IMGH Chapter 73

Reunion After Separation

Over the past five years, Jiang Yi had sacrificed too much for Qiu Rui. Others may not have known, but Chen Yuhe understood this more clearly than anyone.

Now Jiang Yi simply wanted to spend more time with Qiu Rui — such a modest request. If she refused, it would be a little too cold-hearted and ruthless.

From Jiang Yi’s earlier expression, it was obvious he had no good intentions in wanting the Soul-Departure Talismans. Chen Yuhe was torn to no end — should she give him the Soul-Departure Talismans or not?

Jiang Yi noticed Chen Yuhe wavering and pressed harder with his persuasion. “Yuhe, you know me — I would absolutely never do anything to hurt Qiu Rui. I just want to get to know him on a deeper level!”

Chen Yuhe was baffled. Why on earth would “getting to know someone on a deeper level” require Soul-Departure Talismans?!

“Yuhe, just say yes!”

Jiang Yi pestered Chen Yuhe relentlessly, whining into her ear until she was completely fed up. Unable to endure the torment of a certain someone’s grating voice any longer, she rummaged through her bag, pulled out several talisman papers, and shoved them into Jiang Yi’s hands. “Fine, fine, stop talking — just take them all!”

Jiang Yi clutched the talisman papers like precious treasures. Tonight… heh heh…

“Yuhe, do you have—”

Jiang Yi had barely gotten the words out before Chen Yuhe cut him off. “Jiang Yi, what more do you want?!”

The young woman clutched her handbag with nervous tension, eyeing Jiang Yi warily. “I’m warning you — don’t go getting any ideas about my talismans!”

Jiang Yi was speechless. It’s not like I’m some bandit or bully. Is there really any need to guard against me like this?

“Yuhe, you’ve misunderstood me. I just wanted to ask if there’s any way to let Han Yuancheng see Qiu Rui.”

Seeing that Jiang Yi wasn’t after her talismans after all, Chen Yuhe relaxed. “Oh, that’s easy!”

Chen Yuhe flipped open her handbag, took out a small porcelain bottle, and handed it to Jiang Yi. “Rub what’s inside onto his eyes!”

“What? If you don’t trust it, hand it over!” Chen Yuhe reached out to snatch it back, but Jiang Yi laughed and dodged away. “Once something’s given away, what reason is there to take it back?”

By this point, the group had walked into a mountain hollow, surrounded on all sides by lush greenery — a pleasant and scenic spot.

Jiang Yi called out to the tour guide and Han Yuancheng up ahead. “Assistant Han, the scenery here is quite nice — let’s stop and enjoy the view for a bit!”

Jiang Yi gave Han Yuancheng an inconspicuous look, and Han Yuancheng caught on immediately, agreeing with a ready smile.

“Yuhe, could you find a way to keep those people quiet for a little while?” Jiang Yi whispered into Chen Yuhe’s ear. “I don’t want them overhearing what we’re about to discuss.”

Chen Yuhe rolled her eyes and reluctantly pulled out several talisman papers, tossing them toward the tour guide and the others.

Before anyone could react, they were frozen in place. Jiang Yi looked more closely and saw that a talisman had been stuck onto each of them — they stood perfectly still and soundless, like wooden dolls.

Jiang Yi poked at one person on the left and patted another on the right. Seeing that no one responded at all, he gave Chen Yuhe a thumbs-up.

Chen Yuhe lifted her chin smugly.

Jiang Yi glanced around, and once he was satisfied that the area was safe, he handed the porcelain bottle to Han Yuancheng. “Rub this on your eyes — then you’ll be able to see Qiu Rui.”

Han Yuancheng stood stunned for a moment, then quickly came to his senses. He grabbed the bottle eagerly, poured out its contents, and rubbed the liquid onto his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, Han Yuancheng saw Qiu Rui — the Qiu Rui he had been separated from for several months.

He was just the same as before. The handsome face that had always been so striking was pale, almost to the point of translucency.

He was still wearing the clothes from the night of the accident, and though his posture remained as upright as ever, there was an ethereal, insubstantial quality about him.

Han Yuancheng stared at Qiu Rui in a daze for a long moment before he slowly walked over to stand before him.

Han Yuancheng reached out a trembling hand, the shaking of his fingertips making them look all the more pale and powerless. Qiu Rui was right there in front of him — and yet he could not touch him.

“Qiu Rui…” Han Yuancheng’s lips quivered softly, and it took a long moment before those two words finally came out.

A grief that defied description made it impossible for him to say anything more.

Qiu Rui walked up to Han Yuancheng, his smile as brilliant and dazzling as ever. “Chengcheng, long time no see.”

“Yes — long time no see. It really is wonderful to be able to meet again.” Han Yuancheng murmured, the rims of his eyes growing hot and red.

Jiang Yi and Chen Yuhe quietly turned and walked away, leaving the rare time to the two of them.

Han Yuancheng’s emotions settled quickly. Now was not the time for grief.

“Qiu Rui, are you doing all right?”

“I’m fine. It’s just that you seem to…” Qiu Rui looked Han Yuancheng over carefully. There was a faint darkness beneath his eyes, carrying a trace of exhaustion.

“I’m fine!” Qiu Chen had been pressing hard lately — Han Yuancheng had to be on guard every moment, wary of him seizing an opportunity to make a move. He hadn’t been sleeping soundly at night.

Han Yuancheng naturally had no intention of telling Qiu Rui any of this. Not wanting Qiu Rui to worry about him, he forced a smile. “I’m doing great!”

Qiu Rui thought of the wound on Qiu Chen’s forehead and asked, “Qiu Chen was injured? Did he give you trouble?”

Qiu Chen went everywhere with bodyguards, and the Qiu family estate was equipped with the most advanced security systems in the world. The only people who could have hurt him were those with close access to him.

Qiu Rui had long known about Qiu Chen’s feelings toward Han Yuancheng and had warned Qiu Chen on multiple occasions. In the past, with Qiu Rui still around, Qiu Chen had not dared to overstep. But now that Qiu Chen was no longer restrained, he would likely grow even bolder and more excessive.

Qiu Chen’s methods were ruthless and vicious, but Han Yuancheng was no pushover either. The wound on Qiu Chen’s forehead was most likely Han Yuancheng’s doing.

Still, Qiu Chen was the type who sought revenge for the smallest slight — suffering such a significant loss, he surely would not let it go so easily. Qiu Rui said with concern, “Chengcheng, Qiu Chen hasn’t been making things difficult for you, has he?”

Han Yuancheng shook his head. “No. After the setback he had with me last time, he’s been fairly well-behaved recently.”

Qiu Rui said with relief, “That’s good then.”

Han Yuancheng glanced toward Jiang Yi and saw him leaning leisurely against a tree trunk, with Chen Yuhe sitting on a green stone not far from his side. The two of them were well out of earshot.

He moved closer to Qiu Rui and lowered his voice. “Qiu Rui, about the matter you asked the Secret Division to investigate last time…”