Han ShuYi didn’t rush over immediately. The following day, he learned that HuMing hadn’t gone to school.
Apparently, HuMing had messaged the teacher, requesting leave.
It seemed like he had come up with an excuse to cover his disappearance.
Upon hearing this, Han ShuYi felt a surge of elation within.
He had finally cornered HuMing. This time, there was no way HuMing could escape!
Subconsciously, Han ShuYi brushed the wound on his shoulder. He was acutely aware of the shame HuMing had inflicted upon him there.
This time, he would settle the score—principal and interest, every last bit.
With that thought, Han ShuYi’s steps became noticeably brisker.
At the same time, Xia XiaoXi also heard about HuMing taking leave. Yet, her heart was filled with worry—HuMing hasn't responded to her messages the previous night.
Could this mean that HuMing has been in danger since last night?
Xia XiaoXi was deeply concerned, and when she saw the expression on Han ShuYi’s face, her unease grew even stronger.
But she understood that this was a situation HuMing needed to resolve. Until the person behind Han ShuYi revealed themselves, no one else could intervene.
As for how HuMing would handle it, Xia XiaoXi could only hope for his safety.
The school bell signaling the end of classes rang. Han ShuYi had already informed the driver earlier that day not to pick him up because he would be staying out late.
Initially, the driver intended to wait and come later, but Han ShuYi insisted, leaving the driver no choice but to comply.
Carrying nothing, Han ShuYi headed straight in a certain direction.
Though it wasn’t raining like the previous day, the gloomy weather irked him.
On such a significant day, how could the sky not be bright and clear?
He felt a tinge of pity but didn’t dwell on it. Soon, he would eliminate the source of his torment. Everything and everyone around him could finally return to "normal".
With that thought, he quickened his pace, walking through deserted alleys until he arrived at a desolate area.
This place was a development zone that had been ordered to halt construction due to illegal practices.
Some older residential buildings still remained, as they hadn’t been demolished yet. Han ShuYi found it distasteful that Sui Zhao had chosen such an uninspired location for their final confrontation.
If they were on a cruise ship, and he could personally watch HuMing fall into the sea after being killed, wouldn’t that be far more satisfying?
Han ShuYi stepped into one of the dilapidated houses. The layers of dust and broken tiles made it clear that no one had lived here for years.
Spiderwebs adorned the cracked walls.
Frowning, Han ShuYi brushed aside the cobwebs in his path, his eyes scanning the interior cautiously.
Suddenly, the door behind him slammed shut, plunging the room into darkness.
The loud bang startled Han ShuYi, but he quickly composed himself, staring intently ahead.
It felt like he had walked into a trap.
But no, that was impossible. How could HuMing escape from a professional assassin?
And more importantly, it was Sui Zhao who had directed him here!
If this were truly a trap set by HuMing, wouldn’t that mean Sui Zhao had been compromised?
Thinking this, Han ShuYi decided to stop hiding and shouted into the darkness:
"I’m here! Turn on the lights—I want to see if HuMing is really here!"
The sound of footsteps crunching against debris came from behind.
Han ShuYi instinctively turned around. Suddenly, blinding lights illuminated the room.
These weren’t old, broken bulbs but freshly installed ones, shining glaringly bright.
But what shocked Han ShuYi the most wasn’t the lights—it was the person standing before him.
To his disbelief, HuMing stood there, unharmed and unrestrained!
As Han ShuYi’s shocked gaze met HuMing’s calm one, their contrasting expressions were striking.
HuMing understood Han ShuYi’s reaction. To Han ShuYi, he was supposed to be a lamb awaiting slaughter, with Han ShuYi as the executioner.
But now, the tables have turned.
This only proved that Han ShuYi’s plans had failed once again.
"At this point, Han ShuYi, can’t you see your situation clearly? Do you really think you’re in control? That hiring an assassin would solve all your problems?"
HuMing’s eyes brimmed with disappointment, piercing through Han ShuYi’s composure.
The one he once trampled on was now the one crushing him beneath his feet.
To HuMing, Han ShuYi was never a real opponent. The true threat was the man pulling the strings behind him.
In this story, Han ShuYi wasn’t the protagonist—he wasn’t even the final boss.
Han ShuYi shook his head repeatedly, rejecting the idea. But the undeniable reality of HuMing standing here unscathed shattered his denial.
"Han ShuYi, do you remember what you did to me when I came to your house? Did you think I’ve stolen your life?"
HuMing crossed his arms, fixing his gaze on Han ShuYi, who stared back, unyielding.
"I never intended to replace you. You’re the young master of the Han family. I’m not even their child. The real source of this conflict is the person manipulating you, using you to eliminate me. Wake up! You’ve been his pawn all along. Whether you eliminate me or not, he’ll always have control over you."
HuMing didn’t know if Han ShuYi had any plot armor.
He remained wary, half-expecting a hidden sniper to take a shot at him at any moment.
For now, he was driving a wedge deeper between Han ShuYi and that man, pushing Han ShuYi further into madness.
At this point, HuMing no longer cared about Han ShuYi’s fate; he only needed the mastermind to show himself.
A tense silence filled the room.
HuMing narrowed his eyes as Han ShuYi quietly removed his jacket.
Suddenly, Han ShuYi laughed.
With a smirk, he sneered at HuMing, saying, "HuMing, stop pretending. At this point, neither of us can turn back. Maybe you’re right, but your fate is indeed sealed. I’ll end you here and then drag him down, too!"
At last, Han ShuYi regained some of his former confidence.
HuMing raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the shift in Han ShuYi’s demeanor.
"Looks like you’re the type who won’t learn without a beating…"