Chapter 389: Chapter 389

The team conducting the investigation has sent word.

"President Gu, as per your previous instructions, we’ve conducted a thorough investigation here. However, we still haven’t found any trace of the young master. Do you think there are any other clues we should follow?"

"Keep searching. I’ll head over now to check things out. Stick to the same rule—do not let Yu find out about this." He couldn’t burden Ji Yu with such matters any longer.

Ji Yu’s situation was already bad enough. If she became upset about this, who knew what might follow?

Assistant Li actually wanted to advise Gu Qixiao against concealing this matter.

No one could predict how Ji Yu might react if she discovered this lie, especially since Gu Qixiao clearly cared about her deeply. The best option was undoubtedly to come clean.

But Gu Qixiao himself wasn’t entirely sure of his own thoughts. All he knew was that the current situation was too convoluted. He felt certain that telling Ji Yu would only make things worse.

"For now, do not tell Yu. If she finds out, it will surely cause her pain."

Alone, he headed to the address on Ji Yu’s map app.

Unexpectedly, Ji Yu, who was already restless in her sleep, woke immediately upon sensing his departure.

She gazed around in confusion. "Gu Qixiao..."

After living together for so long, it had become instinctive for Ji Yu to seek out Gu Qixiao.

But Gu Qixiao wasn’t in the room, nor was he anywhere in the villa—as Ji Yu soon discovered after checking everywhere. She still couldn’t find any trace of him.

For a moment, panic washed over her. Suddenly, she recalled the way Gu Qixiao had spoken earlier—how he’d looked when saying those things.

Almost subconsciously, she checked her phone.

As expected, she found a video from Jiang Huai.

In the video, the little dumpling was crying heartbreakingly in Jiang Huai’s arms. Watching it, Ji Yu felt a deep ache in her heart.

She couldn’t understand why this was happening, but Gu Qixiao’s behavior today made one thing clear: he definitely knew about it.

The situation had escalated to the point where Ji Yu could no longer remain calm. Forcing herself to stay composed, she immediately made a call.

"Yu, I knew you’d call me eventually. Tell me, why do you refuse to revisit the old places? Aren’t there plenty of memories of us there?"

His voice carried a hint of amusement, as though he’d already predicted Ji Yu wouldn’t go back, and his mind was abuzz with thoughts.

Ji Yu had no idea what he was thinking or why he had taken the little dumpling. But the dumpling was still so young—how could she possibly stand by and do nothing?

"Jiang Huai, I’d advise you not to take things too far. Don’t you know exactly what you’re doing? We’re no longer friends. If you keep this up, don’t blame me for retaliating."

"Retaliate? Yu, haven’t you already retaliated? Whatever friendship we had between us must’ve ended long ago, hasn’t it? I’m truly heartbroken—why would you treat me ?" Every time he relived the past, he saw Ji Yu as someone who’d betrayed a friend.

Ji Yu’s expression grew complicated. In truth, she’d thought about rescuing him back then, but how could she have saved someone amidst those raging flames? The outcome had already been decided.

"Jiang Huai, you can do what you want to me—call me wrong, say I failed you—but you cannot hurt my child."

That was the one thing Ji Yu absolutely detested.

Everything he had done so far deeply pained Ji Yu’s heart.

Whenever Ji Yu thought about her child suffering, it was impossible for her to remain composed.

"Yu, you’re still so easily provoked by me. But maybe this isn’t as bad as you think. Perhaps the little dumpling likes me too?"

He sounded amusingly self-assured.

Ji Yu found his words utterly absurd.

"Do you even understand what you’re saying? The little dumpling isn’t your child, and I know exactly how someone like you would treat him. Do you think I wouldn’t know?"

"Well, at least you should be glad he’s your child. He looks so much like you. Even though I’d like to strangle him right now, what can I do? He’s yours, after all."

He had always been inherently lenient toward Ji Yu. Seeing her react softened him, too.

"If you come to me now, I’ll let this go without holding it against you. Why are you acting ?"

He chuckled helplessly, apparently frustrated by Ji Yu’s actions.

Ji Yu didn’t even know how to respond anymore.

"If you choose not to come, that’s fine too. I won’t kill this child, but I will keep him with me. He’ll serve as a keepsake, making things between us smoother in the future."

He knew Ji Yu detested the idea.

And she hated the notion of him raising her child.

That was why he chose to feign nonchalance about the matter.

"In your dreams." Ultimately, Ji Yu decided to find out for herself what was really going on.

Deep down, she had her own thoughts about this situation.

"Don’t touch my child, and I’ll come to you right now." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novel⚑fire.net

Though Ji Yu resisted this entire ordeal, the very fact that her child was in his hands meant she could not simply walk away.

Jiang Huai gazed at the small dumpling in his arms, whose face had finally peeked out. "Your mom really does care about you, doesn’t she? It’s just a pity she doesn’t feel that way about me. If only she’d been willing to risk everything for me back then."

Their relationship had once been so close. Every time he thought about it, he found himself unable to let it go.

"Ah..." The little dumpling, still too young to speak, likely didn’t even know who this strange man was.

"You really are adorable. No wonder—you’re her child. It’s no surprise you have the ability to soften hearts."

Jiang Huai actually had no intention of harming the little dumpling. Deep down, he understood what Ji Yu cherished most—what mattered most to her. If he truly crossed the line, there would be no turning back.

He wasn’t foolish. Despite how difficult the situation was, he couldn’t bring himself to fully accept it.

"Yu, when will you finally be willing to accept me?" he muttered. Deep inside, he still longed for Ji Yu to return to his side.

Even if they wouldn’t be lovers, couldn’t they at least remain friends?

That time they had shared back then had been the happiest period of his life, and it was precisely why he remained so attached.