Chapter Forty-One: A Kind of Love Called Letting Go

In the living room on the first floor of the villa, Qi Yufei’s tears came and went swiftly.

Seated on the sofa, she held Ye Qian in her arms as though embracing the whole world; warmth blossomed in Qi Yufei’s eyes like spring. Ye Qian, too, had never been so obedient, resting her head against Qi Yufei’s chest, a hint of confusion in her gaze.

“Qian, what’s wrong? I feel as though you’re a little different today. Tell Mommy, what’s really going on?” Qi Yufei stroked her daughter’s hair, her movements exceptionally gentle.

Ye Qian’s heart fluttered, her cheeks flushing without cause. She lifted her head, meeting Qi Yufei’s gaze, only to see her mother smiling, eyes fixed intently as though able to see through her thoughts. Startled, Ye Qian quickly lowered her head. “Mommy, I haven’t changed, but I do have something I want to ask you.”

“Go ahead, what do you want to ask? If Mommy knows the answer, I’ll definitely tell you!” It’s often said daughters are their father’s little confidantes, but Qi Yufei felt she and Ye Qian were just as close.

Ye Qian seemed shy and hesitant. Only after Qi Yufei urged her three times did she whisper, “Mommy, will mine really never grow?”

Seeing her daughter point at her own chest and ask such a question, Qi Yufei felt a bit embarrassed, yet she could only comfort her seriously. “It’s nothing to worry about. Of course they’ll grow. You’re just developing a little later than others, that’s all. Soon enough, you’ll catch up.”

“Mommy, were you ever like me?” Ye Qian stole a glance at her mother’s blushing face and found her courage strengthened.

Qi Yufei paused, recalling her own early maturity—at sixteen, she’d blossomed like a ripe cherry, tempting anyone to take a bite. But that person had always treated her like a younger sister, and a faint sense of loss washed over her. Twenty years had passed, yet she still hadn’t let go.

She sighed, then forced a smile. “Yes, I was.”

She couldn’t tell the truth, lest Ye Qian start thinking about genes and inheritance—topics Qi Yufei least wished to discuss.

“Oh, so if they’re small, men won’t like them?” Ye Qian blushed again, as if caught in a guilty act, and dared not look at Qi Yufei.

“Who says so? Just because they’re big doesn’t mean people will like them!” Qi Yufei sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of her own experience.

Feeling a bit on the defensive, Qi Yufei smiled and asked, “You’re not in love, are you?”

“Of course not, absolutely not!” Ye Qian rushed to clarify, as if someone had stepped on her tail.

“Really?” Qi Yufei’s smile grew mischievous as she stared into her daughter’s eyes.

Ye Qian grew anxious. “Mommy, why are you staring at me like that? I said I’m not, so I’m not.”

“Alright, alright, I believe you. Look at how flustered you are—anyone would think you’re hiding something. But if you really do have someone you like, that’s perfectly fine. You’re nearly twenty; it’s natural to fall in love. Mommy hopes you’ll find an outstanding young man and be happy. That’s all I want.” Qi Yufei laughed, suddenly thinking of that young man from the Bai family—he was quite renowned. Her heart tightened.

No matter what, she had to safeguard her daughter’s happiness. Qi Yufei vowed silently.

“I know Mommy is the best to me!” Ye Qian, in this moment, was a stark contrast to her image at school. If Long Fei hadn’t witnessed her true face there, he would never believe Ye Qian was the leader of the Pink Brigade. “I know,” she said, and Qi Yufei hugged her even tighter.

After a long while, Ye Qian glanced toward the door, catching sight of Long Fei and Ye Wentian’s silhouettes. Suddenly, she remembered a question Long Fei had once asked her. She spoke cautiously, “Mommy, I have one more question.”

Qi Yufei blinked, thinking her daughter was full of questions today, and nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Do you love Dad? Does Dad love you?” Ye Qian tried to read Qi Yufei’s expression, but her mother merely froze, a blush blooming on her face as she sank into thought, happiness radiating unmistakably.

“Mommy, what’s wrong?” Ye Qian waved her hand in front of Qi Yufei’s eyes several times, finally pulling her mother back from her reverie.

“In this lifetime, Mommy has only ever loved two men. One of them is your father.” Qi Yufei’s face glowed with warmth. She glanced at her husband outside the door, knowing she owed Ye Wentian far too much in this life. Yet, she felt she had done her best; anything more would make her feel she was betraying the other man. When a woman loves two men at once, regardless of whether either loves her, balancing her heart is never easy.

Ye Qian, like Long Fei, wished to ask why her parents had not shared a room for so many years, but when the words reached her lips, she changed it to, “Does Dad love you?”

“He does.” Qi Yufei gave her daughter an apologetic look.

She was a woman of great wisdom; she could clearly discern the depth of Ye Wentian’s feelings for her. She understood that love had many forms of expression, and Ye Wentian’s happened to be a kind unfamiliar to most.

There is a kind of love called letting go.

There is a kind of love called distance.

The former was Qi Yufei’s way; the latter, Ye Wentian’s.

The mysterious organization’s kidnapping attempt had failed once again, but both Long Fei and Ye Wentian knew that fiercer attacks might come in the near future. The best course was to uncover the enemy’s true identity and then muster their strength for a decisive blow. A sound plan, but easier said than done.

Another option was for Ye Wentian to hand over what he possessed, or pass it to someone else, thereby rendering himself without value and no longer a target. After all, Ye Wentian’s power was considerable; seizing his possession would not be easy. Unless necessary, the mysterious organization would not antagonize him. In fact, after several confrontations, while Ye Wentian had lost some bodyguards, the mysterious organization had also suffered the loss of many experts.

It was a good plan, but Long Fei never proposed it, knowing Ye Wentian would never agree. Otherwise, he would have done so long before Long Fei arrived in Shanghai. Clearly, the item in Ye Wentian’s possession was extraordinarily precious and important.

What could it possibly be? Long Fei was truly curious.