"Mr. Ye, do you think I have any reason to lie to you?" Chu Lingzhi's voice was calm, yet it sounded icy cold as it reached Ye Xi through the phone.
"Alright then, call me when you're free. I'd like to treat you to a meal."
"I have no worries about food or clothing right now, I don't need that meal from you."
"Lingzhi, do you have to speak to me with such a sharp tongue?"
"Mr. Ye, I'll always remember those words of yours."
So, she couldn't bring herself to speak to him politely.
"What words?"
"Mr. Ye has a poor memory, of course you can't recall which words." Chu Lingzhi's gaze was cold.
"Lingzhi..."
"I'm a dirty woman."
Hearing those words that day had cut her heart like a knife, and now saying them herself still felt the same.
Ye Xi's breath caught when he heard that. Damn it!
How could he have said something so hurtful back then?
"I'm hanging up." Chu Lingzhi didn't want to drag this out any longer and ended the call.
Leaving the restaurant, she went straight to Master Mo's villa.
Along the way, her mind kept replaying the moments she'd shared with Ye Xi.
College romance was pure—a beautiful memory in one's life.
So, Ye Xi was just a memory now, no longer part of her past.
When she was young, her emotional path was simple, and back then she thought he was her everything, her harbor.
After all these years and so many experiences, she realized that the earth never stops spinning for even half a second because someone leaves.
Even when Ye Xi wasn't there when she needed him most, she still managed to live well.
Now, Chu Junyu was her everything, her best source of spiritual comfort.
Arriving at Master Mo's bedroom, the memories of Ye Xi instantly faded.
After this unsolicited call from him, she realized that he no longer held a place in her heart.
After three consecutive days of moxibustion and her professional massage, Master Mo's condition had improved.
He spoke more clearly now and even smiled.
After the therapy sessions, she had time to tell him funny stories.
Every time he heard her stories, Master Mo would laugh heartily, in a very good mood.
Today, she arrived earlier than usual. After the moxibustion, since it was still early before the kids got out of school, she told Master Mo another story.
The stories she'd told before were all children's tales she'd once shared with Chu Junyu.
Today, she told a beautiful love story.
Of course, the story was a bit long and touching, and Master Mo was completely absorbed.
Even Mo Chen, who happened to pass by the doorway, was moved by it.
Chu Lingzhi told the story of a snake spirit and a village girl's love.
She narrated it so vividly that by the end, even she was touched, her eyes reddening.
And Master Mo's eyes glistened with tears, making his cloudy gaze shine as brightly as crystal.
"Master Mo, I'm sorry, I didn't know the story was so tragic." Chu Lingzhi pulled out a tissue to wipe the tears from the corner of Master Mo's eye, smiling apologetically.
Master Mo looked at her—the more he saw of this child, the more he liked her.
Before Chu Lingzhi could pull her hand back, he somehow found the strength to suddenly reach out and tightly grasp her hand, still holding the tissue.
"Master Mo, what are you..." Chu Lingzhi looked at him, confused.
Because of his illness, his grip on her hand trembled, but the strength was not light.
His expression seemed emotionally stirred, and his mouth twitched.