Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 69

Ling Xi followed Qiao Bo’er’s habit; the entire house was brightly lit.

She had moved into Qiao Bo’er’s house, walking barefoot back and forth across the rooms, and leaning against the balcony to enjoy the breeze while holding an ice cream cone.

Looking at her home from this perspective, she could deeply feel Qiao Bo’er’s loneliness during countless nights.

Director Chen’s phone rang repeatedly, followed by Xiao Mo’s and Su Yunjin’s.

Ling Xi didn’t answer. She only wanted to stay in Qiao Bo’er’s world, hiding in peace.

“This house holds Bo’er’s love for you.”

Ji Changyi’s words echoed in Ling Xi’s ears. She didn’t understand where it was hidden, but no one was willing to open their mouth and guide her.

It seemed everyone was tacitly keeping secrets, and this secret was one she had to discover all on her own.

Returning to the study, Ling Xi tilted her head, admiring the Ru ware porcelain. As her thoughts drifted, she suddenly heard a crisp, wind-chime-like sound of the glaze cracking.

“She said you are her life-saving medicine. Save you, she begged me to save you!”

The cracking sound mingled with Ji Changyi’s words. Ling Xi woke up as if from a dream, the sourness causing her nostrils to flare. She leaned on the cabinet, staring straight at the porcelain, murmuring the name of the person who had redeemed her: “It’s me. This is me…”

Yes, this act of salvation belonging to Ling Xi had concluded in an instant, but the person who desperately tried to save her could not be there to witness it, a regret worthy of pity.

Ling Xi scanned the study, starting to frantically search for evidence that proved Qiao Bo’er loved her.

She opened all the drawers; they were all empty. It wasn’t until she found a hidden safe in the cabinet beneath the desk that her search was rewarded.

[I will only say this once: the password is 7329.]

This string of mysterious numbers was the only key Qiao Bo’er left for Ling Xi, the key to an unknown world.

Ling Xi pressed the code without hesitation. The safe made an unlocking sound, almost too easy.

Ling Xi eagerly pulled open the heavy metal door, revealing a small lambskin notebook.

Ling Xi hugged the notebook and leaned by the window. A strange fear welled up in her heart, robbing her of the courage to open it.

She was afraid. Afraid that Qiao Bo’er’s love was too heavy, so heavy that she couldn’t bear it.

Ling Xi furrowed her brow and took repeated deep breaths before finally opening the cover—

“In the most difficult time of my life, she was the only starlight. I want to cross the entire galaxy, enter her dream, and kiss her.”

Qiao Bo’er’s handwriting, penned in steel, was graceful and long. The very first page held a declaration of enduring love, instantly etched into Ling Xi’s heart.

“She is in my memories, in countless dreams, running through my life. Living gained meaning.”

“The golden sunlight on Mont Blanc doesn’t compare to her smile.”

“I only want to be lost in pleasure with her, not living in an ethereal dream.”

“Day 7329, I finally kissed my belief.”

Ling Xi’s trembling fingers traced the string of numbers. Her eyes, wide open, were a surging river of tears. Her heart began to seize with pain, and her throat felt like it was being choked by an invisible hand, close to suffocation.

7329 days, more than twenty years—that emotionally detached kiss was Qiao Bo’er’s gracefully delivered gift.

“A herring can is also a salted fish, so compatible with that jerk!”

“Teacher Ling, how do you write ‘I love you’ in Zhongshan Seal Script? I don’t know how.”

“I want to secretly leave my lipstick mark on her white cotton T-shirt, on every single one.”

“Jerk! So infuriating!”

“She’s so amazing, knowing so much.”

“How can a broken me save a broken you?”

“It doesn’t matter. We are both sick. How compatible.”

“Ling Xi remembers everything, but she just didn’t remember me.”

“I love you, I love you! I will love you until all flowers wither, bones turn to dust, until the galaxy shatters.”

In this room, the “crazy woman” diligently recorded the memory fragments she continuously collected, like an elementary school student, leaving traces of her deep love for Ling Xi in every blank space.

Openly provoking, yet silently loving, Qiao Bo’er hid her love in the subtle details Ling Xi couldn’t see.

Ling Xi sobbed, hugging the notebook. The few words were all love; it was too heavy, anchoring Ling Xi’s soul, unable to move a single step.

In Qiao Bo’er’s world, Ling Xi resonated with the sound of earwax preserved for a thousand years, the ripples swirling one after another for twenty years. Qiao Bo’er never mentioned the slightest bit of grievance about being forgotten, her eyes only seeing the scarred and broken Ling Xi.

The sick Ling Xi was like the Ru ware porcelain, with irregular crack patterns, a fragile scattering of scars, yet Qiao Bo’er loved her deeply, without reservation.

So, stepping on the ocean currents and the mountain wind, just as she said. Even if the galaxy shattered, she would break into Ling Xi’s world, determined to pull her out of the sea of suffering.

Even though the pain dwelling in Qiao Bo’er’s heart had never dissolved, she stubbornly did not regret it.

Pushing open the door, the rush of dampness and dust made Ji Nancen sneeze several times. She waved her hand dismissively, trying to clear the air: “Is this your secret base?”

Qu Ye didn’t answer Ji Nancen’s question. It was late at night, and he hadn’t turned on the lights, instead relying on the flashlight to walk toward the depths of the house.

Although their movements were quiet, the cracked wooden floor still creaked, invaded by the passage of time.

Walking up to the second floor, Qu Ye pushed open the door to one of the bedrooms and, familiar with the layout, placed his luggage on the desk.

He walked to the bed and tore off the dust cover. The tearing motion brought back a long-sealed memory—

“From now on, this is your home. You and Chu Xi must get along well. While she studies, you practice martial arts in the yard. I will hire the best teacher for you. Remember, your name is Qu Ye, and you have a home and family.”

Miss Bo’er’s voice was cold and clear, but the phrase “you have a home and family” was enough to shake Qu Ye’s solitary heart. It was a human warmth he couldn’t experience in the orphanage, and he had been moved by it for many years.

“Hey, what are you thinking about?” Ji Nancen’s voice pulled Qu Ye out of his memories.

Qu Ye shook his head, pointing to the room opposite the door: “That’s Chu Xi’s room. You’ll have to manage for one night.”

“Did you two use to live here?”

“Mhm…”

“Have you known each other for many years?”

“Why are you asking so many questions?”

Qu Ye was a little impatient, so Ji Nancen simply sat down on the bed: “Let’s chat. At least let me know your relationship so my mind isn’t confused, and I can distinguish right from wrong.”

“It’s a long story.”

“Then make it short,” Ji Nancen’s quick mind immediately blocked Qu Ye’s reply.

With the long night ahead and no desire for sleep, Qu Ye had no choice but to sit beside her, recalling the past, a faint smile emerging on his lips—

“Chu Xi and I were both orphans, just like you. That was many, many years ago.

Not long after Miss Qin rescued Chu Xi from the black market, Miss Bo’er bought me.

I knew she took me in with a purpose: she wanted to train me into an excellent bodyguard to ensure her safety. Even a role that involved risking my life was better than being bought and sold like livestock in the black market.

Miss Bo’er and Miss Qin were good to us, giving us the best education, teaching us the rules of survival, and providing food and clothing without worry. Chu Xi and I spent the happiest few years in this house until we became adults.”

“Your boss is that good to you? Tsk! Why didn’t I ever meet such a great boss? Such a bitter fate.” Ji Nancen clicked her tongue, sounding extremely mournful.

Qu Ye pulled out a jewel-encrusted short-sheathed knife from his waist and stroked it lovingly: “This is the coming-of-age gift Miss Bo’er gave me—an Inglesa knife. She said this knife was me. Before the sharp blade is drawn, Qu Ye is just Qu Ye, free to live the life he likes.

When necessary, I am her guardian. Although she is always cold and sometimes very fierce, she managed to respect me and even gave me precious freedom.”

Ji Nancen took the Inglesa knife, rather anticlimactically picking at the jewel on the hilt, estimating its value in her mind, but quickly handed it back to Qu Ye: “Then you should indeed sharpen the blade and show off your skills.”

“It was because of Miss Bo’er’s arrangement that I went to the PA-40 Mercenary Group for training, which is how I met you.”

“Then I’m even more curious. What is her background that she could hire a big shot like Zand to work for her? And what is the background of that mad dog we have to deal with?”

Mentioning Qiao Di, Qu Ye carefully put away his cherished knife. He quickly moved to the window, cautiously scanning the outside world. Satisfied that everything was fine, he turned to the eager Ji Nancen: “Miss Bo’er’s real name is Pearl Josepha. In this country, the Josepha family holds a respected aristocratic status.

The First Madam’s family education was strict and severe. The patriarch had a mistress outside, which is why Miss Bo’er was born.

For a traditional family, pure bloodline far surpasses familial affection. Because she was a mixed-race child and not respectable, Miss Bo’er couldn’t inherit much and virtually had no qualification to compete for the right of succession.”

“So, that mad dog is her older brother, sister, or the First Madam?”

“The mad dog is named Qiao Di. Although he holds the title of ‘brother,’ he has no blood relation. He is the orphan of the patriarch’s closest friend. Though his family had fallen from grace, he still held a decent old aristocratic status and was raised by the patriarch since childhood, making him Miss Bo’er’s childhood sweetheart.

Actually, the patriarch intended to groom Qiao Di. He also thought that in the future, Miss Bo’er could marry someone he knew well. The outcome was that he raised a pure, ungrateful wolf in his own home.”

“Interesting. The story suddenly becomes interesting. Don’t be slow, keep going!” Ji Nancen clapped her hands enthusiastically, showing no sign of anxiety about the life-risking mission they were on.

“Miss Bo’er’s mother passed away when she was ten, and only then did the patriarch take her back to the manor.

Everyone tacitly acknowledged her ‘unclean’ identity. The First Madam’s deliberate cruelty was just like a fairy tale plot. She had a son, Miss Bo’er’s half-brother, who always liked to bully her in various ways.

However, Qiao Di was the only one who treated Miss Bo’er well at the time, quietly protecting her.”

“Tsk, they’re all pure ‘white moonlight’ characters before they turn evil. What kind of damn villain trope is this?”

Ji Nancen mocked playfully, digging at her ear. Qu Ye rested his chin on his hand and was silent for a moment before finally entering the main part of the story: “Logically speaking, Miss Bo’er’s life should have been to grow up, marry Qiao Di, and live a wealthy and blissful life.

The problem arose when the patriarch’s health suddenly collapsed when Miss Bo’er was thirteen. With both children not yet of age, they had to consider the major task of family succession.

The First Madam couldn’t tolerate Miss Bo’er, that thorn in her side. Anything that threatened her son’s interests was a stumbling block, so Miss Bo’er was logically kidnapped.

Surprisingly, the patriarch was furious, mobilizing all his contacts to search for her. The manor was in an uproar. It was clear that he deeply loved Miss Bo’er’s mother, or he wouldn’t have been so concerned.”

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