Vol. 1 - Ch. 143 - Fight to the death

Parking the motorcycle by the roadside, HuMing removed his helmet, glancing back at the bike.

Leaving such a fine piece of machinery here tugged at him a bit.

But there wasn't much he could do---taking it along wasn't an option.

He leaned back, gazing out at the vast sea ahead, a faint smile on his lips.

It had been a long time since he'd watched the ocean alone like this.

Who would have thought one would be admiring the sea under such circumstances?

HuMing remembered the first time he'd seen the ocean---it had been after a near mission fail and he was wandering by the shore to unwind.

Looking out over the endless expanse, his mind drifted to Zhou WenLi's anguished expression moments ago.

He'd assumed she'd feel no more than a bit of sadness.

Didn't she hate him? So why did she look like that when Lee Tian suggested exchanging his life?

The human heart is complicated; HuMing understood that well enough.

He wasn't the original HuMing, so he didn't know how the former HuMing had interacted with Zhou WenLi. But from her expression, he could tell that before Han ShuYi came into the picture, Zhou WenLi must have poured all her energy into raising the original HuMing.

Even if he'd only been an unruly kid.

In the end, the true source of all this trouble was Han ShuYi---and those behind him.

A car pulled up behind him, and HuMing turned to see several burly men with hoods walking straight up to him.

He held out his hands, smiling as he spoke.

"Since I'm cooperating so willingly, how about you spare me the blindfold? After all, Lee Tian isn't planning to let me walk out of here alive, right?"

The men looked at each other, clearly taken aback by HuMing's calm insight.

One of them stepped forward to tie his hands, then shoved him into the van.

The van's interior was pitch black, ensuring anyone outside couldn't see what was happening inside. So, there was no need to cover his eyes.

On the way, HuMing chatted with them as if he were just another member of their crew.

The men, thoroughly thrown off by his casual attitude, found themselves questioning if he was truly a hostage.

"Aren't you afraid of dying?" One couldn't help but ask, only to be swatted by his comrade.

"Shut up!"

"Afraid of dying? Who isn't? But does being afraid make a difference? I still have to come here to get Han ShuYi back, don't I? But, hey, guys, are you sure Lee Tian's actually gonna pay you? I heard he's bankrupt---lost even his house to debt."

"That's none of your business."

One of them shot him a glare before turning his head away.

"You guys are true professionals. Makes me almost want to join you!" HuMing flashed a thumbs-up, admiring their commitment to the job.

They all lowered their heads, visibly holding back something, shoulders shaking.

The ride didn't last long before they came to a stop.

As he got out, he saw an abandoned shipyard before him, and not far off, a tall lighthouse standing against the cliff's edge.

Pushed along, HuMing was led into the shipyard, where he soon saw Han ShuYi and Lee Tian seated in chairs.

Upon seeing HuMing's arrival, Han ShuYi's face filled with shock.

He hadn't expected HuMing actually to come. And even if he did, he thought it would've taken much longer.

After all, he'd sensed Lee Tian's hatred and knew HuMing must've done something drastic to incite it.

Lee Tian rose from his chair, glaring at HuMing with sheer hatred.

"Han HuMing, we meet again."

"I thought we'd meet sooner, but you can't seem to figure things out. So, I figured I'd help you to face reality directly." HuMing replied with a shrug.

The words seemed to unhinge Lee Tian, who charged at him, enraged. However, HuMing's feet were unbound, so he easily sidestepped the attack, despite his tied hands.

The burly men from outside stepped in, watching the scene unfold, and one of them shook his head in resignation.

Their leader spoke up, "Lee Tian, we brought the person here, and you paid up. We're even."

It seemed he wanted nothing more to do with Lee Tian, and Lee Tian had no intention of giving them a warm farewell, either. He'd even sold his house to make this happen.

"Get Lost."

The leader snorted, then turned to leave, though he gave HuMing one last look, sensing that something about this deal had been strangely easy. seaʀᴄh thё nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Lee Tian, breathing heavily, glared at HuMing with bloodshot eyes, while HuMing merely sat on an iron pipe nearby, a smile playing on his lips.

"HuMing, what exactly did you do?" Han ShuYi's curiosity was piqued, wondering what HuMing had meant by "facing reality."

HuMing didn't bother hiding it. "Your dear old father-in-law had an affair years ago and even has a son from it. But it turns out his wife had already betrayed him, and his daughter isn't even his. I just laid it all out for them, and they lost it, taking it all out on me. Like I'm the one who cheated on him? Why's he mad at me?"

Han ShuYi's eyes widened in shock, struggling to process HuMing's words.

All of this... was HuMing's doing?!

Lee Tian's gaze burned with venom. He staggered over to Han ShuYi, pressing a knife to his neck as he hissed, "Han ShuYi, I'm giving you a chance. Kill HuMing here, and I'll let you go!"

...

Han LiTian was breathing heavily, veins bulging on his forehead. He knew Lee Tian would target his son, but he hadn't expected HuMing to become a bargaining chip for Han ShuYi's life!

Kang Xin clasped her hands in front of her, her face unreadable.

Beside her, Zhou WenLi trembled, at a loss for words.

Just minutes ago, Han LiTian received news that Han ShuYi was missing. Kang Xin had found him around that time and told him Han ShuYi had been kidnapped.

He'd rushed home only to find his wife in despair.

After repeated questioning, Zhou WenLi finally confessed everything.

Now, they were en route to HuMing's location.

On Kang Xin's phone screen, a small flashing dot marked HuMing's position.

Han LiTian shook as rage boiled within him, wanting to yell at his wife, to ask why she'd made such a mess of things.

But seeing her pain, he held back. Just then, Zhou WenLi's phone rang with a video call.

Hurriedly, she answered, only to be met with the sight of HuMing and Han ShuYi facing off.

"Zhou WenLi, take a good look at your two sons as they fight to the death."