“Why are you looking for Xu Jie?” Wu Chuyang asked, confused.
Gu Ya said calmly, “It was Xu Jie who sent us to the 22nd Automobile Industrial Zone, and she even specified the location.”
Wu Chuyang was shocked. He hadn’t expected Xu Jie to be involved.
“I understand.”
Wu Chuyang pushed the propulsion rod forward, and the hovercar surged with power, heading towards Xu Jie’s house.
Fifteen minutes later, they stopped outside Xu Jie’s three-story villa. The group hurried out of the car and knocked on the door for ten minutes. They made over a dozen calls, but Xu Jie didn’t respond.
Sensing that something was wrong, Wu Chuyang reported the situation to his superiors.
“Yes, the higher-ups have received the message and will find Xu Jie as soon as possible. I’ll take you back,” Wu Chuyang said.
When Gu Ya returned home, it was already past five in the morning. Exhausted, Gu Ya collapsed onto his bed and slept until two in the afternoon.
After wolfing down his meal, Gu Ya hurried to school.
The school was as peaceful as ever, with students studying quietly. However, the seats previously occupied by Fu Yafang and Huang Yaohui were now empty, as was Xu Jie’s seat.
Gu Ya’s suspicion was confirmed.
Gu Ya sat down and began to study. It wasn’t his business, so he decided not to dwell on it.
At dismissal time, Wu Chuyang was waiting for Gu Ya at the school gate.
“Do you want to know the whole story?”
As they walked towards Wu Chuyang’s hovercar, Wu Chuyang asked.
Gu Ya said, “I can roughly guess. Fu Yafang must be a member of some mysterious organization. She was looking for someone or something, which encroached on some people’s interests.”
“Fu Yafang must have found some clues from Yang Xinzhao, so the person being investigated or the conflicting party silenced Yang Xinzhao and intended to silence Fu Yafang as well.”
“And last night’s incident must have been the other party’s further action to completely eliminate Fu Yafang.”
Wu Chuyang smiled and said, “I didn’t expect you to be so smart. You can reconstruct the events so accurately with such limited information.”
“This is a confidential matter. Perhaps when you officially join the Wuhucheng Mech Guard, you’ll have a chance to see all the files.”
Gu Ya looked up at Wu Chuyang and tentatively asked, “Instructor Wu, are you saying I can join the Wuhucheng Mech Guard?”
Wu Chuyang said, “You have potential, but your path is still long.”
Gu Ya nodded and said, “I heard from Old Polehead that the Wuhucheng Mech Guard is a team composed of mecha masters with faith.”
Wu Chuyang smiled and asked, “How do you know Old Polehead?”
Gu Ya’s heart leaped into his throat. Old Polehead lived in a junkyard next to the mech bounty arena, and Instructor Wu was an academy officer.
If Instructor Wu found out he had participated in the mech bounty battles, he would be expelled from school!
Wu Chuyang smiled knowingly and said, “Don’t hide it, Gu Ya. Do you think the Wuhucheng Mech Guard is a pushover?”
“Jude of Wujia, hehe.”
Gu Ya scratched his head sheepishly and smiled happily. Since Instructor Wu already knew, there was no need to keep it a secret.
The two got into the car, but Wu Chuyang didn’t leave immediately.
Gu Ya asked confusedly, “Instructor Wu, why aren’t we leaving?”
Wu Chuyang glanced at Gu Ya and said with a half-smile, “Waiting for your ‘Comet.’”
Gu Ya was stunned and asked back, “What… Comet?” Gu Ya immediately realized Wu Chuyang was waiting for that girl named Ye Ying.
Gu Ya lowered his head instantly, his face blushing like an overripe apple.
Just then, Ye Ying opened the passenger door. Seeing Gu Ya in the passenger seat, she shyly lowered her head and obediently sat in the back.
Gu Ya’s heart became a mess. This was the second time. His heart raced whenever he saw this girl, as if it would leap out of his chest.
“Alright, you two little elites, let’s go chat with Old Polehead. Coincidentally, I haven’t seen my master in a long time,” Wu Chuyang said with a smile, starting the hovercar.
“Ah? Master?” Gu Ya exclaimed in disbelief.
“Yes, Old Polehead is my master.”
“Oh, right.” Wu Chuyang asked somewhat confusedly, “Liu Feng asked me today where Fu Yafang lives. Do you know what he’s planning to do?”
Upon hearing this, Gu Ya immediately smiled and said, “A man in love, don’t you know what’s on his mind? Hehe.”
…
Liu Feng walked up to an apartment building holding a bouquet of flowers and a fruit basket.
He looked up at the 17th floor of the apartment building and took a deep breath. “You can do it, Liu Feng. Be a gentleman. Yes!”
A moment later, he reached the 17th floor and stood in front of a door. He took another two deep breaths, thinking, You can do it, Liu Feng. You must remain a gentleman.
He pressed the doorbell. A few seconds later, Fu Yafang’s voice came from inside: “Who?”
“Uh, it’s me, Liu Liu Feng,” Liu Feng replied, suppressing his nervousness.
Liu Feng waited outside the door, very nervous. He didn’t know how long he waited, perhaps about five minutes, before he heard footsteps from inside.
The door opened a crack, and Fu Yafang peeked out. Then, with a smile, she opened the door.
Liu Feng gazed at Fu Yafang in her pajamas, his heart stirred, leaving him momentarily stunned and speechless.
It felt as if Fu Yafang had grasped his heart, holding it tightly in her hand. He couldn’t escape, nor did he want to.
“Why are you just standing there? Come in.” Fu Yafang left the door open for Liu Feng and walked back inside.
Liu Feng straightened his chest and walked in, closing the door behind him.
Fu Yafang’s home was clean and simple, with a faint fragrance.
Liu Feng placed the fruit basket down, put the flowers on the dining table, and looked around.
It was a simple one-bedroom, one-living room apartment. The curtains were open, and the red light of the setting sun cast in.
There weren’t many household items, making the place feel very spacious.
A suitcase was placed in the middle of the living room.
Fu Yafang walked to the suitcase and said softly, “Instructor Wu told me you would come.”
Liu Feng hummed in response, unsure of what to say.
“Sit down.” Fu Yafang turned around, smiled at Liu Feng, and sat on the sofa.
Liu Feng stood rooted to the spot and asked, “Are you leaving?”
Fu Yafang nodded and said, “Yes, I was supposed to rest for a few more days. But I just received a mission at noon, and a car will be here to pick me up soon.”
“You’re really leaving?” Liu Feng pressed.
Fu Yafang smiled at Liu Feng, a smile filled with unspoken farewell.
Liu Feng’s hands dropped to his sides, then clenched into fists. He asked, “Will I be able to see you again?”
Fu Yafang was silent for a moment, seemingly making a difficult decision. She looked up at Liu Feng and said, “Perhaps, we will never see each other again.”
“Can you tell me where you’re going?”
“Don’t ask anymore, Liu Feng,” Fu Yafang said calmly as she stood up. “I know your feelings for me, but we are not from the same world.”
“Forget about me.” Fu Yafang then flashed her signature smile.
Liu Feng clenched his fists even tighter. He said firmly, “I can’t forget you. You are irreplaceable, and no one can take you away from my heart!”
Fu Yafang’s smile faded, revealing an expression Liu Feng had never seen before – one of extreme coldness, seriousness, and breathtaking beauty.
Her clear, bright eyes seemed to see through Liu Feng’s every thought.
In front of Fu Yafang, Liu Feng felt like a guileless child.
Fu Yafang stared into Liu Feng’s eyes.
Perhaps a minute, perhaps longer, passed before she slowly walked over to him and said in her gentle voice, “Are you sure?”
Liu Feng’s heart felt like it would leap out of his chest. His breathing quickened, but his gaze never left Fu Yafang.
“I’m sure!” Liu Feng said firmly.
“I’ve lost, Fu Yafang. From the moment I saw you, my heart belonged to you.”
“I will wait for you. No one can change my mind!”
Liu Feng spoke these words with seriousness, tears welling up in his eyes. He knew the weight of his words.
This was a promise, the most worthless, yet the most moving words in the world.
Fu Yafang stared into Liu Feng’s eyes and said slowly but clearly, “I hate glib people the most.”
Liu Feng smiled faintly. He knew that further explanations were useless. He nodded at Fu Yafang and said, “Liu Feng also hates glib people.”
Fu Yafang looked into Liu Feng’s eyes, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
Suddenly, Fu Yafang opened her arms and hugged Liu Feng.
Liu Feng was startled. Feeling Fu Yafang’s warmth spread over him, he understood her feelings.
Liu Feng slowly raised his arms and tightly embraced Fu Yafang.
In the golden-red living room bathed in the setting sun, they held each other.
Liu Feng wished time could stand still forever at this moment.
This was a scene that could never be replicated, even in a lifetime.
Fu Yafang pushed Liu Feng away and said softly, “I don’t know what magic you used, but I couldn’t escape for an entire night!”
“I’m not running away anymore, Liu Feng!” Fu Yafang wiped away her tears and let out a long sigh.
Fu Yafang leaned forward and lightly kissed Liu Feng on the cheek, whispering, “Wait for me.”
The afterglow of the sunset had not yet faded when Liu Feng stood in the plaza of the residential complex, watching Fu Yafang leave.
Their eyes met until the hovercar flew far away. Only then did Liu Feng lower his head, wipe the tears from his eyes, and say with a determined gaze, “Fu Yafang, from this moment on, I will start to fulfill my promise until you return!”
“If you can’t come back…”
“Then forever.”