Chapter 122: Setting Out

The evening of the second day after Ren Xiadong’s discharge from the hospital was also the second-to-last day of December.

"You’ve just been discharged; you need to take care of yourself. I don’t know exactly what you two are doing, but please don't get hurt again. It terrifies me." Tian Yun spoke with concern as she tidied Ren Xiadong’s clothes. Although she didn't know the specifics of what Ren Xiadong and Liu Sheng were involved in, she understood it involved shootings and was inherently dangerous. The Huayong Group was one of those entities everyone had heard of but no one could touch—a presence that existed in the shadows. When she heard rumors that Liu and Ren were associated with Huayong, she had already felt her world unravel.

To the average person, Huayong was an abstract concept. They only knew it meant immense, bottomless wealth. Of course, they also understood that where there is such wealth and power, there is cutthroat intrigue, and for a few people to disappear or die was considered quite normal.

"Don't worry. Everyone attending this banquet is a big shot in Huayong. You should be proud to have such a capable boyfriend, not worried," Ren Xiadong said, looking at Tian Yun as she adjusted his attire.

Tian Yun didn't feel pride; instead, she looked at Liu Sheng and said, "Please, take good care of Xiadong. I don't want him to get hurt again."

"And you, keep an eye on Liu Sheng, too. Don't let him get hurt. Not long ago, a car accident, a gunshot wound—I know about all of it. People in your positions are always in danger."

As soon as Tian Yun finished speaking, Liu Sheng hurriedly interjected, "Don't worry. It’s just a banquet today. No one would dare commit a crime right in front of the head of the Huayong Group unless they had a death wish."

Shortly after, Liu Sheng stepped out of the house to wait for Ren Xiadong. Ren Xiadong and Tian Yun embraced, sharing some parting words. Tian Yun was terrified—she feared that if Ren Xiadong left, he might never return. She had once thought of him as an ordinary person, and those worries had never crossed her mind. But now that Ren was a target for assassination and his opponents were powerful figures, she lived in constant, paralyzing fear for him.

Standing by the door smoking, Liu Sheng felt a deep sense of loneliness. He had so many things and emotions he couldn't share, not knowing who would be willing to listen. He found himself reminiscing about the past, regretting the things he had done.

"Let's go," Ren Xiadong said, his mind clearly preoccupied.

Liu Sheng heard Tian Yun’s sobbing from inside the house. When Ren Xiadong walked out, Liu said nothing, simply patting him on the shoulder.

They got into Ren Xiadong’s car and drove through the night toward Yunhai City. During the first half of the trip, Liu Sheng drove while Ren Xiadong sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window in silence.

"Do you regret it?" Liu Sheng suddenly asked.

"What?" Ren Xiadong was confused by the question.

Liu Sheng smiled and continued, "Do you regret following me down this path? If I hadn't taken you in, your family home would have been demolished, you’d have five apartments, you would have married Tian Yun, and you’d have children by now. You’d be living a carefree, simple life, unbothered by the world. You wouldn't have massive wealth, but you wouldn't be in debt either. You’d live in a three-bedroom apartment, drive a modest car, and occasionally invite friends over for hot pot to talk about the past and dream about the future."

Ren Xiadong looked at Liu Sheng, hesitated for a long time, and finally asked, "I’ve always wanted to ask—can you predict the future?"

"What do you mean?" Liu Sheng asked back, his voice tinged with panic. He couldn't let Ren Xiadong know he had traveled back in time. If he found out, he would be done for. Although Liu was wealthy, his current life was still far from satisfying, and he didn't want to die.

Having traveled back, Liu Sheng thought he would have infinite wealth and that his life would be better than before. Yet, despite being able to control so much, he couldn't control his own heart. In his past life, he had been poor and powerless, his girlfriend had left him for someone else, and his life had been miserable. The only thing that had changed now was the money; everything else remained the same.

Ren Xiadong continued, "It’s nothing. But you always say strange things about Tian Yun and me, as if you’d seen our wedding with your own eyes. In fact, my relationship with her was orchestrated by you—you told me to approach her, to pursue her—and now you keep telling us we’ll be married with children in the future."

"Nonsense! Of course I’ve seen your wedding. I was even there when we pulled your pants down at the ceremony!" Liu Sheng burst into laughter at the memory.

Liu Sheng knew the trajectory of many people's futures. He could alter them, help them meet early, and change his own path, but it rarely ended well.

He thought of his girlfriend from before he traveled back. "She’s still studying graphic design at Yandu University. I suppose in this lifetime, we are fated never to meet again," he thought to himself.

His previous girlfriend had been stunningly beautiful and had worked as a part-time model during school. Because Liu Sheng had been a star athlete and good-looking back then, he had won her attention.

"If heaven gave you a chance to do it all over again, would you stop living life so dangerously? Would you choose that simple life you described?"

Liu Sheng was caught off guard by the sudden question. He was, after all, the person who had "done it all over again." Hearing this, he didn't know how to respond.

After a moment, he replied, "I don't think so. Even if you restart, you have to take it one step at a time. There are still so many things you don't know. What is meant to be lost will be lost; you can only try to avoid it, you cannot change it."

"Have a cigarette, it’ll help you stay alert." Ren Xiadong lit one and placed it in Liu Sheng’s mouth. As he smoked, Liu said, "This is my first time smoking in such a fancy car. If I burn a hole in these expensive leather seats, I’m not paying for it."

Ren Xiadong laughed heartily. "No need to pay. Just use your 'superpower' to help me pass my exams in half a month."

Liu Sheng laughed as well. "Don't worry, I’ll be very careful. I won't burn a hole in your leather seats."

After five hours of driving, Liu Sheng grew tired and pulled into a service area to buy instant noodles and water at the convenience store. As they sat there eating, five "oil rats"—thieves who siphoned fuel from large trucks—spotted Ren Xiadong’s R8.

"Boss, look at that car. You can tell they’re loaded."

"Yeah, should we hit them?"

"Are you idiots or am I? Rich people have connections. Are you not afraid of inviting disaster?"

"That’s not right, Boss. There are only two of them in that car. We outnumber them, and they won't dare do anything to us. Even if we rob them, they won't be able to find us."

The boss laughed. "Third one has a point. I was the fool. Let's go. Lure them to a secluded spot."

When Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong finished eating and returned to the car, they were intercepted by the five men, who held knives against their waists.

"Don't be afraid, brothers. We mean no harm. It’s too bright here to talk; would you mind moving to a more private place?"

Liu and Ren didn't resist, knowing there were security cameras nearby. They followed the men to a dark, unmonitored area.

"You two look like wealthy men. We’re just poor folk. Could you spare us a bite to eat?"

Liu Sheng turned to Ren Xiadong and said, "They’re not asking for much. If you’re going to beg, you should look the part—ask for food, not money."

Ren Xiadong suppressed a smile and said with difficulty, "You're right. I’ll go buy them some instant noodles." He turned to the five men and asked, "What flavor do you want?"

"Do you think we’re playing games with you?! This is a robbery!"

Liu Sheng replied, "A robbery? Where? Sorry, brothers, I only know beautiful young women, no 'robbers.' You’re really putting me in a bind. Besides, we’re on the highway, and it’s nighttime—where would I find one for you?"

"Damn it! You’ve got a sharp tongue, huh? Boys, take all the fuel we stole today and pour it into their mouths! Wash their mouths out!"

Ren Xiadong couldn't help but chime in, "He’s a smooth talker, but he really doesn't like drinking gas. How about this? Let me show you a treasure."

Under their curious gazes, Ren Xiadong pulled out a gun and asked, "How much do you think this is worth?"

The five men were instantly terrified. The one called Third exclaimed, "It’s priceless! Truly priceless! Big brothers, we were blind—please, have mercy!"

"Smooth talker? Do you still want to drink some gas?" Liu Sheng asked with a smile. It wasn't the villains who were scary, but the fact that they knew how to play along.

Third replied, "That stuff doesn't taste good. When we siphon gas, we stick a tube in the tank and suck. I’ve had to drink a few mouthfuls every night. It really tastes awful."

"A hundred per mouthful. Faster money than stealing gas," Liu Sheng said, waving a stack of cash.

Seeing the money, the five men scrambled to pick up their fuel canisters and began gulping down the gas. Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong watched in stunned silence.

"I should really buy them some noodles; it must be awful to drink that much," Ren Xiadong remarked.

Third put down his canister. "No need, brother. We’ll go buy some ourselves in a bit."

"Fine. A man’s word is his bond. I was just teasing you, but since you’re all so earnest, I can’t say anything else."

Liu Sheng handed ten thousand yuan to Third. "Split this among the five of you." He then handed over another ten thousand. "And give this to the truck drivers you stole from. If I find out you didn't do as I said, I’ll find you no matter where you hide."

With that, they got back into the car and left the service area.

At eight o'clock the next morning, they arrived in Yunhai City and checked into the suite prepared by Secretary Zhao. As soon as they entered, Liu Sheng froze time to sweep the room for hidden cameras and bugs.

Once he confirmed it was safe, he restored time and said to Ren Xiadong, "Get some rest. We’re guests at Elder Hu’s house tonight. Remember: keep your mouth shut if you don't understand something. Everyone there will be high-ranking Huayong officials or members of the Huayong family. Don't make us look like idiots."

Hu Yingqi did not know Liu Sheng was coming. Liu wondered how she would feel if she knew her own brother had died by his hand. But it didn't matter; those who strive for greatness must be ruthless. Once the path was chosen, one had to see it through to the end. In ancient times, many had killed brothers and fathers to seize the throne.

Exhausted from driving all night, they fell asleep quickly. By dusk, they awoke, dressed in sharp black suits, and drove toward Elder Hu’s estate.