I'm determined to leave you forever.
Besides, what he wanted was an aunt-nephew relationship. Without it, Yu Tang probably wouldn't even bother to look at him, let alone say anything about protecting him. It was precisely because of this relationship that he could occupy the central position in all of Yu Tang's relationships; that position used to belong to Yu Yanting. Love was something Yu Tang could easily discard and forget, but family ties were different. With family ties, he was her family, and she could never abandon him.
Yu Tang had no idea what Yu Chaoxian was thinking; she only noticed the sinister smile playing on his lips. She realized that Yu Chaoxian was simply a madman who was impossible to communicate with normally. She couldn't argue with him anymore; if she really angered him, who knew what he might do next.
She slept in Yu Chaoxian's bedroom as usual that night. Yu Chaoxian held her as they slept, and he noticed that she looked even thinner than before.
Yu Tang struggled to get up. She was really tired today and didn't want to do anything. But Yu Chaoxian's body temperature was unusually high, perhaps because he had been drinking.
Yu Chaoxian gave her a warning slap on the butt: "Don't wriggle around if I don't touch you."
He pinched her cheek again and said with dissatisfaction, "Don't go out too much these days. Stay home and rest. How exactly are you being fed? How are you being fed like a refugee?"
Yu Tang glanced back at him; he was clearly the one who started it all.
"The day after tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve. Do you have time to go to the nursing home with your brother to celebrate the holiday?" she asked, looking at him.
Moreover, this should be the last New Year's Eve she spends with him. After New Year's Eve, she plans to try to contact Victor.
Yu Chaoxian's original plan was to go to Italy with Yu Tang for a vacation, but since Yu Tang had already asked him if he had time, they decided to go after New Year's Eve.
Yu Chaoxian's phone on the cabinet lit up; it was a message from Chen Diao: "[Boss, Mo Fei's information is in the hospital records. She fainted and fell unconscious due to hemophobia, which is normal. What's unusual is that several Russian police officers came to the hospital that night, and one patient's information was completely erased.]"
Yu Chaoxian stared at the messages on his phone, the light causing Yu Tang to turn around. Yu Chaoxian locked his phone and looked at the sleeping face of the person in his arms. It seemed that Yu Tang had not learned her lesson from the Liang Jiaqi incident.
"Tangtang, you have nothing to tell me." Yu Chaoxian hugged her, waiting for her to speak, waiting for her to tell him everything that happened today.
If she is willing to be honest, he can let bygones be bygones.
But Yu Tang still had her back to him, staring at the night outside, remembering that in other countries, it snows at this time of year during the Spring Festival.
She said to herself, "I kind of want to see snow."
Yu Chaoxian asked softly, "Where do you want to go?"
In Yu Tang's imagined snow scene, he was not present. She buried her face in the pillow and said wearily, "I'm sleepy, I want to sleep."
Yu Chaoxian gazed at her profile with her eyes closed, and didn't ask any more questions. He held her close, feeling the real warmth in his arms.
He kissed the crown of her head, knowing she would wake up in his arms again tomorrow morning.
She might frown and hide from the light, or unconsciously bury her face in his neck to wipe away her morning grumpiness, or she might be a little temperamental. But she was always within his reach. As long as she was there, nothing else mattered, whether she stayed crying or laughing.
The election has been finalized, and Yu Chaoxian has been free lately, spending his time at home. However, this morning, Yu Chaoxian didn't sleep in with Yu Tang.
Around 6 a.m., Yu Chaoxian received a call from Chen Diao informing him that Guan Zhongpeng's mother had passed away.
Yu Chaoxian glanced at Yu Tang, who was still sleeping, and went to the study to answer the phone.
"Arrange for people to pay their respects, and make sure the funeral arrangements are in order." He gave the brief instructions, his voice devoid of any emotional fluctuation. After all, Guan Zhongpeng had followed Yu Yanting for so many years, had taken care of Yu Tang, and had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the business, showing absolute loyalty to the Yu family.
This is why Yu Chaoxian spared Guan Zhongpeng's life even though Guan Zhongpeng knew so many secrets.
The funeral home was lined with black luxury cars, and people in black suits wearing white flowers stood solemnly on both sides.
Guan Zhongpeng stood guard beside the coffin, his back hunched. Flames suddenly leaped up, swirling around the yellow paper, and he froze in his burning posture before the coffin. Through the firelight, he saw that Yu Chaoxian had come in person, accompanied by Yu Tang.
"Young Master Yu, Miss Tang." Guan Zhongpeng's knees were stiff from kneeling, and he staggered when he stood up. Yu Tang quickly went over to help him.
Yu Tang's eyes were red from crying. She called out "Uncle Guan," wanting to comfort him and tell him to take it easy, but how could she possibly grieve after her mother's death? She lit incense and silently placed a bouquet of white flowers before the coffin. This was also why she disliked white flowers. She had seen far too many white flowers used for condolences at her own mother's funeral.
Yu Chaoxian lowered her eyes, and even through the thin veil, one could see that the corners of her eyes were red.
As the drizzle began to fall, Chen Diao immediately opened his black umbrella. Yu Chaoxian glanced at him, and Chen Diao immediately turned around and held the umbrella over Yu Tang.
With a somber expression, Guan Zhongpeng offered incense to Yu Chaoxian.
As wisps of white smoke rose, Yu Chaoxian lowered his head slightly, closed his eyes for a moment, and his eyelashes cast a shadow under his eyes. His usually sharp brows now revealed a hint of melancholy that she had never seen before.
Smoke swirled around him, mingling with the drizzle.
Yu Tang noticed that Yu Chaoxian's expression was more solemn than usual. After all, it was a funeral, and Yu Chaoxian must have been moved by all of this, since someone close to him had lost their life.
"Uncle Guan, tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve. Come to the sanatorium and have New Year's Eve dinner with us. My brother must really want to see you too." Yu Tang thought that Guan Zhongpeng would be sad and heartbroken to spend the holiday alone with his family, so she casually invited Guan Zhongpeng to have New Year's Eve dinner with her.
Guan Zhongpeng subconsciously looked in Yu Chaoxian's direction, then quickly shook his head and declined, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Tang, but there are still many things to take care of at the funeral, and I can't leave."
Yu Tang noticed that there were still many people coming to pay their respects, and Uncle Guan really couldn't leave.
Before she could finish her words of comfort, the man's voice pierced through the rain – "Tangtang."
His deep voice was irresistible. Yu Tang turned around, and he was still holding the umbrella and waiting for her. Yu Tang had no choice but to say goodbye to Guan Zhongpeng first.
The umbrella was tilted, completely blocking out the wind and rain, and the shadow inside completely enveloped Yu Tang.
Under the umbrella, Yu Chaoxian reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his slender fingers sliding down to the back of her neck. Yu Tang had long since lost all sense of boundaries with his actions, so she didn't realize how much this gesture might cross the line between aunt and niece in the eyes of outsiders.
Guan Zhongpeng, who had come to see the person off, was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground. Although he had sensed that Yu Chaoxian's concern for Yu Tang was unusual, he had never dared to entertain any wild thoughts. How could he possibly think of that kind of relationship between an aunt and a nephew? How could he even dare to think that way!
Chen Diao stayed to help at the funeral, not only to help but also to remind Guan Zhongpeng not to say things he shouldn't.
Guan Zhongpeng knew this all too well.
Previously, Yu Chaoxian used his mother to threaten him, but now that his mother has passed away, there is nothing left to threaten him with.
He was no longer afraid of death.
Guan Zhongpeng asked Chen Diao in a trembling voice, "Did Young Master Yu force... Miss Tang? How could he... how could he do such a foolish thing! Miss Tang is his aunt. If that child hadn't died, Miss Tang would be his younger sister now..."
Before he finished speaking, Chen Diao understood his meaning. When Guan Zhongpeng revealed the truth, Chen Diao was indeed greatly surprised.
“We subordinates can’t interfere with what the boss does,” Chen Diao advised Guan Zhongpeng. “Brother Peng, the boss has really put a lot of effort into arranging things for you. As long as you live your life well from now on, don’t say anything you shouldn’t, and you’ll get what you’re entitled to. Just take the money and live your life well. Play cards, drink, travel, and have a relaxed and carefree life. Don’t make trouble for yourself.”
Guan Zhongpeng was utterly despondent. He had been taken care of and promoted by Yu Yanting; without Yu Yanting, he wouldn't be where he was today. When his mother was sick and needed surgery, it was Yu Yanting who gave him money and helped him find a doctor. The kindness was so great that he could never repay it even with his life. And during those years in Hong Kong, he watched Yu Tang grow up little by little. Yu Yanting treated Yu Tang like his own daughter, and so did he.
He could no longer let Yu Tang remain in the dark. He had to tell Yu Tang that Yu Chaoxian was the murderer who caused Yu Yanting to fall into a coma!
Yu Tang has the right to know the truth. If Yu Tang wants to leave after knowing the truth, then he will risk his life to protect Yu Tang and help her leave, as an apology to Yu Yanting.
Guan Zhongpeng gave a forced bitter smile, "After my mother passed away, I've become much more indifferent to everything. I'll just let the rest of my life pass by like this. At my age, I don't want to care about or ask about anything anymore."
"That's more like it." To Chen Diao, this meant he had listened to advice. As long as Guan Zhongpeng kept the secret, the boss would definitely not treat him unfairly.
Guan Zhongpeng returned to the mourning hall and knelt down. He had tried to send a message to Yu Tang earlier, wanting to tell her the whole truth, but Yu Chaoxian saw the message and he learned that Yu Tang had changed her phone number. All the messages he sent to the old number were deleted by Yu Chaoxian.
Now that Yu Tang is with Yu Chaoxian, and he travels with his driver, it is almost impossible for him to see Yu Tang alone. Moreover, if he goes to see Yu Tang, the driver will definitely tell Yu Chaoxian. So now he has to think of another way to see Yu Tang.
On New Year's Eve, Yu Tang woke up very early, unusually earlier than Yu Chao. She planned to go to the nursing home early to visit her brother, and also to arrange the New Year's goods she had bought and put up the couplets. She also asked the Filipino maid how to make dumplings. She always had New Year's Eve dinner with her brother in previous years, and this year was no exception.
Yu Chaoxian woke up the moment Yu Tang moved. With his eyes closed, he felt Yu Tang's hand reach out towards him. Yu Tang had placed New Year's money by his bedside. Yu Yanting had also placed New Year's money by her bedside before, both on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. As an elder, she also gave New Year's money to her brother's children.
In the bathroom, Yu Tang stood in the steamy air, warm water flowing over her shoulders and neck, the rising steam blurring the mirror. She heard the soft sound of the door opening behind her, and before she could turn around, a strong chest pressed against her back.
His palm wiped the mirror until it was clear, reflecting the two intertwined figures.
Yu Tang's eyelashes were still damp with tears, blending into the steam in the bathroom.
Yu Chaoxian chuckled, knowing she was inexperienced. After one time, he carried her back into the water and then picked up a towel to dry her body and hair.
"Tangtang," Yu Chaoxian said, lost in the unreserved warmth of their embrace, "what do you want for your New Year's gift?"
Yu Tang glanced at him silently, then lowered her eyelashes to conceal the resolute look in her eyes.
I want to leave you forever.
The next morning, Chen was transferred over to deliver something to Yu Chaoxian: pearls. They were cool-toned and lustrous, each one incredibly valuable. There were one, two, three, four, five…
Chen Diao was too lazy to count them. He wasn't there to count pearls; he had important business to attend to: "Boss, the Russian police suddenly came looking for Victor, and the CIA in the Americas has also sent people to find those mercenaries. Just in case, Boss, you should leave Taicheng as soon as possible. If the Russians and Americans come together to assassinate us, it will be difficult to escape."
The sound of a cup shattering came from beside the coffee machine. Yu Chaoxian turned to look inside, then left Chen Diao, who was reporting, and went straight to the kitchen.
Yu Tang accidentally dropped and broke the cup, and was squatting down to pick up the shards.
"Let me take a look at your hands." Yu Chaoxian squatted down with her, held her slender wrist, and examined her fingers one by one.
"I'm not hurt." Yu Tang's hand brushed against the scar on his palm. The scar hadn't faded even after almost two years, and it seemed it would stay with Yu Chaoxian forever.
Chen's timely appearance reminded Yu Chaoxian that time was up and that he had important business to attend to later, including a meeting with the newly appointed Prime Minister Somsak, so there was no time to waste.
Yu Chao took the jewelry and clothes from Chen Diao and led Yu Tang upstairs.
"Do you like it?" Yu Chaoxian knew that Yu Tang liked pearls.
Yu Tang, as always, gave an honest compliment: "Very beautiful."
"If you like it, that's fine." Yu Chaoxian personally put the pearl on Yu Tang's head. The warm luster of the pearl complemented her porcelain-white skin, making her look both pure and alluring.
"Tangtang," Yu Chaoxian placed his hands on her slender shoulders, his gaze meeting hers in the mirror, "Is there anything you want to say to me?"
Unfortunately, Yu Tang could never understand the look in Yu Chaoxian's eyes, just as Yu Chaoxian never understood what Yu Tang truly wanted.
Yu Chaoxian gave Yu Tang one last chance to confess, although he was not surprised that Victor was still alive.
Three seconds later, Yu Tang remained silent. He didn't wait any longer: "Wait for Ivan to pick you up and take you to the sanatorium. Let him carry your things. I'll go later."
Yu Chaoxian had a lot to do today, with many people visiting him, so he couldn't accompany Yu Tang to the sanatorium this morning.
Yu Tang didn't know why Yu Chaoxian had sent someone to follow her again. Had he discovered something? She didn't object to Yu Chaoxian's arrangement and obediently hummed in agreement.
New Year's Eve, the last day of the year. Every family is immersed in the atmosphere of welcoming the new year.
The elderly women in the residential buildings are no exception.
Unfortunately, the old woman had no children, so no one came to wish her a Happy New Year. But then, early in the morning, there was a knock on her door.
The old woman thought it was the young man who had helped her returning, and happily went to open the door. As soon as the door opened, a heavy shadow fell over her.
The old woman remembered what Mickey looked like; he had even helped her take out the trash. She was about to ask Mickey what he needed when he stepped inside, blocking the door and preventing the old woman from closing it.
Ivan arrived at the Yu residence on time to take Yu Tang to the sanatorium.
Just as Yu Tang was leaving, Yu Chaoxian's phone rang. She felt Yu Chaoxian glance at her, but she didn't pay attention and got into the car with Ivan.
Mickey called: "Boss, we found the old lady. She has a camera with videos of our transaction in Killaria. Miss Yu's unusual behavior that afternoon must have been because she saw these."
Yu Chaoxian said impatiently, "Want to die? That's easy."
The sound of Mickey cocking a gun came through the phone.
Just a second before pulling the trigger—"Wait." Yu Chaoxian stood at the window, watching Yu Tang's car gradually disappear into the distance, and suddenly changed his mind.
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