Chapter 139: Reality: Ambush

Chapter 139: Reality: Ambush

That evening, Ming Yiyang did not bring Yan Qiling along to meet Ava when the commercial performance started.

He knew his younger brother all too well.

The way the other person looked at Yan Qiling was anything but innocent.

It wasn't that he was deliberately being jealous or anything like that; he just disliked the scheming hidden beneath their intimacy, and even more so, the gaze that treated Yan Qiling as a commodity or a mere pawn to be used.

Fortunately, after the wine party ended, Yan Qiling's workload was mostly finished.

Tuan Mi still lost her job.

Although it didn't happen in the way she had initially imagined, it still made her heartbreakingly sad.

She had been waiting for Ding Tai to give her a new assignment, but never in her wildest dreams did she expect to receive a call from MEYA, inviting her for an interview to become Lin Yongjian's assistant!

This was an opportunity she never would have anticipated!

On the day of the interview, Lin Yongjian merely cast a glance at Tuan Mi and decided to include her in his team.

Tuan Mi, the perennially unnoticed person, suddenly soared to become the second assistant to the popular sensation, with her salary and benefits skyrocketing.

However, she sensed that Lin Yongjian might be up to something, so she discreetly called Ding Tai for advice on how to handle the situation.

Ding Tai was evasive, simply telling her to stay put and not speak out of turn.

Indeed, Tuan Mi had no other options, so she decided to take things one step at a time and enjoy this unexpected opportunity while it lasted.

Yan Qiling showed no interest in what happened next to Tuan Mi and Ding Tai; these matters were now unrelated to him.

Due to Lin Yongjian and the previous projects he'd taken on, Yan Qiling found it inconvenient to venture out, fearing unwanted attention from strangers.

Thus, he seldom left home, spending his days photographing the plants in his backyard, documenting their growth patterns.

Or, he would sit in his study writing "Yan's Spirit Seal Chronicles," occasionally consulting Ming Yiyang with cookbooks for culinary exploration.

Ming Yiyang adapted well to this lifestyle.

Back when he lived alone, his life was extremely routine, especially when he didn't have any missions to attend to.

According to Chi Zihe, although he followed the path of Zhengyi, he lived the life of a Quanzhen Daoist.

He would wake up in the morning with a cigarette, then engage in light physical training.

After warming up his body, he'd light another cigarette.

In the afternoon, he would either go to a boxing gym to train or strengthen his limbs at home.

During the evenings, if he had nothing to do, he'd watch TV shows, play games, read comics, or study recipes.

His life was rather dull, but he took great interest in food, likely due to past experiences with hunger. Although he wasn't picky, he enjoyed experimenting with unusual dishes when given the chance.

With his considerable strength, tasks that professional chefs found exhausting were relatively easy for him.

Since entering the Tianji Mansion, he hadn't encountered any significant new challenges.

The only real issue he faced was his light sleep, as melatonin pills and similar remedies were ineffective for him.

However, after losing his Yin-Yang Pupils and experiencing sensory degeneration, he surprisingly managed to maintain a relatively normal sleep pattern and daily routine… In a positive light, it could be considered an unexpected delight.

Putting aside his wandering thoughts, Ming Yiyang emerged from the kitchen with clean hands and saw Yan Qiling standing in the yard, watering the flowers with a hose.

Initially, he thought Yan Qiling was quite impulsive in his actions.

But after living together for a while, he realized that the other man's schedule was actually calculated on a weekly basis, with some flexibility according to weather or mood.

A few days ago, when Guang City was raining, Yan Qiling stood in the yard with an umbrella, photographing camellias. Although Ming Yiyang didn't understand why he insisted on taking pictures at that particular time, he eventually went to hold the umbrella for him, allowing Yan Qiling to use both hands to stabilize the camera.

After the photos were developed yesterday, Ming Yiyang, lying on the sofa studying the newly written sections of the "Yan Clan Spirit Inscriptions Record," found Yan Qiling toss the freshly printed pictures onto the open page.

Upon picking them up, he discovered that Yan Qiling had intended to capture the camellias in the moonlight that day. But true nighttime photography required lighting, and the resulting images wouldn't have been satisfactory.

Thus, Yan Qiling deliberately chose a gloomy day for the shoot.

Using an umbrella to shield the light, he could capture the beauty of the solitary camellia flower against the night sky, with the lighting appearing utterly natural.

Whether or not the photo was actually taken at night was irrelevant; it was the feeling that mattered.

As Yan Qiling steeped himself another cup of tea, his gaze lowered, his focus particularly intense:

"Photography is an art of deception. When emotions follow what one sees, it's highly likely that one is falling into a trap that the mind fails to detect."

"It's not necessarily a bad thing to occasionally succumb to such feelings," Ming Yiyang commented, slipping the photo into the biography of a notable figure he was reading nearby.

"Though it seems the Unseen Master is destined to never fall into such a situation," he added.

Yan Qiling's fingers, stirring the tea leaves, paused slightly as he replied calmly:

"That's not necessarily true."

Ming Yiyang's curiosity was slightly piqued by this question:

"Have you ever been visually deceived?"

"Would counting the times I mistook a man for a woman qualify?"

The young man chuckled in response:

"In that case, I'm more curious about what kind of men you would mistake for women."

Yan Qiling replied with a detached smile, "An actor, but he passed away before me. There's not much to talk about."

Ming Yiyang raised an eyebrow slightly, sensing a hint of a story behind the cool and slightly biting tone of the words.

However, seeing that Yan Qiling was not keen on delving deeper into the topic, he didn't press for more information.

After that day, Yan Qiling didn't ask for the photograph of the red camellia back, allowing Ming Yiyang to continue using it as a bookmark.

Turning off the faucet, Yan Qiling adjusted the straw hat on his head. With rain boots splashing in the puddles, he turned back under the radiant sun to glance at the young man tapping on the floor-to-ceiling glass.

The walls were adorned with thriving climbing roses, their orange Sherlock entwining with large swaths of the pink-and-white gradient Dragon's Blood, adding charming accents to the white facade. Standing amidst this picturesque scene, he himself became an integral part of the scenery.

When Ming Yiyang tapped on the window, he never expected to encounter such a scene.

Uncommonly, he felt an urge to lift the camera, desperately wanting to capture this moment on film.

He desired it both in mind and in any physically feasible action.

As long as this moment can be preserved.

The wind billowed through the man's loose white cotton shirt, dancing alongside the wall of roses in the scene, bringing everything to life.

It was as if the world suddenly overflowed with a delightful fragrance, the subtle scent of rose perfume intertwining with the breeze and drifting outward.

His heart unexpectedly found serenity, the words that had been lodged in his throat unable to escape.

Yet, the man smiled and asked him,

"What would you like to eat? It smells divine."

For an instant, Ming Yiyang felt as if he were on the verge of forgetting that the person before him was an icy creature, utterly distinct from himself, akin to a frozen fish.

An indescribable warmth radiated swiftly from this person, instantly dismantling all his defenses.

If he were to crumble so easily every time, it would be difficult not to be led by the other's actions.

Yet, he found himself powerless against these sensations.

All he could do was maintain a poker face and respond without showing any interest, "Squirrel Fish."

It was a dish that required immense effort, skillful knife work, and finesse – qualities that Ming Yiyang possessed in abundance.

The only time-consuming part for him was the initial marination; the rest of the preparation was flawless.

"Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let's dine."

The man removed his straw hat and stepped onto the terrace, displaying an immense enthusiasm for food.

Yan Qiling indeed had a great fondness for spicy dishes, something that was somewhat related to his hometown.

However, he also had an odd predilection for sweets.

The sweetness seemed to ignite a certain emotion within his chest. Even though such treats didn't truly satiate his hunger, he would still consume them actively, as if savoring a residual solace left in this world.

Ming Yiyang, who still hadn't spoken his thoughts, was interrupted by the ringing of his phone while he was contemplating his words.

Picking it up, he saw that it was Ava.

Perhaps as a temporary escape from something, he answered the call.

As soon as the line connected, Ava's anxious voice rushed out:

"Brother, I had a car accident on the eastern highway in Guang City. My car might be towed away temporarily... Can you come pick me up and get the contract? Or could you bring the contract to me? I'm quite in a hurry here."

The man sitting across from him had already wiped the corners of his mouth in contentment. Ming Yiyang, estimating the time he had to leave, said:

"It might take me some time, I'm still having my meal."

"No problem, can you make it by three o'clock? I don't know anyone familiar there, so I might need to visit the Traffic Police Bureau."

Ming Yiyang pondered for a moment before agreeing.

"Alright, send me the address. Or is the contract at my place?"

"At your place."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Ming Yiyang told the person sitting across from him, "Ava's been in a car accident. I need to deliver the contract to him, would you like to come along later?"

Yan Qiling was already accustomed to his mannerisms and actions. Upon hearing this, he didn't object but instead nodded and asked, "Should we leave now? If he called you, it must be an urgent matter."

Ming Yiyang acknowledged nonchalantly with a soft "hum," giving him a quick once-over.

"You don't need to rush. Just deliver it before three. There's no need to change your clothes; you look great as you are."

Yan Qiling mentally calculated the time and declined the offer.

"Still, I think I should change. It won't take long."

Ten minutes later, Ming Yiyang, having finished tidying the kitchen, found himself facing Yan Qiling, now dressed in a casual suit and styled with hair wax.

Staring at his partner's meticulously styled hair, Ming Yiyang was speechless. He headed for the courtyard to fetch the car instead.

It being a weekday, they reached their destination promptly without much traffic. They entered the elevator from the underground garage.

However, as the elevator dinged open, before they could step out, Ming Yiyang sensed a palpable aura of hostility emanating from the corridor.

"..."

Instinctively, he reached out to shield Yan Qiling behind him, warily refraining from exiting the elevator.

In the elevator area, one couldn't see the situation in the hallway; it appeared serene.

Though Ming Yiyang no longer had the Yin-Yang Eyes, his intuition remained intact.

The presence of this ominous aura lurking in the hallway suggested that his house was under scrutiny.

Without much contemplation, he knew it must be connected to Ava or the old man.

It was uncertain whether these individuals had come to pursue Ava or had caught wind of something from the old man and were targeting him.

Thoughts raced through his mind in the blink of an eye.

He smoothly held down the button to close the elevator doors and then pressed the button for the next floor.

Yan Qiling's perception was far keener than his, akin to a surveillance camera:

"There are five people hiding in the corridor. Do you need assistance?"

Ming Yiyang looked at the elevator doors that had reopened before him and said,

"No need."

He entered the fire escape staircase, concealing his breath as he tiptoed upstairs without making a sound.

The more he approached, the clearer the murderous intent became.

Ming Yiyang halted, composed himself, and silently appeared behind a man in casual attire, instantly taking him down with a chokehold!

His action startled the others. Several casually dressed men rushed down from the stairs, but the narrow space of the fire escape made their movement resemble an easy target.

Ming Yiyang skillfully maneuvered within the confined area, managing to take on each of them one by one.

After disposing of these individuals, Ming Yiyang realized there were only four of them. A thought sparked in his mind, and he turned to run down the stairs in search of Yan Qiling.

As expected, Yan Qiling was standing in the fire escape, his foot resting on a plainclothes man who was in a deep, infant-like sleep.

His eyes were as clear as if nothing had happened, carrying a hint of innocent detachment:

"He took the elevator down, and I casually knocked him over."

Ming Yiyang: "..." He had worried for nothing. How could he forget that this person was the Master of Chaos?

The young man's expression became indiscernibly complicated.

He turned back, found someone still capable of leaning on the stairs, and without a word, kicked the person in the stomach.

Upon hearing the victim's scream as they fell to the ground, he expressionlessly dragged them up, exuding an aura of ferocity as if an Asura had descended upon the world.

"Who sent you here?!"

The person's face revealed astonishment, as if they hadn't anticipated this situation.

However, the other party seemed disinclined to respond, wearing an expression that suggested he was unfazed by any trouble, probably assuming that Ming Yiyang wouldn't dare do anything to him.

Noticing the other party's reluctance to respond, Ming Yiyang knew that these seasoned outsiders wouldn't admit defeat until they saw the coffin. Without further ado, he grabbed the man's head and prepared to slam it against the wall. At that moment, a voice tinged with resignation hurriedly echoed:

"Stop!!!"

Ming Yiyang halted his action just in time, throwing the person to the ground. He turned his head slightly and looked up.

There, he saw Ava, who had claimed to be "involved in a car accident and on his way to the traffic police department."

Ava stood at the top of the staircase.

A blend of frustration and helplessness etched across his brows made his expression particularly dark and menacing, almost unrecognizable from his initial demeanor:

"Brother, they're from Papa's gang."

"I don't give a damn."

Ming Yiyang kicked the figure sprawled at his feet as if it were trash. Then, with a stern face, he stepped over the scattered bodies and walked towards Ava.

"I told you not to cause trouble where I live. And definitely not to engage in any illegal activities."

Despite the considerable distance between them, Ava subconsciously took a step back.

However, he quickly regained his composure, stopping in his tracks and calling out to him:

"Brother, their identities are all clean now, no one can trace them... Brother! Do you want to discuss this here?! I had my reasons too! I didn't intentionally bring them here... Can't we talk about it inside?"

"I'm not interested in your reasons."

Ming Yiyang's tone was extremely cold:

"Get these dogs out of my house now, and I'll pretend this never happened."

Sure enough, he didn't continue forward. After proposing the solution, he showed signs of turning back to head downstairs.

It seemed that as long as Ava agreed, he would let the matter drop entirely.

But there was no way Ava was going to let him leave like that today.

Upon hearing this, Ava had been considering how to persuade him. To his surprise, Ming Yiyang took his silence as acquiescence and started heading back down the stairs.

Ava had no choice but to hastily call after him:

"Brother, Dad insists you must return home before next month. I really have no choice!"

"Return home?"

Ming Yiyang offered only a profile, his narrow black eyes resembling a vortex hidden in shadows.

"I'm not Indonesian. My country is right beneath my feet."

"What gives him the right to lecture me? Don't bring up that old man's affairs again; I have no interest in him or his business. That's it."

Taking two steps downward, he noticed Yan Qiling dragging the unconscious plainclothes officer down the stairs with a rustling sound.

Despite the rough act, not a single strand of the man's well-groomed hair was out of place, as if he were strolling through a film set rather than a fire escape.

Their eyes met, and Ming Yiyang was momentarily taken aback.

Yan Qiling gracefully brushed his hands together after dropping the man at his feet.

When Ava's gaze landed on this person, they almost failed to recognize who it was. Their first reaction was an irresistible sense of astonishment.

Upon realizing who the other person was, his green eyes lit up abruptly.

He descended a few steps but dared not approach Ming Yiyang too closely, so he raised his voice instead:

"Mr. Yan, please persuade my brother. Dad really wants to see him."

The young man's face was hidden in the shadows cast by the lamp, tilting his head slightly as he gazed at the corners of the man's smiling lips, deep in thought, no longer flaring up at Ava's words as he had before.

The man stepped forward and brushed non-existent dust off the shoulder of the young man in front of him.

His gaze never left the young man, not even sparing a glance at Ava who had spoken, his tone casual:

"Is that so? Then it would indeed be worth having a good chat."

"After all, they are family," he added.