he old patriarch sat on the grand master's chair, sipping tea. Beside him stood his fourth aunt, Du Xiner, her face pale and bearing a suppressed anger, as well as Huo Jingshu, with red eyes, being so...Fu Yan's pale, thin face stood out amongst the throng of dark-clad figures like a solitary leaf adrift.

She seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, staring incredulously at the man before her. Her eyes were red for just a fleeting second, and she gritted her teeth, " Huo Mingzheng, don't push me!"

The trembling finger pressed tightly against the trigger.

Huoming's cold voice was like frost, "Do you think Fu Hanlin can protect your mother I tell you, even in Nanshi he can't beat me, let alone here. What does he have to fight me with"

Fu Yan's eyes lost their light inch by inch, her tightly clenched index finger trembling as she gripped it together with the other fingers.

He was right, even if she didn't know what "Master Mingzheng" meant. Kevin said that Soren and the others were from the Romont family, but she didn't know the Romonts either. However, she knew that Kevin had gone all in, there was definitely no turning back.

He just wanted someone to take the blame for him before he died.

Huo Mingzheng pushed her out without hesitation!

She suddenly smiled, her smile scattered by the cold wind. “If I don’t even have my innocence and life, what can I use to protect my mother”

If she were to die, her mother would be utterly alone in this world. If she knew what happened to her before she died, could she still live on

"You exchange with Li Qin, and I'll guarantee your mother's safety for life. I always keep my word." Huo Mingzheng's words were as cold as ice, his chilling gaze sweeping over her fingers gripping the pistol grip.

Fu Yan smiled, tears welling up in her eyes. "You said you would do it The esteemed Mr. Huo, a man of his word, should I believe you or not You told me to wait for you, that you'd be back soon to take me back to Nancheng. What about your promise"

"Hao Mingzheng, what do you say!"

"Aren't you going to say anything Because you can't, you only care about Li Qin, you only care if she's safe, me and my mom, including me..."

Her throat felt tight and scratchy, her voice caught in a painful lump. The words "child" were like shards of glass between her lips, impossible to utter. Her heart felt as if it had been ripped from her chest and shredded into a million pieces.

It hurts so much, why would you do this to her

Ho Mingzheng, why, why did you do this to me and the child!

She gazed at Qing Ling's eyes, so close to her. Those eyes she had loved for so many years, hidden deep within her heart, afraid to tell him. The only trace revealed was the degree of her liking, afraid he would sense her true feelings.

This is the man she loves, someone who can abandon her anytime, anywhere.

"It's come to this, haven't I been foolishly devoted to you In my next life, I will never love you again, Huo Mingzheng. I will never love you again!"

Huo Mingzheng's dark eyes seemed to have something shatter within them. He looked at Fu Yan's face, which was so pale it was almost transparent, his lips moved, and suddenly his jawline tightened.

"What did you say!"

Fu Yan's eyes, washed by tears, were unusually bright, like the reflection of light before death, full of vitality.

She thought back to the New Year's Eve when she was fourteen. After the reunion dinner, all the Huo family members gathered together, lively and cheerful.

It was an atmosphere she couldn't fit into, and she didn't want to force her way in. She just wanted to find a quiet place to miss her father.

The Huo Gong Guan is decorated with lanterns and festive banners, creating a strong atmosphere of Chinese New Year.

After Huo Gongguan, the artificial lake seemed much more deserted. There was only a pavilion by the lake with two red lanterns hanging, casting a faint light and providing good cover.

She knew that mentioning her late father, who had died at the Ho family memorial, was taboo. If she were discovered, her mother would be met with scornful looks.

But she missed her father too much.

She wants to go back to Gucheng, wanting to be carried by her father on his shoulders while strolling through the flower market, watching lion and dragon dances, eating snacks bought for her by her father, and celebrating the New Year with him.

South City is not good at all.

She sat on the steps, her tears falling into the lake one by one.

Suddenly, something fell into the center of the lake and then bounced repeatedly. Through her tear-blurred vision, she thought it was a fish in the lake, and the tears she had been suppressing welled up again, dripping into the water with a soft plink-plink sound. Xiǎoyān woke up. How should he face her How should he talk to herHe clearly said he would protect her and the children.That's what Fu Yan cared about most, because with hope, she was full of hope for...