Âme Miroir Ancienne

Chapitre 1

The Mystery of the Newspaper

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After returning from the old house, Zheng Qi went to Maoshan with his senior brother Mo Han. Regrettably, after arriving at Maoshan, their master hurriedly set off again to travel the world. Zheng Qi felt a pang of disappointment at not seeing his master on this trip to Maoshan, but seeing his master's senior brother, Master Yuqing, and having a conversation with him brought him some comfort.

After returning from Maoshan, with graduation fast approaching, Zheng Qi was busy writing his thesis and looking for a job, so he had to put aside his idea of finding a mentor for the time being.

"Zheng Qi, you little rascal, you came back without saying a word. When did you become a lone monk? How was your trip to Maoshan? Did you steal any elixirs or magical herbs? Send me one so I can live forever!"

As noon approached, Zheng Qi had just sat down in the school cafeteria with a plate of food when he heard a series of joking and laughing sounds behind him.

Without even looking or guessing, Zheng Qi knew that there was no one else like Ye Feng.

Zheng Qi ignored them, put the food on the table, and started eating. With two "clangs," two plates of food were placed opposite his plate at the same time, and Ye Feng and Meng'er appeared in front of him with smiles.

"Giving you an elixir is no problem, but if you were to suddenly become Chang'e flying to the moon, Meng'er would come after me with her life!" After saying that, Zheng Qi chuckled a few times.

"I didn't realize you'd developed such a sense of humor in just a few days, Zheng Qi! You and Ling Bing used to be the least talkative of the four of you brothers, like complete shut-ins. Back then, Ye Feng and Li Fan were the most glib! Who would have thought you'd become like that too?"

Seeing Zheng Qi teasing her and Ye Feng, Meng'er, who was standing to the side, retorted defiantly.

Upon hearing Li Fan's name, Zheng Qimeng recalled the pitiful state he had witnessed in the bushes of the old house that day. His nose stung, and a sudden wave of pain washed over him, as if something was blocking his heart. He didn't continue speaking, but instead lowered his head and ate a mouthful of rice.

Ye Feng noticed Zheng Qi's sadness and tugged at Meng'er's sleeve. Meng'er realized she had gone too far, stuck out her tongue, and fell silent.

"How's your job search going?"

Seeing that he had made the atmosphere a bit awkward, Zheng Qi quickly changed the subject and asked.

"Meng'er and I plan to work at my father's foreign trade company, while Ling Bing and Yu Xue say they don't want to work yet."

"Don't want to work right now? What's wrong with them? Are they planning to take the postgraduate entrance exam?"

"What's the point of taking the exam? They plan to enjoy their time together as a couple first, go on a trial honeymoon, and then come back to look for jobs!"

Before Ye Feng could finish speaking, he burst out laughing and spat out his food.

Zheng Qi smiled faintly and said nothing.

After returning from the old house, Ye Feng and his three companions were completely unaware of what had happened there in the past few days. Regarding Li Fan's death, Zheng Qi only explained that he had accidentally fallen off a cliff. After grieving for Li Fan's death for a while, the four of them stopped mentioning it.

After experiencing such a life-or-death ordeal, Zheng Qi sincerely hoped that Ye Feng and the other three would never have any emotional entanglements in this life, and could simply live happily. As for himself, he only wanted to follow his master and travel the world, never again concerning himself with worldly affairs!

Thinking of this, Zheng Qi felt a pang of sorrow and lament. If all sorrow could be erased from one's memory, how wonderful this world would be for both oneself and others. But why is it that the more painful the memory, the more it lingers like a shadow? How many people in this world can truly let go of the sorrows of the past and live happily and carefree? As he pondered this, Zheng Qi's eyes began to redden, and his expression inevitably became somewhat melancholic.

Seeing this, Meng'er assumed Zheng Qi had noticed them as a couple and, thinking of her own loneliness, couldn't help but feel a little sad. She secretly blamed Ye Feng for not understanding her feelings and gently tugged at his clothes under the table. Ye Feng, suppressing a laugh, said:

"Sorry, Zheng Qi, let's reschedule for tomorrow. I'll introduce you to some pretty girls then..."

"It's nothing, that's not what I meant."

Zheng Qi's casual remark cut off Ye Feng's next sentence.

Seeing Zheng Qi's displeasure, Ye Feng lost interest in joking and stopped talking, then quietly ate with Meng'er.

A stifling atmosphere hung around them. After a long pause, Zheng Qi spoke slowly:

"I'm thinking of going to pay my respects to Li Fan in a few days. What do you guys think? Would you like to come along?"

"Okay, Meng'er and I are fine, but it seems impossible for Ling Bing and Yu Xue, because who knows where they are floating on right now? Hehe!"

Meng'er kicked him again under the table, and Ye Feng twitched his lips in pain.

"Seriously, will you?"

Meng'er whispered a rebuke to him, while simultaneously glaring at him fiercely with her almond-shaped eyes.

Ye Feng stuck out his tongue, glanced at Zheng Qi who had a bitter expression, and fell silent.

"Ling Bing and Yu Xue can go with them. As for when they'll go, I'll call you then!"

"All right!"

Ye Feng sensed that Zheng Qi was preoccupied and wanted to ask him what was wrong, but he felt that Zheng Qi didn't want to tell him. He thought to himself that perhaps Zheng Qi was grieving over Li Fan's death. He thought about the happy days the four of them had spent together, and now they were just three musketeers. He also thought about how they would soon go their separate ways, and how they would all have to start their own families and careers, and the days they would spend together would become fewer and fewer... Thinking of this, Ye Feng couldn't help but feel sad like Jia Baoyu.

The food tasted increasingly bland as I chewed it, and the air became even more oppressive and stifling.

"By the way, Zheng Qi, how's your job search going?"

Seeing this, Meng'er quickly used her girl advantage to lighten the mood. She picked up a piece of food while looking up at Zheng Qidao.

"I found a small newspaper and we agreed that I'd start working there in a few days!"

Zheng Qi said slowly and absentmindedly.

"So urgent? Are you sure you can find a solution? If you can't find one, let us know and Ye Feng will help you think of a way."

"Yes, if your newspaper isn't working out, let me know, and I'll talk to Dad about getting you into our company!"

"No, you know I can't stay still. I'm thinking of going to see my master again in a while. Let's go there and work there for a while first!"

Zheng Qi smiled at Ye Feng and the others' good intentions.

"That's fine. If anything happens, be sure to tell me. We've been buddies for over ten years, so don't mind!"

Ye Feng gently punched Zheng Qi, who smiled, his eyes a little moist.

Three days later, Zheng Qi and Ye Fengmeng paid their respects at Li Fan's grave before parting ways to pursue their own futures.

"This is your new colleague, Zheng Qi. He just graduated from university. Please take good care of him in the future!"

Director Wang led Zheng Qi into the newspaper office, his gaze sweeping coldly over the people buried in their work, and introduced him to them expressionlessly.

Everyone in the office stopped what they were doing and looked up at them.

"This is Mr. Dong, a veteran of our small newspaper. You should learn a lot from him in the future!"

Director Wang pointed to the oldest man in the office and introduced him to Zheng Qi, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

Old Dong stood up, smiled and nodded at Zheng Qi. He was about fifty years old, with a bright and energetic appearance, lean and capable, and a kind face.

"Hello, Mr. Dong. I hope you will give me your guidance if I fall short in the future!" Zheng Qi said with a polite smile.

"Not at all, not at all, you're too kind. We should learn from each other!"

Mr. Dong spoke modestly to Zheng Qi, while casually glancing indifferently at Director Wang beside Zheng Qi with a cold look.

Director Wang frowned slightly.

"Hello, my name is Chen Qing. I joined the school six months earlier than you, so I can be considered your senior!"

A girl with a baby face, delicate features, and no trace of affectation stood up, smiled mischievously at Zheng Qi, and extended her hand.