They could not turn back time, unfortunately.

Huo Yao lowered her eyes and paused for a second before she changed her subject. “When do you plan on going back home?”

Mi Wei held his tobacco pipe out of habit but did not light up. He simply replied. “In a couple of days.”

Huo Yao nodded. “The sooner the better. It’s not safe outside.”

“What about you? Shangguan Hou already knows you’re alive. I’m sure he won’t let you off.” Mi Wei spoke solemnly.

Huo Yao pursed her lips and replied mildly. “Since there’s no avoiding him, I can only wait for him to come for me.”

“But…” Mi Wei’s lips parted wanting to speak, but Huo Yao interrupted him again.

“I used to think all I wanted was freedom and thought it wasn’t half bad to sit around and do nothing.” Huo Yao looked out the window with a profound look in her eyes.

She turned her head and continued. “However, I have changed my mind.”

Mi Wei looked at Huo Yao and felt sorry for her. Her words clearly meant that the recent incident had affected her greatly.

“Yu, the family has gone through ups and downs, but it couldn’t be helped. You’ve already escaped this vicious cycle. Why get yourself involved again?” Mi Wei sighed and spoke.

“I know what I’m doing.” Huo Yao composed herself. She retrieved a bottle from her pocket and handed it to Mi Wei. “Pass this to Shangguan Yun.”

Mi Wei took the bottle but did not open it. He paused and suddenly asked. “Does Yun know about your situation?”

Huo Yao stayed quiet. Mi Wei already got his answer through her silence. He placed the bottle into his pocket expressionlessly and did not continue probing.

Shangguan Yun was home, but she inexplicably sensed a chill running down her back.

Shangguan Yun always had very keen instincts.

Huo Yao and Mi Wei chatted about something else before she left two hours later.

After leaving the hotel, she realized that it was drizzling outside. She stood at the door dressed in her black coat. The coat accentuated her lean frame and made her look thin and vulnerable. For a moment, it felt as though she might get blown away by the wind.

A car pulled up at the hotel entrance.

Min Yu opened the car door, opened his umbrella, and got out of the car. He walked around the car towards Huo Yao.

“How did you know I was here?” Huo Yao walked toward the man looking puzzled.

“I was worried you might feel down,” replied Min Yu gently. He reached his hand out and held Huo Yao’s cold, nearly frozen palm.

Huo Yao did not know whether to cry or to laugh. She shook her head and said, “I don’t get depressed easily.”

“I know.” Min Yu looked Huo Yao straight in the eye and spoke solemnly. “I was just worried.”

Huo Yao made eye contact with him and suddenly felt moved by his gesture. She tightened her grip on his hand voluntarily. “I’m really fine.”

“Where do you want to go? Do you want to head home?” asked Min Yu.

“I’m a little hungry.” Huo Yao had suffered from a lousy appetite recently, so she hardly wanted to eat, but she felt hungry suddenly.

Min Yu pulled her toward the car, let her go, and opened the car door for her to get in. “Let’s go have a bite. Shall we go to Old Mr. Yi’s medicinal cuisine restaurant?”

Medicinal cuisine tasted light, so it was perfect for Huo Yao since she had not been eating much.

“Okay,” acknowledged Huo Yao before bending over to get into the car.

…

They arrived outside the medicinal cuisine restaurant 30 minutes later.