"Master, you jest. The Zhang family is a formidable clan, on par with our Ouyang family. We must plan carefully to deal with them," came Ouyang Zhengde's voice over the phone.
"Is that so? Then forget it," Chen Mo said indifferently.
Ouyang Zhengde was taken aback. He knew Chen Mo well; usually, Chen Mo would try to exploit the Ouyang family to the fullest. Today, however, he had changed his tune, saying to forget it. This struck Ouyang Zhengde as highly unusual.
"Master, do you have any other instructions?" Ouyang Zhengde asked tentatively.
"None," Chen Mo replied, hanging up the phone.
Looking at Zhang Chengzong, who had a look of utter disbelief on his face, Chen Mo smiled faintly. "How about it? Do you believe me now?"
Zhang Chengzong didn't answer immediately. He was still reeling from the shock.
After a moment, Zhang Chengzong let out a foolish chuckle. "Hahaha! Just a few days ago, the Ouyang family was clamoring about forming a family alliance to deal with you. Now it seems we, the major families, have all been played by the Ouyang family!"
Chen Mo frowned slightly. A family alliance? As expected, the Ouyang family was still not giving up. They clearly intended to use other families to deal with him.
"But, Chen Mo, do you really think our Zhang family fears the Ouyang family? Even if Ouyang Zhengde were here today, he couldn't save you!" Zhang Chengzong's tone shifted, and he spoke coldly.
Chen Mo sneered. "It's just the death of a collateral branch of the Zhang family. What benefit do you think the Zhang family gains from this?"
"Do we gain anything by letting you go?"
"Of course."
Zhang Chengzong frowned.
Chen Mo continued, "If the Zhang family annexes the Ouyang family, wouldn't the benefits be far greater than dealing with me?"
"Isn't the Ouyang family your power?" Zhang Chengzong clearly remembered Ouyang Zhengde calling Chen Mo 'Master' just moments ago.
"So, trading a collateral branch of the Zhang family for the entire Ouyang family, isn't that good? I like to keep dogs, but I don't like to keep wolves."
"Moreover, since the Ouyang family calls me Master, do you think I would fear a mere Zhang family?" Chen Mo retorted.
Zhang Chengzong fell silent. He knew Chen Mo was speaking the absolute truth. To have the Ouyang family submit and call him Master, how terrifying must the power behind Chen Mo be? He realized that if they hadn't known this, and had attacked Chen Mo, it would have been their families facing utter destruction. The Ouyang family would have been the sole beneficiary.
With this realization, Zhang Chengzong moved aside, clearing a path. "You may go."
Chen Mo smiled faintly and, with Huizi and the others, walked towards the door.
"Mr. Chen, I hope you will keep your promise and release my son," Zhang Chengzong said, looking at Chen Mo's retreating back.
"Rest assured," Chen Mo replied. The group then got into the car.
Since Huizi was severely injured, Chen Mo took on the task of driving.
Upon returning to Longhua City, Chen Mo called Ma Sihai, asking him to find a safe place. Arriving at their residence, Chen Mo found some medicinal herbs and prepared some wound-healing ointment. However, seeing Huizi's injuries, he handed the medicine to Fang Fang.
In the room, Fang Fang helped Huizi remove her clothes. Huizi's once fair skin was now covered in blood, causing Fang Fang's hands to tremble.
"Miss Huizi, thank you," Fang Fang said sincerely to Huizi.
"I am Mr. Chen's subordinate, so it is my duty to protect your safety. Moreover, Miss Fang, Mr. Chen was very worried about you after you went missing."
Hearing this, Fang Fang fell silent. She knew Chen Mo had a girlfriend, the daughter of their mall owner. Such a background made Fang Fang feel incredibly inferior, which was why she had chosen to leave. However, she had no regrets about what happened that night.
"Actually, Mr. Chen is a good person, and not as fickle as you might think. At least, he showed no interest in me, and now that I'm disfigured, he certainly won't be interested. Miss Fang, I hope you won't leave Mr. Chen again. Isn't loving someone about daring to love and dare to hate? Constantly escaping is not a long-term solution."
Fang Fang remained silent, quietly applying the medicine to Huizi. After finishing, Fang Fang finally spoke, "Get some rest, and thank you for everything these past two days."
Bowing deeply in thanks, Fang Fang turned and left the room.
"Fang Fang."
Chen Mo, standing in the courtyard, saw Fang Fang's figure and called out to her.
Fang Fang stopped, her head bowed, not daring to look at Chen Mo, her emotions a complex mix. Chen Mo stepped forward and pulled Fang Fang into his embrace. Fang Fang was startled and hurriedly pushed Chen Mo away. But her strength was no match for Chen Mo's. With a flushed face, Fang Fang whispered softly, "You, let me go."
"I won't. I almost lost you. From now on, I will never let go," Chen Mo said, holding Fang Fang tightly.
"I, I won't leave anymore, is that okay?" Fang Fang asked, her voice tinged with a hint of pleading, a little scared.
"No," Chen Mo replied, still holding her.
Fang Fang, her face red, couldn't do anything about Chen Mo's clingy behavior. "But you can't hold me forever, can you?"
"I will hold you forever, until you never leave me again."
"Do you know, when I heard you were in trouble, my heart was in a panic. And that letter you left that morning, what happened that day, how could I pretend it never happened? You are Chen Mo's woman today, and you will be my woman for a lifetime!"
"Overbearing." Fang Fang said unhappily.
"If your wife is about to run away, how can you not be overbearing in love?" Chen Mo retorted.
Fang Fang gave Chen Mo a shy, red-faced glare. "Who is your wife? I haven't admitted it."
"Whether you admit it or not, you have to," Chen Mo said, lowering his head and kissing her.
"Clatter!"
Suddenly, a sound echoed. Chen Mo and Fang Fang were both startled. Fang Fang's small face instantly turned crimson, and she hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound.
There sat Fang Shiliang on a small stool in the courtyard, holding chopsticks. The stainless steel bowl and its contents had fallen to the ground. Fang Shiliang's mouth was open, still containing some unswallowed rice. Fang Shiliang had moved to the courtyard to eat, fearing he would disturb others in the room. But he never expected to be force-fed a wave of "dog food" before he could even take a few bites! And it was his own sister feeding him! He had suspected Chen Mo and his sister's relationship before, but now it seemed there was no need to suspect; they were clearly a couple.
The atmosphere in the courtyard became extremely awkward. He was caught in an intimate moment with his girlfriend by his future brother-in-law! Chen Mo also felt a pang of embarrassment.
"Oh dear!" Suddenly, Fang Shiliang covered his eyes. "Oh no, my eyes can't see anymore. The sky is all black. I can't see anything!"