Volume 1, Chapter 134: I Will Formally Pursue You

Whether it was Qin Minshu or Zheng Xueyao who instigated Chen Ping to kill her, the Qin family was inextricably linked to it.

Vengeance has its source, and debts have their debtors.

Ye Sheng preferred clear-cut targets, but the murder in her previous life made it evident that Zheng Xueyao, Qin Minshu, and Chen Ping were none of them innocent.

Some matters required a conclusion before she could continue living her life in peace.

—

When Ye Sheng emerged from the bathroom after her shower, she found Huo Lindong had not yet left. He was sitting on the living room sofa, his expression somber, as if deep in thought.

"Brother Lin," she called out softly. As she met his gaze, her heart trembled.

Huo Lindong’s eyes were profound, like a bottomless lake, yet they completely enveloped her. She did not feel afraid.

Ye Sheng sometimes found it strange.

Huo Lindong was a figure like a lion, possessing such a powerful presence that most people felt an invisible pressure in his company, causing them to instinctively fear him or retreat.

Yet, Ye Sheng had never felt such a moment.

She used to think it was because her brother and Huo Lindong were close friends, but later she realized that wasn't it. From the very first time she met him, she had felt his gentleness.

Gentle, yet powerful.

"Come here." Huo Lindong reached out to her, his gaze steady and warm.

Ye Sheng was momentarily stunned, but as if under a spell, she placed her hand in his.

Huo Lindong held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Hmm," he murmured, "finally, you have some warmth back."

Ye Sheng was startled again.

She had indeed lost control earlier, feeling as though she were falling into an abyss. She had gripped Huo Lindong for a long time, completely unconscious of what she was doing or saying.

"Shall we sit and talk for a while?" Huo Lindong asked, consulting her wishes. "If you're sleepy, you can go to bed."

Ye Sheng shook her head slightly. She wasn't sleepy; she was just tired.

As soon as she sat on the sofa, Huo Lindong laid a cloth over his lap and said to her, "Lie down, let me massage your head."

Ye Sheng looked up again, meeting the gentle smile in his eyes. Unable to resist the temptation of his massage, she lay down as instructed—the last time Brother Lin had massaged her, it had been incredibly soothing.

Huo Lindong pressed on several pressure points on her head. "Relax."

Ye Sheng closed her eyes and let out a soft breath.

"Ye Sheng."

"Yes?"

"Have you ever experienced a moment of life-and-death, where your life hung by a thread?"

Huo Lindong’s tone sounded no different from usual, yet it made Ye Sheng stiffen. Her eyes snapped open, filled with shock and panic.

"Don't be afraid." Huo Lindong gently stroked her fine hair. "I am here. No one can hurt you."

The familiar surroundings, the familiar scent, the familiar person—Ye Sheng’s tensed body and nerves slowly began to relax.

Huo Lindong continued to massage her, not pressing further after that one question.

Although he had asked, he granted her the freedom to express herself. If she wanted to speak, he would listen patiently; if she didn't, he would wait patiently.

After a long while, Huo Lindong heard a faint "Yes."

His hand paused abruptly.

The next moment, Ye Sheng looked up at him, as if summoning great courage. "Brother Lin, if I told you I have died once, would you believe me?"

Huo Lindong’s heart ached sharply.

He watched her quietly, showing no outward reaction, yet in that moment, Ye Sheng clearly felt that Brother Lin was grieving for her.

Because his hand touched her face, and he said, "I believe you."

—

There were some secrets Ye Sheng thought she would keep buried in her heart forever.

The moment she let them out, she felt immensely relieved.

She told it like a story, recounting her past and present lives, and Huo Lindong was undoubtedly the best listener. He never interrupted her from beginning to end.

But his eyes told Ye Sheng that he was listening very intently.

"...That is all."

Ye Sheng was not particularly good at confiding in others. Everyone has emotions, but she was used to digesting hers on her own; she didn't need anyone to coax her, nor did she need anyone to look at her with pity.

Fortunately, Huo Lindong did not react in any exaggerated way, which made Ye Sheng feel relieved.

Ye Sheng smiled at him—a smile not of liberation, but meant to reassure him not to worry.

She could handle her own emotions, and she could handle her own problems.

Huo Lindong looked at her. "Do you want a hug?"

Ye Sheng was stunned.

The next moment, she was wrapped in an incredibly broad embrace.

Like the ocean that receives all rivers, there was a sense of vastness to him. For some reason, the moment Huo Lindong held her, she felt as if she were embracing the sea. The thought crossed her mind, and Ye Sheng couldn't help but smile.

The strength of his embrace made her feel comforted and secure.

Especially with his powerful arms; being held like this by him, she felt an inexplicable sense of being lifted up.

She wanted to thank him for being willing to listen to her voice and share her secrets.

Perhaps it was also because Huo Lindong gave her such a strong sense of trust that Ye Sheng didn't worry he would tell her secrets or broadcast them to the world.

Just as Ye Sheng was about to speak—

"Ye Sheng," Huo Lindong spoke first, holding her without letting go. "This time when I returned to the country, besides bringing my team to work on a project, I had another very important task."

He didn't let go, so Ye Sheng could only lean on his shoulder and ask, "What task?"

"To investigate Xiaobei’s background and find his biological mother," Huo Lindong said.

Ye Sheng was taken aback and sat up from his arms. "Xiaobei’s mother?"

"Yes," Huo Lindong told her calmly. "Xiaobei’s origins have always been a question in my mind. You know how those of us in research are—we have obsessive-compulsive tendencies and are used to getting to the bottom of things. Suddenly having a son appear out of nowhere left me bewildered, too."

That was true.

Just as Ye Sheng was about to nod in agreement, Huo Lindong continued, "Like you, I also had a moment where my life hung by a thread."

"What?"

Ye Sheng looked up sharply.

Huo Lindong spoke of his own experience in an understated and concise manner.

Six years ago, he had been subjected to a severe kidnapping and frame-up. At the time, he had been injected with a large amount of drugs and was delirious; he only vaguely remembered having relations with a girl who had been kidnapped alongside him.

Later, he was rescued, but the girl had vanished without a trace.

"The drugs contained hallucinogenic factors. Once they were completely cleared from my system, part of my memory disappeared along with them. After recuperating in the hospital for half a year, I had almost forgotten about the incident."

As Huo Lindong said this, Ye Sheng felt a chill run through her. Recuperating for half a year... it was easy to see how grave his injuries had been.

"It wasn't until three years ago, when I found Xiaobei at the hospital and verified our DNA, that I learned we were biological father and son. Only then did I begin my investigation. Through the memories of those around me, I recalled that incident."

Huo Lindong said, "Xiaobei didn't come into this world for no reason. Whether that girl is alive or dead, I must find her to give Xiaobei an answer, and to give both her and myself closure."

Ye Sheng nodded. "I understand."

Neither of them were the type to muddle through life; they both wanted to live with a clear conscience and walk a steady path through life.

"But this matter does not conflict with what is between you and me," Huo Lindong suddenly said.

Ye Sheng looked up, slightly startled. She didn't quite understand.

Huo Lindong’s gaze was fixed on Ye Sheng. A smile appeared at the corners of his lips, and his tone was firm. "Ye Sheng, from today on, I will formally begin pursuing you."

Ye Sheng’s mind went blank. "!"

"I have no experience in pursuing anyone, and I have never been in a relationship; this is a first for me. If there is anything that makes you uncomfortable, just tell me."

Huo Lindong smiled gently, his eyes tender.

"You have the right to refuse, but I will work hard to make you like me, to make you fall in love with me."