Wang Xiaofa looked troubled as he glanced at Marquis Xiao, muttering, "Qianqian? Brother Chen, are you still not fully awake?"
Luo Chen was taken aback, then laughed, "Fa'Er, don't tease me, has she not returned yet?" He tried to use a casual tone to dissolve the sudden awkwardness, but deep down, he felt a slight unease.
Wang Xiaofa seemed at a loss for words, clearly not knowing how to answer the question. Just then, Marquis Xiao interjected, "Brother Chen, you might not know this, but you've been asleep for a whole day and night. That night you went missing, we searched for you for a long time but couldn't find you. The next morning you didn't go to White Fox Academy for class, causing us great worry. You weren't sent back until the second night, and then you slept the entire day again."
Hearing Marquis Xiao's words, the unease in Luo Chen's heart grew stronger. He frowned, trying to recall what happened that night, but his mind was in chaos, and he couldn't think of anything. He only remembered being with Ouyang Qian, then seemingly something happened, but the details were blurry.
"Sent me back? Who sent me back?" Luo Chen asked urgently, trying to get more information about Ouyang Qian from them. However, Wang Xiaofa and Marquis Xiao exchanged glances, choosing to remain silent. They clearly knew something but didn't plan to tell Luo Chen. This silence made Luo Chen feel even more anxious and uneasy. He knew he had to find Ouyang Qian himself to get a clear answer.
So he struggled to stand up, ignoring his weakened body and dizzy head, and walked toward the door. Wang Xiaofa and Marquis Xiao tried to stop him, but Luo Chen firmly refused. He had only one thought in his mind: find Ouyang Qian and figure out what was going on!
"Indeed. Brother Chen, you haven't been to Tiger Academy for three days. If you continue to skip, you might really get expelled." Wang Xiaofa chimed in, his face showing concern.
Luo Chen thoughtfully observed Wang Xiaofa and Marquis Xiao, understanding that their words were true. The Tiger Academy was the most prestigious institution in Chang'an, and if he was expelled, all his previous efforts would be in vain. So he nodded, deciding to head to the academy immediately.
"In that case, prepare the horse, we're going to Tiger Academy right away," Luo Chen said, a hint of determination in his voice.
A smooth sensation came from his wrist, and Luo Chen looked down, seeing the string of beads from the Dragon Palace quietly resting on his wrist. His heart stirred, and he couldn't help but think of the woman who gave him this string of beads—Ouyang Qian. Yet at this moment, she was not by his side.
The cultivation technique in his arms was also well-placed; it was the only thing Ouyang Qian left him. Luo Chen gently stroked the cover of the cultivation technique, an inexplicable emotion welling up inside him. He didn't know why Ouyang Qian left so suddenly, nor where she went, but he knew he would definitely find her.
When asked about Ouyang Qian's whereabouts, Wang Xiaofa was evasive, clearly acting under Marquis Xiao's instruction. In front of Marquis Xiao, Luo Chen refrained from further questioning, yet his determination to find Ouyang Qian only grew stronger.
After getting dressed, Luo Chen hastily ate a few bites of breakfast, then left Moyun Building with Wang Xiaofa. In the early morning, Vermilion Bird Street was sparsely populated, the autumn wind cold, blowing Luo Chen's clothes flapping. As he rode his horse, he occasionally glanced at the distracted Wang Xiaofa beside him, his heart filled with doubts.
Until he galloped out of Vermilion Bird Street, Luo Chen finally asked, "Fa'Er, what exactly happened?" A trace of urgency and anxiety could be heard in his voice.
Wang Xiaofa blushed, hesitantly saying, "Nothing much, just that you overslept." He avoided Luo Chen's gaze, clearly not telling the truth.
Suddenly pulling the reins, Luo Chen stopped in the road, and after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, "Fa'Er, tell me honestly, did something happen to her? Why haven't I seen her after two days? You and Mr. Xiao don't even want to mention her?" His voice was low and strong, as if it could pierce through Wang Xiaofa's defenses.
Wang Xiaofa's face turned red, his gaze shifting uneasily. He hesitated for a long time, finally letting out a long sigh, "Brother Chen, just pretend she never existed... she's already gone!" As he finished speaking, a glimmer of tears appeared in his eyes.
