Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong

Chapter 192 - Rising From the Ashes

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

17. Rising From the Ashes

【Xie He：It’s a bit boring, having no sex life. 🙂 】

【444：……】

【Xie He：What’s Liang Ze been doing recently?】

【444：He’s fallen out completely with Liang Chengshan since a long time ago. Recently, he heard that Liang Chengshan took you back so he’s begun to scheme over how to get rid of Liang Chengshan and save you. It seems like he hasn’t given up yet. _(:зゝ∠)_】

【Xie He：Little Brother Liang’s a good helper gong. I really appreciate his persevering spirit in bringing me experience points. Keep watching out for information pertaining to him. 🙂 】

【444：(⊙v⊙) Mn!】

Liang Chengshan refused Xie He’s intimacy but continued to take care of him like usual. He took meticulous care of Xie He, but Xie He still grew increasingly depressed.

He stopped asking about his mother, but it was obvious that he hadn’t given up on it. He just didn’t dare ask.

Liang Chengshan felt powerless. He did everything he could to make Xie He happy.

Even though he was with Liang Chengshan, Xie He had become quiet. He also seemed to become quite timid. Occasionally, he’d look at Liang Chengshan with a complicated emotion in his eyes. He had become very compliant and passive.

Today, while eating, Liang Chengshan looked at Xie He gently and said, “Mom didn’t leave you. She’ll be back soon.”

Xie He still looked dejected. “Oh.”

Liang Chengshan’s eyes dimmed. He knew that Xie He didn’t believe him. Not even he could make Xie He feel at ease anymore.

That night, Liang Chengshan held Xie He to sleep as always. Xie He’s back was to him. He didn’t move.

Liang Chengshan sighed. He had sensed that Xie He’s discontent towards him lately but he didn’t want to push the other. He just held Xie He and slept.

Liang Chengshan had always been a very light sleeper. Halfway through the night, he felt Xie He shift slightly. He immediately opened his eyes and flipped Xie He over. He discovered that Xie He was awake, seemingly not having slept. His eyes were slightly red. He had been crying.

Liang Chengshan’s heart ached. He wiped the tears from Xie He’s eyes and gently asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xie He pursed his lips. A long time later, he quietly said, “Dad…you don’t like me…do you…?”

Liang Chengshan bore into his eyes, his tone stern. “Why would you think that? I love you. There’s no need to doubt that.”

Xie He’s eyes were glued onto Liang Chengshan. He hesitated for a long time before finally mustering up the courage to say, “But…you don’t want to be close to me…you don’t want to kiss me….”

Liang Chengshan felt his heart squeeze. He forced himself to smile kindly. “Aren’t we together every day? How aren’t we close?”

Xie He said, “Not like that….”

Liang Chengshan shut his eyes. With a deep voice, he said, “Don’t think such nonsensical things. Sleep early. I’ll take you out to play tomorrow, okay?”

Xie He had always been very meek. If it were the past, he wouldn’t continue arguing…but when he heard Liang Chengshan’s perfunctory reply, it was like the last straw had fallen. He fell apart. Xie He pushed Liang Chengshan away and looked at him with red eyes. “You don’t like me at all! You’re pretending! You don’t like me! You’re lying to me!”

Liang Chengshan felt his arms empty. He looked at the hysterical Xie He, and pain and sadness emerged in his eyes. It felt like someone was inflicting a thousand cuts onto his heart.

Those criticizing words were like lashes against his soul.

Liang Chengshan reached out to hug Xie He, but Xie He avoided him. He could only say, “I’m not lying to you. I like you the most.”

Xie He shook his head violently and said, “You’re lying. If you liked me, why won’t you sleep with me? Why are you so half-hearted? Why won’t you let me kiss you…? If you love me, why don’t you want me? You’re lying! No wonder you didn’t come get me before….”

“You’re a big liar!”

Liang Chengshan’s voice was strained. “It’s because I’m your father. That stuff…isn’t right….”

Xie He glared and asked, “Why not?”

Liang Chengshan said, “Those things should be done between lovers.”

Xie He tilted his head in thought. He then glared at Liang Chengshan coldly. “You’re still lying to me. You’ve always been half-hearted when it came to me. I don’t believe you! If you like me, why don’t you want to be intimate with me?”

After saying this, he ran outside, fuming!

How could Liang Chengshan let Xie He run outside in the middle of the night all on his own? He immediately went to stop Xie He, holding the other tightly in his arms. He comforted him. “I’m not lying to you.”

Xie He was held tight in Liang Chengshan’s arms. He couldn’t throw him off. He began to cry. “You’re not by dad. You’re lying to me. You won’t give my mom back to me. And you don’t want me either. Let me go. You’re not my dad!”

Liang Chengshan watched as the tears streamed down Xie He’s face. His heart hurt so much it became hard to breathe. He had driven his beloved mad….

He had been the one to drive him mad.

Anguish was written all over Liang Chengshan’s face…he suddenly lowered his head and kissed Xie He deeply.

Xie He could feel Liang Chengshan’s face suddenly approach. That familiar taste he yearned for touched his lips. The kiss was so gentle and loving…he immediately stopped crying. He stared at Liang Chengshan, mind completely blank.

Liang Chengshan kissed Xie He. He could feel the young man in his arms gradually calm down. The other had stopped fighting him so he slowly relaxed his hold. His voice was hoarse. “Do you believe me now? I do like you.”

Xie He looked pleasantly surprised, but apprehension flitted through his eyes soon after. He was still worried Liang Chengshan was just appeasing him.

He craned his head up, wanting to kiss Liang Chengshan again. This time, Liang Chengshan didn’t dodge or scold him. He held Xie He, letting Xie He kiss him. His deep, pitch-black eyes were filled with softness and a deeply suppressed…sorrow that Xie He couldn’t see.

Xie He saw that Liang Chengshan was in tacit agreement and his courage slowly grew. He reached out to pull Liang Chengshan’s clothes off and hugged the older man. He kissed Liang Chengshan….

Liang Chengshan didn’t stop him. He stood there like a statue, letting Xie He clumsily approach him…. When Xie He looked disappointed, he finally looked away, allowing his expression to warp in pain.

He then carried Xie He to the bed, pressed the other’s hands over his head, and kissed the younger man softly, entering him once again.

He would give him anything he wanted….

……………………

Xie He curled up against Liang Chengshan’s chest. He smiled, looking calm and at ease. He now believed that Liang Chengshan really did love him, that he did want him. He wrapped his arms around Liang Chengshan’s neck and said, “I like Dad the most. Don’t ever leave me, okay?”

Liang Chengshan closed his eyes. He was afraid that he would cry. With a raspy voice, he said, “Okay.”

I’m willing to do anything for you. I’ll never abandon you. As long as it’ll make you smile, I can do anything….

Anything.

The gloom had dissipated from Xie He’s eyes. He slept peacefully.

The next morning, when he woke up, Xie He saw that Liang Chengshan was still next to him. When he confirmed that last night wasn’t a dream, he became cheerful again, like he had been in the past. He began to circle around Liang Chengshan and would occasionally kiss him.

Liang Chengshan didn’t stop Xie He anymore. He didn’t have the right to stop him…. He had personally planted that wicked seed inside Xie He’s body, making the other rely and yearn for him. Even if Xie He had gone insane, his body instinctively remembered this. It remembered the pleasure Liang Chengshan had brought.

It was the only thing that could set his heart to ease.

【Xie He：Uncle Liang’s technique hasn’t declined at all. He’s finally earned a bit of my love back. Smile.JPG】

【444：So you plan on playing around for a bit longer? _(:зゝ∠)_】

【Xie He：No. Uncle Liang’s Favourability Value will max any time now. There’s no time left. I have to fill up Little Brother Liang’s Favourability Value before Uncle Liang’s is full. 🙂 】

【444：(⊙o⊙) Oh.】

After breakfast today, Xie He said to Liang Chengshan, “Dad, will you take me out to play?”

Liang Chengshan obviously wouldn’t refuse him. It was rare for Xie He to want to go out. Furthermore, he had asked Liang Chengshan for this. Therefore, he gently said, “Yes. Where do you want to go?”

Xie He said excitedly, “I want to go to an amusement park. I’ve always wanted to go but you never had the time, Dad….”

Liang Chengshan’s eyes saddened. He said, “Okay.”

Liang Chengshan took Xie He out. Xie He was evidently ecstatic. He held Liang Chengshan’s hand the whole way.

Liang Chengshan didn’t want to make Xie He feel uneasy so he had the bodyguards tail them from far away. There were some curious gazes cast in their direction. After all, two big men were going to an amusement park together….

Although there were many same-sex couples abroad, this kind of couple was a bit odd. One partner was a middle-aged man who looked imposing and elegant. He had a few white hairs by his temples. One could tell that he was no ordinary man just by looking at him. He was holding hands with a handsome young man…. Looking at their clothing and the bodyguards behind them, it was obvious that they were extremely wealthy.

Why would these kinds of people go to an amusement park? It’s not like they brought a child with them….

Xie He didn’t seem to notice. He ate ice cream while playing around with Liang Chengshan. Liang Chengshan didn’t get impatient at all. He didn’t look unhappy or embarrassed at all. The whole time, he accompanied Xie He with a gentle and indulgent attitude. When he saw that Xie He had ice cream all over his mouth, he reached over to help him wipe it clean.

Xie He had a great time. They didn’t leave until night had fallen.

Liang Chengshan saw that it was getting late so he took Xie He to eat outside. Xie He didn’t want to sit opposite of him. He wanted to sit next to Liang Chengshan.

Liang Chengshan watched as Xie He snuggled up against him, looking peaceful. The other had a happy, brilliant smile on his lips. Liang Chengshan felt dazed for a moment. His heart softened.

He thought, if only time could stop. He wouldn’t have to worry about the past or the future….If they could just be like this…it would be so good.

【Xie He：Baby, have you scanned the kitchen over there? Give me a holographic image. Smile.JPG】

【444：Mn!】

【Xie He：Very good. The position’s good. The conditions are favourable to act. Rig the gas stove. Set the kitchen on fire.】

【444：Σ( ° △°|||)︴Ah? Set it on fire? Why?】

【Xie He：I have to give Little Brother Liang a chance, and I might as well trigger myself a bit. I’m about to leave this world. After all, anyone would get bored after so long. Smile.JPG】

【444：……】

Liang Chengshan gazed down at Xie He softly. He helped him cut up the steak on his plate. Xie He’s face was painted with a sweet, blissful smile. The two of them were midway through their dinner when they suddenly heard the fire alarm!

The fire spread very quickly. There was no way to control the flames. The situation turned dangerous in the blink of an eye.

Liang Chengshan stood up at once. His expression was calm. He grabbed Xie He’s hand and ran towards the outside. However, many others were also fleeing. The elevator was full. Liang Chengshan thus took Xie He down the emergency stairs!

They managed to escape with difficulty. Liang Chengshan’s attention had been on Xie He the whole time. He protected the other with his body, afraid that someone would bump into Xie He and hurt him!

When they were about to run out the main door, a sudden gunshot sounded through the air! Liang Chengshan felt intense pain in his shoulder. He looked up and saw Liang Ze standing not far away. They were separated by the crowd, but he could still see the other’s cold gaze. Because Liang Chengshan had been so occupied with Xie He, he hadn’t noticed the danger he was in.

Panic instantly spread through the crowd. They all scrambled to get outside. Not only was there a fire here, but a shooting as well!

Xie He was startled. There was fear in his eyes. He was at a loss for what to do. “Dad, Dad, what’s wrong…?”

Liang Chengshan gave him a comforting look. He pressed his other hand onto his shoulder. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Liang Ze walked over, his cold eyes on Liang Chengshan. The gun in his hand was perpetually trained onto the older man. Liang Chengshan’s bodyguards had lost him and the remaining ones were blocked outside. They wouldn’t be able to make it over in a short amount of time. Right now, this was the closest Liang Ze had ever come to killing Liang Chengshan!

He had to kill him! He had to kill this coldhearted, lofty man who stole from him the man he loved! It was all this man’s fault!

Liang Ze’s gaze shifted to Xie He. His eyes softened. He said, “Come here. I won’t let him hurt you again.”

But Xie He didn’t go over. He looked at Liang Ze and then looked at the injured Liang Chengshan. He seemed to finally realize that it was this man who had injured Liang Chengshan. There was a roaring fire at his back. And within this fire, there was someone who wanted to kill his father!

Xie He suddenly stood in front of Liang Chengshan. He grit his teeth and said, “I won’t let you kill my dad!”

Liang Ze’s expression changed. He looked at Xie He in disbelief. “What did you just call him?”

Xie He seemed confused but he replied, “He’s my dad.”

Liang Ze howled in anger, “He’s not! Have you gone crazy? He killed your—”

But before he finished, Liang Chengshan, who had kept quiet all this time, suddenly shouted in a chilly voice, “Shut up!”

Liang Ze was intimidated by the chill in Liang Chengshan’s tone. He paused midway through his sentence. However, he really quickly realized that he had the advantage today. Therefore, why must he be afraid of his father?! He yelled, “What have you done to Yang Ling? Didn’t you say you love him? Why won’t you let him go? Why’d you take him back?!”

Liang Chengshan shook his head slowly. He didn’t respond to Liang Ze’s question. He looked down at Xie He and said in a soft voice, “You should go first. I’ll come find you later.”

He knew that Liang Ze wouldn’t let him go today. But it didn’t matter. If he died…Liang Ze would take care of Xie He. Liang Ze wouldn’t hurt Xie He. He would love him as he had.

But Xie He wasn’t willing to leave. His eyes were pinned on the gun-wielding man in front of him. He wouldn’t abandon his father. He would protect him!

Liang Ze looked at Xie He and then looked at Liang Chengshan. He suddenly realized…Xie He had lost it. He thought Liang Chengshan was his father and had forgotten about Liang Ze.

Liang Chengshan had driven Xie He to madness. He had driven the person he loved to insanity. The person he loved now thought Liang Chengshan was his father….

This was preposterous!

Shock filled Liang Ze’s eyes. He slowly eased his tone and said to Xie He, “You head outside first.” Since it was like this, he’d kill Liang Chengshan after Xie He left. That way, Xie He wouldn’t be frightened.

Xie He’s gaze was fixed on Liang Ze. “No! I won’t leave! I know you want to kill him! If you want to kill my dad, you’re going to have to kill me first!”

There was no hesitation in his eyes. Only determination.

The fire grew more intense. The people around them had all escaped. They were the only ones left.

Liang Ze could see the resolution in Xie He’s eyes. He finally understood that he had no way of making Xie He leave. If he killed Liang Chengshan today, Xie He would hate him….Xie He had gone mad. He thought Liang Chengshan was his most beloved father.

Liang Ze’s hand, which held the gun, wavered. There was pain and hesitation in his eyes.

Liang Chengshan stared at Xie He, who was standing in front of him, unwavering. Grief and anguish filled his eyes. I don’t deserve to be protected by you like this….

Actually, being killed by Liang Ze wasn’t a bad ending. That way, his subordinates wouldn’t blame Xie He.

And Xie He would have his revenge.

Liang Ze gripped his gun so hard his knuckles turned white. He gazed at Liang Chengshan from a distance…as well as Xie He who stood protectively in front of the other. In Xie He’s eyes right now, Liang Chengshan was the person he had to protect. Only Liang Chengshan could give him what he wanted….

If he killed Liang Chengshan, would Xie He fall back into that painful cycle? Would he never be able to free himself? Would…he have to suffer the pain of being forced to say goodbye once again because of Liang Ze’s selfishness?

Even if it was a delusion, the pain would be real. He couldn’t be so selfish.

【Ding, Liang Ze’s Favourability Value +2. The current Favourability Value is 100.】

A long time later, Liang Ze lowered his gun, disappointed. He gazed at Xie He, eyes full of love. A sliver of determination flashed through his eyes.

Liang Ze thought that he should give up. He should give up the person he loved and let go of his obsession.

Liang Ze glanced at Liang Chengshan. He didn’t miss the bone-deep pain in Liang Chengshan’s eyes. There was only an icy glee inside of him….This is more painful than death, isn’t it? You drove the person you loved mad and he now thinks you’re his father….Heh, what right does a person like you have to be someone’s father?

I won’t kill you. You should live and atone for your sins. Keep pretending to be Yang Ling’s father.

You know it. You know just who it was that had caused all of this to happen.

Liang Ze left. He didn’t look back once. If this was what Xie He wanted, he wouldn’t destroy it.

After all, he wanted Xie He to be happy. He wasn’t like Liang Chengshan, who would stop at nothing to have him and be reckless. He wasn’t someone who only knew how to destroy.

Xie He watched Liang Ze leave and his body relaxed. He had been frightened. He had been so scared that Liang Chengshan was going to be killed. He turned around to look at Liang Chengshan. “Dad, are you okay?”

Liang Chengshan’s eyes were slightly dark. His lips parted. “I’m fine.”

Xie He exhaled in relief. His gaze then fell onto Liang Chengshan’s shoulder. He saw the blood staining the other’s clothes and fainted!

Liang Chengshan promptly caught Xie He and rushed out from the fiery building.

…………………………

When Xie He woke up, he found himself at home. Liang Chengshan was next to him. He felt assured at once. He hugged Liang Chengshan. “Dad, I was so scared.”

Liang Chengshan patted him on the back and said in a warm voice, “Don’t be afraid. I’m fine.”

Xie He nodded.

Even though both of them made it back safely, the raging inferno and gunshot that day had affected Xie He. He was afraid of going out. No matter how Liang Chengshan persuaded him, he wasn’t willing to go outside. He also didn’t want Liang Chengshan to leave. He was worried that something would happen to Liang Chengshan if he went out. At night, he had nightmares.

One night, Xie He was once again startled awake from a nightmare. His body was drenched in a cold sweat. He said to Liang Chengshan. “Dad, I had a nightmare again. It was so scary….”

Liang Chengshan looked tired. He gave Xie He a tender look, “It was just a dream. It’s not real.”

Xie He was in pain and confused. “Really? But it was so real, ah….It was like it really happened….I dreamt that there was a huge fire. On that day the fire was really, really big. I hid under the bed and saw a man. That man killed Mom and Dad. He killed you guys…I can’t remember what he looked like, but I remember he had a gun in his hand….

“Dad, that wasn’t real right…? You and Mom are still alive. You’re still here with me. It was just a nightmare, right…?” Tears flowed down Xie He’s face uncontrollably. “It was just a dream. You guys aren’t dead….”

Liang Chengshan held Xie He and said resolutely, “Yes. It was just a dream. We’re still alive.”

Xie He leaned into his embrace and murmured, “Thank god it was only a dream….”

Liang Chengshan shut his eyes. He knew that it was no dream. It was a memory pulled out from the depths of Xie He’s soul. So he had hidden underneath the bed that day and watched as Liang Chengshan had killed his parents, as he had set his home to flames….

No wonder you hate me so much.

On that day, you had also been there….

I’m sorry. I didn’t know.

【Ding, the target Liang Chengshan’s Favourability Value +1. The current Favourability Value is 100.】

【Ding, the target of this world, Liang Chengshan, has been successfully captured. 10,000 experience points have been obtained. The important character of this world, Liang Ze, has been successfully captured. 8000 experience points have been obtained. The total amount of experience points obtained in this world is 18,000.】

…………………………

Liang Chengshan stayed at home with Xie He for a long time. One day, he went out for work. However, he suddenly received news that Xie He had run away!

Xie He had had abruptly said that he had wanted to go looking him. The butler hadn’t dared stop him so he had arranged for the bodyguards to escort him over. Xie He had taken advantage of their lack of vigilance and knocked the guards out. He had then escaped. Liang Chengshan felt all the strength drain from his body.

He knew that Xie He had finally regained his memories. He had finally regained his memories.

Liang Chengshan was silent for a long time. He then arranged for people to look for Xie He. He was worried that Xie He would hurt himself in his present condition. He couldn’t leave him be. Otherwise, he’d regret it.

But Xie He seemed to have disappeared completely. Liang Chengshan couldn’t find him no matter where he looked. He had even gone to Hall’s place, but Xie He hadn’t gone to see Hall. Hall was very concerned. He searched with Liang Chengshan, but they couldn’t find him.

Liang Chengshan didn’t sleep for several nights in a row. He looked exhausted. He couldn’t sleep. As soon as he shut his eyes, he would see the last time Xie He had smiled at him. That smile would then be replaced with a deeply-entrenched look of hatred.

Liang Chengshan was exhausted. He sat against his chair, his mind muddled. Xie He’s silhouette seemed to appear in front of him. Liang Chengshan reached out, wanting to grab hold of him, but he couldn’t. He let out a mournful voice, “Where are you? Come back…. I’ll let you kill me….

“I’ll let you have your revenge….”

Hatred, ah…the hatred you’ve had simmering inside you for more than a decade…it’s time for it to come to an end. I’ll let you kill me….

When Liang Chengshan thought of this, he stood up at once. He staggered out! He had thought of a place! He had thought of a place! The place where this hatred had started….

No one else remembered this place, no one else knew of this place…but he still remembered.

Liang Chengshan didn’t take anyone with him. He personally drove himself over. He drove for several hours before he finally found the place! He walked down the little path through the forest….This place hadn’t really changed. It was just that the flora had flourished a bit more.

Fifteen years ago, he had found this place after a lot of hard work—the place where Yang Jin had hidden himself. Yang Jin’s whole family had hid themselves here back then.

Liang Chengshan’s legs felt like they were attached to concrete. Every step was extremely difficult, but he didn’t rest. The world around him began to merge with the world of fifteen years ago…. He finally reached that wooden house once more.

Atop of the ruins, someone had rebuilt a wooden house on top of it at some unknown point in time.

Right now, the light was on.

When he was steps away from the house, a piercing odour attacked Liang Chengshan’s nostrils. He stepped on something wet. His expression changed dramatically.

He charged over like a lunatic. There was still time!

However, before he could get close, a fire suddenly spread out from the inside of the house. In an instant, the entire house was engulfed in a sea of flames! The heat of the blaze caused the air to warp around him. It scorched Liang Chengshan’s skin. But Liang Chengshan didn’t feel it. He kept advancing into the flames. His hair was burnt and embers fell onto his clothes….

He traversed the raging flames and finally stood before the door of the wooden house. He kicked the door in and rushed to the bedroom.

Back then, he had killed Yang Jin and his wife here before burning this place down.

Liang Chengshan opened the last door and found Xie He sitting on the bed. The fire roared inside the room. It felt like they were surrounded by lava.

Xie He turned his head and looked through the heavy flames. He gave Liang Chengshan a faint smile. “You still came.”

Liang Chengshan rushed over, frenzied, and grabbed Xie He’s wrist. He shouted, “Come with me!”

Xie He wasn’t willing to move. “I won’t leave.”

Liang Chengshan’s expression was terrifying, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. He wanted to force Xie He to leave with him, when Xie He suddenly broke the silence. “You won’t let me go, will you?”

When Liang Chengshan heard Xie He’s cold words, his body stiffened.

Xie He looked into Liang Chengshan’s eyes, the corner of his lips rising to a smile. His smile was very gentle, like never before. Liang Chengshan had never seen him smile like this before.

He quietly said, “I’m tired. I don’t want revenge anymore. I want to be set free.”

Liang Chengshan stared at Xie He. He understood what Xie He was saying….

To Xie He, living only meant endless pain. In his life, there was only hatred and revenge…. He had lost his memories before, he had been driven to insanity before, he had walked through mountains of daggers and seas of flames and had been forced to rely on his enemy—the person he hated the most. He had even been protected by his enemy…. He could no longer lead a normal life. Hatred had destroyed everything beautiful in his life, rendering them completely unrecognizable.

He was tired. He even wanted to give up on his revenge….He only wished to be free.

And what about himself? He wanted Xie He to live, regardless of everything else…. He wanted to imprison him with his love….Even if it would only hurt Xie He, he selfishly wanted the other to live.

As Liang Chengshan was lost in thought, the fire that raged outside only grew bigger. The feeble house began to break. The door had fallen, cutting off their only escape route.

But Liang Chengshan wasn’t afraid. His expression slowly turned gentle. This was because he had no intentions of leaving. If Xie He wanted to die here today, if he was destined to die here today…then Liang Chengshan would also die here too.

Liang Chengshan said, “I’ll accompany you.”

The place from which the hatred had sprung, the hatred shall now end.

Xie He looked at Liang Chengshan blankly. He then smiled. He laughed without restraint. His beautiful eyes reflected the flames. They were bright and mesmerizing, just like before. He said, “Look, I still got my revenge. I won.”

Liang Chengshan said, “Yes.”

When Xie He heard this, his gaze grew unfocused. He said, “If you’re like this, I won’t feel any sense of accomplishment from getting my revenge.”

Liang Chengshan looked at him dotingly. He pulled out a gun and stuck it into Xie He’s hand. “Then kill me. That way, you’ll get to personally kill me.”

Xie He didn’t take it. He quirked his lips into a smile. “There’s no point.”

The fire only grew more intense. It was already scorching their bodies. Liang Chengshan felt like he was breathing in fire with every breath. It was starting to get hard to breathe. There was a burnt smell coming from his skin. It hurt terribly….He knew that they were going to die. Even if they wanted to escape now, they wouldn’t be able to.

Liang Chengshan slowly reached out and pulled Xie He against him. What surprised him was that Xie He didn’t push him away. It was probably because they were going to die, so he didn’t care anymore.

Xie He looked nostalgic. Quietly, he said, “If…I hadn’t escaped that day…that would have been good…

“That way, I would have been reunited with my parents much sooner. I wouldn’t have had to go through all that pain….

“Don’t you think that’s cowardly of me?

“But I’m about to die now anyway, so what does it matter if I act cowardly one time….”

Liang Chengshan looked at the person in his arms lovingly and then held him tightly. He used his body to block the flames. Even though he knew it was useless, he just wanted to protect the person he loved the most right until the end….

The dense fire gradually became unbearable. A pained expression emerged on Xie He’s face and he coughed.

Liang Chengshan’s heart ached. He looked down and saw the gun by his hand.

He had just handed this to Xie He, wanting the other to kill him. But Xie He hadn’t wanted that. He probably didn’t want to make things easy on Liang Chengshan, or perhaps he had just…given up….

Liang Chengshan was lost in a daze for a moment. He then grabbed the gun and pressed it under Xie He’s chin. He gave Xie He a gentle look. “Don’t be afraid. It won’t hurt at all.”

As he said this, he pulled the trigger. A gunshot echoed through their surroundings and Xie He became quiet at once. His expression was serene and he fell against Liang Chengshan’s chest. He didn’t move..

Liang Chengshan covered Xie He’s eyes and kissed him on the lips. He blinked. A single tear fell down his cheek.

I told you, I’d never let you be hurt again.

In the end, the blaze mercilessly engulfed everything.

…………………………

When Hall received news of the fire, he came over here. By the time he arrived, everything had already ended. The fire had burned until nothing was left.

Hall stared at the scene before him. It was like he had gone back fifteen years. Back then, this place had also been burned beyond recognition. There had been two charred corpses inside.

This time, there were once again two charred corpses.

One corpse held the other corpse firmly in its arms. The forensic investigators had a lot of difficulty prying them apart. From a tooth analysis, they were able to determine that the two corpses belonged to Liang Chengshan and Yang Ling. Yang Ling had been killed by a gunshot before his corpse was burned. He probably didn’t suffer much. But Liang Chengshan had been burned alive. One could only imagine just how much pain he must have been in prior to his death. But right until the end, he hadn’t let go of Yang Ling. He had blocked the flames with his own body.

Hall sighed heavily. He walked away, his back hunched over.

A few days later, he received information that Yang Ling had left for him. This information had been painstakingly collected by Yang Ling when he had been with Liang Chengshan. Hall used this information to fiercely attack Liang Chengshan’s remaining businesses. The colossal monster that was Liang Chengshan’s organization began to suffer from internal strife following Liang Chengshan’s death. Liang Ze took advantage of this to collect a few clean businesses and used it to establish himself. But a large part of Liang Chengshan’s assets were destroyed by the police….

The illegal empire had fallen apart just like that.

The author has something to say:

The last world will begin with the next chapter. Specifically here to give some angels a friendly reminder. O(∩_∩)O~

Please look at the novel’s synopsis, oh. It’s always been 1v1. The gong and shou have already been decided on. I’ve never changed it. Therefore, there will be a big happy ending in this last world~ It won’t be all that angsty either. After talking about the past, I’ll obviously give President Xie his happily ever after.

As for the gong’s identity, believe me when I say that it’s pretty obvious~~He’s the gong of every single world we’ve been through thus far 23333. After all, I can’t just poof another gong in at the end.

Therefore, the angels that can’t accept this kind of gong, please read the ending with caution.

Eve: Oh that last scene actually made my heart hurt. BUT. Screaming. We finally get our gong with his true personality and happy ending. So that’s enough to comfort me and lessen this pain. Everything will be revealed in this last world <3. I’m so excited you guys.

sere: ahhhhhhhhhh finallyyyyyyy last arc!! NO MORE SCUM GONGS!! ITS FLUFFY! YAY