RMM -Chapter 144 Beyond One’s Control

Su Ruo felt these past few days had been truly comfortable—everything went smoothly, and her mood was light and happy.

Xi Yuechen had, unusually, stayed at home for five days straight. That was a record! He usually came and went in a rush, but this time, breaking all precedent, he had stayed for five full days, granting Su Ruo every request.

Unusual behavior must mean something was up. While Su Ruo enjoyed herself, she couldn’t help but wonder what had gotten into Xi Yuechen.

What’s wrong with Xi Yuechen? He wasn’t really “wrong” at all. It was just that thinking about returning to D Province meant fully entering a state of wartime readiness. Not a moment could be wasted, and he didn’t even know how long this battle would last—maybe it would be over soon, or maybe, even after Su Ruo gave birth to his son, he still wouldn’t be able to come back.

And then what could he do? There was only one choice—treat Su Ruo with utmost devotion, for as long as he could.

That day, Xi Yuechen was sitting in the living room talking with Xi Yuehui when suddenly his phone rang. Pulling it out, he saw it was Long Ge.

In D Province, Xi Yuechen always used two phones—one specifically for this mission, and the other his regular phone.

To be safe, this time he had put the SIM card meant for Cheng Yue into his usual phone. He had a dual-SIM phone, which made it convenient.

This setup ensured he could be reached by Yanmen at any time. He wouldn’t call them proactively, but Yanmen might call him. Also, having two phones at home could arouse suspicion, so consolidating the SIM cards into one phone avoided trouble. That way, even if Yanmen contacted him suddenly, he wouldn’t miss it, nor would it raise family suspicions.

Looking over at Su Ruo in the garden, chatting and smiling with Shen Liang in the sun, he saw her completely unaware.

“I’ll take this call,” he said to Xi Yuehui, rising and heading upstairs straight to Xi Jian’an’s study. He pushed the door open and walked in.

“Hello, Long Ge. Sorry for keeping you waiting, my phone wasn’t on me earlier.”

As soon as he closed the door, Xi Yuechen picked up the call, his voice now the polite, respectful tone of Cheng Yue.

“What have you been up to, kid? So long and you didn’t even call to check in?”

Long Ge didn’t care that Xi Yuechen had answered late and laughed as he spoke.

“Just some personal matters, nothing major. Sorry to trouble you,” Xi Yuechen replied, voice gentle but without warmth, his face cold, almost indifferent. “Is there something you need?”

“Can’t I call if there’s nothing?” Long Ge pretended to be upset.

“Of course not. I’m always happy when you call,” Xi Yuechen said. His tone sounded humble and courteous to anyone listening, making Long Ge beam.

He really hadn’t misjudged him.

“Actually, I do have something to tell you,” Long Ge continued. To him, Xi Yuechen was now on the same side, so sharing some convenience was natural.

“Go ahead,” Xi Yuechen said, raising an eyebrow, his voice serious, though his expression remained cold.

“Is your situation over there resolved? If so, you should come over soon.”

“What do you mean?”

“The boss will be back in a few days. He seemed to be in a very good mood when he contacted us earlier. If you can come, then come,” Long Ge took a drag of his cigarette, a satisfied smile on his face.

Xi Yuechen immediately understood: Long Ge was urging him to take advantage of the boss’s good mood to gain favor.

Long Ge was straightforward with Xi Yuechen, treating him as a brother, revealing everything about their boss so that Xi Yuechen could gain recognition, and Long Ge could benefit from his rise.

But fate is unpredictable. Long Ge’s plan was way off—Xi Yuechen was no one who would make him prosperous; in fact, he was more likely a harbinger of destruction for their “grand plans.”

“Really? Great, I’ll come over tomorrow,” Xi Yuechen said, feigning excitement, every word measured. “I don’t know how to thank you, Long Ge, for always looking out for me. I’ll make sure to seize this opportunity.”

Long Ge laughed, satisfied, and hung up.

Xi Yuechen remained in the study, sitting silently, deep in thought, a complicated expression on his face.

Tomorrow, he would leave again. He couldn’t explain the feeling in his heart—heavy, uncomfortable.

Xi Yuehui, seeing his brother come downstairs, wanted to greet him but fell silent. His brother seemed in a bad mood.

Xi Yuehui was not stupid; his brother’s dark, brooding expression was hard to miss.

What caused this sudden change? Xi Yuehui recalled the earlier phone call—could it be related? His brother had been fine until that call, and now he was so upset.

What kind of call could be so mysterious that it caused such a mood swing, and he avoided answering in front of him?

“Brother.”

Though curious, he only smiled and called out, asking nothing further.

Xi Yuechen nodded slightly in acknowledgment and sat on the sofa, silent, eyes downcast, lost in thought.

Xi Yuehui could feel his brother’s very bad mood—the intense cold radiating from him was almost lethal.

“I’ll be going back to D Province tomorrow,” Xi Yuechen said suddenly.

Xi Yuehui had been racking his brain for a topic to break the oppressive atmosphere, but didn’t expect Xi Yuechen to speak first.

Even more unexpected was the content—he would leave tomorrow? So soon?

Xi Yuehui was shocked, glancing toward Su Ruo in the garden, unsure what to say.

“When will you be back home next?” Xi Yuehui finally managed to ask.

Xi Yuechen frowned, irritated. Xi Yuehui had rarely seen him like this—he was usually calm and indifferent.

“I don’t know.”

Xi Yuechen had no idea when he’d return next; all he could do now was speed up his mission to finish it as soon as possible.

Xi Yuehui sighed silently, no longer speaking or reading, his mind in turmoil.

Su Ruo didn’t notice the unusual atmosphere in the living room and continued talking with Shen Liang about the baby.

“I even prepared so many things for a girl, but now they won’t be needed,” Shen Liang said, shaking his head with mild regret.

Su Ruo smiled, teasing: “Mom, is it really a shame it’s a grandson?”

“Honestly, yes. We have no girls in the family,” Shen Liang admitted frankly.

Su Ruo knew her mother-in-law had always wished for a granddaughter. Her fondness for Su Ruo wasn’t without reason.

“I’m happy it’s a son. I feel lighter on my shoulders,” Su Ruo said.

Speaking freely in front of Shen Liang, Su Ruo felt no restraint. Shen Liang understood, smiled, and let her enjoy her self-satisfaction.

No worries—there’s a grandson now. The chance for a granddaughter will come.

Shen Liang was also in a good mood. Having a grandson was enough.

The two of them were happy together, oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the living room.

Xi Yuechen watched Su Ruo chatting with her mother, feeling a bit stiff inside, unsure how to tell her about his departure.

At dinner, Su Ruo sensed something was off with Xi Yuechen. Not wanting to cause a scene with everyone present, she didn’t ask and kept her own irritation to herself, eating quietly.

After dinner, Xi Yuechen first went to Xi Jian’an’s study, leaving Su Ruo’s heart suspended, restless.

Could it be… he’s leaving already? Su Ruo had anticipated this; every time the commander left, he visited her father-in-law’s study first.

Thinking of this, all the joy she had enjoyed in the past days vanished. She bit her lip, holding back the surging frustration, letting out a few muffled sounds.

You’re like a dandelion—coming and going!

Su Ruo felt a mix of grievance and reluctance. Only a few days together, and he was leaving again, uncertain when they would meet next.

Now she was certain—Xi Yuechen was returning to D Province.

Coming out of the study, Xi Yuechen hesitated slightly. During dinner, the little woman had already sensed something was off, realizing he would leave.

He didn’t know whether to laugh at her sensitivity or sigh at being beyond his own control.

With a quiet sigh, he opened the door and entered.

“Commander?” Su Ruo looked up immediately at the sound of the door.

Xi Yuechen sat beside her, speechless for a moment.

Su Ruo glanced at him, and all the negative emotions in her heart melted away. She had always been prepared to be alone, so there was no need to be so depressed and make things difficult for him.

Having stayed home for so long this time, Su Ruo felt she should be content.