Though it was difficult, Tong Muqing had to try; she couldn't just watch her brother get hurt in front of her!
If it truly came to that, she would be letting down her loving parents and herself.
Yun Jianzhong seemed to hear a great joke, laughing non-stop, "Who do you think you are now? Do I care if you live or die?"
At worst, it would be troublesome, but he was perfectly happy about it!
"Yun Jianzhong, if I die, can you still sit securely in your position?" She didn't believe he didn't care at all.
"Haha, whether I can sit securely or not is for me alone to decide! Does anyone else have the right?"
Indeed! With his years of maneuvering, how much trouble could she stir up?
Tong Muqing's eyes dimmed in an instant. Held by bodyguards, she watched helplessly as the doctor poured liquid into her brother's mouth.
"Zhi...huan." Tong Muqing softly called out.
Yun Jianzhong considerately led his men away, "Let's go. We shouldn't disturb their reunion."
Before leaving, Yun Jianzhong had someone throw a knife inside.
Tong Muqing and Yun Zhihuan knew Yun Jianzhong wasn't that kind-hearted, but they cherished this rare moment of peace.
They talked about many things, from their childhood to the years they were separated.
"You had them look for Qianqian?"
Tong Muqing looked at Yun Zhihuan in surprise, but wasn't this the best arrangement?
If she wasn't around anymore, they would have each other for support, and she could rest a little easier.
"Yes, sister. I'm worried about her raising the child alone, and she has no family. It's perfect for her to accompany your daughter."
Perhaps because he was facing death with equanimity, Yun Zhihuan was unusually calm.
He had also discovered traces his sister had left behind during an escape, a secret only they shared, and through it, he had learned some of her circumstances, though it was from several years ago.
"Sister, I really didn't expect you to not be with him, but instead adopt a daughter."
He knew best how much his sister had liked that man back then.
Tong Muqing gave a bitter smile; how could she still be worthy of so-called love?
"Sister is no longer a child. If you can have a woman you like and be with her, that would be the greatest comfort to sister!"
It was just that she wouldn't have the chance to meet her sister-in-law and her little nephew, and... she had also implicated her brother, preventing him from staying with the woman he loved and their child for a lifetime.
"Mm~"
Tong Muqing looked at her brother in disbelief. They had just been fantasizing about beautiful things, and now he... was trying to strangle her?
When she saw her brother's bloodshot eyes, Tong Muqing finally understood Yun Jianzhong's meaning. He truly couldn't stand to see them have any good fortune, not since they were children.
"Zhihuan, you... wake up, I'm your sister!"
If she was truly going to die, it wouldn't be by her brother's hand.
Seeing that Yun Zhihuan was unresponsive, Tong Muqing immediately began to struggle. Fortunately, Zhihuan was quite injured, and although she couldn't resist him, she could break free from his grasp.
Unexpectedly, Yun Zhihuan couldn't recognize her at all, as if she were a mortal enemy. He caught up to her and began to punch and kick her.
A man's strength was ultimately greater than a woman's. Soon, Tong Muqing fell to the ground, raising her slender arms to let the man beat her.
Before long, Yun Zhihuan's eyes regained clarity. He stared at the woman on the ground, unable to believe what he had done. How could he hit his sister?
He thought that by leaving, he wouldn't hurt his family, but he had underestimated Yun Jianzhong's malice.
"Sis... are you alright?" Yun Zhihuan asked with a hoarse voice.
Tong Muqing's face held a comforting smile, "This little scuffle is nothing compared to when we were kids!"
"How can it be the same?" Yun Zhihuan lowered his head and said nothing.
He didn't know why he kept hurting those around him, and why he couldn't control himself.
Tong Muqing whispered gently in his ear, soothing his self-recrimination.
However, after a while, a new round of struggles began.
...
Pier, where ships docked.
A plainly dressed woman walked over with a child about ten years old.
"Madam, where are you going?"
The boatman greeted the woman enthusiastically.
"Hello, I want to go to S City. How much is it?"
Things were very expensive here, and the expenses were high. Fortunately, her husband had left her quite a bit of money. Thinking of that man, she couldn't help but feel sad. She wished he could have shared her hardships.
But looking down at her child, she felt immense pain, and finally clenched the boy's small hand.
When the boatman heard her mention S City, he immediately became wary.
He glanced around, and seeing no one paying attention, he lowered his voice and said softly, "That area is sealed off. I advise you not to go. It's a dangerous place!"
Upon hearing this, the woman's hand tightened involuntarily. "Why is it sealed? When will it be unsealed?"
No matter how dangerous, she had to go!
Why was she still so insistent? He had already said so much, and most people would be apprehensive, so why was she rushing to go?
"We don't know when it will be unsealed, but it's best not to go these few days, according to what they say."
These few days? Could she afford to wait? No, she refused to wait!
"I have to go! Tell me how I can get there. I'll bear all the consequences."
If it weren't for the woman's decent demeanor, the boatman wouldn't have said an extra word. But now, with her...
"You must go?"
Well, no need for her to answer. Her gaze was so determined that nothing and no one could change her mind.
The boatman sighed, "If you must go, I'll take you secretly. Once you're there, fend for yourself."
"Thank you. I'll repay you when I have the chance." The woman's eyes were full of gratitude.
He didn't need anyone's thanks; he only wished for a smooth life and the safety of his family!
Two days later, late at night, the two arrived at the S City pier.
The boatman seemed experienced and led the woman toward a secluded corner. From here, they could board without attracting attention.
And his observation skills were good; he could often hide before others noticed him.
"Who?"
A sharp question rang out.
"Damn it, how could we be discovered today? This isn't like usual!"
The boatman still wanted to take the woman and child around to find a place to hide. Because his boat was very small, it was possible to remain concealed.
But as they were about to make a move, the area was instantly illuminated, and several people in unified black uniforms quickly approached, their eyes sharp as blades.
The boatman sighed inwardly, lamenting his bad luck. What could he do? They were destined to be discovered today!
However, the woman had already walked out with her child. She would bear the responsibility for her own actions and not drag others down.
"Hello, I'm looking for relatives. I begged this boatman to bring me here, so please let him go."
The woman thought that with her sincere tone and voluntary confession, they would not trouble the boatman. She did not expect...
"Take them all away!"