Yu Wen did trust his mother, but he also felt helpless. He couldn’t just go back to Nox and cross Li Jun’s boundaries. Li Jun didn’t want to see him or talk to him. He was afraid that if he showed up there unannounced, he would ruin any little chance he had.

But reading that message drove him mad. He just had the strongest urge to go find him, but he knew he couldn’t. He also didn’t want to rely on his mother to help him fix his mistakes, but what other choice did he have?

With a sigh, he unclenched his fist and said, "I trust you."

Lu Anu thought that he was going to do something crazy like rush over there, but when he calmed down, she heaved a sigh. She asked, "In all the years you have known me, have any of my strategies ever failed?"

He knew she was right. He knew she wouldn’t lead him astray, but as a person who preferred having his personal life under his control, it was really hard to let go. He finally answered, "I know you never fail, but... I just don’t know if I can restrain myself if I keep staying here."

Yu Wen meant it. If he stayed idle and kept checking on what Li Jun was up to, he was sure he was going to do something he would regret. He would rather go to the frontlines earlier so that he can focus on that. That way, he wouldn’t have to be so anxious.

"Tomorrow, I will go to the frontlines. It’s a little earlier than expected, but I am ready," he said, his voice low. Lu Anu understood. She understood her son very well. He was going to use this as a distraction so he wouldn’t go off the rails.

"Okay, I understand," she said before pulling him into a hug. "Just trust me, okay?" she whispered while patting his back.

***

Meanwhile, Li Jun’s mood was much better after that, but it didn’t really last long. He just wanted to know who the hell she was, but for days he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Unable to bear it anymore, he finally messaged Lu Anu.

LJ: So, who is Yu Wen dating?

Lu Anu had been waiting for this question for days now. After Yu Wen left, she waited patiently for this very question. She had waited so long that for once she was starting to question her strategy. If she fucked this up for Yu Wen, she would never forgive herself. So, when he asked, she could finally heave a sigh.

LA: No one, why?

Li Jun had been looking at that text bubble while nervously shaking his leg. He was anxiously waiting for her response, so when he saw that message, he froze for a second. Without even realizing it, he began to type back a response.

LJ: What about this?

He cropped the picture she sent to him that day and sent it to her. Lu Anu couldn’t stop her lips from curling upwards. She rubbed her hands like a villain before typing a response.

LA: Oh, that.

LA: She is my goddaughter. She came to see him that day.

LA: She made him porridge, which was quite nice.

Li Jun clicked his tongue in annoyance. He just left him alone for two seconds, and there were already plenty of vultures circling. He bit his lower lip before typing back.

LJ: Is she still around?

Lu Anu could literally smell the vinegar surging from the screen. She could tell he was oozing with jealousy. She didn’t dare leave him hanging lest this vinegar jar tipped over.

LA: Yeah, but Yu Wen left.

Li Jun stiffened when he read that. He typed fast, asking her where he went and how long he would be gone. He had a sinking feeling that he was at the frontlines, but why didn’t Lu Anu tell him?

LJ: Where is he?

LA: He left for the frontlines. He left over a week ago.

Lu Anu waited patiently, but Li Jun didn’t respond like he was thinking about something. She suddenly sent him a picture that Alex had sent to her. It was a picture of Yu Wen lying on a makeshift bed in a tent with his eyes closed. He was sleeping, but he didn’t look like he was relaxed. It felt like he would jump up at the slightest sound.

Li Jun was biting his thumb, lost in thought, when he received the message. He tapped on the picture she had sent to him, and when he saw him, he felt something stir in his heart. He zoomed in, and he could see what Lu Anu could see.

Yu Wen looked so exhausted and restless. It had been a few days, but he looked like he had been through it. Li Jun absentmindedly brushed his fingers on his sleeping face. He suddenly saw something peeking out of Yu Wen’s collar.

He zoomed in, and when he saw that Starburst pendant that belonged to his mother, he swore, "Fuck," under his breath.

He had been all over the place these past few weeks and had forgotten that Yu Wen had his mother’s pendant. He had to get it back. He had to go find him and get that pendant back. Once he made up his mind, he was so giddy, but he didn’t even realize how happy he was.

LJ: He looks exhausted.

LA: Alex said it’s been incredibly chaotic.

LJ: He must be under a lot of pressure.

The two of them chatted like this back and forth for thirty more minutes. From that conversation alone, she already knew what Li Jun was going to do. He was going to find Yu Wen.

She couldn’t stop herself from smiling. It was official. She was going to become a dating coach or a matchmaker. She was already imagining what her office would be like. On the other hand, she didn’t want to let Yu Wen know that Li Jun was going to find him. Why bother to spoil the surprise? That was no fun.

Lu Anu was excited, but Draco was fuming. That brat had the audacity to leave without saying anything. Li Jun only called him when he was far enough not to get his ass dragged back to Nox.