CTS 32

Zhou Yang hadn’t spoken loudly, but to Shen Mo, it felt like something had exploded right beside his ear, leaving him stunned and unable to react for a long while.

There was a stretch of time in Shen Mo’s memory that remained especially foggy. From the accident to his recovery and discharge from the hospital, nearly half a year had passed in a daze. Aside from a few scattered fragments, he could remember nothing clearly.

For example, on the day he was kidnapped, he remembered breaking free halfway through, managing to call the police, and desperately trying to reach Zhou Yang, but in the end, it was Ji Mingxuan who saved him.

Why had Mr. Ji arrived faster than the police?

Or had the police gotten to him first, and then Ji Mingxuan showed up afterward?

No matter how hard he tried, Shen Mo couldn’t recall what had actually happened.

Maybe it was because he’d gone to great lengths to avoid revisiting that part of his past that he had overlooked this detail. But regardless, Ji Mingxuan must have already known about his relationship with Zhou Yang back then.

And now, after what Zhou Yang had just said, all those memories surged back like a tidal wave, freezing Shen Mo in place.

It all felt too perfectly timed. Zhou Yang had just left the country when he was kidnapped. Did Zhou Yang’s parents already know about his existence? Or had Ji Mingxuan, for the sake of his sister’s happiness, decided to remove the obstacle that was Shen Mo?

He thought about Ji Mingxuan’s expression that night when he confessed his feelings, and a chill crept over him.

That confession… was it even real?

“Ji Mingxuan only cares about profit,” Zhou Yang went on. “He plotted to break us up just to ensure a marriage alliance between the Ji and Zhou families.”

Shen Mo instinctively tried to defend him. “He was doing it for his sister…”

“You actually believe that crap? He knew full well I didn’t love Ji An’an, but still forced the two of us together. Was that really for her sake?”

That was exactly the part Shen Mo had never been able to understand.

Ji Mingxuan seemed to spoil Ji An’an far too much. As long as it was something she wanted, he would stop at nothing to make it happen, regardless of right or wrong.

“Even if Mr. Ji did manipulate things, wasn’t it still your choice?” Shen Mo said. “You chose to go abroad with Miss Ji. You chose to get engaged to her. You never loved her, yet you’ve been lying to her all this time. Maybe Ji Mingxuan did lay out a trap, but you were the one who walked right into it.”

He took a deep breath. “And let say you’re right, that Mr. Ji was the one who exposed our relationship. So what? If he hadn’t, were you planning to keep it a secret forever? Go on and get married, have kids, and make me your hidden lover?”

Zhou Yang had no response.

But Shen Mo could easily imagine it. Zhou Yang had probably considered doing just that.

Zhou Yang was still holding onto his arm. They were standing so close. The man he had once loved still looked as refined and handsome as ever.

Shen Mo looked at him for a moment. He couldn’t help but soften his voice, speaking quietly. “If two people truly love each other, no scheme or manipulation could ever tear them apart.”

If they parted, then perhaps the love had never been deep enough.

Zhou Yang slumped slightly. “Is there… really no way for us to start over?”

Shen Mo didn’t even hesitate. “Impossible.”

Zhou Yang gave a small nod. Then suddenly, he pulled Shen Mo into a hug and leaned down to kiss him.

Caught off guard, Shen Mo quickly raised his knee and struck him. Zhou Yang took the hit and grunted in pain but still didn’t let go. As they struggled, the sound of the door opening echoed nearby.

Both of them froze and turned their heads.

The once-locked door was now wide open, and standing there was none other than Ji An’an.