163: You are free now.
The sky outside was dark, with only a streak of pale white left on the horizon. The moonlight was clear and cold, and with a slight breeze, the leaves rustled and swayed.
Shen Lian felt stifled and opened a crack in the window.
Chu Yilan had gone to the cemetery alone; just thinking about it made Shen Lian’s heart ache.
As soon as Yang Bin brought the car to a steady stop at the cemetery entrance, Shen Lian pushed the door open and got out.
Yang Bin stood by the car door, showing no intention of following.
In this situation, it was better to let Teacher Shen accompany him alone.
Shen Lian followed the familiar path, his steps slightly heavy. He had thought of many comforting words, but none of them felt meaningful enough.
Following the straight steps upward, Shen Lian spotted a familiar figure.
Chu Yilan was smoking, the red tip of his cigarette flickering. In the dim light, he seemed to have brought out some flowers and was pouring wine into a cup.
Shen Lian stood below, watching quietly.
No matter how invincible someone might seem to outsiders, as long as they existed in this world, they would have unspeakable grievances and people they could never forget.
Shen Lian could easily imagine Chu Yilan’s downcast, sorrowful look.
“Grandfather, I’ll find him soon.” A frenzied and burning light flickered in Chu Yilan’s eyes, hidden beneath his dark pupils, appearing all the more piercing and vivid. “It was my poor planning that let him escape back then. This time, I’ll make him kneel here and kowtow to you and Mother.”
Chu Yilan poured a cup of Old Master Ming's favorite sake. Despite the cold wind, he felt his blood boiling.
Sun Binghe had located a Mid-level Villa that Ming Lin frequently visited. It wasn't Ming Lin’s property; investigation showed it had been purchased by an overseas businessman. The moment he saw the photos, Chu Yilan heard the roar of a beast in his heart. From the courtyard layout to the tree pruning, it was all in the style that person liked.
So he had returned long ago.
Chu Yilan couldn't sit still in his office, so he simply floored the accelerator and came to the cemetery.
This was a habit he had developed long ago. When he had words he couldn't tell others, he would come to talk to his mother and grandfather. Later, after falling in love with Shen Lian, his emotions finally found an outlet.
Shen Lian had been busy filming these past few days, so Chu Yilan hadn't disturbed him.
“I will drain his blood with my own hands,” Chu Yilan whispered. “I'll do whatever it takes.”
The old man in the photo had kind features and gazed back at Chu Yilan quietly.
In the fire all those years ago, Ming Mei had been rescued, but she suffered severe burns from her chest to her abdomen. As her health deteriorated, she quickly developed a high fever and infection. Regardless of his motives, Chu Changqi had not been stingy with resources, but even with shot after shot of specialized medicine, there was no improvement.
One late night, Chu Yilan snuck into the hospital and pushed open the door to Ming Mei’s ward.
A beam of light from the hallway fell upon the woman’s pale, pained face. Chu Yilan closed the door again and, as if having made a decision, walked toward Ming Mei step by step.
A mother and son share a deep connection; Ming Mei slowly opened her eyes.
“Does it hurt, Mama?” Little Yilan asked.
Ming Mei blinked and smiled, indicating it didn't hurt.
How could it not hurt? Ming Mei couldn't bear to leave Chu Yilan, but her body had reached its limit. Such pain would be unbearable even for a healthy person.
Little Yilan smiled, his tears bursting forth. He struggled to climb onto the bed, hugged the woman who was covered in a cold sweat, and whispered, “Mama, don't worry about me anymore. I can take care of myself.”
Ming Mei’s pupils trembled slightly.
“Go,” Little Yilan said. “You should be free.”
She couldn't live, yet she couldn't leave. The few years of peace they'd had felt like stolen time. Now that Chu Changqi had returned, he would never let Ming Mei go.
Falling into his hands, every minute and every second would be a fate worse than death for Ming Mei.
Little Yilan was bright and sensible; he knew in his heart that he was the one holding his mother back.
Ming Mei used all her strength to stroke Chu Yilan’s features over and over, as if trying to memorize them deeply.
Both mother and son were covered in tears, yet they smiled with great joy. Ming Mei looked out the window and told Chu Yilan intermittently that she would always be there. Then, she pulled out the various tubes attached to her, got dressed, tidied her hair, and pulled Little Yilan into a dignified embrace.
At that moment, Chu Yilan felt exceptionally at peace. It was a warmth that no matter how insane or perverted Chu Changqi became, he could never shake.
Until the next morning, when a nurse’s scream pierced the silence. Little Yilan watched with partial understanding; his mother’s pale face was as beautiful as ever, only very cold.
Chu Changqi rushed over upon hearing the news and went mad on the spot. With bloodshot eyes, he ordered Ming Mei to get up. He grabbed Little Yilan, his expression so fierce it looked like he wanted to devour him, and asked, “What did you do?!”
Little Yilan didn't answer, only smiled softly.
This smile made Chu Changqi lose all reason. Little Yilan was thrown against the wall and went silent instantly.
Even now, Chu Yilan did not regret it.
Every extra second Ming Mei endured back then was agony. The doctor had told Chu Changqi that her life would end after midsummer.
There was still more than a month left—that was Chu Yilan’s first thought after overhearing. His mother would have to suffer for at least another month.
Forget it, Chu Yilan thought. He would walk the path ahead.
“Mama...” Chu Yilan leaned forward, his forehead gently resting against the tombstone, just as his mother used to gently press her forehead against his when he was little.
When Shen Lian came up, this was the scene he saw.
Shen Lian took a deep breath.
Sensing a slight movement, Chu Yilan snapped his head around. One hand was gripped onto the top of the tombstone, his knuckles turning white from the force. The ferocity in his eyes hadn't faded yet, making his sharp features appear even more aggressive.
But in Shen Lian’s eyes, he looked like a fragile little beast baring its claws to protect itself.
“Yilan, it’s me,” Shen Lian said softly.
The hurricane-like, fierce aura around Chu Yilan suddenly vanished.
“Shen Lian?” Chu Yilan blinked.
How did Shen Lian do it? Whenever he was needed, whether at a banquet or here, he always managed to arrive at the first possible moment.
“Missing your mother and grandfather?” Shen Lian stepped forward slowly, as if afraid of startling him. He helped Chu Yilan stand up and then leaned down to brush the dust off his knees, acting as if it were nothing. “What were you chatting about?”
Talking about how to tear Chu Changqi apart and eat him alive, Chu Yilan thought. But when the words reached his lips, a small, tender flower suddenly bloomed in his heart, telling him he couldn't say that.
“Just talking about some things from the past,” Chu Yilan replied. “The years I lived with Mama and Grandfather were very happy.”
Shen Lian finally couldn't help himself. After taking a sharp breath of heartache, he grabbed the back of Chu Yilan’s neck and pressed his head into the crook of his shoulder, coaxing him like a child. “Don't be afraid anymore. I'll be here from now on.”
If Shen Lian could see Chu Yilan’s expression, he would have noticed the man’s look change from complex to apprehensive, and finally, as if a door to a new world had opened, he smiled and hugged Shen Lian back with a clear conscience. “I never tire of hearing your promises.”
Shen Lian: “From now on, I’ll treat them as sweet nothings and say them to you every day!”
Chu Yilan looked sideways, meeting Ming Mei’s vibrant and beautiful smile. He blinked, as if sharing one last secret with his mother.