Chapter 197

So he searched desperately, not daring to rest for a moment, just wanting to find this person as soon as possible and lock him by his side, never letting go.

He did inquire with Qing Qing, but by the time she left the central city, it had already been a month since Ye Zhi had left, so she didn’t connect the two events. Plus, knowing that Ye Zhi wanted to hide, he must have hidden in a completely unfamiliar place and would never seek the help of his only friend.

But unexpectedly, by a stroke of luck, the destination of the boat ticket Ye Zhi bought was here, which allowed him to regain what he had lost in just under four months.

He felt incredibly lucky, and tears welled up in Ye Zhi’s eyes as he realized how deeply he was valued by Huo Youqiao.

Far more important than he had ever thought.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong…” Ye Zhi apologized with guilt. “I will never act on my own like that again.”

Huo Youqiao lifted his head, his expression free of blame, his gaze somewhat eager. “You won’t leave without permission again?”

“I won’t!”

“Will you be with me forever?”

“Forever with you!”

From the central city to the Hei Tu Mountains, even the fastest plane would take a day and a night to get here. When Qing Qing informed him, it was during the day when he was at work, so Huo Youqiao had been awake for over thirty-six hours.

After ensuring that Ye Zhi wouldn’t leave again, he finally couldn’t resist lying down and sleeping for a while, but he still held Ye Zhi’s hand tightly even in his sleep. When Ye Zhi tried to gently free his hand, as soon as he moved, Huo Youqiao tightened his grip again and opened his eyes. Ye Zhi immediately dared not move, softly coaxing him, “I won’t leave, you go back to sleep.”

Huo Youqiao closed his eyes again.

He slept soundly, his breathing somewhat heavy. With the sunlight shining through the window, Ye Zhi almost didn’t dare to blink as he stared at him.

He had really lost a lot of weight, and Ye Zhi could imagine how hard it must have been for him during this time. The mayor’s job was already demanding, and on top of that, he had to find Ye Zhi, hold onto guilt for his younger brother, and take care of his daughter. How did he manage to get through it all?

And how could Ye Zhi bear to let him become like this?

But if given another chance, Ye Zhi knew he would make the same choice.

Huo Youqiao held a very important place in his heart, almost occupying his entire being. So he couldn’t bear to let him suffer even the slightest harm.

But now, Ye Zhi understood that no matter what happened in the future, they could face it together.

No matter the winds and waves ahead, it wasn’t the end of the world.

In Qing Qing’s imagination, a long-lost reunion between lovers would undoubtedly involve a lot of longing to express, followed by intense lovemaking. So she very considerately took everyone away, intending to return when it was almost dark.

However, their parents didn’t quite understand. After all, Black Soil Town was too small, and even if they took their time, they would finish walking around in just two hours. So Yu was quite puzzled and asked, “Aren’t we going back yet? If we don’t go back to cook soon, Ye will be hungry.”

“Uh… it’s still early…” Qing Qing looked at the sky, mentally calculating the time, worried that going back now might just run into something they shouldn’t see.

After being caressed by his sister, who had been wandering around together after school, her stomach growled. “But I’m hungry too.”

Qing Qing said, “Then I’ll treat you to dinner. Let’s eat first, and then we’ll go back together.”