148: Chapter 238 Farewell

Before leaving, Yu Bo approached Yang Shuming once more. The old man was at his workbench, holding that piece of "the person returning home in wind and snow," wiping it extremely carefully with a clean soft cloth, as if performing some kind of farewell ritual.

"Master Yang, we're leaving," Yu Bo said softly.

Yang Shuming stopped his movements and looked up. His gaze lingered on Yu Bo's face for a moment, then swept over Yin Tianxue and Tang Guo beside him, finally landing on Yu Bo's eyes. "Mm. The road is slippery, be careful." He paused, then added, "As for the stone, I'll see what I can do. About finding the person... there's no rush, and it can't be rushed anyway. Let everything happen as it's meant to."

"I understand. Please take care of yourself," Yu Bo said solemnly.

The old man didn't speak again; he simply waved his hand, then lowered his head and continued wiping the stone in his hand.

Led by Old Master Ren, the three of them followed the mountain path they had come by, returning to the Wangxiang Terrace parking area. The mountain air in the early morning was exceptionally fresh, filled with the sounds of birds, but all three were somewhat silent. The shock of last night and that heavy entrustment weighed on their hearts like a giant boulder, making the return journey feel heavy-footed.

After successfully picking up the car and bidding farewell to Old Master Ren, Yu Bo set off on the road back to Spring City. The scenery outside the window receded rapidly, and the city's silhouette gradually became clear, but the atmosphere inside the car was completely different from when they had arrived.

"Yu Bo," Yin Tianxue finally broke the silence. She looked at the man in the driver's seat with a complex expression. "Are you really going to help Master Yang find that person? This... it's too difficult, almost impossible."

Yu Bo looked straight ahead, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "I know it's hard. But since I've promised, I have to try. Otherwise, I won't be able to get past it in my own heart." He paused and added, "Besides, Master Yang's willingness to keep the stone is an attitude in itself. Finding the person and us asking him to carve the jade might... be two sides of the same coin."

Yin Tianxue understood what he meant. Yang Shuming's willingness to re-examine that "waste material" and even show an intention to start carving was, to a large extent, because he was touched by Yu Bo's "Observing the Heart" and his subsequent attitude. Perhaps it also contained a sliver of expectation for him to fulfill the promise of finding the person. These two matters had become subtly tied together.

"Then where do you plan to start?" Yin Tianxue asked.

"I'll start by checking the 'Spring City State-owned Arts and Crafts Factory.' Even though over forty years have passed and the factory might be long gone, it was his unit back then, after all. Maybe I can still find some old-timers or some archived records. Also, I can try to ask around about the place name 'Luoyanping, Baoshan, Western Yunnan.' And..." Yu Bo glanced through the rearview mirror at Tang Guo, who was leaning against the back seat, her face still somewhat pale. His tone softened. "The immediate priority is to settle Guoguo first. She needs proper rest and regular prenatal check-ups."

Mentioning Tang Guo immediately pulled Yin Tianxue's attention back. She took Tang Guo's cold hand. "Right, Guoguo, you'll stay at my villa in the suburbs after we get back. It's quiet there, and there's a trustworthy auntie to take care of you. Don't think about anything else, just focus on nurturing the Baby."

Tang Guo nodded gently without speaking, merely placing her hand on her slightly protruding lower abdomen. Her eyes were still somewhat hollow and uneasy. The experiences of the past few days had been too full of ups and downs for her, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted.

The car entered the Spring City urban area, and the bustling noise instantly washed away the tranquility of the mountains without a trace. Tall buildings stood in rows, traffic flowed like water, and neon lights flickered, as if separated from the isolated world of Yunxi Village by an invisible barrier.

Yu Bo didn't drive straight home, but instead into the underground garage of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, a five-star hotel in the city center known for its tranquility amidst the bustle and its reputation for service and privacy.

"We'll stay here tonight," Yu Bo explained after parking the car. "Guoguo has been through a lot today; she should have a good rest first, and we'll make arrangements tomorrow. This place is convenient and quiet."

Yin Tianxue didn't object. She knew Yu Bo's intentions; the hotel's environment and service would better allow the exhausted Tang Guo to get full relaxation and care, and it saved the trouble of having to tidy up upon returning to the villa. Moreover, the hotel was located in the city center, making it easy to seek medical attention in case Tang Guo had any sudden emergencies.

Yu Bo had already booked the most luxurious presidential suite on the top floor of the hotel in advance. The suite was spacious, elegantly decorated, and had an excellent view, overlooking most of Spring City's night scene. It had separate bedrooms, a living room, a study, and was even equipped with a small kitchen and a spa room. The facilities were complete, and the privacy was excellent.

Entering the suite, the pleasantly warm central air conditioning immediately dispelled the chill from the mountains. The soft, thick carpet, soothing lighting, and faint fragrance caused one's nerves to relax involuntarily.

"Guoguo, go take a hot bath first to relieve your fatigue. There are bathrobes and pajamas prepared in the closet; they're all clean." Yin Tianxue gently put her arm around her shoulder and led her into the master bedroom, pointing to the luxurious massage bathtub and the separate wet and dry bathroom inside. "Call room service if you need anything, or call me. After you're done washing, get a good night's sleep and don't think about anything."

Looking at Yin Tianxue's concerned eyes, Tang Guo's nose crinkled, she gave a soft "Mm," and obediently walked into the bathroom.

Yin Tianxue helped her close the door before walking back to the living room. Yu Bo had already taken off his jacket, loosened his tie, and was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the glittering city lights outside. His back was straight but carried a trace of fatigue that was not easily noticed.

"You're tired too, go wash up," Yin Tianxue said softly, walking to his side.

Yu Bo turned around and looked at her. His gaze lingered for a moment on her slightly haggard but still clear and beautiful face, and his eyes softened. "I'm fine. But you haven't rested well these past few days either." He reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Caught off guard, Yin Tianxue was pulled into his embrace, and his warm lips immediately pressed down. A "buzz" went off in her brain, and it went blank for a moment. Her body instinctively stiffened for a second, then under his forceful pursuit and the surrounding familiar scent, she involuntarily softened. The tension, fatigue, and suspicion of the past many days seemed to find an outlet at this moment, making her almost drown in it.

However, her remaining reason quickly returned a few seconds later. She suddenly remembered their current situation.

"Mmm... Yu Bo, don't..." Yin Tianxue forcefully turned her head away, dodging his deepening kiss. Her breath was slightly erratic, her cheeks flushed, and her hands pressed against his chest. Her voice carried a hint of panic and determination. "Guoguo is still here! You... you should accompany Guoguo well tonight. She needs someone with her, and... and she needs comforting. When we get back, I'll accompany you then. You can... do whatever you want."

By the time she finished, her voice grew lower and lower, her cheeks turned even redder, and her eyes darted away, not daring to look at him.

Yu Bo's movements stopped, but he didn't release her immediately. Instead, he used those deep eyes, which were now burning with a dark fire, to tightly lock onto her dodging gaze. A half-smile, aggressive and suggestive, curled at the corners of his mouth.

"Really? Whatever I want?" His low voice sounded in her ear, carrying a sense of seduction and a hint of danger. As he spoke, that large hand originally around her waist slowly slid down her body's curves, finally giving her firm buttock a squeeze that wasn't light, yet was full of possessiveness.

"Mm..." Yin Tianxue's body shuddered violently. A numbing sensation like an electric current instantly surged through her body from where he touched her, making her almost unable to stand. Embarrassment and a strange throb welled up in her heart simultaneously. She bit her lower lip and glared at him fiercely, but to the man, that look was more of a bashful reproach than anger, adding a bit more charm.

"Keep your word?" Yu Bo leaned closer, almost pressing against her ear, his warm breath brushing over her sensitive skin.

Yin Tianxue's heart pounded like a drum, and she felt her cheeks burning intensely. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet his burning gaze, and tried to make her voice sound as calm and certain as possible: "Mm. I'll keep my word. You accompany Guoguo well tonight. She needs it."

Yu Bo stared at her for a few seconds, as if judging the truth of her words, and also as if enjoying her rare bashfulness and compromise. Finally, he slowly released his hand, but that hand that had just been mischievous lingered on her waist for a moment before completely withdrawing.

"Okay." The aggressive smile on his face faded, replaced by his usual coolness, though a trace of unextinguished spark still remained deep in his eyes. "I'll go see Guoguo. You get some rest. Later, your husband will wash you clean, Baby."

Having said that, he no longer looked at her and turned to walk toward the master bedroom.

Yin Tianxue stood there, watching his back disappear into the master bedroom doorway. Only then did she, like a deflated balloon, lean weakly against the sofa nearby. Her heart was still beating irregularly and wildly, her cheeks and the back of her ears were burning, and the place on her buttock where he had squeezed seemed to still retain a clear sensation and heat. She raised her hand to cover her face, letting out a low sigh of frustration and shame.

Meanwhile, inside the master bedroom.

Tang Guo had just finished her bath and walked out of the bathroom naked.