Chapter Sixty-One: Darkness Before Dawn

Han Mo spoke with some concern, “If you do this, your relationship with Master He will never have a chance to mend.”

A storm of anger, cold as a crumbling glacier, flashed in He Zheyu’s ink-black eyes. His voice was frigid as he replied, “In his eyes, there is only Zhao Xu’er and her child. If he truly wanted to reconcile with me, he wouldn’t have sided with the Zhao family to plot against the girl, nor would he have intervened to stop me from breaking off my engagement to Zhao Yiya. Since he insists on making me miserable, then let’s be miserable together.”

Just as He Zheyu was speaking with Han Mo in the living room, a terrified scream suddenly erupted from the room where Mo Qinghan was sleeping. He Zheyu and Han Mo rushed into the bedroom and switched on the light. Mo Qinghan was already sitting up, clutching the quilt with all her strength. Her hair was disheveled, strands sticking to her face with sweat. Shivering, she stammered, “I just dreamed of Qingyu standing before me, covered in blood, begging me to save him.”

He Zheyu immediately sat at the edge of the bed and gathered Mo Qinghan into his arms, comforting her. “It was just a dream, nothing more. I’m here, don’t be afraid.” He gestured for Han Mo to head home.

Han Mo nodded and quietly turned to leave.

He Zheyu could clearly feel Mo Qinghan trembling uncontrollably in his embrace, her teeth chattering as if chilled to the bone. He took off his slippers and climbed onto the bed, lying down beside her. Wrapping all the blankets tightly around Mo Qinghan, he held her shaking body close, blankets and all. He understood that her coldness was not of the body, but of the heart. The only thing he could do now was to warm her body first, and then try to thaw that heart grown so cold.

He held her for a long time before her trembling finally subsided. In a weak voice by his ear, Mo Qinghan said, “Let go a little, I can barely breathe.”

He Zheyu released her but did not immediately retreat into the quilt. Instead, he adjusted the blanket pressing on her chest, easing it downward. “Is that better?”

Mo Qinghan gazed at him, a sudden smile lighting her face. She said nothing, but even that fleeting moment of happiness was enough to satisfy He Zheyu. His voice was gentle as he whispered into her ear, “Once Qingyu’s affairs are settled, I’ll take you to whichever country you like. You can continue your studies there. If you never want to come back, we’ll just stay there, the two of us.”

Mo Qinghan’s eyes grew misty with tears. She raised her slender, beautiful hand and gently caressed He Zheyu’s haggard face. She understood that if he truly chose to live abroad with her, it would mean giving up everything the He family had to offer, and abandoning Zhao Yiya as well.

“Is it worth it?” she asked softly.

He Zheyu took her hand, pressing it to his lips for a kiss. “When you’ve truly loved, you no longer worry about whether it’s worth it—only whether you’re willing.” Then he added, “Sleep. I’ll stay here until you drift off. Don’t be afraid. I’ll always be here by your side.”

Reassured by his tender words, Mo Qinghan closed her weary eyes. Like a parent soothing a child, He Zheyu hummed a lullaby and gently patted her in time with the melody.