Chapter 41 (Revised)

Chapter 41 (Revised)

Starting from the Swan Bay community in Xinghai District, it takes three modes of transportation to reach Yunshui Village on Dongsheng Island.

Zhong Xi, along with Huo Xiaobao and his parents, boarded a plane leaving Xinghai District.

Dongsheng Island officially belongs to Qingyuan District, but its remote location, separated from the core areas of the alliance by vast distances, has kept it largely unknown.

Years ago, Zhong Xi's grandfather worked tirelessly to leave the small fishing village, securing a place in Xinghai District for the future of his children. Yet, in the end, the family ended up moving back.

After fastening Huo Xiaobao's seatbelt and covering him with a small blanket, Zhong Xi gazed out of the airplane window at the place where he had lived for many years. Was he feeling nostalgic? Not really, since his loved ones were with him. However, he did feel a sense of guilt toward his aging parents.

Huo Xiaobao had slept on the way to the airport and was now full of energy. Holding his teddy bear, he asked Zhong Xi, "Mom, where are we going?"

"To a small island. On that island, there's a village called Yunshui Village. Your grandfather used to live there."

"Yunshui Village," Huo Xiaobao echoed.

Zhong Xi smiled, stroked Huo Xiaobao's soft hair, and then held his tiny hand.

Huo Xiaobao's hand was smaller than Zhong Xi's palm, but he tried his best to grip Zhong Xi's fingers.

Zhong Xi knew Huo Xiaobao was unwilling to part with Huo Sicheng.

In the past few days, Huo Xiaobao appeared to realize that he was about to leave his father. Whether eating or playing with building blocks, he would often look up at Huo Sicheng. When Huo Sicheng tried to hold him, he would resist, but once Huo Sicheng turned away, he would pitifully ask to be held again.

This morning, as they left, Huo Xiaobao kept looking upstairs. Huo Sicheng, still hungover, didn't respond when Huo Xiaobao called out, "Dad."

Huo Sicheng didn't rush down as Huo Xiaobao had hoped.

On the way to the airport, Huo Xiaobao nestled in Zhong Xi's arms, cried the whole way. Only after boarding the plane did he stop, though tears still filled his eyes.

"Xiao Bao," Zhong Xi said seriously, looking into Huo Xiaobao's eyes, "Xiao Bao will always be Mom and Dad's most cherished treasure. But now, Xiao Bao needs to accompany Mommy to a place we've never been before. Don't be scared, alright?"

Huo Xiaobao nodded and said, "Xiao Bao is not afraid."

He clenched his fist and raised it high.

As the plane began to taxi, Zhong Xi noticed Huo Xiaobao quietly pressed against the window, with a pout, gazing intently at the distant H-shaped high-rise building. It was the Blue Rock Base Office, where Huo Sicheng worked.

Huo Xiaobao had been there several times.

He still remembered.

He was unwilling to part with Huo Sicheng, but he didn't say it.

Zhong Xi couldn't hide his sadness. He closed his eyes, and tears streamed down his cheeks.

The plane accelerated into the clouds.

A new life was about to begin.

.

After the grand ball ended, the noise faded into the night. Huo Sicheng sat alone by the island counter, drinking himself into a stupor. When he woke up, the guest room and the children's room were empty.

He was stunned for a moment, then desperately tried to call Zhong Xi.

The phone was turned off.

There was only a voicemail: [Huo Sicheng, I hope you won't look for me. I’ve never been impulsive. Since I’ve chosen to leave, it means I’ve made up my mind and am fully prepared. If you force me to return, it will only push me and the child further away from you. You wouldn’t want the child to live a life of instability, would you? As for your visitation rights, once I’ve settled down, I’ll have my father contact you to arrange a time for you to see the child. My phone number has been deactivated, so there’s no need to contact me again.]

Huo Sicheng was so furious that he smashed his phone to smithereens.

The sharp sound of the shattering startled him.

He wanted to storm out and send someone to fetch Zhong Xi, but his broken leg hadn't fully healed yet. The moment he exerted force, a sharp pain shot through his knee. He stumbled, clutching the bedpost, his chest heaving and his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

It felt like he had truly lost Zhong Xi.

He fell in love with Zhong Xi, loved her for seven years, then forgot, and later, in a haze, fell in love again. Before he could even understand where this love came from, he had already lost Zhong Xi.

This wasn't just sleeping in separate rooms or a cold war after a fight.

It was a total loss.

Losing Zhong Xi, losing their child.

He glared at the photo on the wall, his anger intensifying. In a rage, he smashed all the photos. The guard rushed over to stop him, "Chairman!"

Huo Sicheng sat breathless on the edge of the bed, pointing at the mess on the floor, and said, "Send these to Zhong Xi."

The guard hesitated, "But—"

Huo Sicheng bellowed, "Can't you understand me?"

The guard had no choice but to obey.

By the time Sheng Xuan learned about all this, it was already the third day after Zhong Xi had left. Aide Wen was at the study door, and upon seeing Sheng Xuan, he quickly said, "Minister Sheng, you're finally here. The Chairman, he—"

Sheng Xuan raised a hand, "I know, you can go now."

The study was pitch black, the heavy handmade curtains blocking out all light. Sheng Xuan turned on the light and saw Huo Sicheng sprawled on a rattan lounge chair in the center of the study.

Next to the chair was a scattered divorce agreement.

Sheng Xuan walked over and picked up a page, which turned out to be the part about property division.

Zhong Xi had taken nothing but the Starview Villa.

"Do you remember the Starview Villa atop Yu Mountain?" Sheng Xuan asked.

It took Huo Sicheng a while to pull himself out of his clouded emotions. Seeing Sheng Xuan, he was momentarily stunned and frowned, "What?"

"Seven years ago, you bought a villa atop Yu Mountain and even replaced the bedroom ceiling with transparent glass. Do you remember? Probably not."

Huo Sicheng looked confused.

"Of course, there are too many exclusive memories of you and Zhong Xi there. Zhong Xi could forget, so how could you still remember?"

Huo Sicheng scoffed, "It's best forgotten."

"Si Cheng, you were the one who pursued him in the first place."

Huo Sicheng felt inexplicably angry upon hearing this, "So what? Wasn't I good enough to him? Even the maids and drivers at home knew I treated him well. What more does he want? Just because I was injured and temporarily forgot him, he wants to divorce me?"

"If you think the cause and effect don't add up, why don't you have a proper talk with Zhong Xi?"

"Talk with me?" Huo Sicheng laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke, "I should be grateful if he even spares me a glance. Didn't you notice when you came earlier? What attitude does he have towards me? He wouldn't even say a word to me!"

Sheng Xuan sighed helplessly, "Si Cheng, your temper is too volatile now. Zhong Xi has never seen you like this."

Huo Sicheng's expression froze.

"Even when you were upset before, you never took it out on him. He’s scared of you when you’re like this, do you get it?"

"Whatever, it’s all my fault."

"Why did he leave?"

"Yue Liquan sent people to stir up trouble at the Red-Blue border, turning the place upside down. I said I had to go to the border, and he started giving me grief, even saying I’d never measure up to the old Huo Sicheng. So what does that make me now?"

Huo Sicheng sneered, "A stand-in?"

"He said he doesn’t love me; I’m just the kid’s father. There’s not a shred of love in his eyes when he looks at me. Did I owe him in a past life or something? I barely made it out alive, and now I have to put up with his attitude?" Huo Sicheng pointed at himself, demanding, "He actually sees me as a replacement? A cast-off one at that. I'm Huo Sicheng! What can’t I get? Do I really need Zhong Xi?"

Sheng Xuan only grasped one key point, "You're going to the border?"

"Yes, hasn't Wen Ze informed everyone yet?"

"You’re still hurt; why are you heading to the border again? Here’s an idea: let Lao Xu go, or I’ll go instead."

"No, you wouldn’t be able to explain my ties to the Yadong Mercenary Group. Besides, these injuries are nothing."

Sheng Xuan asked gravely, "Damaged nerves, memory loss, a busted knee—what, you need something worse?"

"This is not the same thing. Why are you chasing stability like Zhong Xi? You know my character, I'm not acting impulsively. It’s just that some challenges have to be met head-on. Besides, I've already deployed the border forces—"

Sheng Xuan interrupted him sharply, "Sure, the border’s no big deal, the Navy Commando’s nothing, you’ve got a first-class medal, you’re the top soldier, you’re untouchable, go chase your grand dreams. Why did you have to provoke Zhong Xi? When you returned from the Navy Commando, you personally promised Zhong Xi you wouldn't take risks anymore!"

Huo Sicheng was stunned.

"What’s so bad about Zhong Xi wanting stability? Do you think he's seeking his own stability? With you, he can’t even move freely, tailed everywhere, he’s turned quiet. He wasn't like this before. Is this fancy house what you call a stable life? Do you think, with his personality, he really needs these?"

"He doesn’t want you going to the border because he’s scared!"

Sheng Xuan grabbed Huo Sicheng's collar, furious, "His stability is for your sake, do you get it? He wants you safe! We all want you safe!"

Sheng Xuan's voice was hoarse, tears in his eyes, he asked, "Huo Sicheng, do you want Zhong Xi to become like me?"

The last sentence pierced Huo Sicheng's heart like a sharp sword.

Yu Keyu is still missing.

"A substitute... even a substitute would be fine," Sheng Xuan lowered his eyes, whispering, "Being together is already a blessing, why not treasure it?"

Why not treasure it?

"Clearly in love, for the sake of this family, can't you temporarily put aside your lofty pride?"

Every word from Sheng Xuan was deafening.

Huo Sicheng felt his chest filled with molten lead, heavy, piercing, making it hard to breathe.

At that moment, Aide Wen suddenly knocked on the door.

He told Huo Sicheng, "Chairman, we've found evidence of Zhang Mu appearing at Junshan Tower."

Just now, Wen Ze received a USB drive.

It contained more than a dozen videos, recorded from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on October 21, 2121.

Sheng Xuan clicked on one of the videos, and as he recognized the face in the center of the screen, his fingers trembled in shock, his mind reeling.

It was Zhang Mu.

Through the transparent glass of the Junshan Tower control room, the wall of interconnected screens emitted a faint glow. Zhang Mu sat in front of a computer, intently operating something. Two minutes later, he turned, stood by the window, and gazed into the distance.

Around 8:30 a.m., significant turbulence began to appear in the southern part of Junshan Forest, but the typically prompt emergency notification system remained silent.

At 9:55 a.m., the helicopter carrying Huo Sicheng, affected by the turbulence, lost control mid-air and crashed into the forest.

The evidence chain was now complete.

Once this video was released, Yue Liquan's crime of premeditated murder would be laid bare, and with Yue Liquan imprisoned, there would be no further obstacles to Huo Sicheng's rise to the position of Alliance Governor.

Huo Sicheng asked, "Who sent this evidence?"

Aide Wen looked troubled, as if he could hardly believe it, and said, "It was... Mr. Zhong."

Huo Sicheng and Sheng Xuan froze in place.

"Mr. Zhong had someone deliver this USB drive to my office. I just received it."

A lightning flash illuminated the entire sky.

The dull rumble of thunder echoed through the clouds, like a long-suppressed beast breaking free from the dark clouds.

The rain began to pour.

...

"Chairman, it was my oversight to focus only on investigating Zhang Mu's social connections and not notice the medium-sized van that entered Junshan Forest with Mr. Zhong that day. It was specifically used to transport a drone fleet."

"I’ve checked. On October 7th, Mr. Zhong applied to Junshan Tower for a drone fleet performance on October 21st, timed to coincide with your helicopter’s passage."

"This video was recorded by one of the drones."

"Hundreds of drones, hundreds of videos—Mr. Zhong screened them one by one..."

As the rain intensified, Huo Sicheng pushed open the car door and rushed into Fu Hui's company in the downpour.

Seeing who had arrived, Fu Hui was so frightened his legs went weak.

"Ch-Chairman! What brings you here?"

Huo Sicheng's eyes were bloodshot as he rasped at Fu Hui, "What kind of drone performance did Zhong Xi book that day?"

Fu Hui, just a businessman, had no experience dealing with someone like Huo Sicheng. His mind went blank with fear, and it took him a few seconds to regain his composure. He stammered, "Chairman, it was an anniversary performance. Mr. Zhong booked a fleet performance. I-I’ll find the application form and dynamic diagram for you right now."

Thirty seconds later, Huo Sicheng saw the words "Happy 7th Anniversary" on the computer screen.

He suddenly clutched the corner of the table, his fingertips turning white.

The dynamic diagram of the drone fleet unfolded before Huo Sicheng’s eyes, one sentence at a time.

[Happy 7th Anniversary of Our Relationship.]

[I say this because I’ve always felt we’re not married, but rather have returned to a state of dating. Counting from the day we confirmed our relationship to today, it’s exactly seven years.]

[Compared to you, I’m not good with words.]

[Sometimes I really want to speak my mind, but you never give me the chance to speak.]

[A few days ago, you asked me if I stayed by your side because of Huo Xiaobao?]

[Now I can tell you the answer, no, it’s because I wanted to stay by your side that Huo Xiaobao was born.]

[Huo Xiaobao is the product of our love, always has been.]

[Are you reassured now? I will never answer such a foolish question again, this is it.]

[Happy seventh anniversary, my love.]

[I hope you’ll always be by my side.]

Huo Sicheng’s ears were ringing, and it wasn’t until the pain throughout his body faded that he could hear Fu Hui’s words clearly.

Fu Hui said, “Chairman, the drone show had just started that day, and you hadn’t had the chance to see it yet… Mr. Zhong saw your helicopter plummet from the sky…”

As Huo Sicheng went downstairs, he stumbled, and Aide Wen hurried over to support him, but Huo Sicheng shook his head.

He stepped out into the rain alone.

The torrential rain came down in sheets, as if it had been raining continuously for two months. The gloom that had hung over everything since the day of the incident seemed to have accumulated all of Zhong Xi’s tears he hadn’t shed until today, pouring heavily into Huo Sicheng’s heart.

Zhong Xi must have been very sad these days, with the anniversary he’d so carefully planned, yet watching his husband cheat death. How desperate must that moment have been?

If he hadn’t lost his memory, he would’ve woken up and pulled Zhong Xi into his arms, would have kissed Zhong Xi every morning as Huo Xiaobao said, and told him: It’s okay, Xi Xi.

But he had forgotten the two people he loved most, and after waking up, he was cold to Zhong Xi, saying: Don’t think I don’t know what kind of person you are.

How did Zhong Xi feel at that time?

Huo Sicheng thought of the little moments from these past days, of Zhong Xi’s pale face and his increasingly thin figure.

And the words Zhong Xi had said:

—“I wish you success and all the best.”

—“Peace is the best.”

The thunderstorm split the night sky.

Fate seemed to have played a huge joke on them.

Huo Sicheng staggered forward, and on the tenth day after Zhong Xi left, he finally understood what it meant to have spilt milk.