Hao Yan Che rushed home, and Mrs Chen opened the front door.

‘Did Gun Gun come home?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

‘Yes young master,’ Mrs Chen said. ‘Gun Gun said she came home to get work papers for you, and she went back to work.’

Mrs Chen thought Hao Yan Che wasn’t himself, and sensed something happened.

Hao Yan Che laughed at his himself, and walked to the study room.

Hao Yan Che sat on a chair, and looked at the locked drawer for a long time. He opened the drawer, it wasn’t locked and Yuan Gun Gun’s passport was missing. If the first time Yuan Gun Gun ran away was influenced by Long Liu Bao then the second time Yuan Gun Gun ran away meant Yuan Gun Gun truly wanted to leave him. Did he change too late?

Yi Tu knocked on the study room door.

‘Young master,’ Yi Tu called.

‘Come in,’ Hao Yan Che said.

Yi Tu thought Hao Yan Che looked depressed like the first time Yuan Gun Gun ran away.

‘Did you find Gun Gun?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

‘No,’ Yi Tu said. ‘I even went to the Yuan Mansion. No one has seen her.’

‘Do you know why?’ Hao Yan Che asked.

Yi Tu didn’t know what to say.

‘Because she ran away,’ Hao Yan Che said.

Hao Yan Che’s voice sounded detached like he was talking about something that didn’t involve him.

‘Young master…’ Yi Tu said.

‘I’m tired,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘I don’t want to fall any deeper.’

Hao Yan Che said the words more to himself than Yi Tu. Hao Yan Che closed his eyes. If Yuan Gun Gun truly wanted to leave him, he should let her go. Letting her go was letting himself go. He was always meant to be alone. She was a short dream in his forever life. He needed to wake up and face his reality alone.

‘Young master, you shouldn’t say that,’ Yi Tu said. ‘Gun Gun…’

‘Go outside,’ Hao Yan Che said. ‘In the future don’t mention Yuan Gun Gun in front of me.’

‘Young master…’ Yi Tu said.

‘Go outside!’ Hao Yan Che said.

Hao Yan Che’s voice shook the room.

Yi Tu covered his ears, and left the room.

Hao Yan Che turned off the lights, and sat alone in the dark.

At Paris, Yuan Gun Gun walked around the airport. She was scared to be in a foreign place by herself. She regretted leaving home. Hao Yan Che didn’t care about her, he wouldn’t look for her. She wiped her tears, it was clear he didn’t want to see her anymore.

Yuan Gun Gun held the phone Na Liu Ting Du gave her as a wedding gift, and contemplated whether to call Na Liu Ting Du.

In New York, Na Liu Ting Du was signing a contract with Chang Quan Rui.

‘Mr Chang, I’m happy to collaborate with you,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘I look forward to be the host next time.’

‘It’s my privilege,’ Chang Quan Rui said. ‘Next time you’re in Beijing, come visit me.’

‘I will,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘I’ll escort you out.’

Na Liu Ting Du opened the meeting room door for Chang Quan Rui.

‘Thank you,’ Chang Quan Rui said. ‘Bye.’

Na Liu Ting Du looked out the window. The New York City view was beautiful, but he felt lonely. He picked up his phone, and wanted to call Yuan Gun Gun but hesitated like usual. Suddenly he received a phone call from Yuan Gun Gun.

‘Gun Gun?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked.

Yuan Gun Gun heard Na Liu Ting Du’s voice for the first time after she married Hao Yan Che. It was bitter sweet, and she sobbed.

‘Gun Gun, what happened?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked. ‘Don’t scare me. Why are you crying?’

‘Big brother Du…’ Yuan Gun Gun called.

Na Liu Ting Du ran to the parking lot.

‘I’m here,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘Don’t cry. Tell me what happened.’

‘I…’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Don’t cry,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘I’m coming home now to help you.’

‘Big brother Du, where are you?’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘I’m in New York,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

‘But I’m not in New York,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Where are you?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked.

‘I’m in Paris,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘What?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked. ‘You’re in Paris?’

‘Yes,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Don’t tell me you’re in Paris by yourself,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

***

End of Chapter 164