Everything in the First Under Heaven Hall was indeed first-class, even the door. With a kick, what would have destroyed an ordinary door remained intact. This door was incredibly resilient!
Opening the door, I saw Mo Ran pinned to the bed, with a despicable girl—no, a dog—Yang Ziru sitting on his waist. Yang Ziru held the fly swatter, and my dear “son” Mo Ran had a fresh “human char siu bun” on his head. The previous scream was definitely from Mo Ran.
True to being my son, his scream was high-decibel and powerful. All workers from first to fourth grade gathered outside Mo Ran’s door, even the lady emptying chamber pots.
Mo Ran was the most beloved ambassador in the First Under Heaven Hall.
Employees of all ages glared at the stunned Yang Ziru. It seemed everyone had mentally killed her countless times.
Yet, Yang Ziru remained brazen in this unfavorable situation, asking, “What are you looking at? Never seen the future’s number one beggar gang beauty?” I gave her a contemptuous look.
The crowd’s gaze grew more venomous. One uncle, usually close to Mo Ran and viewing him as an idol, turned red and seemed ready to charge at Yang Ziru.
Mo Ran looked at everyone with a pleading gaze, which only fueled their anger. I couldn’t understand Yang Ziru’s mindset. With our numbers, we could have easily overwhelmed her, yet she defiantly sat on Mo Ran’s waist.
“Get off my son Mo Ran right now!” I commanded. Yang Ziru raised an eyebrow, challenging, “By what right? Because you’re Boss Ling?”
“By what right are you sitting on my Mo Ran’s waist? Is it because you’re his fake fiancée?” I shot back, sarcasm evident in my tone.
Yang Ziru remained unbothered, insisting, “What fake? The previous emperor issued an edict for me and Mo Ran to be engaged!”
Every word is clearly written here!” Yang Ziru pulled out a yellow scroll identical to imperial decrees on TV, dramatically unfolding it for us to see.
My head was filled with rage. This wicked girl thought she could dismiss me with an imperial decree?! I angrily snatched the decree from her hands, tearing it to pieces and stomping on it.
To hell with the crime of destroying an imperial decree!
I stared at Yang Ziru, whose eyes widened in shock, hands on my hips, and said: “What imperial decree, what unwritten marriage agreements? How can you claim to be Moran’s fiancée? Let me tell you, Moran is my son, and his marriage will be handled by me! You have no right to interfere!”
Yang Ziru was furious. She jumped down from Moran’s waist, her anger causing the surrounding temperature to rise. “You madwoman! Don’t you know that destroying an imperial decree is a capital offense?!” I looked at her steadily, “What is there to be afraid of? I don’t believe the current Emperor would sentence me to death for this.”
“Hmph, do you think you’re so important? Do you think Shang-gege would not kill you?”
From Yang Ziru’s words, it was clear she was familiar with Shang. Even though I knew she liked Moran, I felt a twinge of sourness. I disliked any woman who approached Shang, as well as Mo, Shu Yang, and Bao Xi.
“The day after tomorrow, we will go to the palace together to meet the Emperor. You can see for yourself whether my fate will be as you say. If the Emperor agrees to remarry you two, I will not interfere. But if the Emperor does not agree, I hope you will stop clinging to my Moran!” I finished speaking, shocking everyone present, including myself.
Yang Ziru returned to the Yang residence because I and the staff did not want her to stay at the inn. Who could guarantee that she wouldn’t torment Moran in the middle of the night?
Just as I was about to leave, Moran insisted on talking to me. After everyone dispersed, I followed him to the garden of Lian Xing Pavilion. For a long time, he did not speak, so I asked, “What is it? Speak quickly.” Although my words seemed relaxed, they felt awkward given the atmosphere.
Moran finally asked me, “Since you don’t love me and only treat me like a good friend, why do you care so much about Yang Ziru and my marriage?”
I was rendered speechless by Moran’s question. I continued to play dumb: “Because you’re my son!” But Moran saw through me: “No, you’re lying.”
“Moran!” I called his name suddenly. He knew I was serious because I would never call him by his name directly. I looked at him firmly and said: “Didn’t I tell you before? Between us, it’s impossible. I don’t want to hurt you, so please don’t force me to be so honest.”
The sentence felt like a plea, but I said it without any pleading tone. He wanted my direct rejection to give up, but he didn’t know I didn’t want to hurt him. Moran said nothing, just lowered his head.
I gazed at the moon and blurted out: “Moran, feelings are subtle. Loving someone doesn’t mean you can be together forever. They must be mutually in love. You are my best friend, the one I care about most, but not a lover.”
Moran remained silent, nodding slightly as if to say he understood.
“I’m sorry, Moran. I can’t accept the change from a good friend to a husband. I can’t bear it. I intervened in your engagement to Yang Ziru because you have no feelings for her. Forcing yourselves together won’t make you happy. I hope you can marry someone who loves you and whom you love.”
After hearing my words, Moran’s body trembled slightly, or perhaps it was just a trick of my eyes.
I said：“If one day you fall in love with Yang Ziru, I will do my best to bring you two together and bless your union. If you don’t like her, I will never let you marry her, even if you’re willing. In the future, when you truly love someone, I will help and bless you as a friend. So, Moran, give up. There are many women better than me in the world.”
Moran replied: “I’m afraid there’s no second person like you.” I smiled, “Everyone is unique, but you just like me, not love me. Your fondness is just the kind between friends.”
I stood up, not looking at Moran, just saying: “One day you’ll understand. You will definitely have someone you truly love. Think carefully about what I’ve said…” Just as I was about to leave, Moran pulled me back and hugged me.
I was stunned. This was the first time Moran had hugged me, but it was gentle, not the forceful grip I had imagined. His hug felt like he was holding something fragile, trying to maintain distance, perhaps not wanting to make me feel uncomfortable.
I could hear Moran’s heart beating faster from nervousness.
In short, Moran seemed very nervous and his hugging technique was somewhat clumsy, perhaps from lack of experience. After I thought about this, Moran suddenly said in a pleading tone: “Han, I’m sorry. Please, let me hold you like this for a moment, just a moment. This is the first time, and the last time, okay?”
I didn’t want to refuse Moran because I was afraid he would feel disappointed. So, I gently nodded.
I suddenly felt a chill down my back, and the surrounding temperature began to drop rapidly. I shivered and casually turned my head, almost fainting when I saw—
Could I not be dizzy? The person in front of me, though familiar, was almost unrecognizable – clothes tattered, hair disheveled, but even if he turned to ashes, I would recognize him. This sorry state was my doing. “Uh… Yu Mo, how are you here?” Mo Ran also saw Yu Mo but had no intention of letting go of me.
Yu Mo didn’t look at me but engaged in an intense staring contest with Mo Ran, their gazes colliding, “You don’t want me here? Would you prefer I be moongazing in the sky?”
I shook my head, “No.”
“I warn you, let go of Han’er and never hold her again.” A sentence without fluctuation yet filled with dissatisfaction. I never thought Yu Mo could be as cold as Shang. In summary – Yu Mo’s acting was excellent.
