Nyoi-Bo Studio

  Nyoi-Bo Studio

  Fu Tingyu led Qin Shu back to the hotel. They sat on the bed after they each had a chance to shower.

  The whole story tumbled out of Qin Shu in a mess of words. Wen Xin was alive. Wen Xin was on Mount Qi……

  It explained her hysteria, the tangled threads of joy and pain……

  Their Master did not want Qin Shu to acknowledge her mother for who she was. It was the crux and reason for her sorrow.

  It took her a while, but she eventually reigned in her emotions. “Master did not explain in detail how he saved my mother or the circumstances behind the accident.”


  It was puzzling.

  “There’s something fishy about the car accident she had.” Fu Tingyu mulled over the issue and asked, “Let me get this straight. Master didn’t let you interact with your mother because he did not want her to remember anything related to Qin Hai, am I right?”


  Qin Shu looked up at Fu Tingyu and remembered how he had concealed his identity once upon a time. “It might be similar to what you have in mind.”


  Qin Shu’s words startled him out of his thoughts. Why did it feel like Qin Shu was in a rush to settle old debts?

  Yet…… he could not think of any other reason for their Master’s actions.

  Had he not been the person he was, Fu Tingyu would never have guessed a man as unworldly as their Master could have a possessive streak that could rival him.

  “I’m different from Master. I never wanted to lie to you. When I found out you couldn’t remember me, I was unhappy. When I got over my dejection, I realised it was not as bad as I made it out. It was a fresh start, a second chance at winning your affection.”


  “Master said he would help me recover part of my memory.” Qin Shu paused, helplessness tinging her following words. “I can’t shake the feeling that Master is hiding a lot of things from me. It’s probably related to how I lost my memories in the first place.”


  A woman’s intuition is a frightening thing, and it told her the two were linked somehow.

  “Part of your memory?” Fu Tingyu felt a sense of foreboding. What if she only remembered her love for Han Xiao and nothing else?

  “Yes. Master wouldn’t let me acknowledge my mother, so he’s probably offering to help me recover some of my memories as compensation……” Qin Shu drew in a rattling breath and continued, “.…… I would rather reunite with my mother than recover those memories. How long has it been since I’ve had a chance to speak to her? How long has it been since I’ve heard her call me Xiao Bao?”


  “It took three years for me to remember even bits and pieces of my past; my memory is nowhere near complete. If it means I get a chance to be with my mother, waiting for another three, or however long it’ll take to remember, is a price I’d gladly pay.”


  Her nickname, Xiao Bao, was given to her by her mother when she was born. The pet name stuck. It was a precious token of her love.

  Fu Tingyu held her in his arms. “Don’t accept Master’s offer. Don’t let him restore part of your memories, please.”


  Qin Shu looked up, barely holding her laughter in check. “What are you afraid of?”


  “What if Master only helps you remember your time with Han Xiao?”


  Qin Shu seriously considered Fu Tingyu’s question. “They say we fought a lot on Mount Qi…… You are worried we would start fighting if I remembered only those memories, aren’t you?”


  “That’s not what I meant. Even if we shared a rocky relationship in the past, even if those memories aren’t the most beautiful, at least they still belong to us.”


  Qin Shu leaned on Fu Tingyu’s shoulder and said, “I still can’t fathom what goes through your mind at times……”


  Fu Tingyu basked in Qin Shu’s warmth. He smiled but chose not to reply.

  “Master is so annoying. He always seems to be hiding something from me.” Qin Shu complained, though not angrily.

  Fu Tingyu was silent for a time. “I’m sure there are many things he does not want you to know.”


  “It’s a pity we can’t beat Master. Otherwise, we could have extracted a confession from him.”


  Fu Tingyu could not help but laugh. “Only you would dare to say something so brazen.”


  Who would dare beat up their Master to extract a confession?

  The wise sages of old taught the importance of respecting one’s Master. To beat one’s Master was to trample on their trust and goodwill, a betrayal so heinous it went against every moral tenet of nature.

  Qin Shu smiled. “Don’t mind me. I’m just running my mouth.”


  Fu Tinyu eyed her knowingly.

  “One day, I will surpass Master. Perhaps, then, he’ll volunteer what he knows without me having to knock on his door. ”


  Fu Tingyu nodded, a grin on his face. “You and your fanciful dreams……”


  Without warning, Qin Shu wrapped her arms around Fu Tingyu’s neck. “It’s only a matter of time before your martial strength returns to its peak. We will defeat Master together. When that time comes, defeating Master and learning the truth won’t be a pipe dream.”


  Fu Tingyu swallowed the laugh that bubbled to the surface and said, “Okay, okay. I’ll listen to my wife.”


  Qin Shu had originally planned to ask her Master about something the next day. Regardless of his answer, she would have been satisfied.

  However, her Master did not give her a chance to ask him the question plaguing her thoughts.

  –


  The next morning……

  Fu Tingyu always woke early; it was a habit for him. Glancing at the figure soundly asleep next to him, he thought of the wonton noodles she loved eating. It would not take much effort to stop by Snack Street for some wonton noodles and light bites.

  After washing up, he put on his clothes and left the inn.

  Qin Shu was the sole occupant of the guest room upon Fu Tingyu’s departure.

  Light streamed into the room, warm and gentle.

  A white figure jumped in through the window as silent as a spectre.

  It was none other than Qin Shu’s Master, Ziqing.

  Qin Shu, who was sleeping soundly, did not notice someone had come in. She did not know her Master had come to look for her.

  He glided to the bed, his eyes unblinking as he stared at the figure sleeping soundly. The first time Qin Shu climbed the mountain, he thought she felt very much like Ling’er, especially her features and personality. Qin Shu looked so similar to Ling’er as she had been three years ago that it was hard to tell them apart at times.

  He placed a hand over Qin Shu’s forehead and closed his eyes. Helping someone recover their memories was no easy task, and he needed to concentrate.

  More so when he was only going to help her recover a part rather than the whole……

  Ziqing spent an hour hovering over Qin Shu. It was done. Sparing Qin Shu one final glance, he left the way he entered.

  –


  At the peak of Mount Qi……

  “Going home?”


  Ling’er looked at Ziqing in surprise. She did not know why he suddenly wanted to bring her home.

  They had been together for a few years, but he had never mentioned where his home was or disclosed his identity. Then again, she had never asked either. Wen Xin had lived a peaceful, contented life with him.

  Ziqing’s sudden decision caught her off guard.

  He nodded. “Our marriage has been finalised. It’s time we return. You’ll get to know me better, then.”


  Ling’er felt sorry for the trouble she must have caused him. All this while, he had stayed with her on Mount Qi, not once taking time off for himself.

  “Will…… Will we have trouble seeing Xiao Jiu in the future?”


  “Xiao Jiu always seems to be at the forefront of your mind,” Ziqing spoke in a cold monotone, jealousy lacing his words.

  Ling’er offered him a weak smile. “When do we leave?”


  “Now.,” was his curt reply.

  Although it shocked her immensely that they should leave so soon, Ling’er kept mum. He had spent so many years on Mount Qi with her; it would not be fair of her to demand more from him.

  Ziqing had already packed everything they needed. The rest would remain on Mount Qi whenever they decided to return in the future.

  Once he had seen to everything that required his attention, he brought Ling’er onto a private jet, leaving Mount Qi.

  Jiuyan left two guards on Mount Qi and cleaned up the courtyard his Master and Mistress had been staying.

  His Master had taken great pains preparing Mount Qi for the Mistress. It would not do to leave it in a mess.

  Ling’er was now Mistress. She and his Master were married in the eyes of the law.

  His Mistress’s sudden appearance was sure to cause a stir among those old, stubborn biddies when they returned.

  –


  Fengyue Inn……

  Fu Tingyu placed the wonton noodles and food in front of the table. He turned around and walked into the guest room. When he realised that the girl was still not awake, he frowned.

  Last night, they did not do much because of Wen Xin’s matter. It was strange for Qin Shu to feel so tired.

  He leaned over and looked at Qin Shu with one hand supporting himself against the bedframe. He realised her forehead was covered in a sheen of perspiration…… She felt cold and clammy to the touch.