IOLYF Chapter 66

Mo Ming forcefully pulled his hand away from Han Shao Zhou. “There’s no deeper meaning. I just want to start a new life.”

“What I meant was that we could start over…” Han Shao Zhou blocked the doorway, his tone urgent but gentle. “I know I didn’t take our relationship seriously before. I was a decent benefactor, but I didn’t act like a proper boyfriend. But I promise you, from now on…”

“I don’t want to hear any of this.” Mo Ming interrupted coldly. “I suddenly remembered I have something else to do, so please let me go.”

Han Shao Zhou was clearly in disbelief. His instinct told him that something he had just said had scared Mo Ming. But wasn’t that heartfelt confession supposed to move someone who had loved him for three years? Mo Ming might be shocked, or doubtful, but he shouldn’t be reacting like this—almost instinctively trying to escape.

“Let’s sit down and talk slowly, okay, Xiao Gui? There must be some kind of misunderstanding. I can explain…”

Han Shao Zhou reached out to take Mo Ming’s hand, but Mo Ming swiftly avoided him, his cold gaze meeting Han Shao Zhou’s. “There is no misunderstanding between us, Mr. Han. As a friend, I’m willing to help you, but since you have these kinds of feelings for me, I’m sorry. We can’t even be friends.”

Han Shao Zhou was stunned. “Just because I like you, you’re this resistant? But you’ve always… Right, Xiao Gui, don’t you remember that night in T City? You cautiously asked me to say, ‘Mo Ming, I like you,’ so you clearly…”

Mo Ming pushed past Han Shao Zhou, opened the door, and walked out.

The midday winter sun wasn’t harsh, but Mo Ming felt like it was too bright to keep his eyes open, his body tingling with a prickling sensation. Once outside the restaurant, he quickly headed toward his parked car.

He had always thought that he and Han Shao Zhou were balanced in their relationship, that they were mutually benefiting without owing each other. But if Han Shao Zhou had developed genuine feelings over these three years, it would be a disaster for him.

Having genuinely appreciated this man, Mo Ming certainly didn’t want Han Shao Zhou to suffer any emotional pain because of him, even if it was something he brought upon himself…

Han Shao Zhou went to pay the bill at the front desk, a step behind Mo Ming. By the time he ran out to catch up, Mo Ming was already in his car.

As Han Shao Zhou reached the car and knocked on the window, the doors were locked and the windows were rolled up tight. “Mo Ming, please listen to me before you go…”

Seeing Han Shao Zhou’s anxious face through the window, Mo Ming frowned deeply and looked away, starting the car. Things could have ended amicably, even with continued friendly interactions, but this man just had to complicate everything.

As the car drove away, Mo Ming glanced in the rearview mirror. Han Shao Zhou stood there, dumbfounded, looking lost in the cold wind, as if he were questioning his entire existence.

Gripping the steering wheel, Mo Ming’s expression grew more complicated as he averted his gaze.

If this continues, the future might bring more than just a little trouble.

Back at his apartment, Mo Ming slumped onto the sofa, his arm covering his forehead, eyes closed as he tried to calm himself.

When they first got together, the rules were set by Han Shao Zhou, so Mo Ming assumed he would be the one most in control. But now…

Xiao Han ran over, trying to jump onto the sofa with all its might, but only ended up bouncing off the edge and falling to the floor, letting out a pitiful whimper.

Mo Ming couldn’t help but laugh, the annoyance in his heart unexpectedly dissipating. He leaned over to pick Xiao Han up, poking its wet nose with his finger as he teased, “So silly…”

Xiao Han enthusiastically licked Mo Ming’s fingers, its tail wagging so fast it became a blur.

Mo Ming chuckled, putting Xiao Han down and standing up to get it some treats.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Mo Ming changed course to answer it.

Seeing who was outside through the peephole, Mo Ming felt his heart sink again.

Han Shao Zhou…

He must have followed him all the way here. Mo Ming knew how stubborn this man could be, but he never expected that stubbornness to one day be directed at him.

Han Shao Zhou rang the doorbell again, then took out his phone to call Mo Ming, confirming it was him when the ringing sound echoed through the door.

Even if Mo Ming hung up quickly, it wouldn’t do any good.

“Mo Ming, it’s me…” Han Shao Zhou’s voice, tinged with relief, came through the door as he gently knocked. “I just want to talk, to clear up any misunderstandings between us, okay?”

Mo Ming rubbed his forehead, feeling even more irritated.

If he didn’t let this man say what he wanted, he obviously wouldn’t leave.

Mo Ming opened the door, his expression indifferent. “Come in and talk.”

Han Shao Zhou, visibly pleased, entered and curiously looked around Mo Ming’s new place. It wasn’t very large, but it had great lighting and a simple, elegant design. Although it wasn’t as grand as the apartment they had shared, it was spacious and comfortable for one person.

Everything had a lived-in feel, clearly indicating this was meant to be a long-term residence.

If Mo Ming planned to stay long-term, then he likely had no intention of moving back.

The realization hit Han Shao Zhou hard, a pang of sourness in his chest.

Just then, a small gray puppy trotted over to his feet. Han Shao Zhou looked down at the little creature pawing at his shoe, confused as to where it had come from, when Mo Ming scolded, “Xiao Han, go back.”

Xiao Han didn’t understand human language, but it recognized that Mo Ming’s tone was off, so it quickly scurried back to its little bed, curling up obediently.

Han Shao Zhou was stunned. He couldn’t believe his ears as he stared at the dog, his gaze quickly shifting back to Mo Ming.

Xiao Han?

Mo Ming had named the dog Xiao Han?

A rush of warmth surged through Han Shao Zhou’s chest… After leaving him, Mo Ming had gotten a dog and named it after him. If that wasn’t love, then what was?

“Have a seat.” Mo Ming said as he poured a cup of tea and set it on the coffee table, his tone polite but distant. “I have other things to do, so please, Mr. Han, keep it brief.”

Han Shao Zhou didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he crouched down, clapping his hands to get the puppy’s attention. “Come here, Xiao Han, come to Papa.”

Mo Ming: “…”

Xiao Han, always eager to please, eagerly ran over at the call. However, it was moving too fast and ended up sliding across the slick floor, finally skidding into Han Shao Zhou’s waiting hands.

Han Shao Zhou picked up Xiao Han and sat on the sofa, naturally asking, “What made you decide to get a dog? You never mentioned liking pets before.”

Mo Ming walked over, took Xiao Han by the scruff, and carried it back to its bed. He pointed at it sternly. “Stay.”

Xiao Han tucked its head down, obediently lying in its bed.

Returning to the sofa, Mo Ming looked at Han Shao Zhou. “Mr. Han, please continue.”

The harmonious atmosphere in the room evaporated in an instant. Han Shao Zhou had no choice but to put away his smile. “I don’t understand why you’re suddenly treating me like this. What unforgivable thing have I done to you? Just now, you were still calling me Han-ge, but now you’re back to Mr. Han. All I did was say I like you… Do you not believe me, and think I’m just trying to keep you as my plaything?”

“I believe you.”

“Then why…”

“Because I don’t like you.”

“…”

Han Shao Zhou stared at the floor for a long time before finally speaking. “I know. Our relationship has never been equal since the day we met. I must have hurt you in ways I didn’t even realize. I knew you liked me, but I never seriously acknowledged your feelings. I’ve broken up with you multiple times, draining all your patience for me. But I’ve finally come to my senses. These past few days have been awful for me. Even if it weren’t for the Wen Ci situation making me apologize, I wouldn’t have lasted much longer. I never thought about breaking up with you. I like you so much. I wanted to bring you to Xiangbin Mountain, introduce you to my grandfather. I even had a pair of custom-made rings prepared to propose to you. Mo Ming, you can’t just condemn me over this one mistake…”

Mo Ming was deeply in love with him—this wasn’t Han Shao Zhou’s ego talking. He had countless pieces of evidence to back up this belief.

Mo Ming’s gaze fell on the coffee table, his eyes seeming to be shrouded in a grayish mist.

Han Shao Zhou couldn’t figure out what Mo Ming was thinking, so he continued, his voice filled with regret. “I shouldn’t have used the breakup to scare you that day. I really regret it…”

“Actually, that day…” Mo Ming interrupted softly, his gaze still distant. “I was going to break up with you too.”

Han Shao Zhou looked at Mo Ming in disbelief.

“So there’s no need to regret anything. Breaking up was inevitable.” Mo Ming’s eyes were calm as he looked at Han Shao Zhou. “It doesn’t directly involve anyone else. I just got tired of that life and suddenly wanted to start over alone. Han-ge, I’ll still call you Han-ge. But feelings that develop over time are just habits that can be replicated. You need to take some time to clear your head and figure out what you truly want.”

“…You’ve really changed a lot.” Han Shao Zhou gazed into Mo Ming’s calm, steady eyes and, surprisingly, he smiled. “But as long as you’re still Mo Ming, I trust my judgment. No matter how logical and clear-headed you sound, we’ve been together for three years. This bond isn’t something that can be severed with just a word. I don’t know why you’re so determined to leave me all of a sudden, but I’m even more determined than you. Mo Ming, you just haven’t seen my true feelings yet. From now on, I’ll show you, little by little…”

He was confident he could win Mo Ming back. Every day of the past three years fueled that confidence…

Mo Ming stood up, walked to the apartment door, and opened it.

“Please leave.”

“…”

Han Shao Zhou got up from the sofa, but instead of heading for the door, he turned to the dog, calling out, “Come on, Xiao Han, come to your second papa…”

Mo Ming: “…”

Xiao Han lay in its bed, glancing at Mo Ming’s stern face near the door. No matter how many times Han Shao Zhou knelt down and called for it, Xiao Han obediently stayed put.

Han Shao Zhou had no choice but to get up and head for the door. However, he seemed to have come to some sort of realization, and his expression was much more relaxed than when he had arrived. He stopped in front of Mo Ming, leaning in slightly toward his face.

Han Shao Zhou’s sharp eyes drew closer, but Mo Ming’s gaze remained indifferent as he said, “Don’t come looking for me again. I won’t open the door.”

Han Shao Zhou’s eyes curved into a smile. “I like you when you’re not so obedient. It reminds me of you at work. Mo Ming, I like you…”

Mo Ming turned his head away. “I don’t want to argue with you. I’ve made myself very clear.”

“Your reason for breaking up is too weak. If three years of feelings can be brushed aside with just a few words, then I must be a real fool.” Han Shao Zhou’s voice was light as he chuckled. “Either give me a better reason or…”

Han Shao Zhou leaned in so close that Mo Ming instinctively leaned back. Worried that he might fall, Han Shao Zhou gently supported Mo Ming’s waist.

“Or you can just marry me…” Han Shao Zhou said with a smile. “If you doubt my sincerity, we can go get our marriage certificate first thing tomorrow morning.”

Marriage?

Mo Ming’s eyes widened. He realized that this man wasn’t joking.