Chapter Fifty-Two: The Search

When both Silver Yao and Li Suo felt that if they continued laughing, their faces would cramp, they finally stopped. For a moment, neither knew what to do, simply staring at each other, wide eyes meeting.

The instant Silver Yao caught Li Suo’s wounded gaze, she lowered her head in silence, her expression uneasy as she looked away. Indeed, faced with a man like Li Suo, even a woman as strong-willed as Silver Yao could hardly bring herself to hurt him.

“I’m sorry.” This time, Silver Yao’s apology was earnest, her voice trembling despite her efforts to steady it.

Li Suo gave a hollow, sorrowful laugh, the sound tinged with despair. A shimmer of tears glistened at the corners of his eyes as he looked at the woman he loved—a woman who did not love him in return—a faintly mocking smile playing on his lips.

“Li Suo, don’t be like this, please? I…” As if making a monumental decision, Silver Yao finally looked up to meet his eyes again. “I promise you—I’ll try to forget him.” Her voice broke as she spoke the words. Perhaps forgetting was what was best for all three of them. So be it.

“Really?” Li Suo’s tears turned to a smile, as though he were a child—surprised, delighted, yet almost unbelieving. He gazed at her, never looking away.

He only heard her say she would forget, never realizing that was all she promised—to forget.

“Yes.” Silver Yao nodded solemnly, tears breaking free and running down her face as she forced a smile.

Even with her cheeks wet with tears, she made herself smile—a smile mingled with tears, full of relief, resignation, and release.

Li Suo, lost in her promise, noticed nothing of the tears on her face. He drew her tightly into his arms, pressing his lips gently to her soft hair, his right hand cradling the back of her head. “Yao’er, I will cherish you all my life. Yao’er, I love you.”

Silver Yao buried her face in his chest, whispering a silent apology in her heart, and then let out a bitter little laugh.

After composing herself, Silver Yao decided to go out for a walk alone.

She put on a human-skin mask and strolled through the streets by herself. The lively atmosphere of last night’s Mid-Autumn festivities still lingered faintly in the air. The people on the street went about as usual, shouting to one another, everything so familiar, yet so distant.

A pang of loneliness struck her. Li Luo had wanted to accompany her on her walk, but she refused; she didn't want her own troubles to weigh on him. She needed to walk alone—just by herself.

She stepped into Chu Xiang House—the city’s largest tavern—summoned a waiter, ordered a pot of fine wine and a few signature dishes, and sat by a window overlooking the street. There she quietly gazed at the world outside, sipping her wine, a trace of melancholy between her brows.

People bustled endlessly along the street, the usual clamor echoing, every face lit with genuine smiles.

Three familiar figures flickered across her vision, and Silver Yao started. Before long, three people appeared at the tavern’s entrance—Gu Xinyu in blue, Ai Shuo in red, Mu Ye in purple. In an instant, they became the focus of the entire establishment. With her mask, they shouldn’t recognize her.

Gu Xinyu led Ai Shuo and Mu Ye toward her, and Silver Yao’s heart skipped—she was suddenly afraid of being recognized. Why? Was it because of their friendship? Or—perhaps it was because of Ji Xuanyu (Chu Su Yi). She gave a bitter smile; it seemed that forgetting was not as simple as saying the words.

Gu Xinyu did not recognize her. The three of them took a seat at the next table, weariness etched into their faces, their elegant clothes dusted and travel-worn. Clearly, they had been rushing about—probably another task assigned by Chu Su Yi. Lately, he’d been making frequent moves; perhaps he was preparing to act.

“Where do you think Silver Yao has gone? She’s vanished without a trace since that day,” Ai Shuo wondered aloud, parched and gulping down a cup of tea.

“We’ve been searching for so long and still haven’t found her. I wish I knew,” Mu Ye sighed. Since Silver Yao’s reappearance, the three of them had agreed to seek her out and explain, but after days of searching, they hadn’t even glimpsed her shadow.

Silver Yao, listening intently, sat frozen in place—they were looking for her. But why? Was it their own wish, or—She shook her head, dispirited. Impossible. He had already forgotten. Forgotten…

“Let’s eat something and rest before we continue,” Gu Xinyu said quietly, beginning to replenish his strength. “Alright,” Ai Shuo and Mu Ye replied in unison. The three said no more, eating in silence.

Silver Yao sat motionless, unsure what to do—should she remove her mask and ask them why, or simply slip away unnoticed? Her heart wavered; she could not make up her mind.

Just then, a young servant hurried in, stopped before Gu Xinyu’s group, and announced, “Master Gu, someone saw a woman in white with a silver mask on the rooftops last night!”

The three exchanged glances, rose at once, left some money, and hurried out. Silver Yao had heard every word—yes, she had appeared last night, dressed in her silver fox attire. Even in the bustling crowds, she had still been seen. Watching them leave, she paid her bill and quietly followed.

Ai Shuo leapt across rooftops where Silver Yao had appeared, while Mu Ye and Gu Xinyu ran on the ground. The three entered a small grove, gathered together, and, a little disheartened, walked deeper in. None of them sensed the faint presence behind them.

Silver Yao, hiding behind a large tree, removed her mask and tucked it into her sleeve. She released the energy she had been concealing and slowly stepped toward the three ahead.

Gu Xinyu suddenly felt the distinctive aura of the Silver Fox behind him. He spun around and saw a woman in white—no mask—regarding him with serene indifference. Mu Ye and Ai Shuo turned as well, seeing Silver Fox walk toward them.

“Silver Yao?” Ai Shuo’s voice barely concealed his joy.

“You three have gone to such lengths to find me—why?” Silver Yao asked, her tone pleasant but her question genuine.

For a moment, the three could only look at each other, at a loss for words. They hadn’t expected Silver Yao to question their reasons for seeking her.

“Silver Yao, we came to explain to you.”