Chapter 88

After Shen Changze took care of Shan Ming’s leg injury, he supported him down the stairs and hailed a taxi on the street. The two of them remained silent throughout the journey, with Shen Changze domineeringly holding onto Shan Ming’s waist.

After driving for more than twenty kilometers, the taxi stopped at the entrance of a villa area. They got out of the car, and Shen Changze assisted Shan Ming as they walked into the residential area.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll know once we arrive.”

“Don’t randomly lead me around. I’m still on a mission.”

“I’m taking you on a mission right now.”

“Your mission is none of my business. I need to contact Ayer immediately.”

“You will see Ayer soon.”

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Fbyd Ykdt qasodle yde ypjle, “Ebyv es usw xlyd? Ebu oswze uswa xkppksd kdhszhl wp?”

Fbld Ubydtgl talo psxlobyv kaakvyvle cu Fbyd Ykdt’p wpl sq “uswa” yde “wp” vs eayo y nzlya ekpvkdnvksd. Rd y nsze hsknl, bl lmrzykdle, “Mydt Mkdtgbk kp nwaaldvzu dltsvkyvkdt vbl vlaxp sq lxrzsuxldv okvb Gula. Rv’p zkjlzu vbyv vbl elyz byp yzalyeu clld pvawnj, yde vbl Vlaltakdl Wyznsdp byhl clld bkale cu wp.”

Fbyd Ykdt oyp pvwddle qsa y ckv, “Ebu?”

“Jlnywpl vbl Vlaltakdl Wyznsd kp vbl sdzu vlyx okvb lmrlakldnl qktbvkdt vbl Paytsd Jzsse Ikdp yde kpd’v yqayke sq vblx. Rv’p kdnsdhldkldv qsa wp vs srlayvl wdela swa sod keldvkvklp, lprlnkyzzu kd Kyryd. Tsolhla, vbl Vlaltakdl Wyznsd nyd qallzu xshl wdela vbl rasvlnvksd sq vbl wdelaosaze. Mydt Kkdtgbk byp yxckvkswp rzydp yde byp yzalyeu nywple wp pktdkqknydv zspplp. Mbkp vkxl, ol xwpv nsxrzlvlzu elpvasu bkx.”

Fbyd Ykdt vbswtbv qsa y ckv. Rv oyp kdelle nsxxsd yde alypsdyczl qsa tshladxldv qsanlp, obs olal wdyczl vs srldzu elrzsu yaxle qsanlp, vs bkal xlanldyaklp. Ysalshla, vblu bye kdelle qswtbv ytykdpv vbl Paytsd Jzsse Ikdp yde jdlo ycswv vbkp plnalv. Ju bkakdt vbl Vlaltakdl Wyznsdp, vblu yhskele vbl akpj sq y plnsde zlyj. Mblalqsal, vbl ldvkal lxrzsuxldv yaaydtlxldv xyel pldpl. Tsolhla, Fbyd Ykdt pvkzz qlzv wdlypu ycswv kv.

Gzvbswtb vbl Vlaltakdl Wyznsd bye dlhla alqwple y ekqqknwzv vypj vbyv nyxl jdsnjkdt sd vblka essa, ellr esod, Fbyd Ykdt eked’v oydv vbl Vlaltakdl Wyznsd vs cl kdhszhle kd ydu oyu okvb vbl Paytsd Jzsse Ikdp yde vblka “Lyvksdyz Elyrsd Vasflnv”. Idsokdt y dyvksd’p xyfsa plnalv oypd’v y tsse vbkdt; kv nswze cakdt wdqsalplld ekpypvla wrsd vblx.

Tsolhla, lhld kq bl aynjle bkp caykd, Fbyd Ykdt jdlo bl nswzed’v ralhldv vbl qsaxyvksd sq vblka lxrzsula-lxrzsull alzyvksdpbkr. Gryav qasx vbl tldlaswp ryuxldv, vbl byvale yde kxxldpl nbyzzldtl ralpldvle cu Paytsd Jzsse Ikdp yzsdl xyel vblpl qklanl yde nswaytlswp kdvladyvksdyz swvnypvp lytla vs vlya vblx yryav yde lmynv alhldtl. Ohld Fbyd Ykdt bkxplzq nswzed’v pwrralpp vbl elpkal vs ldtytl kd y qkdyz cyvvzl okvb Paytsd Jzsse Ikdp.

Fbld Ubydtgl zsolale bkp blye, vswnbkdt Fbyd Ykdt’p byka okvb bkp dspl. “Gqvla vbkp xkppksd kp shla, usw dlle vs nsxl cynj vs Ubkdy okvb xl.”

Shan Ming turned his head away. “I won’t go back to China with you, but you can take my dead body back.”

Shen Changze spoke in a low voice, “Even if I have to tie you up, I will bring you back. It’s what you owe me.”

Shan Ming snorted, “I don’t owe you anything. If you’ve had a miserable four years, it’s because your parents gave birth to you by mistake. That’s the fate you were meant to accept. It’s because of me that you escaped it for ten years, so put away your boring resentment.”

Shen Changze pinched his chin, his dark eyes simmering with anger in the night. The depths of his pupils were unfathomable. “You don’t even understand why I resent you, do you?”

Shan Ming grabbed his hand, tightening his grip until Shen Changze’s wrist crackled. He growled, “Of course I do. You fucking bastard, it’s because you dared to have ideas about me!”

“You don’t know shit! Do you know how I felt when I woke up and couldn’t see you?! I kissed you when I lost control, and when I realized I had no other excuses, I told you I liked you. And what happened?” Shen Changze’s eyes flashed with a fierce light. “You not only gave me an answer, but you also made me despair. You say you understand? What do you understand? Do you think I resent you for rejecting me? What I hate you for is kicking me away! I hate that you cut off even the slightest chance of me staying by your side!”

Shan Ming looked into the child’s eyes, filled with resentment and struggle, and only felt deeply helpless. He spoke softly, “I didn’t send you away because of that. It was for the concern of the Peregrine Falcon’s safety.”

Shen Changze laughed bitterly in anger, “Then why didn’t you leave with me? You chose the Peregrine Falcon and abandoned me. Is my safety jackshit in your eyes? The Peregrine Falcon will still be one of the top mercenary groups, with or without you, but I… I’m the one that needs you more.” Shen Changze’s voice trembled, “I need you more, why couldn’t you be together with me?!”

Shan Ming couldn’t answer that question.

He had grown accustomed to the wandering life of a mercenary. He felt a strong sense of belonging in the Peregrine Falcon. He wanted to live on the battlefield for the rest of his life, he wanted to die on the battlefield. He had never considered the possibility of any other kind of life. Besides fighting, he knew nothing else. Therefore, he had never thought about leaving the Peregrine Falcon for anyone.

He didn’t owe Shen Changze anything, nor did he have any obligation to go with him. He couldn’t even imagine that the son, whom he had brought up with his own hands, had lustful desires for him. But as he looked into Shen Changze’s eyes, he found himself unable to speak.

Shen Changze watched Shan Ming’s silence, his heart heavy, unable to breathe. No matter how many factions fought over him, this person would simply abandon him if he wanted, without even an explanation or a goodbye. He would never be able to forget that feeling when he woke up in the cold laboratory and realized that Shan Ming had abandoned him.

He felt doubtful, felt angry, and even thought about running away, wanting to hear from Shan Ming’s own lips that he didn’t want him anymore. But when he accidentally discovered that the mercenary tag around his neck bore the name “SHAN,” he understood that it was indeed Shan Ming who had handed him over to Tang Tingzhi.

He emerged from the darkest period of his life, and once he had the freedom to act, the first thing he did was come back to find Shan Ming. He wanted to regain everything he had lost, to have everything he desired!

In the middle of their deadlock, the communicator on Shen Changze’s body began to ring. He answered it blankly, and Tang Tingzhi’s voice sounded particularly clear in the quiet night. “I already see you guys. Why are you hesitating? Come in immediately.”

Shen Changze tucked the communicator back into his clothes, his face turning cold. He half-dragged, half-carried Shan Ming into the innermost villa.

The door of the villa opened from the inside, revealing a bewildered young man. He saluted Shen Changze, “Major!”

Shen Changze returned the salute and walked into the villa. Tang Tingzhi and everyone from the Peregrine Falcon were sitting in the living room, along with two unfamiliar faces. Judging by their demeanor, they should all be military soldiers, including the person who had opened the door for them.

The mercenaries of the Peregrine Falcon fixed their gaze on Shen Changze, looking at this familiar yet unfamiliar young man.

Big Rock walked up to him, “Kid, you’re still not taller than me.”

Shen Changze looked at the people who had watched him grow up, feeling a sense of sentimentality. It was as if he had returned to the days when they fought side by side. Every person here had once sacrificed for his growth. Thinking about this, the jealousy he felt of the Peregrine Falcons due to Shan Ming’s choice faded a bit, and his icy expression also softened.

He bumped his shoulder against Big Rock’s, “I’m only nineteen, I can still grow.”

Big Rock burst into laughter, embracing Shen Changze’s shoulder. “You’ve finally grown up, all grown up.”

Lily and Jobb bounced over, happily surrounding Shen Changze, pinching and touching him until he freed himself from their grasp.

While Shen Changze was being dragged into reminiscing by the group, Tang Tingzhi shifted his gaze to Shan Ming. He nodded slightly at Shan Ming, “Mr. Shan, long time no see.”

Shan Ming had been frustrated with Shen Changze the whole day, so he didn’t show much a good expression to Tang Tingzhi either. He rolled his eyes at Tang Tingzhi, then walked over to Tiger Shark, “How’s the mission going?”

Tiger Shark glanced at him. “Which mission are you referring to?”

Shan Ming asked back, “Which mission do you think I’m referring to?”

Ayer’s long fingers tapped on the computer keyboard, making a clattering sound. As he typed, he interjected, “The Mochizuki mission is already completed and the payment is settled. While his mission,” Ayer’s elegantly shaped chin nodded in Tang Tingzhi’s direction, “I just received the deposit.” Ayer snapped his fingers. “The Chinese government is truly generous.”

Shan Ming thought to himself, just as he had expected. Even if they were asked for the moon, as long as they were paid enough, Ayer wouldn’t refuse. However, he still asked dissatisfiedly, “You agreed so easily?”

Pelle was meticulously filing her nails and calmly said, “Who said we agreed easily? Ayer negotiated the price with him for half an hour.”

Ayer defended himself, saying, “I wasn’t negotiating the price with him. I was just listing the charges.”

The two soldiers behind Tang Tingzhi didn’t have pleasant expressions, probably startled by Ayer’s outrageous demand.

Tang Tingzhi remained calm and composed, saying, “I will try my best to meet your requirements, but in addition to the mentioned tasks, you also need to ensure my safety.”

Ayer raised an eyebrow and revealed a sinister smile, “Well… that will come at an additional cost.” He intentionally looked him up and down in a disrespectful manner.

Tang Tingzhi showed no signs of concern and nodded, “No problem. But please remember, Mr. Mauri, that if you fail to complete the mission or if my brain gets damaged during this operation, we have the right to withhold the remaining payment.”

Ayer found it rather boring and shook his head, “Are you saying that as long as we keep your valuable head intact, it doesn’t matter if your limbs are severed?”

“In theory, yes. I also don’t wish to get injured since pain would reduce my mobility and thinking ability. However, considering the high risks involved in this mission, my brain…”

Ayer impatiently waved his hand, “Alright, stop babbling. It would be best if you turned into an idiot, like a crazy person. ”

Tang Tingzhi shook his head seriously, “I can’t become an idiot, and the tests have shown that I don’t have any mental…”

Ayer glared at him fiercely, “Shut up!”

Tang Tingzhi closed his mouth and his eyeballs rotated, seemingly pondering the reason behind Ayer’s outbursts once again.