IOLYF Chapter 89

There’s a fine line between being desperate and reckless. People who value their lives and have attachments wouldn’t risk themselves like this.

Han Shao Zhou was still shaken by Mo Ming’s behavior, but he didn’t think Mo Ming fully understood the gravity of what he had done. Instead, he just felt that familiar sense of Mo Ming’s recklessness, a drive that disregarded his own safety.

The last time Han had felt this way was when he was investigating Mo Ming’s past in that small town.

People with nothing to lose can either live life to the fullest or take desperate, reckless chances. Han Shao Zhou didn’t know what would make Mo Ming take such a risk, but he was certain that Mo Ming hadn’t left himself any way out. Unlike when he dealt with Shen Qian’s group, tonight, Mo Ming was betting his life.

If he had slipped and fallen, that would have been the end. No one would have even heard his final cry for help…

Feeling the cold air next to him, Mo Ming shivered and tucked half his face into the water.

Han Shao Zhou stood up and left the bathroom. He moved so quickly that Mo Ming didn’t get a chance to see his expression, but from the look of his back, Mo Ming could tell he was angry.

Very angry…

“Just now… thanks…” Mo Ming whispered to Han Shao Zhou’s retreating figure.

Han Shao Zhou ignored him, and as he left, he took all of Mo Ming’s clothes with him, leaving not even his underwear.

A short while later, Mo Ming finished his bath and came out, with just a towel wrapped around his waist. His upper body, toned and glistening, was exposed, with steam rising around him like fresh, steaming white rice cake. Seeing Han Shao Zhou leaning against the bedside table with his arms crossed, Mo Ming, unsure what to do with his hands, clasped them tightly in front of his chest and asked in a small voice, “Where are my clothes…?”

“Come here,” Han Shao Zhou said, his face expressionless. “Answer my questions.”

Mo Ming stood still, pressing his lips together. “And why should I listen to you…?”

“Because I just saved your ass,” Han Shao Zhou replied. “What? Are you so used to treating me like a tool that you think you can just use me whenever you want and then ignore me as if it’s nothing?”

“…”

Under Han Shao Zhou’s piercing gaze, Mo Ming begrudgingly walked to the other side of the bed. He was obviously embarrassed to be naked, but with no clothes in sight, he simply wrapped himself in the thin quilt on the bed, leaving only his head exposed as he sat cross-legged at the headboard, his back facing Han Shao Zhou.

Seeing Mo Ming’s reluctant posture, Han Shao Zhou snorted coldly, “If you don’t trust me so much, why did you come running to my room?”

Mo Ming stayed silent.

“Tell me, what were you doing in my uncle’s room?” Han Shao Zhou asked. “You could’ve just told me outright. Pang Yuanqing isn’t my real uncle, and we’re not on the same side. If we were, I wouldn’t have helped you out in front of him just now.”

Mo Ming was silent for a moment before saying quietly, “It was a personal matter…”

“Is it related to Zhou Xu?” Han Shao Zhou pressed.

Mo Ming froze, turning to look at Han Shao Zhou.

“Last night at the elevator, you were oddly proactive towards Pang Yuanqing, and then you brought up Zhou Xu out of nowhere,” Han Shao Zhou continued. “And if there’s something worth risking your life over, I can’t think of anything other than Zhou Xu.”

Mo Ming lowered his head again, his voice barely a whisper. “This has nothing to do with you…”

“So, you’re not planning to tell me anything?”

“…”

Mo Ming turned around to face Han Shao Zhou, his lips pressed tightly together, his dark eyes filled with contemplation. Finally, he said, “I can tell you. And if you’re willing, there’s something I’d like to ask for your help with.”

Han Shao Zhou narrowed his eyes slightly.

Mo Ming quickly added, “It’s not for free. I’ll trade you a piece of important information related to your safety. It’s definitely a fair exchange.”

“Oh? And what is it?”

Mo Ming asked cautiously, “So, does that mean you agree?”

Han Shao Zhou sneered, “If I don’t agree, you won’t say a word about this so-called information related to my safety, will you?”

Mo Ming lowered his gaze. “I’d still tell you even if you didn’t agree.”

Han Shao Zhou stared at Mo Ming. “Why?”

“Because you’re a good…”

“You better shut up.”

“…”

In the end, Han Shao Zhou agreed, and Mo Ming, as expected, told him everything he had overheard under Pang Yuanqing’s bed.

To Mo Ming’s surprise, Han Shao Zhou didn’t react much, merely raising an eyebrow slightly before saying, “I see. Now, tell me what you wanted to say.”

Only then did Mo Ming bring up Zhou Xu…

According to what Cheng Jing had mentioned that day, there was at least the possibility that the scheme to frame Zhou Xu back then was suggested by an assistant close to Pang Yuanqing.

The idea of a dispute or publicity stunt between artists involving the direct participation of a corporate president’s assistant was a bit too far-fetched. Mo Ming had looked into the assistant and found no personal grudges between him and Zhou Xu. Besides that one incident, the assistant hadn’t been involved in any other matters concerning Hongyi. It was clear that he was acting with a specific purpose in mind.

That purpose was likely following orders, and as Pang Yuanqing’s assistant, it was most probable that the orders came from Pang Yuanqing himself.

It was just a one-sided suspicion, which was why Mo Ming wanted to check Pang Yuanqing’s phone to verify it. Given Pang Yuanqing’s status, Mo Ming had no other way to get close to him other than this clumsy method.

“You think what happened to Zhou Xu was more than just a simple online controversy?” Han Shao Zhou asked.

While investigating Mo Ming, Han Shao Zhou had also briefly looked into Zhou Xu, so he was well aware of the online debate that had erupted back then. The controversy boiled down to two sides: one claiming that Zhou Xu had indeed behaved immorally, and the other asserting that Xia Qing had falsely accused Zhou Xu to climb the social ladder.

Though he didn’t want to admit it, Han Shao Zhou did believe the latter.

The man who had saved Mo Ming and become a beacon of light in his heart couldn’t possibly have done such a thing… especially since he was the original model for his own stand-in.

“It’s not just about Zhou Ge being framed, there’s also that accident…” Mo Ming said. “But for now, I’m just taking things one step at a time.”

“So your method of investigation is to climb thirty floors up a balcony?”

Mo Ming lowered his head, his voice barely audible. “I won’t climb again next time…”

Han Shao Zhou looked at the person wrapped up like a dumpling, head bowed, with wet hair drooping limply over his forehead. He said, “I’m going home tomorrow morning, and I’ll be visiting my grandfather in the afternoon. You’re coming with me.”

Mo Ming looked up. “Huh?”

“Based on the information you gave me, I’m willing to let you learn more about Pang Yuanqing,” Han Shao Zhou said, glancing out the window and speaking in a low voice, “Consider it a collaboration.”

“Thank you,” Mo Ming immediately said.

Han Shao Zhou slowly turned his head, seeing the light of joy in Mo Ming’s eyes as he gazed at him without blinking.

Turning his head away again, Han Shao Zhou said emotionlessly, “Pang Yuanqing thinks you’re my lover. Don’t let it slip.”

Mo Ming obediently nodded.

The next morning, they returned to Chuanhai. To facilitate planning their visit to the Pang family the following afternoon, Mo Ming rode in Han Shao Zhou’s car while his own was driven back by Han Shao Zhou’s assistant.

With business out of the way and no personal topics to discuss, they both stared out their respective windows in silence. Before long, Mo Ming leaned against the car seat, drifting off to sleep.

He hadn’t slept at all the previous night…

Han Shao Zhou glanced over and saw Mo Ming nodding off, his body swaying. A few self-mocking thoughts crossed his mind, but his body quietly moved closer.

Looking at the fluffy head resting on his shoulder, Han Shao Zhou frowned and turned back to the window… Relationships may have ended, but he wasn’t that petty.

The driver first took them near Mo Ming’s apartment.

Mo Ming opened the car door, placing one leg on the ground before turning back as if he had remembered something. He looked at Han Shao Zhou.

“I meant what I said. Take a few more bodyguards when you go out…” Mo Ming said. “Your uncle is very dangerous.”

“Alright.” Han Shao Zhou’s lips curled slightly. “Thanks for the reminder.”

Mo Ming got out of the car, and Han Shao Zhou watched through the window as he walked into the complex.

He noticed that as Mo Ming rounded the corner and was about to disappear from sight, it seemed like he turned back.

But it was too far to see Mo Ming’s expression clearly…

In the evening, light snow began to fall again.

Before going to bed that night, Mo Ming was watching a video on his phone when a notification suddenly popped up.

[Han Shao Zhou sent you a message]

Mo Ming blinked in surprise and tapped it open, only to see…

[Han Shao Zhou retracted a message]

Mo Ming: “…”

The next afternoon, Han Shao Zhou took Mo Ming to the Pang residence.

Pang Mingshun’s health had deteriorated significantly, and after witnessing the death of his two children and son-in-law in the hospital years ago, he had developed an aversion to hospitals. He preferred to stay in his manor with a team of private doctors on hand at all times, even if it meant living a few months less, rather than clinging to life in a hospital.

The private doctors had informed Han Shao Zhou that he had at most three months left, and that was an optimistic estimate.

After a critical episode the other night, his condition had worsened, but he insisted on returning to his manor to recuperate. Despite knowing that his time was short, he was in good spirits. Upon learning that his grandson was bringing his grandson-in-law to visit, he had the staff prepare in advance.

Mo Ming squatted in front of Pang Mingshun’s wheelchair, one hand held in the old man’s grasp.

Pang Mingshun’s gaze was tired but kind. He took off a green jade thumb ring and pressed it into Mo Ming’s palm, speaking softly, “To be honest, I’ve always worried that Xiao Han would turn out like his late uncle, unreliable and wayward. But now, I’m relieved. I can tell you’re a steady young man…”

Finally, Pang Mingshun looked up at Han Shao Zhou, who was standing nearby, and said, “Take good care of Xiao Mo Ming, just like your mother did with your father. Don’t be like your uncle, keeping a bunch of mistresses outside.”

As the sun set, Pang Mingshun became more nostalgic, often reminiscing about his children who had passed away years ago—a regret he seemed unable to reconcile.

Mo Ming stood up, and Han Shao Zhou naturally wrapped an arm around his waist. Mo Ming’s body instinctively leaned closer to Han Shao Zhou’s chest, a sight that made Pang Mingshun very happy.

Being so close, Han Shao Zhou caught a whiff of the fragrance from Mo Ming’s collar, a scent he had held in his arms countless nights before. His arm tightened instinctively, and Mo Ming turned his head, looking at him in confusion.

Han Shao Zhou muttered, “This makes it look more real…”

Before dinner, the servants wheeled Pang Mingshun away to take his medication, while Pang Yuanqing was on his way back.

Han Shao Zhou led Mo Ming upstairs to familiarize him with the place. As they climbed the long staircase winding around the grayish-blue walls, Mo Ming’s attention was caught by a painting on the wall. It depicted three people: an older man seated in the center, a young woman standing behind him with her hands on his shoulders, and a young man sitting on the floor next to him, leaning against the armrest with his elbow propped up, his posture relaxed.

Mo Ming stared at the young man in the painting and turned to ask Han Shao Zhou, “Is that your father?”

“No, that’s my uncle.” Han Shao Zhou couldn’t help but smile. “Looks a lot like me, doesn’t he?”

Mo Ming nodded. “There’s a strong resemblance.”

“That’s my grandfather, and that’s my mother,” Han Shao Zhou said, pointing to the other two figures in the painting. “This painting was commissioned by my grandfather after my mother and uncle passed away. The artist based it on an old photo. I wasn’t born when the photo was taken.”

Mo Ming leaned closer to the painting, his eyes lingering on the half-exposed bracelet under the sleeve of Han Shao Zhou’s uncle, lost in thought… It seemed familiar, like he’d seen it somewhere before.

But oil paintings couldn’t capture details as precisely as photos, making it impossible to investigate further.

“Where’s the photo this painting was based on?” Mo Ming asked softly. “Can I see it?”

“Sure,” Han Shao Zhou replied. “It’s in my grandfather’s study upstairs. I’ll show you…”

“What are you two looking at…?”

A deep, calm voice interrupted from below.

Pang Yuanqing had returned at some point and was now standing at the bottom of the stairs, his light gray suit jacket draped over his forearm. He looked up at them, the bright lights of the hall reflecting off his thin glasses, making it impossible to see the eyes behind them.

“So, Uncle is back,” Han Shao Zhou said, once again wrapping an arm around Mo Ming’s waist.

Mo Ming got the hint and bowed slightly to Pang Yuanqing below, “Hello, Uncle.”

Pang Yuanqing nodded slightly, a faint smile on his lips. “Come down, dinner is about to start.”