Chapter 98: Last News
Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn
Ning Qingxue nodded. โSometimes, ideas just pop into my head, like this trip to Flowing Snake. I knew it was dangerous, but I fantasized about meeting Ye Mo without incident. Before, I never would have done this, but now, I canโt help myself. I donโt know if itโs longing; I canโt articulate the feeling.โ
Hearing this, Chi Wanqing asked curiously, โQingxue, didnโt you fake your marriage to Brother Ye? You only wanted him to act as a shieldโฆ and then divorce?โ From Chi Wanqingโs perspective, Ning Qingxueโs search for Ye Mo in Flowing Snake was strange enough, but now she planned to go to the desert. Had she not used Brother Ye as a shield? It seemed sheโd fallen for him.
Ning Qingxue shook her head, remaining silent for a moment before saying, โI donโt know why; itโs just a feeling. I hoped to hear news of him, but if thereโs no information, perhaps Iโll never see him again. I thought Flowing Snake was my last lead, but now I learn he may have gone to the desert. If I lose this chance, Iโll regret it for years to come.โ
She hesitated before continuing, โYou donโt understand. A few months ago, I never would have gone to Flowing Snake, much less the desert. Sometimes, you donโt even notice youโre changing. Then, you realize some people are impossible to forget.
โYes, I used him as a shield, but by the time I understood who he was, heโd already left, giving me no chance to apologize. Iโm sorry, Wanqing, but he must treat you differently; otherwise, he wouldnโt have told you about the fake marriage. Sometimes, I admire you. Heโd never tell me this, yet he told youโฆโ
Chi Wanqing observed Ning Qingxueโs expression and felt sympathy. She was similar, yet different. Ning Qingxue discovered Ye Moโs worth after heโd left her; Chi Wanqing discovered it while still in contact with him. From his last conversation, he didn't seem inclined to marry her.
No intentions of marrying Qingxue? Chi Wanqing blushed, then shook her head. She had the same problem: if she hadnโt sought Ye Mo out, he wouldnโt have looked for her. He felt the same way about her as about Ning Qingxueโthey weren't in his heart. โDoes he love someone else?โ
Chi Wanqing wondered what kind of woman Ye Mo loved. Even exceptional women like herself and Ning Qingxue werenโt enough; what kind of person would he choose?
She abruptly stopped her thoughts, looking at Ning Qingxue. โQingxue, going to the desert alone is too dangerous. The Taklimakan is a sea of death, far more perilous than Flowing Snake. In Flowing Snake, you might meet Fang Nan, but in the Taklimakan, you face sandstorms and scorching sun; itโs practically a death sentence.โ
Ning Qingxue shook her head. โI know the danger. But I was mortally wounded not long ago. Iโve faced death; I just want to ask him if Iโm truly so awful, so hard to see. If he wants me to leave him alone, I will. He saved my life; giving it back is nothingโฆโ
Ning Qingxueโs voice grew melancholic, and she trailed off.
Chi Wanqing looked at her with sympathy, sighing. โQingxue, are you being reckless for Brother Ye? He wonโt appreciate it. Why would he want your life? He saved mine too; am I going to give it back? Maybe he doesnโt want to see you, but heโs busy. Maybe he doesn't even know you want to see himโฆโ
But Ning Qingxue remained silent, determined. Reckless or not, she couldn't rest until she saw Ye Mo. She felt this was her last chance, perhaps her only chance to see him again.
Even if it meant waiting at the desertโs edge, she would wait.
Seeing her resolve, Chi Wanqing knew she was serious.
She considered Ning Qingxueโs words. This might be the last news of Ye Mo; if he left the desert, who knew where heโd go? The world was vast; who could find him?
Suddenly, Chi Wanqing said, โQingxue, let me come with you. I have more desert experience; I served in the military for several years.โ
โYouโre going to the desert too?โ Hearing that Chi Wanqing also sought Ye Mo, Ning Qingxue realized she must feel something for him, but she hadnโt expected her to go to the desert as well.
Chi Wanqing nodded firmly. โBut first, we need to go to Luo Cang; I have a company there. We need to prepare. Going to the desert isn't like going elsewhere; we need tools and medicine.โ
Fang Nan watched the two girls leave, relieved. The thought of them coming to Flowing Snake had shaken him. If something had happenedโฆ But even though they were gone, his problems weren't over. Heโd offended Shi Wei and needed to explain to the Amphibious Gang; otherwise, he couldnโt stay. He knew their power.
The Amphibious Gang was under Nan Qing. Ten years ago, a real estate business near High Point had underestimated them. Nan Qing refused their apology and compensation, annihilating them overnight. Every gang on the border knew this, so they usually treated the Amphibious Gang with respect.
Now Fang Nan had offended Shi Wei, a mere messenger, but still part of the Amphibious Gang. If they reproached him, heโd pay the price.
If they refused compensation, heโd prepare for war. However, Fang Nan thought the Amphibious Gang would accept compensation for such a small offense. At worst, it would hurt his finances; they wouldnโt annihilate him.
His current possessions were from Ye Mo. Without him, he couldnโt have taken Flowing Snake from the Philippines and Vietnam Gang. He deeply respected Ye Mo, believing him extraordinary. So he didnโt regret offending Shi Wei for these two women.
Compared to Fang Nanโs troubles and the womenโs search, Ye Moโs clinic had gained quite a reputation locally.
The day after he saved Xanxan, the childโs parents came to thank him, offering $10,000.
Ye Mo refused the money, giving them $30,000 instead. He wanted their help obtaining the necessary documents.
The father, Zhang Po, worked at the Luo Cang tax office and was a local, making this easy. Ye Mo preferred to remain unseen, sending Yu Erhu with Zhang Po to obtain the permits and clinic registration.
Money solved many problems; whether Yu Erhu had the necessary skills mattered little.
With the coupleโs enthusiastic help, Ye Moโs clinic, open only ten days, gained a great reputation due to their promotional skills.
The clinic was named Hui Chun Clinic. Ye Mo largely ignored it, tending his garden to plant Silver Heart Grass, leaving the clinic entirely to Yu Erhu.
Luckily, Yu Erhu had medical experience, and with Ye Moโs frequent guidance, he easily treated minor ailments.
Ye Mo gave Yu Erhu $20,000 of the remaining $40,000 for herbs, keeping $20,000 for desert supplies.
The clinic didnโt earn money, but Ye Mo didnโt care. His priority was growing Silver Heart Grass. Earning money was a bonus.
Yu Erhuโs herbs were made into soups and pills by Ye Mo, who explained their uses. Ye Mo freely shared his medical knowledge, teaching Erhu everything he could, including a fist technique and breathing technique.
Yu Erhu, though naive, was intelligent and learned quickly.