IOLYF Chapter 94

Due to work, Han Changzong left Xiangbinshan after breakfast. Before leaving, he had a brief private conversation with Mo Ming. Curious, Han Shao Zhou asked Mo Ming what they had talked about, worrying that the old man might have revealed some embarrassing stories from his past.

“He told me to give you some time…” Mo Ming replied.

“That’s all?” Han Shao Zhou frowned. “What does that mean?”

Mo Ming looked away. “I’m not entirely sure.”

He had a feeling that Han Changzong knew more about the situation between him and Han Shao Zhou than he let on.

The Han family was a renowned and powerful household, and Han Shao Zhou was the only legitimate grandson and heir. It was unlikely that Han Changzong would make judgments about his relationships or marriage plans based on a single meeting.

The fact that the old man had avoided asking about Mo Ming’s family or past—topics that were typically discussed at the dinner table—only heightened Mo Ming’s suspicion that Han Changzong was aware they were putting on a show.

“Give Han Shao Zhou some time…”

Mo Ming understood what the old man meant by that, but…

Han Shao Zhou offered to drive Mo Ming back himself, but Mo Ming preferred to have the driver from Xiangbinshan take him instead, since their routes didn’t align—Han Shao Zhou needed to go to the company.

Han Shao Zhou didn’t push further. When Mo Ming declined, he simply shrugged, hands casually in his pockets. “Alright, then. I’ll contact you as soon as I have any updates.”

As he watched Mo Ming get into the car and drive away, Han Shao Zhou’s lips curled into a self-deprecating smile. “You never really stood a chance…”

In truth, he didn’t have any work that morning. He didn’t even need to go to the company.

He had just realized that, when interacting as friends, there was almost nothing to talk about between him and Mo Ming beyond their so-called “cooperation.” Despite the many things weighing on his heart, tormenting him to the point of sleepless nights, he found himself stuck wearing the mask of friendship, unable to express any of it.

The confidence and boldness he once had in matters of love seemed to have entirely evaporated…

“Until we get to the bottom of Zhou Xu’s situation, keep track of Mo Ming’s whereabouts,” Han Shao Zhou instructed Ade. “If this is really connected to Pang Yuanqing, we need to be prepared…”

Around noon, as Mo Ming was preparing lunch in his apartment, he received an unexpected call from Xia Qing.

Mo Ming was somewhat surprised, but remembering what Cheng Jing had mentioned about Xia Qing wanting to make a comeback but facing obstacles, he could guess why Xia Qing was reaching out.

Over the phone, Xia Qing expressed a desire to meet.

“I’m willing to confess the truth about what happened to Zhou Xu back then,” Xia Qing said, “but I have conditions.”

Not wanting to be deceived like last time, Mo Ming chose the meeting location himself. They met in a private room at a restaurant.

Xia Qing looked haggard, clearly having gone through a tough time recently. Her usually well-maintained face showed signs of neglect, with her skin looking dull.

Mo Ming sat across from her, his expression cold.

“I’ve heard that you’re on good terms with Han Shao Zhou now…” Xia Qing pleaded. “If I tell you everything, can you get Han Shao Zhou to help me? My company has abandoned me, and I’m out of options…”

“I gave you a choice before.”

“I was too naive then,” Xia Qing said softly. “I’ve had time to think things over, and I’m ready to tell the truth.”

Mo Ming leaned back in his chair. “I’ll decide what to do after I hear your confession.”

With her head slightly bowed, Xia Qing began to speak. “Zhou Xu was indeed framed back then. The one who orchestrated everything was Li He, who was the vice president of Hongyi at the time, but he left the company three years ago and emigrated to Country N…”

Xia Qing then laid out the entire process of how Zhou Xu was framed.

“At the time, I was just trying to climb the ladder, not thinking too much about it. But Li He privately mentioned to me that Zhou Xu was targeted because he had offended someone he shouldn’t have. I don’t know who exactly he offended.”

Mo Ming’s expression turned grim. “Is there more?”

“I also know that the night before Zhou Xu’s incident, he had dinner with Li He,” Xia Qing added. “I happened to be dining at the same restaurant, so I saw them together.”

Mo Ming frowned slightly.

The situation both aligned with and differed from his expectations. He had thought that someone close to Pang Yuanqing might be involved, but now there was a new player—Li He.

“So the truth lies with this Li He?” Mo Ming asked.

“That’s all I know. If you want more details, you’ll have to ask Li He himself,” Xia Qing said. “Right after Zhou Xu’s incident, Li He resigned and emigrated. I suspect it was because he felt guilty.”

Mo Ming’s eyes grew colder. “He’s in Country N now?”

“Yes.” Xia Qing nodded cautiously. “I can give you his address in Country N. I was one of the people he mentored, so I’ve kept in touch with him sporadically over the past three years and know where he’s living now…”

Xia Qing provided a wealth of information about Li He, then finally asked, “I’ve sold out Li He to you. Will you speak to Han Shao Zhou on my behalf now?”

“If that’s all you have to tell me, why didn’t you say anything when I asked you before? What were you afraid of?”

“Confessing meant dragging all of Hongyi into the mess, which would have made things even worse for me. But now that Hongyi has abandoned me, I want to take a chance on saving myself. Mo Ming, please, help me convince Han Shao Zhou.”

Xia Qing’s words were sincere, and it seemed that she had decided to come clean with Mo Ming in hopes of gaining Han Shao Zhou’s assistance.

It all made sense, and Mo Ming didn’t detect anything unusual.

“You’ve only given me clues, not the full truth,” Mo Ming replied. “I’ll decide whether to help you after I’ve investigated further.”

Mo Ming didn’t waste time with pleasantries and, after asking a few more questions, left the private room.

Before leaving, Mo Ming turned back to warn Xia Qing, “You’d better make sure Li He doesn’t find out you’ve told me all this.”

Xia Qing nodded repeatedly. “I understand. I’ll act as if this meeting never happened.”

From her seat by the floor-to-ceiling window, Xia Qing watched as Mo Ming left the restaurant and got into a car. She quickly pulled out her phone and sent a message.

Back at his apartment, Mo Ming immediately searched online for information about Li He. Sure enough, he had been the vice president of Hongyi three years ago, but later resigned and emigrated to Country N. The information online hadn’t been updated since then.

To learn more, Mo Ming realized he would need to meet Li He in person.

That evening, Qi Yue called to ask if Mo Ming would be joining the rehearsals for the theater’s new production, as Mo Ming had previously mentioned that he wanted to perform in two plays before the end of the year to prepare for his role in Temperature after the New Year.

“You’re going to Country N? Why?” Qi Yue asked, puzzled.

“It’s a personal matter. I might be gone for a while. I’ll have to ask you to take care of things with Teacher Zhou in my absence.”

“Don’t worry about Teacher Zhou. But Country N isn’t as safe as here. Be careful.”

“I will, don’t worry.”

Once he had made up his mind, Mo Ming wasted no time. He booked a flight to Country N for the next day and then drove to drop Xiao Han off at a familiar pet store.

Mo Ming paid for a month of boarding at the pet store, knowing that his search for information in Country N might take some time and effort.

The next morning, Mo Ming boarded a flight to Country N.

When Han Shao Zhou heard about it, he felt a pang of frustration. Despite his promise to help Mo Ming, Mo Ming still preferred to handle everything on his own, just as he always had.

Just like in the past three years—no matter how close they were, Mo Ming had never once asked for his help.