Early in the morning, with the sky just beginning to lighten, Chen Mo quietly slipped out of the sleeping quarters.
It was not yet time for the morning sweep, and the entire Inner Court was in silence. Just as he was about to head toward Qianqing Gate, a gentle voice suddenly sounded beside him:
"Mr. Chen..."
"..."
Chen Mo froze in place.
Turning his head, he saw Xu Qingyi sitting in the corner, holding a cat.
Dew clung to her dark hair, and her refined face looked slightly pale. Her eyes, clear and bright, gazed at him with unreadable emotions.
"Director Xu, why are you here?" Chen Mo was startled and asked in confusion, "You couldn't have been sitting here all night, could you?"
Xu Qingyi did not answer. Her eyelashes cast trembling shadows beneath her eyes as she softly said, "Did Mr. Chen stay at Haitang Pond all night? What kind of affairs needed reporting that would take so long?"
"Ahem, it's a long story..."
