Chapter 55: Even If There Is a Connection, It Is Only Hatred

Her tone was resolute, but her voice trembled softly. When she finished speaking, she pointed toward the door. “Now, please leave!”

“How much do you need?” he asked.

His words left Su Wan frozen in place. It was only after a long moment that she finally seemed to come back to herself and looked at him. “What did you say?”

“All this talk, but in the end, isn’t it just about money? Tell me, how much will it take for you to agree?”

Strangely, when her anger reached its peak, Su Wan felt nothing at all. She could even look at the man before her with utter calm. “No matter how much you give me, I don’t want it. Mr. Mu, even if you point a gun at my head right now, I still won’t agree!”

Mu Yunshen’s eyes darkened. He stared at her for a long time before standing up. “Miss Su, you have backbone, but sometimes, such backbone can be your undoing. I hope that in several days, when I return, you still have this same attitude.”

With that, he finally left.

Su Wan collapsed into her chair.

Recalling their conversation, she couldn’t help but laugh softly, then clenched her fists tightly. She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, all emotion was gone.

She continued with her work.

In the evening, news suddenly reached her from the construction site. A large group had arrived to disrupt the work, threatening to destroy their materials and more.

Su Wan rushed over immediately.

Seeing the group, her expression turned grim. “What do you think you’re doing? I’ve already called the police. If you know what’s good for you, leave at once!”

“We can leave now, but we’ll be back tomorrow. I’d like to see how long the police can protect you,” the leader said, before turning to leave.

The foreman beside her looked at Su Wan for help. “President Su, what’s going on? If they cause trouble every day, how can we go on?”

Su Wan’s face was ashen. She looked behind her. “You people are from Mu Yunshen, aren’t you?”

The leader stopped and looked her way.

Su Wan took a deep breath. “Tell him I’ll wait for him tonight in the parking lot of the Golden Flow Club.”

The man gazed at her for a moment, then smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll certainly pass on the message to our young master!”

…

Su Wan did not return to the office. After wandering the streets for a while, she went straight to the club.

She parked her car and began to wait for him.

Why here? Su Wan didn’t know. Perhaps because this was the place where they first met. Strangely, she still found herself recalling that brief warmth between them.

Time ticked by.

Su Wan was leaning on her steering wheel, nearly dozing off, when someone knocked on her window.

She lifted her head to see who it was and opened the door.

He got inside. “I thought it would take a few days. I didn’t expect Miss Su to change her mind in just one afternoon.”

Su Wan looked at him for a long time.

His smile was familiar. Yet, for the first time, she found his face utterly strange.

She said, “Yes, I’ve changed my mind. After all, it’s just a business deal. It isn’t worth offending someone like you, Mr. Mu.”

Mu Yunshen’s smile deepened. “That’s more like it. Don’t worry, as long as Xiaoxiao is satisfied this time, I’ll make sure you are handsomely rewarded.”

Su Wan didn’t reply. Instead, she glanced around the parking lot. “Do you know why I chose this place?”

Mu Yunshen looked around and shook his head.

“We first met right here,” Su Wan pointed ahead. “You were injured, and I took you to the hospital.”

Mu Yunshen raised his brows slightly. “Oh? And then?”

His demeanor was cold, or perhaps simply indifferent.

Su Wan knew that saying these things was pointless, but she couldn’t help herself.

“At that time, my company was in trouble. I was running around all day dealing with various issues. You… were the owner of this club. You saw me being bullied and called a girl to help me. Later, you even gave me money to get through that crisis.”

Su Wan recounted these events.

Though they had happened less than a year ago, recounting them now felt as if they belonged to another lifetime.

Su Wan took a deep breath. “You don’t remember. That’s all right. I know… we can’t be together. It’s as though mountains and seas lie between us. But I like to finish what I start. So today, I’ll take on the project for your wedding home, and I want you to know, between us… it’s truly over.”

As she said this, Su Wan felt no relief—quite the opposite. It was as if something had been violently torn from her heart, leaving behind only pain.

Mu Yunshen looked at her for a long while, then smiled. “All right. But if you ever need my help in the future, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best for you.”

“Very well, Mu Yunshen. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

He opened the door and left without hesitation.

His car was parked nearby. While Su Wan still sat motionless in her seat, he had already driven away.

In his own car, his brow was tightly furrowed.

Beside him, someone said, “Brother Fei, looks like Mu Yunshen really has lost his memory?”

Qi Fei’s brow was deeply furrowed. Hearing this, he only let out a cold laugh. “Who knows? But to him, that woman is nothing. For the sake of a bright future, he abandoned her all the same!”

…

Mu Yunshen sped down the road, his face an impassive mask.

But his hands, gripping the steering wheel, were tense, the veins bulging. His teeth clenched so hard they creaked.

He soon arrived at the Shen residence.

He and Xiaoxiao had lived there before moving out.

Seeing him, Master Qi waved him over. “Where have you been?”

“Xiaoxiao said she really likes a designer and insisted on having her design our new home. I went to find her,” Mu Yunshen answered respectfully.

Master Qi examined him for a long moment. Seeing that his expression was normal, he finally smiled. “It’s nothing. But that designer… her surname is Su, isn’t it?”

“…Yes.”

“Her father is really something. Gave up being mayor—who knows why he got involved in all this.”

The old man’s tone made Mu Yunshen tense. He looked at him. “What do you mean, Master Qi?”

“We failed to get him at his birthday banquet last time. It’ll be harder now. But since you know his daughter, using her to lure him out should be easy.”

Mu Yunshen said nothing.

Master Qi looked at him. “What, you’re unwilling?”

It was only when he heard this that Mu Yunshen snapped out of his thoughts. “No, Master Qi. I was just thinking… Su Yichuan is a deputy mayor after all. If we do this, won’t it cause trouble?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got connections up above. Su Yichuan’s made plenty of enemies in politics. If he dies, many will rejoice.”

Mu Yunshen frowned deeply.

“If you don’t want to do it, I’ll let Qi Fei—”

“No need, sir. Leave it to me,” Mu Yunshen interrupted.

Only then did Master Qi nod. “Xiaoxiao’s been waiting for you upstairs. Go on up!”

Mu Yunshen nodded and left at once.

As he departed, Master Qi’s shrewd adviser stepped forward. “Master, can we trust Mu Yunshen?”

“We’ll know after this,” Master Qi said, his eyes narrowing with a sharp glint.

…

After learning Su Wan agreed to do the design, no one was happier than Shen Xiaoxiao. She visited Su Wan every day to discuss the details.

Su Wan had assumed that a woman raised in such an environment would be either ruthless or arrogant, but she was wrong.

Shen Xiaoxiao was carefully protected, as innocent as a child, her eyes bright and pure.

Su Wan thought, perhaps a woman like Shen Xiaoxiao was exactly the sort of person he liked—clean, pure.

The renovation project proceeded in good order. Sometimes Su Wan would see Mu Yunshen, but only when he came to pick up Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao would run to him, throwing herself into his arms like a child.

In those moments, Su Wan always looked away.

She still couldn’t accept it.

A month later, the renovations were nearly finished. Only minor work remained, and Su Wan no longer needed to supervise.

She turned to Shen Xiaoxiao. “Miss Shen, I’ll have someone else oversee the rest. If you need anything, just let him know.”

Shen Xiaoxiao nodded repeatedly and glanced at the door.

Su Wan knew whom she was waiting for. She smiled, then turned to leave.

Shen Xiaoxiao grabbed her arm. “W-wait a moment.”

Su Wan turned.

Shen Xiaoxiao stammered, “We—we said we’d treat you to dinner.”

“No need. You’ve already paid me.”

“No, that won’t do. We must!” Shen Xiaoxiao’s eyes were pleading. “Please?”

Stared at by those eyes, Su Wan found herself unable to refuse, however much she wanted to. She took a deep breath. “All right.”

Just then, Mu Yunshen arrived.

As if arranged beforehand, he drove them to dinner.

Shen Xiaoxiao sat in the front passenger seat, occasionally chatting with Mu Yunshen. His face was always adorned with a gentle smile.

Su Wan sat in the back, staring out the window, thinking she must be mad to agree to this meal. She was only courting pain.

They chose a modest restaurant. Shen Xiaoxiao handed the menu to Su Wan, who shook her head. “You two decide.”

Shen Xiaoxiao passed it to Mu Yunshen.

Then she looked at Su Wan. “Miss Su, do you—do you have a boyfriend?”

Su Wan was taken aback, then shook her head.

Shen Xiaoxiao was surprised. “Really? You don’t? But you’re so pretty…”

Su Wan lowered her head. “No. You’re very pretty too, Miss Shen.”

Shen Xiaoxiao blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear, then turned to Mu Yunshen. “Perhaps… you could introduce someone to Miss Su.”

Mu Yunshen glanced at Su Wan. “I’m a rough sort. I doubt Miss Su would care for anyone I might know.”

Su Wan didn’t pursue the topic, merely sipping her water.

Sensing Su Wan’s reluctance, Shen Xiaoxiao dropped the subject.

Fortunately, the food arrived soon, and the atmosphere eased somewhat.

Halfway through the meal, Shen Xiaoxiao’s phone rang.

She glanced at the time. “Oh, my father wants me home.”

“Yes, it’s about time,” Mu Yunshen said, standing up. Su Wan also set down her chopsticks and tried to rise, but suddenly felt dizzy and sat back down.

Shen Xiaoxiao looked at her in surprise. “Are you all right?”

Su Wan waved her hand. “I’m fine, just a little lightheaded.”

“I’ll take Miss Su home. Xiaoxiao, let them drive you back,” Mu Yunshen said, helping Su Wan up. Shen Xiaoxiao wanted to protest, but the words stuck in her throat.

Su Wan was led to the car.

Mu Yunshen took a deep breath, then pulled out a pair of handcuffs and shackled her hands and feet.

Su Wan was still somewhat conscious. When she felt the cold metal locking her wrists and ankles, she immediately looked at him. “What are you doing?!”

“I’m sorry, Miss Su,” he said calmly. “I have no choice.”

Su Wan never imagined she would one day be abducted by him.

She tried to struggle, but her strength was draining away.

“Let me go… let me go!”

Her voice rang out, but the man in front showed no reaction.

At that moment, Su Wan realized with painful clarity that the man before her was no longer the Mu Yunshen she once knew.

He had forgotten everything—her, himself, his very identity.

…

When Su Wan next woke, she was in an unfamiliar room.

Her hands and feet were still cuffed, and across from her, Mu Yunshen sat in a chair, playing with a lighter—flicking it open, watching the flame, then snapping it shut, over and over.

Su Wan looked at him. “What do you want?”

“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you,” he replied.

“Mu Yunshen, let me go!” she shouted, her voice trembling.

He ignored her, continuing to toy with the lighter.

At last, a crisp ringtone sounded.

Mu Yunshen put down the lighter and answered the phone. “Hello.”

He glanced at Su Wan, then put the phone before her on speaker. “Say something.”

Su Wan looked at him, then at the phone, not understanding.

Then, her father’s voice came through. “Wanwan, what’s wrong? Wanwan!”

Su Wan’s face changed at once. “Dad!”

“Did you hear that, Su Yichuan? Your daughter is right here,” Mu Yunshen said, taking back the phone. “If you want her to live, come alone. If you call the police, I won’t hesitate to take her with me to the grave.”

He hung up.

Turning back, he saw Su Wan staring at him with burning eyes. “How could you do this to me? How could you? I trusted you, Mu Yunshen. I trusted you so much!”

“Men die for wealth, birds for food. If your father blocks our path, he has to go. Don’t blame me—I have no choice.”

He patted her cheek lightly, a smile curving his lips.

Su Wan bit his arm savagely. He wrenched his hand free and raised it to strike.

Su Wan closed her eyes.

But the expected pain didn’t come.

Slowly, Su Wan opened her eyes.

Mu Yunshen sneered. “I don’t hit women. But don’t push me.”

Su Wan trembled all over. “You want to kill him? Mu Yunshen, are you insane? Have you forgotten what you once said to me? You—”

Before she could finish, he stuffed something into her mouth, gagging her.

“So noisy.”

Time dragged on.

Su Wan sat, staring fixedly at the door, hoping yet dreading her father’s arrival.

She dared not imagine what Mu Yunshen would do if Su Yichuan failed to show.

She closed her eyes.

Just then, his phone rang again.

He answered, listened to a hurried report, and frowned deeply. After a glance at Su Wan, he said, “I understand.”

He hung up and walked to her. “Sorry, but I’ll have to trouble you.”

With that, he struck her and she lost consciousness.

…

When Su Wan woke again, dawn had broken.

She was in… her own room, in the Su family home.

Images from the night before flashed through her mind, leaving her dazed. Was it all a dream?

She got out of bed. When she opened the door, she saw the butler sitting on the sofa, wiping away tears.

Seeing this, Su Wan’s heart sank.

After a long time, she slowly walked over. “What’s wrong?”

“Miss, you’re awake!” The butler quickly stood up. “How do you feel? Are you hurt?”

Su Wan shook her head. “Where’s my father? How did I get back?”

“Well…”

Seeing the butler’s expression, Su Wan’s unease grew.

She forced herself to remain calm. “It’s all right, just tell me the truth—what happened?”

Tears spilled down the butler’s cheeks. “Miss, don’t you remember? You were kidnapped last night. When your father heard, he went out alone… but on the way, he had a car accident. The car went off the mountain road, and his body… still hasn’t been found!”

Something exploded in Su Wan’s mind.

She stood frozen, then shook her head. “No, it’s impossible—it can’t be true. How could this happen? And if it did, how am I safe at home?”

The butler shook his head. “We don’t know either. Someone left you at the door last night, and we carried you in. But the master…”

Su Wan turned to leave. “I’m going to find him!”

The butler hurriedly stopped her. “Miss, Officer Bo has been searching all night. Please don’t go.”

“No, I have to find him. I have to ask him why—why did he do this to me?”

As she spoke, the phone rang.

The butler answered.

Su Wan stood rooted to the spot, and when she saw his reaction, her heart clenched. After a long while, she stepped back. “I won’t listen. I’m going to find him—I have to!”

“Miss!” The butler grabbed her hand, sobbing. “Officer Bo says… they’ve found the master’s body. Please… go see him.”

Body…

Body.

Those words detonated in Su Wan’s mind. She stood stiffly, then fainted dead away.

Upon hearing the news, Bo Yezhou hurried over. As he opened the door, he found Su Wan awake, the IV pulled out of her hand, about to leave.

He strode over in two steps. “Where are you going?”

Su Wan ignored him, walking forward with her head down. Bo Yezhou seized her hand. “Where do you think you’re going? You’re not well enough for this!”

“I’m going to find him. Was it him? Why did he kill my father—why?!”

Her voice was wild with grief. Bo Yezhou knew she couldn’t accept it, and could only hold her tightly. “Su Wan, don’t do this. Your father is gone. You should… see him one last time.”

Su Wan kept shaking her head. “How could he die? Why did he come? He didn’t even want me as a daughter—so why did he come?”

Her tears broke free, streaming down as she clutched Bo Yezhou’s clothes. “Why? Why did this happen? Tell me—tell me!”

“Calm down, Su Wan, calm down!” Bo Yezhou repeated, but Su Wan wouldn’t listen. She pushed him away, stumbling forward, but he held her back. “Su Wan, you can’t go to him now—not like this!”

“Why not? Why can’t I? Aren’t you a policeman? Why don’t you arrest him? Why don’t you save him? He was my father—your teacher!”

“I’ll get to the bottom of what happened, I promise. But Su Wan, right now… you need to rest, and then see your father one last time.”

Su Wan looked at him. “I won’t—I won’t look!”

“Su Wan!”

“I’m going to find Mu Yunshen. I’ll die with him if I have to!”

“Su Wan, do you know—you’re pregnant!”

Bo Yezhou’s words exploded in Su Wan’s mind.