Seeing that Ye Mo didn't object, Ning Qingxue sighed. He already had a girlfriend, so she wasn't sure if this plan would work. But it seemed he wasn't living with his girlfriend now, and with her arrival, it actually prompted him to live with her instead.
"Because I want to marry you," Ning Qingxue said bluntly, unable to find any other way to phrase it or soften the blow.
Unexpectedly, Ye Mo didn't look surprised at all. His calm reaction puzzled Ning Qingxue. She watched him quietly for a while, then whispered, "Aren't you curious? Or don't you want to ask me anything?"
Although Ye Mo was no longer the cunning man he used to be, Ning Qingxue's little tricks couldn't escape his notice. Thinking back to when Wang Ying told him that Ning Qingxue was using him as a shield to stop others from proposing marriage, plus her voluntarily coming with him tonight and openly saying she wanted to marry him—all these clues made it clear to Ye Mo that Ning Qingxue was once again trying to use him as a shield.
Seeing Ye Mo's expression remain calm and his silence, Ning Qingxue felt uneasy. She nervously added, "I won't interfere with you and your girlfriend's relationship. I just want everyone to know that we live together, and that we're even married. I'll explain everything to your girlfriend."
Sure enough, Ye Mo waved his hand in disinterest, "You don't need to explain to anyone. This has nothing to do with Xu Wei—she's not part of this."
After a moment of hesitation, though Ye Mo wanted to refuse, Ning Qingxue's pitiful eyes softened him. Although this woman intended to use him, she was upfront about it, and Ye Mo didn't care about being used in this matter. More importantly, her sorrowful gaze stirred something inside him.
He didn't know what had happened to Ning Qingxue, but the fact that she made such a choice meant something unbearable was looming over her.
"I can pay you. I won't let you help for nothing," Ning Qingxue quickly added when she saw Ye Mo hesitating.
"Alright, I agree. You decide when to get the marriage certificate. But I hope you won't spread my identity everywhere," Ye Mo answered indifferently, as if discussing something unrelated to himself.
Ning Qingxue looked at him in delight. She hadn't expected Ye Mo to agree without any questions. Whatever his reasons, she was grateful. As for his last remark, she simply took it as him telling her not to tell Xu Wei.
"Here's five hundred thousand yuan. Use it for now. The password is 575757." Ning Qingxue handed Ye Mo a bank card.
Ye Mo took the card, half-joking, "Alright, you've paid your fee now. We're a deal. When you think the deal is done, you leave. I'm going to rest."
Watching Ye Mo's lonely figure walk away, Ning Qingxue suddenly felt a pang in her heart, as if she had done something wrong. But what exactly was it? Sitting on Ye Mo's bed, she was lost in thought.
Maybe her feeling was wrong. Ye Mo must have agreed because she paid him. Looks like Mumei's words about him weren't wrong.
When Ye Mo stepped outside to the courtyard, Xu Wei had already entered the room. He held the bank card and felt turmoil inside. The impulse to smash the card on Ning Qingxue's face and tell her to get lost nearly overwhelmed him.
The only reasons he had let Ning Qingxue in, and even helped her, were his memories of his helpless master and her sorrowful eyes.
Shaking his head, he wondered what mistake Ning Qingxue had made. From her perspective, maybe she did the right thing.
The room was given to Ning Qingxue, and Ye Mo had nowhere to go. Fortunately, he often practiced martial arts on the north side of the courtyard near an ancient tree. Every time he trained there, a sense of tranquility enveloped him.
Ye Mo sat under the ancient tree, practicing all night. He felt his energy strengthen somewhat and smiled faintly. The gloom of last night vanished without a trace. Maybe he should train here every night—sometimes people only strive when pushed.
Without waiting for Ning Qingxue to discuss the marriage timing, Ye Mo ran off to school.
After Ye Mo left, Ning Qingxue and Xu Wei got up and greeted each other awkwardly. For both, it was strange that Ye Mo had slept with the other. Ning Qingxue found it stranger—wasn't Ye Mo "that guy"? How could he cohabit with someone else? But she was too embarrassed to ask.
After reading books in the library for a long time, Ye Mo returned to his dorm to sleep the afternoon away. That evening, Shi Xiu invited him to dinner using free meal coupons he got for the campus restaurant, Juweilou.
"Ye Mo, you were really something yesterday. After you left, Yan Yan was so upset she turned pale. If not for Wu Qingbing helping her out, she might have disappeared underground. By the way, who was that beautiful woman looking for you? She must be a celebrity, right? No, she's even more beautiful than any celebrity I know," Shi Xiu said excitedly. He usually didn't act so exaggerated except around Ye Mo.
Ye Mo laughed and patted Shi Xiu's shoulder. "I slept all afternoon. I was starving, so let's eat."
Shi Xiu sighed. "Honestly, I'm worried about you. Aren't you anxious? Graduation is coming, but you failed all your exams last semester. Forget a degree, you might not even get a diploma. Yet you just sleep all day."
Ye Mo replied dryly, "What good is worrying? If it worked, I'd be worrying every day. Whatever—I have a plan. When you graduate and can't find a job, come find me. I'll get you something to eat."
"Ha, yeah right. I want more than just a meal. A relative said he can help me get a government job—something you'd envy. Come on, I smell food at Juweilou." Shi Xiu dragged Ye Mo into the restaurant.
Juweilou was the most famous campus restaurant at Ning University. The dishes were quite tasty—not as perfect as the "West Lake Renjia," but Ye Mo liked this style.
Shi Xiu only had 200 yuan in coupons, but it was enough for both. Ye Mo ordered two bottles of baijiu (white liquor). They ate and drank until seven or eight in the evening.
Shi Xiu's tolerance was low; Ye Mo drank most of the baijiu.
When Ye Mo saw Shi Xiu off, still a bit tipsy, he caught sight of Zheng Wenqiao heading to the restroom. Though it was just a simple silhouette, Ye Mo's sharp eyes immediately locked on.
Last time, this Zheng fellow had drugged him. Though Ye Mo didn't suffer any losses, he was still angry. Seeing him now, Ye Mo decided he wouldn't let it go.
He hurried Shi Xiu into the dorm and left him on the bed, then rushed back outside Juweilou. He guessed Zheng Wenqiao had some connections, so when he taught him a lesson, he'd cover his face.
Ye Mo planned to kill him outright but knew it would raise suspicions. Better to beat him until he was helpless.
Not long after, Ye Mo saw Zheng Wenqiao come out of Juweilou, talking on the phone.