“No, Yan Sui, don’t die. Don’t leave me alone.”
Meng Ting’s body trembled uncontrollably. He tried to steady himself but couldn’t. His fear and helplessness were completely exposed, as if in that instant, his world had turned gray, as if he had been abandoned by the entire world.
His eyes were red-rimmed, yet at this moment, he couldn’t shed a single tear. Not because he wasn’t heartbroken, but because his grief was too profound, to the point of extreme sorrow, where tears simply wouldn’t come.
“Ting Ting…” Yan Yu walked over. He had a slight injury on his hand, but it was nothing compared to the gunshot wound on Yan Sui’s chest. He took two steps closer, leaned down, and said. “Ting Ting, let’s get Yan Sui to the emergency room first. You go with him. I’ll make it clear for you!”
Yan Yu’s expression was pained and restrained, but it still paled in comparison to Meng Ting’s grief—not even a tenth, not even a hundredth. Meng Ting’s sorrow was so profound it moved onlookers, making them feel distressed alongside him.
As Yan Yu continued forward, intending to lift Yan Sui, Meng Ting’s gaze suddenly snapped up. The cold, piercing intensity in his eyes froze Yan Yu in place, making him suddenly afraid to act rashly.
“No one is allowed to touch him!”
Meng Ting declared, taking two deep breaths. In an instant, he snapped out of the dazed horror of his nightmare and back into a reality even more terrifying than any dream. The only thing keeping him afloat now was the hope that Yan Sui could still be saved.
He leaned down and lifted Yan Sui into his arms. Waiting for the security guards and Yan Yu to clear a path, he looked at the camera and spoke, “I don’t care who did this to Yan Sui, I will make them pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold the price.”
At that moment, the murderous intent in Meng Ting’s heart reached its peak. His cold gaze burned with bone-deep hatred, his aura and expression terrifying.
After speaking, Meng Ting’s gaze fell back on Yan Sui. His eyes suddenly softened for a moment. His voice lowered slightly, yet it was more resolute than before. “Yan Sui, don’t be afraid. Whether in life or death, I will be with you.”
If Yan Sui died, Meng Ting would avenge him before joining him in death. He wouldn’t let go of anyone who hurt Yan Sui, but he would never linger in a world without Yan Sui.
Meng Ting didn’t notice that as he finished speaking these words, Yan Sui’s pupils subtly moved. He even attempted to reach out and embrace Meng Ting, but because of a certain reason, he couldn’t do it.
The chaos outside their immediate surroundings persisted, with distant sirens of police cars and ambulances growing louder. But Meng Ting had shut it all out, holding Yan Sui close and refusing to let anyone approach.
Meanwhile, the He Residence was completely surrounded by security guards and media personnel who had rushed to the scene.
“Ting Ting, come in. Let’s bandage Yan Sui first, then take him to the hospital.” He Yue looked at Meng Ting, his eyes showing a mix of urgency and distress. For some reason, Meng Ting actually didn’t know about their plan!
Yan Yu was still hesitant, wondering if Meng Ting was simply acting as Yan Sui had instructed, but He Yue knew better. The raw despair and sorrow in Meng Ting’s eyes couldn’t be faked. He probably truly believed Yan Sui was severely injured, that he was on the verge of death…
Yet, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, He Yue had to maintain the charade. “Ting Ting, listen to me!”
He Yue’s voice became sterner, finally drawing Meng Ting’s unfocused gaze. He looked at He Yue, anda fresh wave of grief and fear washed over his face. “Dad He, Yan Sui is hurt. Yan Sui is going to die.”
“No, he won’t. He won’t. You have to believe me. He wouldn’t bear to leave you.” He Yue said, pushing his wheelchair closer. His previously stern tone softening as he spoke to Meng Ting. Meng Ting’s state was truly too heartbreaking to witness.
Meng Ting nodded almost imperceptibly. He carried Yan Sui into He Yue’s room, but as soon as he laid him down, Yan Sui pulled him into an embrace. Yan Sui’s complexion was pale, or rather, at this moment, he should have already lost consciousness. After all, the medicine Gu Li had provided was designed to mimic genuine symptoms, including the ‘inevitable’ coma.
But if He Yue could see through Meng Ting, how could Yan Sui fail to notice? He had been conserving his strength for this very moment, allowing him to hold Meng Ting close. “Ting Ting, I’m okay. I’m sorry.”
The afternoon’s conversation must have been a misunderstanding. Meng Ting’s ‘knowing’ only meant he knew He Yue was returning to the He Family, not that he was aware of their plans for the evening.
But Meng Ting was genuinely terrified. Even after hearing Yan Sui’s words, his expression remained unchanged. Or perhaps, he hadn’t yet fully processed the true meaning behind Yan Sui’s words. In that moment, he could only interpret Yan Sui’s words as a comforting gesture.
“Yan Sui, don’t speak. You’ll be alright. You’ll definitely be alright.” Meng Ting’s body was stiff. The strength he had forcefully mustered earlier was shattered completely under Yan Sui’s weak, labored words.
He Yue pushed his wheelchair forward, intending to continue explaining to Meng Ting, but the room door was pushed open. Yan Yu arrived with doctors and nurses. Yan Sui was lifted onto a stretcher, and Meng Ting followed closely behind.
Yan Yu gently shook his head at He Yue. He Yue pressed his lips together but remained silent. And Yan Sui, under the effects of the medication, finally slipped into a deep coma.
The ambulance, carrying Meng Ting and Yan Sui, sped away with sirens wailing. Yan Yu remained at the He family residence to deal with those caught participating in the assassination attempt, as well as those who had helped them infiltrate the banquet.
Meanwhile, news of Yan Sui, the patriarch of the Yan family, being critically wounded by a gunshot had flooded the media and internet. There were even rumors claimed that Yan Sui had succumbed to his injuries. Several photos of Meng Ting and Yan Sui were also circulated online, sparking heated debate.
***
Far away in Licheng, Yán Yunsheng and Su Siyu received the news. Their original targets had been Yan Yu or Meng Ting, but now Yan Sui had been shot. Yán Yunsheng saw it as an unexpected bonus, while Su Siyu felt a pang of regret—after all, he felt that he had personally destroyed a legend.
At the Xiao family in Beicheng, Old Master Xiao kept Xiao Huimin and Xiao Zi’ang at home to stay put and be ready for any changes, while he and and Ning Zhou personally came to Haicheng. After all, he didn’t believe Yan Sui would die so easily, but Meng Ting’s expression was utterly genuine, making them believe it five or six parts themselves.
Among the doctors waiting in the hospital, two masked figures were Gu Li and Zhen Han. They were about to take over Yan Sui’s care but were startled by Meng Ting’s devastated expression. Zhen Han asked with a hint of bewilderment, “Little Sister-in-Law, what’s wrong with you?”
“I’m fine. Can I stay with Yan Sui?” Meng Ting looked at Zhen Han, his gaze pleading. He was afraid that once this door closed, he would never see Yan Sui again.
“Come in. Were you scared?” Zhen Han asked, puzzled. After Meng Ting entered, he closed the door. Over on the other side, Gu Li was already administering injections to Yan Sui. Zhen Han walked over and began removing Yan Sui’s outer layers—his coat, then his knitted sweater—only to reveal a black vest and a white shirt underneath the sweater.
That wasn’t just an ordinary vest; it was a bulletproof vest, and a blood bag was attached to it. That’s why no matter how much Meng Ting tried to cover the blood on Yan Sui’s chest, he couldn’t stop it.
“Alright, you’ve all had a long night. Rest here for now,” Gu Li said, packing away some of his equipment.
Meng Ting seemed to be still processing. He walked over at an extremely slow pace. He first touched Yan Sui’s cheek, then moved his hand to gently press his chest. Only when he confirmed that there were only bloodstains there and no actual injury did he slowly sit down on the chair Zhen Han had pulled over for him.
He stared at Yan Sui for a long, long time, lost in thought. No one could guess what he was thinking.
Zhen Han and Gu Li exchanged glances, surprise flickering in their eyes. But they, too, didn’t know what had gone wrong. Even if they wanted to explain, they wouldn’t know where to begin, and Meng Ting didn’t seem to be in a state to listen anyway. They also found chairs and sat down, waiting for Yan Sui to wake up.
***
Yan Sui’s will to remain conscious was already very strong. After only about thirty minutes, his eyeballs moved, and his eyes opened. When his gaze met Meng Ting’s, his heart suddenly constricted. He quickly sat up, and Meng Ting’s eyes followed his movement.
“Ting Ting…” Yan Sui murmured softly, reaching out to pull Meng Ting into his arms. Seeing that Meng Ting didn’t resist, his heart eased slightly. “I’m sorry. I thought He Yue had told you.”
“I’m not good. I deserve to die. I actually…”
“You what?” Meng Ting finally responded. Leaning against Yan Sui, he struggled immensely to suppress the urge to hug Yan Sui back. He continued, “Yan Sui, don’t say ‘die’…”
Not just saying it, but even thinking that Yan Sui might die made him feel as if his entire being would perish alongside him.
“Okay, I won’t say it. I won’t say it,” Yan Sui responded, his eyes filled with self-reproach. He had been such a fool, making such a mistake that led Meng Ting to believe he had actually been shot, truly facing a life-threatening danger.
“I’m sorry, Ting Ting, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Yan Sui repeated, unable to think of anything else to say.
“It’s okay, Yan Sui. As long as you’re alive, it’s okay.”
Meng Ting responded, his hand slowly rose, finally embracing Yan Sui. He was probably still a bit angry and resentful, but ultimately, he couldn’t bear it. He felt a profound sense of relief—as long as Yan Sui was alive, nothing else mattered.
Yan Sui felt his chest and throat tighten even more at Meng Ting’s words. He rubbed the back of Meng Ting’s neck and tilted his head to kiss him, no longer saying ‘I’m sorry’. The fright Meng Ting had endured couldn’t be soothed by a few apologies or promises.
“Four days ago…” Yan Sui had learned from Deng Yu that Yán Yunsheng had hired assassins to kill Yan Yu. He warned Yan Yu to be extra vigilant and advised him to stay within the Yan Residence. In the preceding days, he had even increased the security around everyone in the household, including Meng Ting.
But two days later, He Yue approached Yan Sui and Yan Yu, announcing his intention to return to the He Family.
There’s a saying: ‘A thief can steal for a thousand days, but you can’t guard against a thief for a thousand days[mfn]只有千日做賊，沒有千日防賊的道理 (zhǐ yǒu qiān rì zuò zéi, méi yǒu qiān rì fáng zéi): lit. there is only a thousand days to be a thief, but there is no thousand days to guard against thieves. A proverb from the novel Present-day China 中國現在記 (Zhōng guó Xiàn zài Jì) by Li Baojia: 只有千日做賊，那有千日防賊 (zhǐ yǒu qiān rì zuò zéi, nà yǒu qiān rì fáng zéi), Only a thousand days to be a thief, but there’s no thousand days to guard against a thief. It means that it is difficult to prevent thieves for a long time.[/mfn]’. The Yán family had harbored such intentions, and they couldn’t possibly defend against every attack. Only by completely dealing with the Yán family, and eliminating Yán Yunsheng and Su Siyu, could they truly live in peace.
After several revisions, they finalized their plan for the night.
Yán Yunsheng wanted to kill Yan Yu to strike a blow at Yan Sui. So, they would give him and the Yán family an even bigger surprise. Compared to Yan Yu, Yán Yunsheng clearly feared Yan Sui more. Only when Yan Sui was shot and his life hanging in the balance would the Yán family truly reveal their true colors.
“The assassins Yán Yunsheng sent were intercepted and controlled by Deng Yu as soon as they entered Haicheng. The person who fired the shot tonight was Deng Yu, and I took the medicine Gu Li gave me before being shot.”
The gun was real, and the bullet genuinely struck Yan Sui’s chest. However, he had already worn a bulletproof vest, strapped on a blood bag, and taken medicine, making his physical symptoms perfectly match the appearance of a critically wounded, near-death victim.
Yan Yu’s arm being grazed by a bullet was also part of the plan. The role of the tearful, furious, and grief-stricken performer was originally assigned to Yan Yu, and he was supposed to be the one delivering the threats. They had never considered involving Meng Ting, knowing he couldn’t act at all.
So, before the plan began, Meng Ting was supposed to accompany He Yue back to his room and only emerge after everything was settled.
But despite all their meticulous planning, they hadn’t anticipated Yan Sui’s misunderstanding of Meng Ting’s words. He completely skipped the crucial step of carefully explaining the plan to Meng Ting, and Meng Ting’s entirely genuine reaction far exceeded their expectations for the scheme’s effectiveness.
However, even if Yan Sui had known about this effect, he would never have done it this way. At this moment, his heart was filled with self-reproach and heartache. Rather than subject Meng Ting fear and sadness, he would rather spend more effort and time dealing with the Yán family.
Meng Ting leaned against Yan Sui’s chest, clinging tightly to him. Yan Sui’s words echoed in his ear, yet he seemed to both understand and yet still not fully grasp their meaning. After a very long time, he finally exhaled slowly. Only now was he truly certain that Yan Sui was unharmed.
“Yan Sui,” Meng Ting softly called out, interrupting Yan Sui’s careful explanation.
Yan Sui held Meng Ting close and responded to his soft call, “I’m here.”
“Yan Sui…” Meng Ting called out again.
“I’m here,” Yan Sui responded once more. He knew Meng Ting was using this method to confirm his presence.
Meng Ting continued to call out his name, and Yan Sui answered each time.
Yan Sui knew that the shock they had both experienced wouldn’t be easy to shake off.
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 094″]
不值一提 (bù zhí yī tí): not worth mentioning; not worthwhile to talk about; unworthy of being mentioned; unworthy of mentioning; describes things that are minor or unimportant.有氣無力 (yǒu qì wú lì): weakly and without strength (idiom); dispirited; feeble; faint; weak; listless; describes a weak voice and a lack of energy to work; It also describes frailty.
防不勝防 (fáng bù shèng fáng): you can’t guard against it (idiom); the utmost care could not prevent it from happening; to be impossible to defend effectively; it can’t be prevented; not much one can do about it; hard to guard against; preventive measures prove to be useless; defy any precautions.
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