Chapter 68: You Want to Drive Me Away?

"What did you say?"

Shen Qingli gazed at the man before her in surprise, searching his face for any trace of deliberation.

But Xie Jinchuan’s expression remained calm and indifferent, no different from how he treated strangers.

“I said you should leave. Now that you’ve harmed Qingqing, the two of you can no longer live under the same roof.”

She stared at his earnest gaze, her hands at her sides clenching tightly.

"System, I want to use all of my mind-reading abilities."

With Shen Qingli’s summons, Lush Cilantro finally awakened, still dazed and unaware of what had transpired, dutifully following instructions.

“All mind-reading abilities have been activated for ten minutes.”

With her mind-reading now fully engaged, Shen Qingli drew a deep breath and met Xie Jinchuan’s eyes.

“Are you sure you want me to leave?” she asked, a hint of hope lingering in her eyes.

“Yes.”

She heard no inner voice from him, which meant he spoke the truth.

“Why?” she asked, her body trembling. She refused to believe Xie Jinchuan was truly such a person; she simply could not believe it.

“Does there need to be a reason?” Xie Jinchuan looked at the expression on her face, feeling as though his heart was bleeding.

She watched him for a long moment, but until her mind-reading faded, she heard nothing further from him.

After a pause, she nodded.

“Fine, I’ll go.”

Turning away, she returned to the villa, gathered her things, and left, brushing past him.

This scene, naturally, was captured perfectly by the reporters whom Rong Qiao had arranged in advance.

“Heh, this time we’ve got a real scoop!” The reporter, fearful of being discovered by Xie Jinchuan, slipped away quickly after snapping the photos.

As Shen Qingli got into the car, Xie Jinchuan carried Ye Qingqing back upstairs.

But if one looked closely, Xie Jinchuan’s fingers never quite touched Ye Qingqing’s back—he used spiritual energy, making it appear as though he held her.

Seeing Ye Qingqing remained unconscious, Xie Jinchuan took out his phone and called his assistant, Xie Yi.

“Arrange a house, and everything she’ll need. Don’t let it be known it’s from me. Yes, exactly. Good.”

After hanging up, Xie Jinchuan turned to Ye Qingqing, who lay motionless on the bed.

He placed his fingers on her forehead. As spiritual energy flickered, he closed his eyes.

Ye Qingqing’s memories flowed through his mind—her past, and everything after her unexpected resurrection and encounter with Shen Qingli.

Nothing seemed suspicious.

But the very absence of suspicion was what made it all the more suspicious.

“How did you come back to life?” His voice was cold as he murmured, his eyes as frigid as ice.

She had clearly perished in the great war between immortals and demons—how could she be alive again?

If this was truly possible, then what about Rong Xia...!

At this thought, Xie Jinchuan placed another protective charm on Ye Qingqing, then left the villa immediately.

He formed a mystical hand seal; when he opened his eyes again, he was standing in a sea of blooming wisteria.

At the heart of the flower field stood a massive ice coffin, radiating cold air.

Xie Jinchuan approached slowly, passing through a transparent barrier. With a flick of his finger, the lid of the ice coffin rose.

Inside lay a woman of unparalleled beauty, dressed in a gown of white and violet, her ethereal grace only heightened by the colors.

“Rong Xia.”

He whispered her name; it was clear this woman before him was Rong Xia.

As his fingers glided over her face, her true features emerged—identical to Shen Qingli’s.

Exquisite beyond words.

Xie Jinchuan stood there, gazing at the woman in the coffin, yet his eyes betrayed no emotion, not a trace of love.

After a long while, he waved his hand, restoring everything to its former state.

But this time, he left with a heavy heart.

He did not notice a strand of red light clinging to him slip away, silently passing through the barrier and sinking into the brow of the woman in the ice coffin.

Visibly, the woman—who for centuries had lain motionless—suddenly trembled ever so slightly before returning to stillness.

As if that brief movement had been nothing more than an illusion.

...

Shen Qingli wandered aimlessly through the bustling streets, the crowds around her blurring into confusion.

“How useless of me. Can I really not think of where to go without Xie Jinchuan?”

She laughed at herself, then began searching for a place to stay, suitcase in tow. She had plenty of money, but no heart to look at apartments.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of that woman called Rong Xia.

“Miss Shen?”

A familiar voice sounded. It was Xiao Wu, the landlord’s agent she had met before.

“So it really is you, Miss Shen.” Xiao Wu greeted her with a cheerful smile, but paused when he saw the suitcase behind her.

“What brings you out at this hour with your luggage?”

Following his gaze, Shen Qingli chuckled. “Just a lover’s quarrel—I stormed out in a huff, that’s all.”

She saw no reason to hide it.

Xiao Wu didn’t pry further and changed the topic. “Well, as it happens, I know of a particularly nice apartment. It’s not safe for you to be out alone this late. Why not come take a look?”

Since she would need to find a place sooner or later, Shen Qingli nodded.

“Alright.”

If it worked out, she could buy it outright. At least she would have a place to call her own.

“I’ll carry your suitcase for you, Miss Shen,” Xiao Wu offered eagerly, taking the luggage and leading her back the way she had come.

As they walked, Shen Qingli noticed the scenery growing more and more familiar, and she frowned.

“Isn’t this...”

She caught sight of Xie Jinchuan’s villa in the distance and was about to turn away when Xiao Wu took a turn, stopping at the building next door.

“Here we are, Miss Shen!” Xiao Wu announced with a grin, though inwardly he couldn’t help but feel a pang of misfortune.

He had been relaxing at home when a slew of calls dragged him out. Only then did he learn that President Xie and President Shen had quarreled and separated.

Honestly, President Xie could have just said the neighboring apartment was his, instead of involving him. If it weren’t for the generous payment, he definitely would have refused!

“How could it be next to his place?” Shen Qingli frowned again, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

Seeing this, Xiao Wu quickly added, “Miss Shen, this is the only good and affordable place in this area. It’s nearly impossible to find another! Besides, the owner is desperate for cash and willing to sell it for just three... no, five hundred thousand!”