Chapter 280: The Beginning of a New Life
Chapter 280: The Beginning of a New Life
Across the highway, not far from here, Yun Tao and Hengheng are locked inside one of the houses under Tang Siluo’s orders.
The light is dim, and the air is thick with heat and humidity.
Yun Tao unbuttons the collar of Hengheng’s shirt slightly and says, “Go to sleep. Lie on Daddy’s lap and rest for a while.”
Hengheng shakes his head stubbornly and sits beside Yun Tao. Glancing at the four armed men guarding them, he asks, “Dad, will Aunt Anran come to save us?”
“She will.” Yun Tao hugs Hengheng close, patting his small shoulder before looking down at his little face. “You have to have faith in Aunt Anran. She won’t let anything happen to us.”
“But these people look really strong.” Hengheng isn’t sure if Anran can defeat them, especially since they are armed. He hesitates, then raises his face and looks up at Yun Tao again. “Dad, why did we come to Tiesi Village? Aunt Anran said we didn’t need to.”
The people here don’t seem very welcoming either.
“To forget the past.” Yun Tao lowers his gaze. His once-black hair is now streaked with gray, but his smile remains gentle. “And to look forward to the future.”
Tiesi Village might not be what he or anyone else imagined, but they have already come this far. They have endured the deepest pains of their lives back in their old world, and those burdens need to be left behind along the journey.
Life here might not be ideal, but at the very least, it is the start of something new.
Yun Tao is older than both Anran and Zhan Lian. He views things with a perspective beyond theirs. To truly start over, one has to meet new people, form new connections, and create new experiences—rather than remain trapped in the shadows of the past.
Hengheng seems to understand, at least a little. He nods, then tilts his head as he notices the door creaking open.
The gap slowly widens.
Zhan Lian steps in with a sullen expression.
Don’t get him wrong—he has just finished yelling at Tang Siluo, that nosy woman, and is still simmering with irritation.
Hengheng, intimidated by his presence, shrinks closer to Yun Tao. But Yun Tao remains calm, holding Hengheng protectively as he meets Zhan Lian’s gaze.
“Brother Lian.”
“Brother Lian, you’re here.”
The men guarding Yun Tao and Hengheng turn to greet him.
Zhan Lian gives a curt nod. “Alright, you guys can leave. I’ll handle things from here.”
The guards obey, stepping out of the room.
Zhan Lian drags a chair over and sits down in front of Yun Tao. Face to face, he stares at him with unrelenting intensity.
He doesn’t speak.
He just sits there, looking at Yun Tao with sharp, scrutinizing eyes.
Breaking the silence, Yun Tao extends a hand. “Hello, my name is Yun Tao.”
Zhan Lian doesn’t take it. Instead, he glances at the offered hand, lets out a dry chuckle, and scoffs. “We both know better. What’s the point of pretending to be polite?”
Then, his eyes lift slowly, dark and brimming with hostility. His voice turns sharp. “I have only one question. No games, no tricks—did you bully my wife?”
Yun Tao meets Zhan Lian’s gaze without flinching. His voice is steady as he answers, “No.” Then, after a brief pause, he adds, “Your wife? Didn’t you divorce?”