Chapter 52: He Is Not a Good Man Either

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Yunshen fired without hesitation. Another deafening shot rang out in Su Wan’s ears. Frightened, she squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, Brother Guang was already kneeling on the ground.

“Stop!” a voice called out.

Su Wan turned to see Bo Yezhou rushing over, attempting to wrest the gun from Mu Yunshen’s hand, but Mu Yunshen remained unmoved. Behind him, several of Bo Yezhou’s men raised their weapons, aiming them squarely at Mu Yunshen at the sight of the scene.

“Mu... Mu Yunshen...” Su Wan’s voice trembled.

At her words, Mu Yunshen finally seemed to come to his senses. He released the pistol and strode to her side.

“It’s over now. It’s alright...”

He gathered her into his arms, holding her so tightly it was as if he wished to merge her into himself. Su Wan’s tears spilled over, her body shuddering uncontrollably.

Bo Yezhou looked on, quickly averting his gaze. “Take them away!”

...

Su Wan fell asleep in the car, only waking to find herself in Mu Yunshen’s room. Her mind was muddy, her eyes blankly fixed on the ceiling above.

“You’re awake?” a voice said.

She turned her head and saw Mu Yunshen sitting beside her. Her eyes were still a little red as she looked at him.

His hand gripped hers tightly. “It’s over now. You’re safe.”

Su Wan drew a deep breath. “Are you... alright?”

There had been so many people back then, and yet he had pulled the trigger right in front of them. What if...

Mu Yunshen shook his head. “I’m fine. The gun was Bo Yezhou’s. Besides, he committed kidnapping; it’s only right he pays a price.”

Hearing this, Su Wan’s heart eased a little. She leaned her head against his chest. “So... they were after you, weren’t they?”

Mu Yunshen’s body stiffened, then he gave a brief sound of assent.

“I’m sorry for letting you go through all this. I failed to protect you.”

Su Wan pressed her lips together. “So even if I asked you to give up what you’re doing, you wouldn’t, would you?”

He gave a resolute nod.

Su Wan inhaled deeply. “Even if it means I keep getting dragged into danger?”

“It won’t happen again.”

Su Wan pulled her hand free.

She looked at him. “Honestly, I can’t help resenting you.”

Mu Yunshen did not answer, only watched her.

“I understand everything you’ve said. I don’t want to demand anything of you. But I’m afraid—afraid what happened today... will happen again.”

“It won’t!” Mu Yunshen said firmly. “Never again!”

Su Wan looked at him. “Can I ask you something?”

He frowned.

“That last time at Pointed Mouth... what was it you were going to do?”

He said nothing.

Su Wan took a breath and went on, “Then let me ask you. I say it, you answer yes or no. The people who tried to kill us—they originally wanted to make a deal with you, didn’t they?”

“Yes.”

“The deal was heroin, wasn’t it?”

He was silent.

Su Wan’s grip tightened painfully on his hand, her voice strained. “Answer me, Mu Yunshen. Was it, or wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Something inside her, taut and strained, suddenly snapped.

Her hand fell away.

She gazed at him. “Why?”

He pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Su Wan seized his collar in a desperate grip. “Do you know what that is? Drugs! It’s drugs! How many families have been destroyed by them?”

“It’s not what you think.” He looked at her. “But I can’t explain it all to you now. I told you before—three years...”

“If it’s not as I think, then tell me what it is!”

He remained silent.

Su Wan’s hand slowly loosened.

“Did you know? When my father told me how unsuited we were, I could always persuade him. I said I liked you, even if you were a gangster, even if you fought and killed every day. As long as I was willing, no one could stop me. But now... I can’t persuade myself, Mu Yunshen. I can’t convince myself!”

He looked at her. “I don’t blame you.”

His words made her whole body tremble. She jerked her head up to stare at him. “What did you say?”

“If you want to give up now, I respect your choice.”

In other words, he would not give up what he was doing. Nor would he change for her.

“You really can’t stay away from that stuff, can you?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t.”

Su Wan bit her lip and nodded. “Fine. I understand.”

She turned on her heel to leave, but Mu Yunshen blocked her way. “I know you don’t want to see me now, but these are unusual times. You’d better stay here for now.”

With that, he stood. “Don’t worry, I won’t be here.”

As he walked away, Su Wan called after him, “Do you know how my mother died?”

His steps faltered.

“She was held down and injected with a lethal dose of drugs—right in front of me!” Her eyes were bloodshot. “No one hates these things more than I do, Mu Yunshen... If you walk out now, I won’t stay here either. There will be nothing between us! Is that what you want? You still won’t give up?”

He stood there, not looking back.

“Fine.”

He lifted his foot and walked out, never hesitating.

Su Wan clenched her fists, and the tears she had fought so long to hold back finally spilled over.

She got up, packed her things, and left.

Only when she arrived at her apartment building did she discover it had been reduced to ashes.

She stood there, staring blankly at the blackened entrance, stunned and numb.

In the end, someone notified Bo Yezhou, who came to take her away.

“Take a shower and get some rest,” he said, handing her a set of clothes.

Su Wan did not take them, only looked at him. “Are you hiding something from me?”

Bo Yezhou frowned.

Su Wan drew a deep breath. “This time, it wasn’t just about Mu Yunshen, was it? I’ve seen those people before—they’re just a bunch of petty thugs. Killing and arson aren’t in their league.”

Bo Yezhou said nothing.

Su Wan seized his hand. “What is really going on? Tell me!”

“Do you remember the people at Pointed Mouth last time?” Bo Yezhou looked at her. “That was actually a major drug deal. What we seized then was just a sample. Because of various unexpected incidents, the deal was interrupted. The narcotics squad arrested the culprits elsewhere and confiscated over a thousand kilograms of heroin.”

“With the deal ruined this time, of course those people were furious. Mu Yunshen... he was never meant to survive.”

Su Wan’s brows knitted tightly. “Wasn’t he... one of them?”

Bo Yezhou shook his head. “I don’t know. But I suspect his identity isn’t simple. Maybe he’s even the buyer.”

Su Wan fell silent.

“So you broke things off with him?”

She still didn’t answer.

“Su Wan, I know how much you hate those things. That’s why you should tell me everything you know!”

“I don’t know, I really don’t.” Su Wan crouched to the floor, clutching her head. “Don’t say any more.”

Bo Yezhou saw her inner turmoil and did not press her. He crouched beside her, ruffling her hair. “Sorry, I was too hasty. Maybe it’s for the best—you two were never meant to be together anyway.”

Su Wan didn’t reply. She stood up. “I... I’ll just find a hotel to sleep at.”

She didn’t want to see anyone now.

...

For the next few days, Su Wan stayed at a hotel. Going to and from work, she always felt someone was following her. But every time she turned around, there was nothing.

After what had happened, she was on edge, but soon realized the people following her were Mu Yunshen’s.

Su Wan took a deep breath and walked straight over. The men, startled, were about to drive off when she appeared at their window.

She knocked.

They rolled the window down with great reluctance. “Sister-in-law...”

“From now on, stop following me.”

With that, Su Wan turned and left.

The men seemed at a loss, and did not follow.

The next day, Su Wan didn’t see them again.

Of everyone, it was Su Yichuan who was most delighted by her breakup with Mu Yunshen. While her apartment was being renovated, he asked her to stay at his house, but she refused.

Sometimes, when Su Wan sat alone in her office or room, her gaze would drift to her phone. The person who had once tried so hard to be near her never appeared again.

Su Wan could not understand why, in a world of so many possibilities, he had to choose precisely what she could never accept.

Two months later, the project at Pointed Mouth was nearing completion. To ensure everything was in order, Su Wan decided to inspect it herself.

This time, she dared not drive and bought a train ticket.

Pointed Mouth was on the outskirts of River City, close to Shu City but outside its jurisdiction. This in-between status made the area especially chaotic. Even in her hotel, Su Wan could hear all kinds of noises from the rooms next door—sometimes young couples, sometimes all-night gamblers.

The more chaotic it was, the harder it was for her to sleep.

That night, after tossing and turning for three hours, Su Wan got up, put on her coat, and set out to buy sleeping pills at a nearby pharmacy.

The streets were nearly empty. Walking alone, Su Wan shivered, memories crowding in—her last encounter with thugs while buying medicine, the desperate helplessness as she’d been dragged away...

Lost in thought, she was suddenly seized—someone dragged her bodily into the shadows!

She tried to scream, but a hand clamped over her mouth!

Su Wan’s eyes widened.

The light was poor; she couldn’t see his face, but she could smell the faint metallic scent of blood on him.

He was injured.

That was her first thought.

Before she could react, he stripped off his coat and tossed it aside, then bowed his head to press his lips against her neck!

Su Wan froze, instinctively trying to push him away. She must have touched his wound, for he groaned—a sound that made her whole body go stiff. “Mu—”

Before she could finish, he straightened, lowered his head, and kissed her mouth.

She tried to push him away, but the dampness on her hands halted her resistance. She stared at the man before her.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded.

Su Wan saw men approaching, knives gleaming in their hands, eyes searching the shadows. As they glanced their way, Su Wan quickly pressed Mu Yunshen’s face into her neck, shielding him from view.

Mu Yunshen played along, kissing her neck, his hand kneading her breast. To any observer, they looked like lovers lost in passion.

The men gave them a glance, then moved on.

As their footsteps faded, Su Wan pushed him away, quickly dressed, and turned to leave.

The whole time, she did not say a word or spare him a glance.

She was nearly out of the alley when she heard a dull thud behind her.

She spun around.

...

Mu Yunshen awoke in a hotel room.

Turning his head, he saw Su Wan slumped over the nightstand, fast asleep.

He reached out, but before he could touch her, Su Wan’s eyes snapped open.

Their gazes met, and Mu Yunshen’s hand froze in midair.

Su Wan straightened and looked at him. “How do you feel?”

“I’m alright,” he said, propping himself up. “Thank you.”

“You saved me once, too. No need to thank me.”

Their conversation was nothing but polite, yet awkward.

Su Wan stood. “Are you hungry? I’ll order some food.”

“Alright.”

She went to call for room service. Mu Yunshen searched himself and realized his phone was gone.

He cursed under his breath and turned on the television.

He wanted to watch the news.

After flipping through a few channels, he saw a report: a major anti-drug operation the night before. The narcotics squad leader had been shot twice and died; a huge cache of weapons and drugs had been seized.

Mu Yunshen stared at the screen.

Su Wan entered, saw the broadcast, and paused. She sat down. “Was this related to you?”

Mu Yunshen stood. “I should go.”

Su Wan bit her lip but only nodded.

...

His clothes, already cut open the night before, had been bandaged by her. Perhaps he moved too much getting up, for he let out a muffled groan.

Watching him, Su Wan took a deep breath. “If you don’t mind waiting, I’ll have someone bring up clothes. If you go out like this... it’ll draw suspicion.”

Mu Yunshen stopped, then nodded.

The room fell silent.

Su Wan opened her laptop and resumed working.

Mu Yunshen kept watching the news, gripping the remote tightly.

A while later, the bell rang.

Su Wan handed him the clothes. “Put them on. There’s food too—do you want some?”

He glanced at the food. He knew he should leave immediately, but still said, “Alright.”

They sat face-to-face, silent—their manner that of utter strangers. Yet beneath the surface, something unspoken pressed in, closing around Su Wan’s throat, making it hard to breathe.

She forced herself to swallow. “I’m leaving this afternoon. I’ve paid for the room for two more days. If you need it, you can stay.”

She handed him the key card.

“You haven’t been well, have you?” he said, not taking it.

Su Wan hesitated, then replied, “I’m fine.”

“You’ve lost weight. And I saw you last night—you were buying sleeping pills.”

“It’s too noisy here. I can’t sleep.” Su Wan drew a deep breath.

“Is that so? Good.”

Good.

Su Wan’s hand clenched. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Sooner or later my father will arrange a marriage for me. Maybe I won’t like him, but at least... he’ll be a law-abiding citizen.”

Her words carried a clear undertone.

Mu Yunshen looked at her. “That’s good. But let me remind you—anyone but... Bo Yezhou.”

Su Wan’s brow furrowed, her smile turning cold. “Why?”

“He’s not a good man either.”

Su Wan sprang to her feet. “Do you know what you’re saying? I didn’t save you last night because I still had feelings for you—it was just because you’d saved me before, that’s all...”

“Really?” he cut her off, standing as well, his gaze fixed on her. “Su Wan, you can’t fool me.”

Her hand dropped.

She started to laugh. “What... what do you mean, Mu Yunshen? Are you saying I still have feelings for you? Why should I? What gives you the right?”

“This.”

With that, he pulled her to him, pressed her against the wall, and kissed her.

Wildly, desperately.

Su Wan struggled to push him away, but she could never match his strength.

She bit his lip, blood filling both their mouths. But even so, he didn’t let go.

Su Wan, in a fit of desperation, bit down on her own tongue.

This time, he finally released her.

She raised her hand and slapped him, sharp and decisive.

He did not dodge.

“Get out. Get out of here!” Su Wan was shaking with rage.

She should never have saved him that night!

Mu Yunshen gazed at her. “I can go. But Su Wan, can you really lie to yourself?”

She shoved at him. “Get out! Get out!”

He caught her in his arms.

Su Wan pounded at him, tears suddenly streaming down her face. She kicked and hit him as hard as she could.

He caught her hands and pressed them to his wound. “I know you hate me, despise me. If you want me to hurt, then this will do.”

He tightened his grip, and Su Wan could feel fresh blood soaking the bandage.

Her face drained of color, and she tried frantically to pull her hand away. “You’re crazy! Let go! Let go!”

“But what is this pain, compared to the pain here?” Mu Yunshen said, pointing to his heart. “Do you know? Here... hurts so much.”

Su Wan glared at him through gritted teeth. “You chose this, Mu Yunshen. This is your choice!”

“I know.” He gave a bitter laugh. “Of course I know. And I’d never regret it. But if I’d known I’d meet you, I’d never have chosen this path. If only I’d known...”

His face grew paler, but Su Wan finally managed to free her hand.

She looked at him. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have saved you in the parking lot! I should have let you die!”

Mu Yunshen laughed, his body swaying. He braced himself against the wall. “Too bad I can’t die. But Su Wan, you promised you’d wait for me.”

Her hands clenched tight.

Mu Yunshen looked at her. “You don’t want to keep your promise, do you?”

“You lied to me first. If I’d known you were involved in that filth, how could I have ever been with you?”

“If I told you Bo Yezhou was involved too, would you believe me?”

“Impossible!”

Her certainty made Mu Yunshen’s gaze darken. He nodded. “See? You don’t believe me, but you believe him. Is it because I was never worthy in your eyes, or because you never truly trusted me?”

“I...”

Su Wan couldn’t answer. After a long time, she said, “But you admitted it yourself.”

“Yes, but at most I was a runner. What about Bo Yezhou? If it’s him, he knows the law and still breaks it. He’s the one who profits the most, the one pulling the strings!”

“Impossible. He would never do such a thing!”

Her certainty made Mu Yunshen’s eyes darken. He nodded. “Fine. Sooner or later, you’ll find out.”

He turned to leave, but maybe because his wound had reopened, he could barely stand.

Su Wan had no choice but to go to him. “You—”

“Don’t come closer,” he said in a low voice. “Unless you want me to hurt you.”

He looked at her. “You probably know by now—I was once a soldier, expelled from the police academy. But what you don’t know is that my father... was a soldier too. He died in the line of duty.”

With that, Mu Yunshen walked out, leaving Su Wan baffled.

So... what was he trying to say?

Was there something he wanted to tell her?