Chapter 102: Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

Ningguang hadn't lied about the vacation. On the first day of the third month, she granted Qin Yu a full month of leave.

To say Qin Yu wasn't delighted would be a lie.

Yet she couldn't shake a lingering unease.

True, they had agreed on this, but it had come far too soon. Qin Yu had expected her long break to begin no earlier than the end of the month.

But I haven't done anything to deserve it.

As the saying goes, "Unearned gifts bring unease." Qin Yu felt she needed to prove her worth to wholeheartedly accept Ningguang's kindness.

It's a matter of principle!

So she voiced her concerns to Ningguang.

"I understand," Ningguang nodded.

Qin Yu's expression brightened. "Then—"

"Go and rest," Ningguang concluded.

So, it had come to this after all.

"I'm glad you feel that way," Ningguang said calmly, "but I have my reasons for ordering you to rest. It's both reasonable and appropriate."

"Perhaps you can't accept this wholeheartedly, but it's my command. It's your duty to obey, so let's not discuss this further."

With that, Qin Yu had nothing more to say.

It was the first time her superior had ever ordered her to take a break.

This is really strange.

Though it works out perfectly, doesn't she want me by her side at all?

Qin Yu desperately wanted to ask, but the question felt too awkward to voice.

"Thank you very much," she managed to say.

Ningguang rested her hands on her chin, smiling faintly. "There's no need for thanks. Looking after my subordinates is one of my duties. Besides... even though it's a vacation, I expect you won't become too indolent."

If I can't be indolent, is it really a vacation?

Vacations are for sleeping in, playing hard, and indulging!

Though afterward, I'll definitely suffer from post-vacation blues, dragging myself to work unwillingly.

"Are you implying...?" Qin Yu ventured.

"Staying by my side alone will limit your growth. This might sting to hear, but it's the truth: based on your current capabilities, you're still not up to par."

The words stung, but Qin Yu understood. Compared to Baiwen and the others, she was still far behind.

It was a matter of experience.

Shouldn't I be staying by Lady Ningguang's side to learn more? Qin Yu thought, even more confused than before.

"Shouldn't I be furthering my studies under Lady Ningguang's guidance?" she asked.

Ningguang didn't answer her question directly. Instead, she said, "In any case, during this month-long vacation, I hope you strike a balance between rest and activity, broaden your horizons, gain new experiences, and refine yourself. Then, return and continue to work diligently for me."

Is this even a real vacation? Qin Yu mused. It's completely different from the carefree feeling of being truly off work.

But now that she'd come this far, there was no turning back. Besides, what she did during her vacation was her own business. Ningguang couldn't possibly keep tabs on her.

Still, Ningguang's words made sense. In the future, she would undoubtedly entrust Qin Yu with more responsibilities. If she failed to grow, Ningguang might be disappointed.

And if she's disappointed, I won't get any Points.

"Understood! I promise I won't let you down, Lady Ningguang!"

On the first day of her vacation, Qin Yu slept like a log.

Utterly slothful.

It wasn't that she was unwell; she simply found sleeping incredibly comfortable. And naturally, she wanted to indulge in whatever felt good.

But make no mistake, even in her impure state, Qin Yu would still vehemently refuse anything inappropriate.

On her first day of vacation, Qin Yu didn't leave the Jade Chamber. She spent the time relaxing and preparing in her room. It wasn't until the second day that she took last month's wages, which Ningguang had given her, and went to find a place to rent.

Staying at the Jade Chamber wouldn't have been a problem, but spending her vacation there felt a little awkward. It seemed better to separate her workplace from her relaxation space.

A one-month lease would suffice for now. She would save the money she earned working for Ningguang and buy a house when the time was right—though, considering her job, whether she'd actually live there was another matter...

By the way, this wasn't paid leave.

Ningguang treated Qin Yu with great care, but beneath her kindness lay a hint of the strictness expected from a senior mentoring a junior. She had no patience for incompetence.

Qin Yu actually appreciated this. At least she could work hard to meet Ningguang's expectations, which helped ease her lingering guilt.

"Hmm?"

A rental notice posted on a wall caught Qin Yu's attention.

"Isn't this where I used to live?"

Sure enough, they were looking for a new tenant, but the landlord seemed to be someone else entirely.

The ad didn't list the rent, only a contact address. Qin Yu wondered how the landlord could have changed. Their surnames were different, suggesting they weren't related.

Hmm... It would be nice to stay somewhere familiar, especially since it's only for a month. I should ask about the rent, Qin Yu thought, realizing she might be feeling a bit sentimental.

When she found the landlord and inquired about the rent, the man sized her up. "Are you Miss Qin Yu?"

"Ah, yes, that's me. Is there a problem?" Qin Yu replied, puzzled. Why was he using such formal language with her?

"Lady Keqing instructed me to tell you that you can move back in anytime without paying any rent. The rental ad was posted specifically to attract you; no one else has stayed here since you left."

Qin Yu was utterly bewildered. Why was Keqing suddenly being mentioned? Wait, could it be...?

"She bought this place?" Qin Yu exclaimed in astonishment.

"Yes, I'm just managing this place for her. Lady Keqing originally wanted to keep her involvement a secret, but she recently changed her mind and said it was okay to be honest with you."

So it's true! Why would she buy a place like this?

Wait a minute... he said I could move in anytime, and the rental ad was just to get my attention...

Could it be... she bought this place for me?

Ugh, that's a little creepy.

No, not exactly creepy, just... doing something like this without saying a word!

Qin Yu found it hard to accept. The atmosphere in the house suddenly felt heavy. She immediately lost all desire to move in.

"Lady Keqing left a letter for you inside. You can read it whenever you like."

A letter?

I don't want to go in... Qin Yu forced a smile. "O-okay."

But she was too curious about what Keqing had written to resist. Taking a deep breath, Qin Yu reluctantly stepped inside.

The interior was exactly as she remembered it, unchanged except for its immaculate cleanliness. A white envelope lay on the table.

Qin Yu tore open the letter and began to read.

"'I don't know when you'll receive this, but I'm genuinely happy that you're willing to remain my friend. This is no empty sentiment.'... Isn't that a bit much?"

Qin Yu brushed a strand of hair from her face and continued reading.

"'You're welcome to use this house freely. While it's technically my property, it's practically yours now. You won't have to move from rental to rental anymore. Consider it my way of making up for things.'"

Qin Yu finished reading and fell silent for a long time.

Touched? Hell no! Suddenly buying a house and then just dumping it on me? And calling it "making up for things"?

Qin Yu's anger surged. The letter had clearly been written after they'd rekindled their childhood friendship.

She'd never asked Keqing for any kind of compensation, let alone material "compensation." Yet Keqing had gone ahead and done this unilaterally.

Does she think this will make me happy? What kind of woman does she take me for? Is this really what I want?

And calling it "making up for things"... Compensation is only needed when you've done something wrong. So she does know that abandoning me was wrong, huh? Qin Yu's fury intensified with each thought. She pressed a hand to her chest and exhaled sharply.

I can't... I can't take it anymore!

Qin Yu clicked her tongue and strode out of the house. She had to find Keqing right now!