Chapter 28

Qu Zhisheng wanted to chase after her, but Fang Xiaoman stopped him. She frowned and said, “Let her go.”

Qu Zhisheng retorted, “Wouldn’t it be letting her off if we let her leave like this? I raised her for several years, and she wants to leave without repaying me? Dream on!”

Fang Xiaoman patiently advised, “Hubby, you really have to work on your patience. She’s your daughter—her surname is Qu—and the Qu family’s blood flows in her. Why would you need to force her?

Qu Zhisheng wanted to say something, but Fang Xiaoman held his hand tightly and comforted him. “Hubby, just listen to me and don’t argue with her. Although she’s of legal age, she’s still a child—she still has a long way to go!”

Fang Xiaoman wondered where Qu Ling’er’s confidence came from; she had to figure out her secret. Qu Zhisheng’s aggression would not work.

Qu Ling’er dragged her luggage downstairs and Aunt Pang hurried over to help.

Qu Ling’er refused and said to Aunt Pang, “Thank you, Aunt Pang. I can manage. By the way, I’m leaving and won’t be coming back. Thank you for taking care of me for the past three years.”

“You’re not coming back?” Aunt Pang asked in surprise. She knew that Qu Zhisheng did not like her, but Qu Ling’er had never said anything about it. Why was she suddenly leaving?

Qu Ling’er nodded—smiled politely—and left the villa. She called a cab and set her destination as Luo Yichen’s house. As the cab left the Qu family’s villa, she looked at the sky through the car window and felt unprecedentedly relaxed—she was finally free of Qu Zhisheng.

Qu Ling’er thought silently. “Mom, I’m sorry. I can’t stay in the Qu family as you wished. Please let me make my own decisions! The person you loved with your life is not worthy of your love.”

Qu Ling’er sent Luo Yichen a WeChat message: “Brother, it’s done. I’m on my way to your house.”

Luo Yichen was probably busy and did not reply immediately.

Qu Ling’er leaned back in her seat and quietly looked out the window. Even the air smelled of freedom; her future was going to be beautiful.

After a busy morning, it was almost noon when she arrived at Luo Yichen’s house. She cooked some noodles and was about to eat when Luo Yichen replied: “Are you home?”

Qu Ling’er ate her noodles with one hand and tapped on her phone screen with the other: “Yup. I’ve cooked some noodles and am eating it now.” Luo Yichen sent her a video call request immediately after her reply.

Qu Ling’er used the cup as a stand and accepted the video call.

When the video call was connected, Luo Yichen saw the lass eating noodles. Although it was just a simple dish of noodle soup, it looked very appetizing. The lass looked rather adorable eating noodles—her cheeks were puffed up.

“Brother, have you eaten?” Qu Ling’er asked after swallowing a bite.

Luo Yichen sighed and said, “No, not yet.”

Qu Ling’er said, “Huh? It’s already 1 p.m. and your assistant hasn’t prepared lunch for you?”

Luo Yichen looked at Qu Ling’er and said aggrievedly, “The new movie requires me to lose weight—I can only choose between lunch or dinner.”

“Huh? That’s terrible!” Qu Ling’er suddenly felt sorry for Luo Yichen. Being a celebrity was tough—there was even a restriction to food.

Luo Yichen looked at Qu Ling’er’s noodles and asked, “Are the noodles you cooked… delicious?”

Qu Ling’er nodded. “I think it’s alright… I can cook it for you when you come back.”

“Okay.” Luo Yichen immediately agreed. “Wait for me. I’ll be back in a few days.”

“Alright.” Qu Ling’er smiled and agreed.

Luo Yichen wanted to chat for a while longer—but Assistant Liu came over—so, he hurriedly said to Qu Ling’er, “I need to go now. Let’s talk when we’re free.”

Before Qu Ling’er could react, Luo Yichen ended the video call. She smiled helplessly—it seemed like his assistant had found out that he was skiving again.

Qu Ling’er unpacked her luggage in the afternoon. The only valuable item in her possession was a laptop. She turned on the computer—her wallpaper consisted of only an icon of the recycle bin—and tapped on the keyboard. As soon as she opened the browser, there was a message.

Blackie: “There’s been no news for half a year. You’re finally online.”

Qu Ling’er glanced at it and replied: “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Blackie was silent for a moment before asking: “Do you accept the mission?”

Qu Ling’er: “I don’t accept illegal jobs.”

Blackie sent a crying emoji and said: “What do you take me for? Why would I break the law? It’s a job to restore the database for EL Corporation. The commission isn’t very high but it’s not bad as a practice…”

Qu Ling’er smiled and replied: “Alright, do as you see fit.”