CHAPTER 204: CHAPTER 204: UNEXPLAINED LOSS

In City A, inside the Ling Family’s CEO office, Ling Tianyou stared blankly at the brocade box in front of him.

How long has Gu Ningyue been gone? It feels like it’s only been two short days, so why does he feel so uneasy?

It was as if someone had taken a rock and harshly smashed it against his heart, making it both painful and heavy.

Could it be, that he was truly wrong?

He really had no desire to investigate her, but ever since the birthday party, she seemed like a completely different person, and his curiosity couldn’t be contained.

Moreover, the ’master’ she called out to in her sleep made it impossible for him to ignore.

"Knock, knock—"

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted his train of thought. Ling Tianyou glanced at the watch on his wrist, then looked up at the door: "Come in!"

The office door opened, and Lin Cheng, dressed in formal attire, walked in: "Bro, I’m here to pick up something!"

Ling Tianyou nodded, pushing the brocade box to the edge of the table with two fingers: "It’s been repaired, take a look!"

"Thanks, bro." Lin Cheng opened the brocade box with a beaming smile, exclaiming without restraint: "Oh my, the craftsmanship is incredible! If you don’t look closely, you wouldn’t even know it had been broken!"

Ling Tianyou shook his head in amusement: "Stop with the flattery, kid. If you look closely, you can see the marks on the back of the jade. Next time you meet a true expert, have them fix it for you."

Such cracks, except for the ’Jade Grinding Saint’ Cheng Yihan, would be difficult for anyone to restore perfectly.

Lin Cheng laughed heartily: "No need, no need, this is fine. I just want to keep it as a memento."

As he spoke, Lin Cheng pocketed the item, "When I get back, I’ll have her treat you to a meal."

Ling Tianyou watched Lin Cheng shake his head: "No need. By the way, what’s your brother been up to lately?"

Lin Cheng paused: "You mean Lin Ruixian? It seems he’s not in City A."

Ling Tianyou was slightly taken aback: "Not in City A? Where did he go?"

Lin Cheng, unaware of the seriousness, shrugged nonchalantly: "Who knows? He’s always been fond of traveling all over the place, it’s something I’ve gotten used to."

Compared to himself, Lin Ruixian was the most carefree one.

Though Lin Ziyue was in charge now, in the end, she was merely managing the company on his behalf.

Lin Ruixian could wander as he pleased yet still receive the majority of the inheritance.

After all, Lin Ruixian was Mr. Lin’s biological son.

And such good fortune, not even Ling Tianyou could claim to have.

Sitting behind the desk, Ling Tianyou recalled Gu Ningyue’s behavior over the past two days, and his heart skipped a beat.

Could it be, all of this is related to Lin Ruixian?

No, impossible, why would Gu Ningyue do such a thing?

Even for the Blood Jade, she said she would inform him of whatever she did.

Could it be, she broke her promise again?

With this thought, Ling Tianyou dialed Gu Ningyue’s number once more.

The dial tone went on for a long time, but Gu Ningyue never picked up.

Ling Tianyou dejectedly put down the phone, his fingers clenching together.

"Lin Cheng, find out where Lin Ruixian went and whom he’s with."

Lin Cheng looked at the grim-faced Ling Tianyou, unsure of what had happened, but he rarely saw Ling Tianyou display such an expression towards him.

He nodded instinctively, then looked at Ling Tianyou and asked: "Brother, what’s going on? Did something happen?"

Ling Tianyou shook his head: "No, just go and ask, tell me when you find out. Remember, be subtle, don’t let anything slip."

"Okay." Lin Cheng raised the corners of his mouth and nodded emphatically: "Don’t worry bro, I’m not that dumb."

After leaving Ling Tianyou’s office, an hour later, Lin Cheng sent a message: "My cousin went to City Y a couple of days ago, said he was a bit bored here and went there to unwind."

Ling Tianyou asked: "Did he go alone? No one else with him?"

Lin Cheng: "Yeah, alone. My cousin’s very peculiar, he always moves about on his own and doesn’t like anyone tagging along."

Ling Tianyou breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good then."

Lin Cheng: "Did something happen, bro?"

Ling Tianyou said: "No, just wanted to confirm something."

As long as Lin Ruixian went alone, he could put his mind at ease.

Even though relieved, Ling Tianyou still felt somewhat uneasy thinking about Gu Ningyue, who hadn’t been responding to him.

Maybe it’s not just because he investigated her, but also about Chen Rui?

After Chen Rui’s appearance, Gu Ningyue seemed a bit distant.

And all of this, he’s not sure if it’s just his imagination.

Since when did he care so much about someone?

Ling Tianyou painfully pinched his brow, only feeling that since Gu Ningyue appeared, his life has undergone a tremendous change.

He seems to have changed too; he was never this indecisive before.

In the past, if someone made him this unhappy, he would definitely not allow them in his world.

At five o’clock in the afternoon, Gu Ningyue awoke from the hotel’s large bed.

Seeing Ling Tianyou’s missed call, Gu Ningyue was in a daze for a moment.

I can’t keep not responding, after all, disappearing for too long, Ling Tianyou might realize she’s not in City A.

Things here clearly won’t be done any time soon, better to call Ling Tianyou back!

However, just as the thought arose, another voice sprang into her mind, asking, "Are you afraid of exposing your whereabouts, or are you just using it as an excuse because you miss Ling Tianyou?"

Gu Ningyue shook her head vigorously, of course, it was to avoid revealing her whereabouts.

She wouldn’t miss someone who investigates her while protecting other women.

She hasn’t forgotten how Ling Tianyou looked in front of Chen Rui!

With that thought, Gu Ningyue casually dialed Ling Tianyou’s number.

Originally, she thought as a CEO, Ling Tianyou’s phone wouldn’t be easy to reach, but this time, it surprisingly connected smoothly.

Only a few seconds later, Ling Tianyou’s magnetic and pleasant voice floated over: "Hello?"

Gu Ningyue got out of bed, dressed and walked to the window, gazing at the bustling streets outside: "Did you call me? I was sleeping in the afternoon and didn’t hear it."

"Is that so? I thought you planned to ignore me forever." Ling Tianyou let out a laugh with an unclear meaning.

Gu Ningyue was silent for a moment, "I’m just a bit unhappy. But I’m curious, if I ignore you, would you feel sad?"

This time, it was Ling Tianyou’s turn to pause: "No, but I don’t like being rejected. You’re the first one!"

Gu Ningyue felt inexplicably disappointed, no wonder Ling Tianyou has been reaching out to her so often these days: "Then forget I asked. If there’s nothing else, I’m going to hang up."

Ling Tianyou suddenly regretted his previous words and hurriedly stopped Gu Ningyue: "Wait, where are you now?"