IOLYF Chapter 98

Mo Ming dragged Han Shao Zhou to a slope behind a tree, carefully observing the approaching lights.

“Could it be your bodyguards coming to find you?” Mo Ming whispered.

Han Shao Zhou wasn’t sure. “Maybe, but it seems too soon. Let’s wait and see.”

The figures spread out, and one person, flashlight in hand, slowly moved toward them.

“We can’t stay here; they’ll find us,” Han Shao Zhou said urgently, pushing Mo Ming. “You hide over there, quickly.”

Mo Ming turned and locked eyes with Han Shao Zhou. The moonlight reflected in Mo Ming’s eyes, sharp and captivating, making Han Shao Zhou’s heart ache with affection. Suddenly, he leaned in and stole a quick kiss before hoarsely urging, “Go, now.”

Without a word, Mo Ming turned and slipped away into the shadows, quickly disappearing among the trees. Han Shao Zhou sighed in relief, but moments later, a strong beam of light fell directly on him.

“You really survived.”

The flashlight’s glare made it difficult for Han Shao Zhou to fully open his eyes, but he recognized the voice as one of Pang Yuanqing’s subordinates. He silently thanked his earlier instincts and the fact that he had sent Mo Ming away.

As his eyes adjusted to the light, Han Shao Zhou saw that the man was holding a knife.

With his body still too injured to move much, Han Shao Zhou clenched his functional right hand, preparing to make one final stand. Even if survival was unlikely, he wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

But just as the man was about to strike, a figure silently appeared behind him.

Mo Ming moved swiftly, wrapping an arm around the man’s neck from behind and slamming him to the ground. In the next instant, he locked the man’s arm and used his legs to choke him in a tight triangle hold.

The man struggled, but he couldn’t breathe and couldn’t call for help. After a brief struggle, he passed out from lack of oxygen.

Mo Ming exhaled in relief and released the unconscious man. He looked up to see Han Shao Zhou staring at him in disbelief.

The man’s flashlight had fallen, casting its beam directly on Han Shao Zhou’s face, highlighting the surprise and admiration in his eyes.

“What do you want to say?” Mo Ming asked, his gaze fixed on Han Shao Zhou.

Han Shao Zhou lowered his head. “N-Nothing.”

Mo Ming used dry leaves to loosely cover the unconscious man, then picked up the flashlight and scanned the area, eventually finding a more concealed spot. He dragged Han Shao Zhou over and hid him there.

“I thought saving your life would earn me some points, but…” Han Shao Zhou sighed, smiling bitterly. “But you repaid the favor immediately.”

“It’s more convenient than having to bring flowers to your grave every year.”

“…True.”

After a long pause, Han Shao Zhou spoke softly again, “If—just if…”

He scooted a little closer to Mo Ming and carefully asked, “If we ever get married, could you promise not to use that move on me during a fight?”

Mo Ming was still watching the distant lights and didn’t even turn his head. “No.”

Han Shao Zhou fell silent, and after a while, he quietly said, “I’ll make sure I never mess up.”

Mo Ming: “…”

After what felt like an eternity, another group of lights appeared from the opposite direction, heading toward them.

Mo Ming finally relaxed, knowing they were saved.

“We should…” He started, but his words were cut off by a gentle kiss.

“Mo Ming…” Han Shao Zhou whispered, “I’m so glad I met you…”

The night grew darker, with thick clouds covering the moonlight.

Pang Yuanqing didn’t go to bed. Instead, he sat in a chair by the window, staring coldly outside, his fingers lightly brushing the two gold bracelets engraved with words on his left wrist.

Earlier, his subordinate had called to report that no bodies were found in the wreckage of the car at the bottom of the cliff. A group was now searching the forest.

At midnight, Pang Yuanqing received another update: Han Shao Zhou and Mo Ming had been rescued by another group but had died in the hospital from their injuries.

“Are you sure they’re dead?” Pang Yuanqing asked.

“The news has already spread within the hospital, but it’s being kept from the public for now.”

The next morning, Pang Yuanqing received a call informing him that Pang Mingshun had arrived in N Country by private plane and had already visited the hospital to see his grandson’s body.

The call came from Pang Mingshun’s personal assistant, asking Pang Yuanqing to meet Pang Mingshun on a yacht at the port.

“Chairman Pang is deeply saddened. Please do your best to comfort him.”

“Of course.”

The yacht, owned by the Pang family, had been docked at the port for a few days. After boarding, Pang Yuanqing found Pang Mingshun sitting in a wheelchair on the deck.

Pang Mingshun looked frail and worn, his gaze on the sea dull and clouded, filled with the weight of old age.

“Father, let me take you to my place,” Pang Yuanqing suggested. “The wind is strong here.”

“No need. I called you here to resolve a few matters…”

Pang Mingshun’s voice was weak but cold, lacking the grief Pang Yuanqing had expected.

Pang Yuanqing narrowed his eyes, subtly taking out his phone, only to find that the signal was jammed.

“After your father passed, I took you in because of our friendship… But seeing what you’ve become, I wonder if it’s your nature or my fault…” Pang Mingshun said slowly.

Pang Yuanqing’s gaze grew colder. “Father, what are you saying?”

“I always sensed your ambition, but I thought you were cautious and upright. I never expected you to deceive me for so many years.” Pang Mingshun turned to look at Pang Yuanqing, his eyes filled with sorrow. “You’ve truly disappointed me.”

Soon, one of Pang Mingshun’s trusted aides rushed onto the ship, handing him two intricately crafted gold bracelets.

Recognizing the bracelets, Pang Yuanqing’s usually composed expression shifted slightly. He immediately realized that while he was away, Pang Mingshun’s men had searched his place.

The ship’s engines rumbled beneath his feet, and the vessel’s horn sounded. Pang Yuanqing suddenly realized that the yacht had set sail.

His heart sank, but he remained outwardly calm as he turned to see five or six men in black suits step onto the deck, standing silently a short distance behind him.

“It seems one of them survived…” Pang Yuanqing murmured, lowering his gaze with a bitter smile. “Or perhaps both of them did.”

Pang Mingshun gripped the bracelets tightly, trembling as he stood from his chair, his eyes wet with tears and his heart burning with anguish.

He couldn’t accept that the adopted son he had raised was the very person responsible for the destruction of his family.

“They… considered you family,” Pang Mingshun said, his breath shaky.

Pang Yuanqing stared at the receding shoreline, his heart sinking but his demeanor calm. “They might have considered me family, but they weren’t truly my family. Your son was just a worthless playboy, clearly less suited than I am to be your successor.”

“Nothing in the Pang family ever rightfully belonged to you.”

“That’s why I sought to claim it for myself…” Pang Yuanqing closed his eyes slowly. “When I first joined the Pang family, I never imagined I’d achieve what I have. It wasn’t long-lasting, but it was worth the effort. I have no regrets…”

The wind picked up…

The salty sea breeze carried a strong scent of blood, lingering for a long time before finally dissipating.