Chapter 84: The Grand Courtyard

Qin Yu pondered through the night, and only when sunlight fully bathed the earth did she finally return to reality. She stepped out of her room into the living room, surprised to find Tao sitting there motionless.

Upon seeing Qin Yu appear, Tao rasped, “Qin Yu, tell me, is he still alive?”

Qin Yu paused in surprise, then walked over to sit beside Tao and asked, “Why do you suddenly ask that?”

Tao lifted her head, bloodshot eyes fixed intently on Qin Yu. Slowly, she said, “Last night, I had a dream. I dreamt he told me to take good care of myself. Qin Yu, is he really not dead? Or was the dream just because I miss him too much?”

Qin Yu gently stroked Tao’s head and replied, “I don’t quite know how to answer you, but I think he’s probably not dead. After all, we never saw his body, right? Well, honestly, you put the body in your own space, but I think he must be somewhere, silently watching over you. When the time is right, he’ll come to see you. To him, you’re still his most cherished treasure.”

A light brighter than ever before shone in Tao’s eyes. With a trembling voice, she asked, “Really? Is that true? Yes! I believe he wouldn’t leave me behind so easily! He wanted so badly to keep me by his side—how could he abandon me to face this apocalypse alone? I believe something is holding him back, and that’s why he can’t come to me just yet! Yes, that must be it!”

Her voice quivered with conviction. If not for the tears that slipped unconsciously down her cheeks, Qin Yu might have believed her words herself.

Qin Yu thought of the man in her space, whose breath lingered, faint but stubborn. Perhaps, she mused, it truly was his unwillingness to let Tao go that kept him from surrendering his last breath.

Lovers in this world are truly pitiable, Qin Yu thought as she stared absently at Tao’s tear-streaked face.

“What’s wrong, Little Peach?” Zhao Meng’s lively voice rang out in the room. Qin Yu turned to see Xia Cheng and Zhao Meng entering the living room, Xia Cheng standing behind Zhao Meng as her steadfast support.

Tao wiped the tears from her face and choked out, “I’m just happy. That’s all.”

Zhao Meng looked skeptical but did not press further. She was no longer the carefree girl she used to be; with her memories restored, she understood that everyone has their secrets, and no one had the right to force her to reveal them against her will.

Xia Cheng stood behind her, eyes full of love. Though his Little Meng had regained her memories, he loved her even more than before. In this life, he was utterly captivated by this woman, and he accepted it willingly.

Qin Yu looked at the three, each lost in thought, and smiled faintly. “After I went to rest yesterday, did that group make any suspicious moves?”

Xia Cheng shook his head. “Nothing unusual.”

Qin Yu considered for a moment. “In that case, let’s keep observing today. I think they’ll make their move soon.”

The three nodded. Zhao Meng casually prepared a simple meal, and after eating, the four took turns keeping watch.

Around noon, just as Zhao Meng was about to lose patience, Chen Yang and his group finally took action.

Each of them carried a backpack and armed themselves, their faces grim. Zhao Meng quickly called the others, and the four exchanged glances before carefully tailing the group.

At the front, Chen Yang sensed he was being followed and smiled inwardly. So, it wasn’t just a simple sightseeing trip after all! Still, he didn’t stop Qin Yu and her friends from tracking them—perhaps, at a critical moment, those people could be useful, he thought.

Unaware of Chen Yang’s thoughts, Qin Yu and the others watched as the group took several twists and turns to arrive at a secluded compound. There, Chen Yang stopped, turned, and called out, “Captain Qin, you must be tired after following us so far. Why not come out and have a talk?”

Qin Yu and her companions calmly emerged from their hiding place. Qin Yu smiled. “I am a bit tired. Captain Chen, what can we do for you?”

Chen Yang also smiled. “I wouldn’t dare say I’m giving orders, but I do have a favor to ask of you, Captain Qin!”

Qin Yu raised an eyebrow for him to continue. Chen Yang went on, “Before we came here, we got word that this journey would be dangerous. My brothers and I are prepared to risk our lives. But after meeting you yesterday, Captain Qin, I believe we’ll complete our task this time. If we succeed, how about splitting the spoils fifty-fifty?”

Qin Yu was about to refuse this man with his sly smile, but Tao suddenly spoke up, “Deal!”

Qin Yu looked at Tao, who was clenching her hands, and seemed to understand. Then she addressed Chen Yang. “All right. We agree.”

Chen Yang’s smile deepened. “Then, Captain Qin, please join us inside the compound.”

Qin Yu twirled the dagger in her hand and said, “Captain Chen, that’s not very fair. We don’t know a thing about what’s inside. Charging in blindly—what if something happens and we can’t even run?”

Chen Yang gave an awkward laugh. “Look at me, nearly forgot. Actually, we don’t have much information either. We only know that there are many traps inside. Only by overcoming them all can we get the final objective.”

Traps? Qin Yu glanced at the unremarkable compound ahead. So, peace is truly the most terrifying thing?

Tao also gazed at the compound, pain, struggle, and a hint of nostalgia flickering in her eyes before settling into calm. She tugged Qin Yu’s hand and secretly traced a few words on her palm.

Qin Yu recognized the words, then looked down at Tao, seeing determination in her eyes. She raised her head and said to Chen Yang, “Captain Chen, none of us are experts in traps. If we’re not careful…”

Chen Yang, seeing her face written with dissatisfaction, gritted his teeth. “Sixty-forty! You sixty, we forty!”

Qin Yu regarded Chen Yang approvingly and nodded. “Good! You truly are fit to be a captain.”

Chen Yang forced a smile. “Thanks for the compliment! So, can we go in now?”

Qin Yu nodded, then said to the others, “Stay sharp. Stick close to me.”

She led the way toward the compound. Behind her, Chen Yang watched her back, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes, then hurried to walk alongside her.

And Qin Yu? As she drew nearer to the compound, she thought of the words Tao had written: “I’ve been here.”

Qin Yu looked down at the silent girl, her gaze deep. So, you’ve been here? Who exactly is Tao? Why does everything in Kaiyuan Town seem so closely tied to her?

Tao, sensing Qin Yu’s scrutiny, let a mysterious light flicker in her eyes.