IOLYF Chapter 58

Twenty minutes later, Han Shao Zhou stood in front of another apartment door.

This apartment was close to C University, and he had bought it three years ago, just a couple of months after he and Mo Ming started seeing each other. He bought it to make Mo Ming’s commute to school more convenient. The place was originally just a bare shell, but he had hired a designer to fully decorate and furnish it before handing it over to Mo Ming.

Back then, Han Shao Zhou still saw Mo Ming as a stand-in for Wen Ci. He felt that since Mo Ming was such an obedient and sensible lover, he should give him something substantial. So he bought this high-end apartment, worth several million, and put it under Mo Ming’s name. His thinking was that even if their relationship ended one day, at least Mo Ming would have a solid place to stay in Chuanhai.

Just in case, this time, Han Shao Zhou chose to ring the doorbell.

A stranger opened the door, and after a brief exchange, Han Shao Zhou learned that the current owner had bought the place three years ago to provide a home for her parents in their old age.

After asking for specific details, Han Shao Zhou realized that the apartment was sold not long after he had gifted it to Mo Ming.

As he left the apartment building, the gentle morning light fell on his head, but Han Shao Zhou still felt as though he hadn’t fully woken up.

Everything felt hazy, unclear…

He didn’t really care what Mo Ming did with those two apartments. Once he had given them to Mo Ming, it was Mo Ming’s choice whether to sell or rent them. But…

But something about all of this made him uneasy. It was as if there were too many things out of place, as if Mo Ming had been doing a lot of things over the past three years that he had no clue about.

Why did he sell the apartments that Han Shao Zhou had given him?

And what did he do with the money?

In Han Shao Zhou’s mind, Mo Ming had always been someone who was gentle and pure, like a well-behaved student. His temperament was so good, maybe even a bit soft. The thing Mo Ming seemed to enjoy most was simply being with him.

There had never been a need to deliberately understand Mo Ming, because he always thought that Mo Ming’s personality was written plainly on his face.

Although he had started to see another side of Mo Ming during his visits to the set, he had never doubted his own judgment. He always assumed that this was just the difference in how Mo Ming treated others versus how he treated him. After all, the deep affection in Mo Ming’s eyes couldn’t be faked…

After failing to find Mo Ming in the two apartments he had given him, Han Shao Zhou was completely out of ideas. Back when they first started dating, Mo Ming had been renting a place in Chuanhai. Over the past three years, whether Mo Ming had bought a new place somewhere else was something he had no way of knowing.

Though he had cooled down after angrily hanging up on Mo Ming earlier that morning, his pride still wouldn’t let him call back to ask.

Han Shao Zhou directly contacted Xing Ci, asking about Mo Ming’s recent work schedule, only to learn that… Mo Ming had no upcoming projects after “Mystery Room” and that this was entirely at Mo Ming’s own request. As for Mo Ming’s personal plans, no one knew.

Han Shao Zhou suddenly realized that if Mo Ming had also changed his phone number, their connection might be completely severed.

The sunshine couldn’t chase away the coldness in the air, and the chill seemed to seep into his lungs. Han Shao Zhou felt as though he couldn’t get warm no matter what.

Before three in the afternoon, as soon as a work meeting ended, Han Shao Zhou left the office.

Following his instructions, the driver called Mo Ming using his own phone.

“It’s like this, Mr. Mo…” the driver said politely when the call was answered. “You left two items at Mr. Han’s apartment. Would you like to retrieve them?”

“Two items?” Mo Ming’s puzzled voice came through the line, accompanied by the faint sound of traffic, as if he were on the road. “What are they?”

“A bracelet and a watch, both gifts from Mr. Han.” the driver responded calmly, having already prepared his script. “If you don’t want them, I’ll dispose of them according to Mr. Han’s instructions.”

“I’ll take them. Where should I pick them up?” Mo Ming replied without hesitation. Over the past three years, Han Shao Zhou had given him many gifts, which he usually kept stored together. It wasn’t surprising that one or two items had been left behind.

Each piece was quite valuable, so there was no reason not to take them.

“No need. Just tell me where you’re staying, and I’ll bring them to you.” the driver offered.

“I’m heading into the city to pick something up right now. I’ll be on Changnan Road in about twenty minutes. If it’s convenient, we can meet there, and you can give them to me.”

“Understood.” The driver saw his boss nod in approval and replied, “I’ll be at the Changnan Road intersection in about ten minutes. I’ll wait for you there.”

After waiting at the intersection for a short while, Han Shao Zhou spotted Mo Ming getting out of a white car in the distance. Even though he was wearing a mask, those unmistakable eyes made it easy for Han Shao Zhou to recognize him. Mo Ming was dressed in a dark coat and jeans, and his demeanor seemed a bit cooler than before.

Mo Ming stood by the car, looking around before pulling out his phone.

Soon, the driver’s phone rang.

“Mr. Han, it’s Mr. Mo calling.” the driver said, turning to Han Shao Zhou in the back seat.

“Tell him you got held up and can’t make it.” Han Shao Zhou instructed.

The driver complied.

Not far away, Mo Ming frowned as he hung up, but instead of returning to his car, he turned and walked in a different direction.

Recalling what Mo Ming had said on the phone earlier, Han Shao Zhou’s curiosity got the better of him. He quickly stepped out of the car and followed Mo Ming, eventually trailing him into a narrow alley.

The shops in the alley were modest, not as bustling as those on the main road, but still lively, with old, reputable signs hanging above each storefront.

Han Shao Zhou followed Mo Ming deeper into the alley, finally watching him enter a tea set shop.

The shop was small, but it had quite a few customers. The walls were lined with shelves displaying all kinds of exquisite tea sets. Standing in a corner, pretending to browse, Han Shao Zhou observed Mo Ming as he spoke with the shop owner at the counter. Soon, an employee brought out a heavy black tea set box and handed it to Mo Ming.

Mo Ming took the box, settled the bill, thanked the owner, and turned to leave.

Han Shao Zhou was even more perplexed. His impulse to confront Mo Ming was momentarily forgotten.

After Mo Ming left the shop, Han Shao Zhou immediately approached the counter to inquire.

“The young man in the dark coat who was just here—what did he buy? A tea set? Did he say anything to you?” Han Shao Zhou asked.

The shop owner eyed the masked man in front of him and politely explained that it was a matter of customer privacy.

Without hesitation, Han Shao Zhou bought an expensive tea set on the spot, and the shop owner’s attitude immediately did a 180. “That customer ordered a custom Ru porcelain tea set not long ago. He said today that he was picking it up as a gift for someone very important.”

Han Shao Zhou’s heart skipped a beat. “Did he say who it was for?”

“He didn’t mention a name… Oh, but I do remember.” the owner recalled. “When he placed the order, he said it was for someone’s birthday.”

“Birthday gift?” A surge of happiness washed over Han Shao Zhou, sweeping away the gloom of the past few days. “He really said that?”

The shop owner nodded confidently.

Thanking him, Han Shao Zhou grabbed the tea set he had just purchased and dashed out of the shop.

He knew it. He knew it!

There was no way that guy would actually break up with him. He’d been playing dead for days, all to prepare a birthday gift.

A custom tea set…

It was a bit old-fashioned as a gift, but the fact that he had thought to have it custom-made showed that Mo Ming had put a lot of thought into it.

Leaving the shop, Han Shao Zhou decided to “coincidentally” run into Mo Ming.

Even though he now knew what was on Mo Ming’s mind, the fact that Mo Ming had deleted his number still felt like a thorn in his heart.

If he didn’t scold him a bit, Mo Ming wouldn’t understand the significance of deleting a number in a relationship…

Worried that Mo Ming might get too far ahead, Han Shao Zhou quickened his pace. Soon, he spotted Mo Ming standing near a shop at the entrance to the alley, buying a red bean pie.

Han Shao Zhou quietly walked past Mo Ming from behind and positioned himself in a small general store at the alley entrance.

He watched as Mo Ming, holding the red bean pie, walked toward him, eating as he went. Han Shao Zhou timed it perfectly, stepping out of the general store just as Mo Ming came by, ensuring that they would cross paths.

Looking at his watch with a natural expression, Han Shao Zhou caught sight of Mo Ming out of the corner of his eye, who was staring at him with a look of disbelief.

Mo Ming seemed shocked to run into him in such a place…

Han Shao Zhou slowly turned around, ready to pretend he had just noticed Mo Ming. But when he fully turned, all he saw was Mo Ming hastily retreating, as if he were trying to avoid the plague, walking away as fast as he could.

Han Shao Zhou almost choked on his breath. He quickly caught up to Mo Ming and grabbed the back of his collar.

“What the hell are you running for?!” Han Shao Zhou growled.

Mo Ming was forced to stop, turning to look at Han Shao Zhou with a troubled expression.

“Mr Han…”

Facing this face he had been thinking about day and night, Han Shao Zhou quickly calmed down, but knowing that he had taken the initiative to catch up made him feel a bit awkward.

With one hand in his pocket, Han Shao Zhou looked at Mo Ming and said casually, “What a small world. I came here to buy something and ended up running into you.”

Mo Ming didn’t try to argue. He just lowered his head slightly and stared at the ground. “I didn’t mean to run into you, Mr Han. I’m sorry…”

He had promised Han Shao Zhou that after they broke up, he wouldn’t appear in front of him. Even if they happened to cross paths, he would immediately avoid him.

This time was really just a coincidence…

Han Shao Zhou was momentarily speechless, choking on the way Mo Ming addressed him. He glanced at the items in Mo Ming’s hand, and his frustration eased. With a cold smile, he said, “Now that you’ve run into me, is there anything you want to say?”

Mo Ming raised his head, his expression somewhat confused.

Han Shao Zhou stared at the small bit of red bean paste stuck to Mo Ming’s lips. It didn’t look as sweet and soft as the rose-colored lips beside it, but it made his throat dry. He suddenly felt an urge to lean in and lick away that bit of red bean paste with his own lips, maybe savor the feel of those soft lips again…

Feeling Han Shao Zhou’s gaze, Mo Ming instinctively licked his lips, the pink tip of his tongue quickly wiping away the sweet red bean paste.

Han Shao Zhou’s breathing grew even heavier. He quickly averted his gaze, forcing himself to look down at his watch. “I’m on a tight schedule. If you’ve got something to say, say it quickly.”

Suddenly, he felt a strong desire to take Mo Ming to a hotel, right now.

He’d been holding back for over a week, and they could go at it until it was dark…

Mo Ming frowned slightly and asked earnestly, “Say what?”

“You really don’t know what to say?” Han Shao Zhou glared at him. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Mo Ming was silent for a long while, then sincerely said, “I really didn’t mean to run into you.”

Han Shao Zhou: “…”

“I’m sorry…” Mo Ming said. “I’ll leave right away.”

With that, Mo Ming walked around Han Shao Zhou and quickly left.

Han Shao Zhou turned, dumbfounded, watching Mo Ming’s figure disappear into the distance.

What did that mean?

Was he really going to wait until tomorrow?