Chapter 34: A Threat of Death

Chapter 34: A Threat of Death

Flames engulfed the sky, casting chaos upon the entire factory.

"Are you alright?"

A low, anxious voice reached Yun Mu's ears, momentarily disorienting her.

Gazing at the man emerging from the fiery inferno, Yun Mu felt an inexplicable tranquility in her heart.

This man seemed to always appear when she needed him the most.

"Hurt?"

His voice held a chilliness to it.

Yet, in the next instant, he reached out to lift her from the ground, cradling her against his warm and solid chest.

She could hear his breath, tense and hurried, as he held her tightly yet cautiously, as if afraid of causing her any pain.

He carried her out of the fiery blaze.

In reality, she was unscathed but for the first time, she feigned vulnerability, indulging almost greedily in the warmth of this man's embrace.

She lifted her head to look up at him.

From this angle, the contour of his jawline appeared even more sharp and imposing, with his proud nose bridge towering above. His expression, however, was distant and indifferent.

Yet, his voice just now had betrayed his anxiety.

This man was in poor health; he shouldn't have rushed in to save her like that.

But he did.

Outside, rows of cars were parked along the road.

Huo Tingcheng swiftly placed Yun Mu into an extended luxury sedan, then stepped on the accelerator and drove away.

Before leaving, he glanced at Feng Shuo and gave him a meaningful look.

Yun Mu was placed in the passenger seat by Huo Tingcheng, who then took the wheel himself.

Remembering Aunt Zhang, Yun Mu asked hastily, "Where's Aunt Zhang?"

"She's been taken to the hospital."

"That's good to hear."

Relieved, Yun Mu lifted her gaze, only to meet Huo Tingcheng's eyes directly.

Their eyes locked, and Huo Tingcheng's gaze was cold and grim, making Yun Mu feel uneasy.

"Thank you for helping me again tonight," Yun Mu averted her eyes from his.

Huo Tingcheng's face was as cold as ice as he replied sternly, "Is this your idea of revenge? Acting on your own and putting yourself in danger?"

"This time was an accident. I would have managed even if you hadn't come."

Yun Mu paused before continuing, "You shouldn't have appeared so openly. Luckily, Jinzhou has already left. Otherwise, wouldn't all your years of disguise be exposed?"

The luxury car sped onto the highway as Hao Tingcheng pressed down on the accelerator. The neon lights from outside instantly reflected in his eyes, casting a deep and chilly glow.

"You're saying I'm meddling in your affairs?"

Yun Mu furrowed her brow; that wasn't quite what she meant.

But it was close...

Hao Tingcheng had endured in his wheelchair for years. It would be too much of a loss for him to be exposed because of her.

Moreover...

She didn't know how many dangers lay ahead on her path of revenge. She didn't want to involve him.

"I just don't wish for you to be affected because of me. You've spent years strategizing within the Hao family. It wouldn't be worth it for my small issue to ruin everything. Hao Tingcheng, let's maintain a proper distance between us aside from our collaboration."

Yun Mu lowered her gaze, her seemingly cold yet indifferent expression leaving one puzzled.

Hao Tingcheng was taken aback, a sudden accumulation of coldness in his narrow eyes.

Rushing back on an overnight flight, he had immediately come to her defense at the slightest hint of danger.

Yet, she was asking for distance...

His heart sank by half.

And his dignity felt trampled upon.

He felt a stifling sensation in his chest, so he reached up to loosen his tie. "Yun Mu, do you know what 'not knowing one's place' means?"

Huh?

Yun Mu froze, then replied, "I'm keeping my distance from you for your own good."

Huo Tingcheng's expression was cold. Catching sight of the medicine bottle in her hand from the corner of his eye, he sneered mockingly. "If you're so eager to avoid any ties with me, why not just accept Jinzhou's offer?"

Following his gaze, Yun Mu saw the medicine bottle in her hand and felt a chill run down her spine.

He knew about Huo Jinzhou's proposal – it seemed there was someone on Huo Jinzhou's side reporting to him.

Thankfully, she hadn't agreed to Jinzhou's condition back then; otherwise, she might have been reduced to ashes in that explosion.

Yun Mu leaned lazily into her seat, tossed the medicine bottle in her hand, and smiled.

"I'm not stupid. You're my nominal husband; what benefits would I gain from poisoning you? I still rely on my identity as Madam Huo for a carefree life."

Supporting her cheek with one hand, Yun Mu continued, "Besides, you're much more capable than Jinzhou. Between the two of you, I'd definitely choose to cooperate with you."

Huo Tingcheng was taken aback. After a long silence, he scoffed softly, "You're indeed clever."

Yun Mu rolled down the car window, feeling the chill of the outside wind on her face.

"Let me tell you the truth, that poison of Jinzhou's is child's play. I know how to counter it. Aunt Zhang's situation isn't a challenge for me either."

Yun Mu raised an eyebrow proudly.

Huo Tingcheng turned his head, almost laughing at her smug expression.

This woman was truly untouchable.

Yun Mu stealthily observed him.

Under the dim car lights,

Huo Tingcheng's complexion was unusually pale, with a prominent nose and deep, narrow eyes.

Due to his long-term illness, his face carried a gloomy hue, enveloped in an air of sickness.

At that moment, the corners of his lips lifted slightly, even if only for a fleeting instant, yet it was breathtakingly beautiful.

Instantly, it stirred the dormant guilt within Yun Mu's heart.

She playfully approached him, her sparkling eyes shimmering with seductive allure.

"Huo Tingcheng, when you smile, you should smile more often."

Reaching out, she gently tilted his chin, clicking her tongue. "Such a handsome face, it's such a bore to always have it so serious."

"..."

Huo Tingcheng was momentarily at a loss for words, his cold voice cutting through the air, "Get away!"

How petty!

Yun Mu shrugged and withdrew her hand, leaning back against the car to rest with her eyes closed, as quiet as a chicken.

Silent as a mouse.

In the corner of his eye, Huo Tingcheng caught a glimpse of her obedient demeanor, his gaze darkening.

The spot where the young lady's finger had just touched seemed to be burning slightly...

At that moment, on another highway leading to the capital in the outskirts.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom sped through the night like an arrow shot from a bow.

Suddenly, several other black sedans emerged simultaneously from different ramps, racing towards the Rolls-Royce Phantom at high speed!

"There's danger, swerve quickly!"

Huoshan cried out in shock.

But then several cars suddenly accelerated and collided together.

"Bang!"

A deafening crash echoed.

The black Rolls-Royce Phantom crashed straight into the guardrail...

Huo Jinzhou, with his severely injured and blood-soaked body, struggled to crawl out of the car.

However, after only a few steps, he collapsed to the ground.

A pair of black leather shoes tapped against the ground, slowly approaching until they stopped beside Huo Jinzhou's face.

The man's voice was cold as he warned, "This is our Master's return gift to Young Master Two. What do you think?"

Huo Jinzhou tried to struggle back to his feet to see who it was, but despite his efforts, he lacked the strength to lift his head.

"You... You're from the Imperial Duke Group?"

The man chuckled coldly. "My master has warned that if you so much as lay a finger on Miss Yun Mu again, you'd better consider how you want to meet your end."

With that, the man turned and got into the car.

A fleet of black sedans vanished into the night in an instant.

It was sheer audacity.

Huo Jinzhou clenched his fists, pounding them into the ground in disbelief.

The CEO of the Imperial Duke Group was actually that protective of that woman!

...