CHAPTER 457: CHAPTER 457: AH LIE IS IN TROUBLE

"..." Yan Chuhua opened her mouth dumbly, blinking in disbelief.

Xia Ziyu continued, "I can tell you like Yun Mu. I thought you two liked each other but weren’t together because of your engagement to me. I didn’t expect that you didn’t know Yun Mu’s feelings."

"I..." Yan Chuhua stammered, "You... you’re talking nonsense. How could Yun Mu like me? At the beginning of school, he approached Qianyi actively, treated Qianyi well, and always paid attention to Qianyi. He clearly likes Qianyi, how... how could he possibly like me."

Xia Ziyu looked at her, "Believe me, outsiders see things more clearly. Moreover, I have a keen sense when it comes to rivals in love. Yun Mu is not my rival, his feelings for Qianyi are purely platonic."

"Really... really?" A smile tugged at Yan Chuhua’s lips.

If that was true, she would wake up laughing from her dreams tonight.

"Why would I lie to you? If you don’t believe it, ask him yourself."

Yan Chuhua couldn’t hide her smile any longer, and like a simple child, she covered her mouth and laughed.

Xia Ziyu went on, "Now you know, I’ll just tell you the truth. I went to the Federation Military Academy for Qianyi."

"I can see that you want to stay at the Federation Military Academy because of Yun Mu."

"If you want to be with Yun Mu, just be with him. Don’t worry about me, neither of us accept arranged marriages."

"But until we find a good solution, you two have to keep your relationship low-key, don’t let the elders find out.

"Otherwise, you won’t be able to stay at the Federation Military Academy anymore, and you’ll get me in trouble too."

Yan Chuhua nodded, "Okay, don’t worry, I won’t get you involved, but you and Qianyi..."

"I’m going back now, get some rest."

Xia Ziyu cut her off and turned to leave.

Yan Chuhua still wanted to voice her concerns, and called out loudly to Xia Ziyu’s departing figure, "Qianyi won’t leave Teacher Mu, what will you do?"

Xia Ziyu didn’t respond but just raised his hand and waved at Yan Chuhua.

Yan Chuhua sighed.

Though initially, she and Xia Ziyu always viewed each other unfavorably.

After interacting with him, she found that Xia Ziyu was a genuinely good person, and she considered him a close friend, hoping that he could find happiness in the future.

But unexpectedly, he had fallen for someone with no promising future.

Heartache and sorrow were unavoidable.

She understood that feeling all too well.

...

In the following days, Yan Qianyi spent every day at home doing alchemy and research.

Yun Mu and Yan Chuhua would visit her every other day; however, they didn’t stay long, just having a meal before leaving.

Life seemed to go by very slowly.

Yan Qianyi counted the days.

It had been five days since Mu Yunlie had left; he had said he would return in three days if everything went well.

Yet five days had passed without even a message from him.

Unable to hold back, Yan Qianyi sent him a message, "Are you very busy these days? Please reply when you see this message."

What began as missing him had now turned into worry.

Five days had passed, indicating that his mission was not going smoothly.

"Miss, what are you daydreaming about?" Aunt Xue waved her hand in front of Yan Qianyi’s eyes, "Is tonight’s dinner not to your taste?"

"I’m fine, it’s delicious," Yan Qianyi came back to herself.

"You’re lying; you’ve been eating very little these past few days. Are you not feeling well?" Aunt Xue asked.

She had watched Yan Qianyi grow up and could tell that something was weighing on her mind.

"There’s nothing wrong, don’t worry."

"Is it because of your son-in-law? It’s been almost a week since he left, didn’t he tell you when he’ll be back?"

Yan Qianyi shook her head.

Aunt Xue looked worried, "Could it be..."

"No!" Yan Qianyi interrupted, "Aunt Xue, I know what you’re going to say. I trust Ah Lie; he’s really busy with something. We’ve been in touch every day; don’t overthink, he’ll come back as soon as he’s done."

Aunt Xue wisely closed her mouth and sighed quietly.

She didn’t distrust Mu Yunlie either, but she was somewhat worried.

After all, being just a teacher at the Military Academy, what important matter could keep him away for so long? Especially not being with his wife, who is pregnant.

Although Hong’s character was not great, when Madam was pregnant with the young lady, he had left all his work behind to stay by Madam’s side every day.

Yan Qianyi ate a few more bites and then went back upstairs.

Mu Yunlie still hadn’t messaged her back.

She also didn’t dare to call him.

Worried that if his mission was indeed going poorly, it might be a critical moment, and she couldn’t disturb him.

After reassuring herself, Yan Qianyi went to sleep.

Being pregnant, she loved sleeping in more than ever, but she woke up early the next morning.

The moment she opened her eyes, she immediately asked Xiao Ke, "Has Ah Lie messaged me back?"

"Master, not yet."

Hearing this, she immediately sat up from her bed.

It was strange that he hadn’t replied after an entire night.

Previously, even when he was busy, he had never been out of touch for this long.

She couldn’t hold back any longer and hurriedly instructed Xiao Ke, "Xiao Ke, call him right now!"

"Right away, master," Xiao Ke immediately carried out the order, then said, "Master, the call can’t go through."

Yan Qianyi’s forehead furrowed, "Can’t go through?"

"Yes, there’s no signal from Ah Chang’s side."

Yan Qianyi panicked.

Ah Chang, such a powerful AI system, losing its signal?!

This anomaly indicated that Ah Lie was indeed in grave danger!

She immediately got out of bed, grabbed a coat from her closet, and rushed out the door toward the Nangong Family’s house.

Arriving at the Nangong family home, the Nangong couple was sitting at the dining table.

Seeing Yan Qianyi, breathless and hurried, the couple was momentarily stunned.

"Qianyi, what’s wrong?" Nangong Xiaoxue asked.

Yan Qianyi took a deep breath and looked toward the dining table.

The couple was seated at the table, yet the breakfast was untouched.

Their faces didn’t look well either.

Normally, they would be delighted to see her.

Yan Qianyi suddenly clenched her clothes tightly, asking, "Do you know if something happened to Ah Lie?"

Nangong Xiaoxue opened her mouth but didn’t speak, her gaze shifting to Nangong Jie.

Nangong Jie forced a smile, "Why would anything happen? Ah Lie is fine."

"Yes, Qianyi, you are pregnant now, don’t worry," Nangong Xiaoxue took Yan Qianyi by the hand and sat her down, "There’s nothing to worry about."

Yan Qianyi fidgeted, "I can’t get through to him, can you contact him?"

The Nangong couple fell silent...