The silence persisted for so long, as if crossing through a dark era that lasted a century...
Only then did Shu Yimo lower her eyelids, her eyes feeling somewhat feverish, but her gaze was distant and peaceful—
For two years, she had been locked in that dim space, imagining countless times that he would remember their past affection, that after his anger subsided, he would find a way to save her or at least come to see her.
But there was nothing, absolutely nothing...
Fan Lingjue's cold indifference was enough to cast her into hell.
She hoisted her backpack higher on her shoulder and silently walked toward the stairwell, ignoring the exclamations of those startled by her sudden appearance.
'Clack!'
As she closed the door, the familiar darkness enveloped her once more.
Shu Yimo tossed her backpack to the ground beside her and felt the sharp pain all over her body become even more distinct. She slumped against the door, sliding down to sit on the cold floor, her head throbbing with dull pain.
Last evening, those people had beaten her again; she didn't know how many punches she had taken, only that she was almost unable to get up when the prison guards arrived...
She had just wanted to come back to get the keys to her apartment; before being imprisoned, she had left them here.
After calming down a little, her head still hazy, she bit her lip, struggling to stand up when her phone in the coat pocket started ringing—
Shu Yimo paused before taking out her phone. She glanced at the caller ID, hesitated for a moment, then answered.
"Uncle..."
Her voice was rough and scratchy as it traveled through the phone.
The sound of water being poured was heard on the other end, followed by a deep and forceful voice, "Yes, it's me. I just called the prison, and I heard you have been released."
"Thank you, Uncle," she replied.
Shu Yimo understood well that without the help of her uncle, Shu Qiang, she would not have been released so quickly.
"Enough of that. It's good that you're out. Now, you can start over. Forget the past. And stop thinking about Fan Lingjue; you should also consider your grandparents' peace of mind, and your mother, don't let them worry."
"I'm sorry, Uncle, I've been unfilial; I've caused you worry, and I've hurt my grandparents' hearts, and..."
Shu Yimo spoke with a sense of bitter self-mockery in her voice.
"No one is perfect. If you've made a mistake once, you need to be wiser in the future. Fan Lingjue isn't worth your heartache. I think Long Chengyu is countless times better than him, he simply has no comparison. If you had gone through with your marriage promise to him back then, and married him, you could have walked sideways through Jiangcheng. By the way, Ayu just returned to Jiangcheng the day before yesterday. He was wounded during a mission, so he's retired and gone back to take over the family business of the Long Family. You're still...technically his fiancée, you have to fight for it yourself."
Shu Qiang had always supported Long Chengyu and Shu Yimo. If it hadn't been for the marriage agreement that was recalled too late, things wouldn't have...
"Opportunities won't come knocking on your door, Yimo. Don't forget, Shu Family's children have determination and strength in their blood. I command you to stop moping and stand up again. I will be relocated back to Jiangcheng after the New Year, and I might be able to stay in Jiangcheng from then on."
"Yes, I understand, I will," she responded.
A softness crossed Shu Yimo's delicate features.
...
After hanging up the phone, Shu Yimo finally breathed a sigh of relief and used the wall to help herself stand up.
The icy pain all over her body made it difficult for her to stay upright, and her clothes were damp with moisture.
She took off her outer jacket and walked over to the wardrobe.
Being a person who preferred simplicity and subtlety, most of the clothes in her wardrobe were solid colors, with black and white being predominant.
She changed into a grey knitted top and poured herself a glass of water before sitting down on the sofa, and at this moment, her phone, which was charging, started vibrating vigorously again.
He glanced at the caller ID, and a trace of relief washed over Shu Yimo's indifferent face. He hurriedly answered the call—
"Shi Xian?"
His hoarse voice traveled through the phone.
A light laugh came from the other side, "Thank heavens, you finally got out. Are you doing all right?"
A smirk crossed Shu Yimo's lips, "Not good, but, I won't die."
"I've just been transferred back to Y City, and, after two years, I'd like to see you. When will you treat me to a meal?"
Shi Xian was one of the few good friends of Shu Yimo, now a captain in the military district, who had been stationed on the border until recently transferred back to Y City.
"Yes, it's been over two years, I kind of miss you too. Tomorrow afternoon at three, Yelan Restaurant. Let's not stand each other up."
Shu Yimo stated the time and place directly.
"Sure, let's not stand each other up. Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you..."
"Hmm?"
Shu Yimo responded indifferently.
"Long Chengyu returned to Y City a few days ago. He was injured while on a mission, and this return to Y City is for convalescence. Moreover, he's probably going to retire and take over the Longteng Group. You... you haven't forgotten him, have you?"
Shu Yimo fell silent and eventually said nothing, then hung up the phone.
Long Chengyu...
That man, he had been mentioned in both phone calls tonight.
Shu Yimo was, of course, not unfamiliar with Long Chengyu. He had previously been in the S Military District where her uncle Shu Qiang was, and Shu Qiang always admired him. She had been on missions with Shi Xian before, and Shi Xian also held him in high esteem.
A betrothal by fingertip touch, and there was the keepsake as evidence...
Shu Yimo paused for a moment, her starry eyes becoming somewhat blank as she unconsciously reached for the jade pendant hanging around her neck—
Black with a pure flowing luster, crescent-shaped, simple and unadorned, but apparently only half of it. It was the only thing she had worn since she was a child; the other half should be with the Long Family.
Her grandfather had said that this was the original betrothal token...
Long Chengyu, Shu Yimo did not know what kind of person he was, only that the Long Family held an esteemed position in Y City, with the business leader Longteng Group's Crown Prince, influential and powerful, a high-ranking figure in the S Military District, noble and extraordinary, so low-key and mysterious that he had almost become a legend.
...
Actually, Shu Yimo thought she and Long Chengyu would never meet again in this lifetime.
Moreover, the connection between them was just an acquaintance, plain and unremarkable. Such an enigmatic person, Shu Yimo never wanted to get too close to him.
So, back then, neither of them took it to heart, did they?
After all, it's not like Long Chengyu really favored the marriage contract, so at that time...
...
The pain all over her body made it difficult for Shu Yimo to endure. After being imprisoned, due to some people's special attention, she didn't have an easy time and often got injured every few days. The most severe was the day before yesterday's incident; if not for the timely arrival of the prison guards, she might have ended up breaking arms and legs.
Now she still felt pain all over and lacked the strength to lift her body, her head heavy.
The injuries must be dealt with, or who knows how long they would take to heal. Breathing heavily in her chest caused a suffocating pain, and even lightly coughing was especially painful.
Unable to continue holding the cup, she stood up, took the apartment keys, and car keys, stuffed them into her bag, donned a black hoodie coat, and drove out to the hospital.