She led the whole village to prosperity by raising koi fish.

Chapter 68 The Young Master Disappears

Su Yuning naively believed that as long as she casually uttered the words "not suitable," the rich young man would wilt like an eggplant struck by frost, obediently backing down. In that case, she could return to her peaceful and leisurely life. Thinking this, Su Yuning couldn't help but feel secretly delighted, thinking she could finally get rid of this persistent and troublesome person.

Before she could even feel happy, a rapid knocking sounded at the door. Su Yuning's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over her. When she opened the door, standing before her were the wealthy young man's parents. Their faces were filled with anxiety, and their eyes revealed a hint of reproach.

Su Yuning's expression immediately turned sour, and she said impatiently, "Didn't I already make it clear to your young master? He and I are really not suitable! Why are you coming to our door again?"

Upon hearing this, the wealthy woman burst into tears, sobbing as she cried, "It's all because of you! You drove my precious son away! He's run away from home, and we've searched everywhere but can't find him. What will I do if anything happens to him?!"

Upon hearing these words, Su Yuning's expression froze instantly. She never imagined that her casual refusal would lead to such serious consequences. A wave of guilt and self-reproach washed over her, and she stammered, "I...I'm so sorry, I really didn't know it would turn out like this. I just wanted him to stop bothering me, I never imagined it would cause him to run away from home." As she spoke, Su Yuning was on the verge of tears.

Just then, the woman returned home and urged, "Yu Ning, do you know where the young master usually goes? Quickly help me find him!"

"Oh, I understand." Su Yuning replied, and then drove to the city. The wealthy young man's parents also followed her to the capital in their carriage.

Upon returning to the city, Su Yuning frantically searched for the young master. She first visited every restaurant and tavern in the city, but to no avail. Then she wandered between teahouses, hoping to bump into him there, but the result was still disappointing. Next, she boarded exquisite pleasure boats and cruised along the waterways, her eyes scanning the bustling crowds around her, but she still couldn't spot that familiar face. She even searched the brothels filled with singing and dancing, but ultimately found nothing.

Just as Su Yuning was filled with dejection and almost despair, preparing to face the stern reprimands of her young master's parents, fate seemed to play a small joke on her. At that moment, Su Muyang happened to pass by the bustling brothel and immediately spotted his sister with a sorrowful face.

"Little sister, why are you still in the capital? Something terrible has happened!" Su Muyang shouted in a panic as he rushed to Su Yuning.

Su Yuning was startled by her second brother's sudden words. She looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked anxiously, "What's going on? Second brother, stop keeping me in suspense!"

Su Muyang was panting heavily, a layer of sweat beading on his forehead. He wiped the sweat away as he said anxiously, "That young master you did business with has actually gone to the Northern Desert! And he even made a bold statement, saying he wants to have a showdown with Ye Beichen and he's determined to take you back to be his wife!"

"Huh?!" Upon hearing this, Su Yuning was stunned and stamped her feet in anger, complaining, "This young master is so unreasonable and reckless! He's simply incomprehensible!"

"What are you waiting for? Go after them! Don't let them get hurt." Su Muyang hurriedly reminded her. Su Yuning nodded and agreed, but when she thought of her son's parents who were still worried, she quickly went to inform them of the situation and then took the two elders with her to the northern desert.

In the city, Chestnut Girl and Tianshuo recited poems and practiced calligraphy together. The village chief's nephew inevitably chatted with her, which made Fatty Girl furious. "Tianqi, do you still like Chestnut Girl? Why don't you two be together? I'll leave, okay?"

When the village chief's nephew saw that the chubby girl was angry, he quickly comforted her, assuring her that he truly had no other feelings for Chestnut Girl. He took the chubby girl's hand, gently kissed it, and said, "Believe me, you're the only one in my heart."

The chubby girl felt a little better after hearing this, but she was still a little worried. She decided to talk to Chestnut Girl and tell her not to associate with Tianshuo so closely anymore.

Meanwhile, Su Yuning and her group finally arrived in the northern desert. They searched everywhere for the young master and Ye Beichen, eventually finding them in a desolate desert. The two were locked in a fierce battle, with sand and dust swirling around them.

Su Yuning rushed anxiously toward the young master and Ye Beichen, who were locked in a fierce fight. The two old men followed closely behind, shouting, "Stop fighting! Stop it! Talk it out!" However, the young master and Ye Beichen were already blinded by rage. They exchanged blows, neither giving an inch, as if they regarded each other as irreconcilable enemies, and they wouldn't listen to any advice.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Su Yuning knew she couldn't let things continue like this. So, gritting her teeth and steeling her resolve, she shouted, "Stop! If you keep acting like this, I'll run away from home and disappear without a trace, so you'll never find me again!" This roar, like a thunderclap, exploded in their ears, miraculously causing Ye Beichen and the young master to stop simultaneously, standing frozen in place.

Ye Beichen, panting heavily, looked at Su Yuning with a wronged expression, his eyes red and even a hint of crying in his voice, and asked, "Yuning, now tell me, do you choose me or him?" The young master beside him also stared at Su Yuning nervously, as if waiting for an answer that would determine their life or death.

Su Yuning took a deep breath, looked at Ye Beichen with a firm gaze, and answered gently yet with absolute certainty, "Of course I choose you. We have already been married and are husband and wife, so naturally I want to spend my life with you." Hearing this, Ye Beichen's face instantly lit up with a joyful smile. He hugged Su Yuning tightly and trembled with excitement.

"I absolutely disagree!" The young master's tone was full of displeasure, like an enraged lion roaring. "Su Yuning, the moment I saw you, it was as if I had been struck by Cupid's arrow. I fell deeply in love with you. You absolutely cannot be with him. If you dare to disobey me, I will run away from home like a kite with a broken string, so that you will never see me again."

"No, don't do that! You're not only hurting me, but also your own parents! They're like candles flickering in the wind, getting old and need your careful care, not for you to upset them," Su Yuning replied earnestly, her voice like a warm spring breeze gently brushing past the young master's ear.

Then, the two elderly people embraced their son tightly, tears streaming down their faces as if to release all the longing, worry, and pain they had felt over the past few days. After a while, once the young man had calmed down, he turned to Su Yuning and looked at her with deep affection, his eyes filled with concern and reluctance.

"Yu Ning, I sincerely wish you and Ye Beichen a happy and fulfilling life together. If anyone ever bullies you or makes you suffer any injustice, please remember to tell me. No matter when or where, I will come to take you home as soon as you need me." The young master's voice trembled slightly, but every word he spoke was firm and resolute.

Upon hearing these words, Su Yuning's eyes welled up with tears. She nodded repeatedly and replied, "Okay, I understand, thank you."

At this moment, the young master hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help but ask, "Miss Su, after going through so much, can we... still be friends like before?" His tone was unusually low, with a hint of undisguised loneliness.

Upon hearing this, Su Yuning's face immediately lit up with a bright smile, and she nodded without hesitation, saying, "Of course! No matter what happens, we'll always be friends!"

After receiving a positive reply, the young master seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief. Then, he raised his hand and gently patted Ye Beichen's shoulder, looking directly into the other's eyes, and sincerely spoke his mind: "Ye Beichen, I admit defeat this time, and I'm willing to withdraw. But please remember, you must treat Su Yuning well. If one day I find out that you have mistreated her, I will never let you off the hook!"

Ye Beichen sensed the weight of the young master's words and immediately nodded solemnly, promising, "Don't worry, I will definitely cherish her and give her a happy life."

After saying this, the young master gave Su Yuning and Ye Beichen a deep look, then turned and walked towards his family. Finally, he and his family slowly left this vast northern desert, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance until they vanished on the horizon.

In the capital city, the chubby girl took the initiative to invite Chestnut Girl out for dinner. Chestnut Girl was a little flattered and quickly nodded in agreement.

"Sweetie, you invited me out for dinner today. Is there something you want to tell me?" Chestnut Girl asked softly, her gentle voice like a spring breeze, caressing the heart.

The chubby girl nodded slightly in response and said in a slightly serious tone, "Miss Chestnut is so intelligent, she must know the story of 'the plum tree under the melon patch', right?" Her eyes were fixed on Miss Chestnut, as if trying to catch a clue from the other's expression.

Chestnut Girl blinked her bright eyes, nodded as if she understood, and softly replied, "Yes, of course I know." Although she said that, she was still a little confused.

Seeing this, the chubby girl's face showed a helpless expression. She continued, "It wasn't easy for Tianqi and me to get together; we've been through so much. Now, I'm constantly worried, afraid that one day you'll take him away from me. Even though you two have been trying to prove your innocence and explain that there's no romantic feeling between you, I still feel anxious and can't settle down. So, if you still plan to stay here and teach, I hope you can take the initiative to keep your distance from Tianqi and avoid unnecessary contact." As she finished speaking, a pleading look appeared in the chubby girl's eyes.

Hearing this, Chestnut Girl couldn't help but feel a little amused and exasperated. She shook her head with a wry smile and quickly said, "Oh, Sweetie, I've told you so many times! There's really nothing special between Tianqi and me, we're just colleagues. Just relax and don't overthink it! Besides, I'd like to give you some advice: be more generous in your dealings with others, and don't be so petty about small things. How can you be happy if you're always so worried and anxious?"

"You really don't like him?" The chubby girl took a sip of juice, put down her glass, and asked with a hint of disbelief.

"Really? We don't have much in common, and we don't have any feelings for each other, so don't overthink it. Besides, although you used to be plump, you were always laughing and joking. Now you're in better shape, but you're not in a good mood. Life is only a hundred years long, why can't you live happily every day?" Chestnut Girl replied gently.

"Actually, I'm really insecure. Every time I stand next to you, I feel like a ridiculous clown. Not to mention my figure, which is absolutely awful and bloated; even my face is plain and unremarkable. I don't know anything about fashion or makeup, I look incredibly dowdy. And I'm not gentle at all, I'm always boisterous and impulsive. So, I'm really afraid that you'll steal Tianqi away from me!" The chubby girl said, slowly lowering her head, an embarrassed look on her face.

Hearing the chubby girl's words, Chestnut Girl quickly comforted her, "Oh, don't think like that! There are no truly ugly women in this world. Only lazy women who don't take care of themselves seem unattractive. Actually, as long as you're diligent and brush your teeth and wash your face every day, and wash your hair and shower regularly, keeping yourself clean and refreshed, you'll naturally become more and more beautiful. Also, you should go shopping more often, check out the latest clothing styles, and learn how to coordinate outfits. In addition, you should participate in various outdoor activities. That way, you'll definitely lose weight in no time!"

Encouraged by Chestnut Girl, Fatty seemed to gain more confidence. She raised her head, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, and said, "But... but I still really want to learn makeup, as well as fashion and hairstyling. Can you teach me?" After saying that, Fatty looked at Chestnut Girl sincerely, hoping to get a positive answer from her.

The girl with the chestnut-shaped hair ornaments laughed and replied, "I can't teach you that. I only know basic makeup and hairstyling. If you want to learn, you can buy hair accessories and cosmetics. The stall owners will teach you beauty tips for free."

"I'm amazed! I've learned something new!" the chubby girl replied with a smile. "What about outdoor activities? Can you come with me?"

After thinking about it, Chestnut Girl nodded in agreement. After all, having more friends meant having more options, and having more companions to go out with was safer and more reassuring.