly. I walked quietly into the bathroom, took a shower, crawled into bed, and fell into a deep sleep.

Over the next two days, we visited every famous tourist spot and landmark in Beijing, such as Chaonei No. 81, the Caishikou execution grounds, and the Jinsong Ghost Tower. In truth, they weren't as scary as the rumors suggested; the only thing these places had in common was a heavy accumulation of yin energy. However, my master mentioned that the Caishikou execution grounds had indeed been haunted, and the National Paranormal Association had once intervened to clear it. I wasn't interested in such things. Why bother with those trivial matters when there were better ways to spend my time?

The fifth day arrived quickly. We packed our bags and headed to the Qi family residence. Li Muyang and Senior Qi Luotian were already waiting at the gate. Li Muyang carried a bag, looking visibly distraught at our arrival. My master and I stepped out of the car as the driver waited. We had bought our tickets the day before, all in the same row. My master put Li Muyang's bag in the trunk. Li Muyang looked at Senior Qi Luotian, suddenly knelt, and kowtowed three times. "Grandfather, I don't know when I'll be able to return to see you after this trip. Please take care of your health while I'm gone. Eat well, drink well, and don't let things weigh on your heart. When I return, I will serve you properly."

Senior Qi Luotian chuckled and helped Li Muyang up. "It’s enough that you have this heart, you rascal. Remember, be obedient while you're away and don't cause trouble. I hope to see a different version of you when you return. The doors of the Qi family will always be open to you."

The two bodyguards standing at the gate also spoke up: "Little Muyang, come home and visit often."

Li Muyang looked at them and said, "Brother Ming, Brother Xiong, all these years, besides Grandfather, you two have been the best to me. Let me kowtow to you as well."

Before he could kneel again, the two men held him steady. "You silly kid, what are you kneeling for? We're brothers; don't do that. If you run into any trouble you can't handle, just come to your big brothers. We will travel any distance to help you. Take care of yourself out there."

Li Muyang sniffled and nodded. Then Senior Qi Luotian added, "Alright, it's getting late. If we delay any longer, the flight will be delayed. Tan Boqing, Master Lin."

My master and I were addressed by name and looked at Senior Qi. He smiled at us and said, "I entrust this boy to the both of you. He lacks experience and cannot remain as calm as you two in the face of trouble. I will have to trouble you both to look after him in the future. I thank you!"

My master and I waved our hands simultaneously. My master spoke first: "Old Senior, you are being too polite. You know my character, Tan Boqing."

"That's right, Senior. Don't stand on ceremony with us. I've already decided that Li Muyang is my brother. Ever since he helped me buy medicine for my headache, I've known he was a good guy."

I chimed in to support my master. Li Muyang looked at me with a bitter smile, and I smiled back. Senior Qi then said, "Very well, let's not waste any more time. Though it's hard to let go, life is like this—even if you can't let go, you must. Go on."

My master and I agreed. The bodyguards opened the car doors for us, and the three of us got in, heading toward the Capital Airport.