IOLYF Chapter 54

Han Shao Zhou’s expression turned blank.

“Okay?”

Mo Ming’s gaze was gentle. “I’m sorry that the last few days have made you unhappy, but I promise that from now on, I won’t bring any trouble to you or your life.”

The corners of Han Shao Zhou’s mouth twitched slightly.

“If we’re breaking up, is there anything you want back? In these three years, apart from what you promised when we got together, you have the right to take back anything else you’ve given me.”

Money is a valuable thing, and if Han Shao Zhou didn’t want it, Mo Ming wouldn’t let go of it voluntarily. In this mutually consensual relationship, there was no need for him to maintain so-called dignity or pride by leaving empty-handed. As long as they both felt satisfied with what they had gained from this relationship, they could part on good terms.

Han Shao Zhou narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at Mo Ming.

This speech sounded all too familiar…

The last time he had proposed breaking up, also in this apartment, Mo Ming had said something very similar.

A faint smile tugged at Han Shao Zhou’s lips as he casually stuffed his hands back into his pants pockets. “Taking back gifts? I, Han Shao Zhou, am not that shameless.”

Yes, that’s exactly what he had said last time.

And just a few days later, this fool had been sitting by the lake like an abandoned kitten, pitifully waiting for him.

He still remembered that phone call, where this idiot had miserably said, Shao Zhou ge, I miss you…

He regretted it so much—rushing over the moment this guy called, taking him back to Champagne Mountain that very night, and in the end, only giving him a mild scolding.

Looking back now, that had been setting a terrible precedent, telling this idiot that acting out would only earn him more. Otherwise, how else would he have dared to say “okay” just now?

This fool thought he had Han Shao Zhou wrapped around his finger, without worrying about pushing things too far.

“Alright.” Mo Ming said sincerely. “Thank you…”

Han Shao Zhou walked up to Mo Ming, leaning in as he narrowed his eyes. His sharp gaze, beneath his prominent brow, felt like a knife’s edge brushing Mo Ming’s face. “Do you think you know me well?”

Mo Ming furrowed his brows slightly, not quite understanding what Han Shao Zhou meant.

He hadn’t intentionally tried to understand him; he probably didn’t know him that well. But he did know that this man was a good person.

Not a perfect lover, but certainly a decent one.

“I hate it when people think they’re clever.” Han Shao Zhou said. “Unfortunately, you’re one of those people right now…”

Mo Ming pressed his lips together and lowered his gaze with a hint of guilt.

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry…”

From the first time the idea of breaking up was mentioned, he knew that this man had grown tired of him. He had only softened out of consideration for their three years together, giving him chance after chance. And Mo Ming, like a fool, had taken advantage of that mindset, clinging on desperately after being dumped twice.

Even though he had promised this man three years ago that their relationship wouldn’t become a burden, he had…

Seeing the guilt in Mo Ming’s eyes, Han Shao Zhou felt a bit more satisfied.

Apologies were worthless!

It was too late for regret!

Han Shao Zhou straightened up and walked past Mo Ming to sit on the sofa. “People should be responsible for their words. Since you’ve agreed to break up, then from today on, you and I have nothing to do with each other. The next time we meet, don’t call me ‘ge,’ call me ‘Han zong’ or ‘Mr. Han.’”

Mo Ming nodded. “Okay.”

Han Shao Zhou crossed his legs and continued, “Give me back the ring I gave you in T City. It’s not like the others—it matches the one I’m wearing.”

Mo Ming took the ring out of his pocket and gently placed it on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

Even if Han Shao Zhou hadn’t asked, Mo Ming had planned to return the ring before leaving. Wearing this so-called couple’s ring was only because Han Shao Zhou had planned to take him home at the end of the month to meet his grandfather.

Now that he no longer needed to perform this task, the ring should go to someone who did.

The ring glinted coldly on the smooth surface of the table. Han Shao Zhou, unconsciously touching the ring on his own left hand, said casually, “Good thing, it’s just a cheap piece of jewelry… The person I bring home to see the old man at the end of the month should be wearing a diamond ring worth millions. I suddenly remembered that the order I placed at the jewelry store should be ready in the next couple of days.”

Mo Ming hesitated, wanting to say something.

Out of gratitude for the past three years, he genuinely hoped that Han Shao Zhou would bring someone he truly liked to meet his grandfather, rather than treating it as a chore and using someone like him as a stand-in. But clearly, this was Han Shao Zhou’s private matter, and Mo Ming had no right to interfere.

As a small-time lover of three years, the cleaner his exit, the better it would be for someone of Han Shao Zhou’s status.

Mo Ming checked his phone for the time and looked up to speak softly. “It’s almost noon. If there’s nothing else you need, I’ll be leaving now.”

Suddenly, he had so many things he wanted to do, so many…

From planning his future career to deciding what brand of dog food to buy for Xiao Han.

Han Shao Zhou’s gaze was indifferent as he absently stroked the ring on his finger. “So, you’re moving out again? Fine, move out. Make sure you leave nothing behind.”

“No need. I already moved everything out the last time we broke up.”

Han Shao Zhou’s fingers paused, and he looked up again. “Do you think I’m joking when I say we’re breaking up? By ‘clean out,’ I don’t mean just taking a few clothes. I mean everything you’ve touched in this apartment should be cleared out.”

Mo Ming frowned. “You mean…”

“Everything in the kitchen, including the fridge, the bed you’ve slept in, the sofa you’ve lounged on…” Han Shao Zhou said coldly. “Anything that can be moved, even the lights—you can take them down.”

Mo Ming was surprised. “Really, I can?”

“If you don’t take them, I’ll call the junkyard to haul them away.” Han Shao Zhou said, looking at Mo Ming with a hint of meaning. “When my next lover moves in, I won’t have them using what’s left over from you.”

“I’ll take them.” Mo Ming said decisively. “Thank you, Mr. Han.”

Everything in this apartment was top-of-the-line luxury. The imported Italian sofa alone was worth three or four hundred thousand yuan, and the entire setup of the apartment was probably the most expensive thing Mo Ming had ever owned.

He wasn’t scavenging leftovers; he was hitting the jackpot.

Han Shao Zhou stared at the faint look of satisfaction in Mo Ming’s eyes, nearly squeezing the ring on his finger out of shape.

Did this idiot think he was joking?!

“Call me Mr. Han.” Han Shao Zhou said, enunciating each word.

Mo Ming snapped back to reality and quickly apologized, “Sorry.”

Han Shao Zhou stood up and strode toward the door, tossing out a final comment, “Move out as soon as possible. I don’t want any delays when I bring someone else to move in.”

“Wait, Shao Zhou ge.”

Han Shao Zhou turned around, shouting, “Call me Mr. Han!”

“Mr. Han…” Mo Ming said softly, “You forgot your ring.”

As he spoke, Mo Ming handed the ring on the coffee table to Han Shao Zhou.

Han Shao Zhou’s breathing grew heavier as he grabbed the ring from Mo Ming. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Mo Ming softly say, “Thank you.”

The words were clear and gentle.

Han Shao Zhou stiffened slightly, furrowing his brows as he turned back to look at Mo Ming.

Mo Ming looked at him, his brow smooth, and smiled.

“Han Shao Zhou, thank you…”

Though he had sometimes avoided the truth and deceived himself over the past three years, he had never felt wronged by being with Han Shao Zhou.

He was genuinely grateful for Han Shao Zhou’s presence, for giving him three years of cushioning during the downward spiral of his life that year, for preventing his world from shattering completely after Zhou Xu’s departure…

Now, he had finally landed safely.

And he finally realized that the life saved by his beloved shouldn’t be wasted so carelessly and half-heartedly.

Hearing Mo Ming thank him by name, Han Shao Zhou was stunned for a full three seconds. For a moment, he thought he had misunderstood, but he really saw a hint of genuine gratitude in Mo Ming’s clear eyes…

Confusion quickly gave way to even greater anger…

“After we break up, don’t ever show up in front of me again! If you see me, avoid me!”

It was the same line he had used the last time they broke up. After saying it, Han Shao Zhou slammed the door and left.

This time, it wouldn’t just take a two-day cold war and a phone call saying, “I miss you” to win his forgiveness.

He was going to teach this idiot a lesson!

Han Shao Zhou went downstairs and got into his car.

He hadn’t even had time to calm down when his phone rang.

It was his grandfather.

Han Changzong got straight to the point, asking when Han Shao Zhou would bring his future grandson-in-law home to meet him, since he knew that Han Shao Zhou had finished his business in T City and had some free time.

“End of the month.”

“It’s already the 20th. Since you both have time, why not meet now? Is it that the other person can’t find time? We could just have a simple meeting first…”

“No, it’s just…” Han Shao Zhou furrowed his brows and said gruffly, “We had a bit of a disagreement…”

“You two had a fight?” Han Changzong’s voice immediately rose a few notches. “Then what are you still doing? Go apologize and bring him back!”

Han Shao Zhou, already in a bad mood, felt his anger flare even more.

“Why should I apologize? He’s always using the breakup to threaten me. How can I tolerate that? If I don’t teach him a lesson this time, there’s no way I’m bringing him back.”

Han Changzong, fuming, almost changed his breathing pattern, “Are you out of your mind? There’s no need to teach him anything; he’s your future spouse, not your subordinate! You’d better get him back soon, or you’ll be in big trouble with me.”

Han Shao Zhou instinctively moved his phone away from his ear, frowning as he decided it wasn’t worth arguing with his grandfather any further. Taking a deep breath, he replied, “I get it. I can’t even get rid of him if I wanted to, so I’ll bring him home by the end of the month at the latest.”

This way, he had nearly ten days to straighten things out with Mo Ming.

That should be enough.

Han Changzong finally calmed down, pausing for a moment before asking seriously, “So when do you plan to get married?”

“Grandpa, you’re pushing it. You promised not to pressure me into marriage.”

“Well, you could at least get engaged first.”

“…You haven’t even met him yet.”

“Do you truly like this person?” Han Changzong asked softly. “If you really like him, then I trust he must be good. You’re not like your Uncle Zhao’s son, who falls for everyone he sees, so I believe in your judgment.”

Han Shao Zhou paused, and as his grandfather’s gentle words reached him, he began to calm down.

Looking at the ring in his hand, Han Shao Zhou mumbled, “It’s not out of the question…”

Getting married to Mo Ming…

When he briefly imagined standing in a wedding hall hand in hand with Mo Ming, he realized he didn’t dislike the idea at all…

He was still angry, but it didn’t change the fact that he wouldn’t mind marrying Mo Ming.