Chapter Ch186.3 - Justice Will Prevail Over Evil (3)
Translated by Eve
Edited by Serefina
Liang Chengshan placed Xie He onto the soft bed and lovingly caressed the marks left on his wrists and ankles. Just now, Liang Ze had been too rough. There were red marks all over Xie He’s wrists. Liang Chengshan blamed himself. “It’s because I came back so late. I’m sorry.”
Xie He held Liang Chengshan tightly. His lips trembled. “I was afraid I’d never see you again….”
Liang Chengshan kissed Xie He and gently said, “That’d never happen. I’d never abandon you.”
When Xie He felt Liang Chengshan’s gentle voice and felt the heat of his body, he gradually calmed down. The fear slowly disappeared. As long as Liang Chengshan was around, he wouldn’t feel all that scared….
Liang Chengshan saw that Xie He had finally calmed down. He pulled out a clean pair of clothes and helped Xie He change. He then helped Xie He dry his hair.
Xie He sat there, docile and quiet. After some time, he suddenly looked up at Liang Chengshan and asked, “Who was that? Why did he say that he was my lover? And why did he say that he had come to save me?”
Liang Chengshan’s heart sank slightly. Liang Ze had said that…. He stared into Xie He’s eyes, as if he wanted to find something inside. But there was only curiosity in Xie He’s eyes, like he really was simply asking a question.
But Liang Chengshan still didn’t feel at ease. He had stolen Xie He away from Liang Ze by foul means…. Would Xie He recall Liang Ze?
Liang Chengshan was silent for a while before he suddenly said, “You betrayed me once.”
When Xie He heard this, his face paled. He grabbed Liang Chengshan’s sleeve, eyes full of fear and unease. “I-I won’t do that again.”
Liang Chengshan rubbed Xie He’s head. His eyes were full of forgiveness. “I believe you. You’ve already turned over a new leaf. I just wanted to tell you why you had betrayed me…. You had betrayed me because of him. You were going to kill me with him.”
Xie He suddenly stood up, a look of disbelief in his eyes. “I was going to kill you with him?”
Liang Chengshan slowly nodded, pain appearing in his eyes. “Yes, I’ve always trusted you deeply, but you betrayed me and secretly met with him.”
Xie He’s body faltered. So he had done such a shameless, despicable thing? He had actually had an ambiguous relationship with that man and had schemed to kill Liang Chengshan? He had done such a terrible thing, no wonder he had to endure such a punishment…no wonder….
All of a sudden, he understood it all. His sins had been so grievous, but not only had Liang Chengshan forgiven him, he hadn’t told him all of this because he had been afraid Xie He would be upset. Just how forgiving was he?!
Xie He carefully wrapped his arms around Liang Chengshan. Moved, he said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry…. I had forgotten. But I will never do that again. I will never do it again….”
Liang Chengshan patted his back. “I know. I don’t blame you.”
There were tears in Xie He’s eyes. “Thank you.”
Liang Chengshan comforted Xie He for a while before taking his hand. “Come with me.”
Xie He meekly followed Liang Chengshan to a neighbouring house. As soon as he entered, Xie He saw Liang Ze tied against a chair. As soon as he saw Liang Chengshan, Liang Ze glared at him, gaze full of hatred. He then watched as Xie He obediently followed Liang Chengshan in, hand-in-hand. Liang Ze howled in anger. “What did you do to him?!”
Liang Chengshan regarded him coldly, voice frigid. “I remember that I’ve told you this before: don’t provoke me again.”
Liang Ze snorted. “You stole Yang Ling from me and chased me out. You still want me to be grateful? In your dreams! Yang Ling is mine! I obviously want to save him!”
Xie He was flustered upon hearing this. He grabbed Liang Chengshan’s hand and looked at him timidly. He was afraid that Liang Chengshan would be angered by these words. He really had nothing to do with this person.
Liang Chengshan sensed Xie He’s apprehension. He turned to look at him gently. “Don’t worry. I won’t let him provoke me.”
Xie He finally relaxed.
Liang Ze was so angry it felt like his eyeballs would pop out of their sockets. He looked at Xie He with bitter anguish. “Have you gone mad? You really fell in love with him? Did you forget what he did to you?”
Xie He looked at him coldly. “He treats me very well. I’ve always loved him.”
Liang Chengshan had paid careful attention to their every expression and interaction. Slowly, he felt reassured. It seems that Xie He had not remembered Liang Ze&#k2026;. Liang Chengshan’s expression changed and he pulled a gun out. He said to Xie He, “Take it.”
Xie He obediently took it.
Liang Chengshan smiled at him and then slowly said, “I know that you’ve already seen the error of your ways, so I’ll give you a chance to atone. Kill him.”
Liang Ze looked at Liang Chengshan in disbelief. Liang Chengshan actually wanted Xie He to kill him!
But what astonished him even more was that Xie He had taken the gun and had not hesitated to walk over to him. The other pressed the gun to Liang Ze’s forehead, no mercy in his eyes. There was only disgust and apathy.
Liang Ze felt his heart grow cold. He was heartbroken, tone aggrieved. “You really…don’t remember me at all…?”
If Xie He’s feelings for him were even the least bit genuine, how could he forget him? How could he be willing to kill him?”
How could he not remember him and be so coldhearted?
It couldn’t be that he had only been using him to get close to Liang Chengshan since the beginning? After all, Liang Ze wasn’t stupid. He could see how decisive Xie He had been and how much he had hated Liang Chengshan when he had attempted his assassination…. But Liang Ze had always thought that Xie He had also loved him….
Their days together had been so sweet and they had gotten along so well. Those innumerable words of love, those moments of lingering affection….had they all been fake?
Did Xie He hate him too…because he was Liang Chengshan’s son?
Xie He looked at Liang Ze indifferently. Without any hesitation, he pulled the trigger.
Liang Ze heard the sound of the trigger. He shut his eyes and waited for death. But what was surprising was that no bullet came out. Even so, Xie He’s actions had thoroughly broken his heart.
He had betrayed his father for Xie He’s sake, but Xie He wanted to kill him.
Only then did Xie He realize this was a blank. He didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger a few more times, but all of them ended up as blanks. Xie He frowned. He pulled open the magazine and saw that there hadn’t been any bullets loaded. He turned to look at Liang Chengshan and asked, “Do you have any ammunition on you?”
Liang Ze’s eyes slowly turned red as he stared at Xie He.
What could have made Xie He completely forget him? It couldn’t be that this was Xie He’s new facade? Was it that…he didn’t even feel any hesitation in killing Liang Ze for the sake of staying at Liang Chengshan’s side? Xie He had pulled the trigger again and again…although each one was empty, it felt like each shot had pierced a hole into his heart. His blood had turned cold.
Xie He’s cruel actions that held no hesitation had made his love into a joke.
Why had he wanted to come save him today?
【Ding, Liang Ze’s Blackening Value +80. The current Favourability Value is 92. The current Blackening Value is 80.】
Liang Chengshan looked at Xie He, pleased. The last of his doubt was put to rest. He hugged Xie He gently. “If there’s no bullets, forget it. I trust you.”
When Xie He heard this, he was ecstatic. He gazed at Liang Chengshan with eyes full of love. “I love you.”
Liang Ze watched all of this coldly. The hatred in his eyes was nearly tangible. Heh…what a sweet scene. Truly hilarious….
It made him want to destroy everything.
Liang Ze barked a cold laugh. “You love him? You used to tell me you loved me. Your love is really cheap. But whatever. In any case, you’re nothing but a toy that can be thrown away or humiliated at any time to Liang Chengshan. It suits your cheap love.”
Liang Chengshan frowned. He immediately thought that he could not let Xie He continue to hear these words. He grabbed Xie He’s hand and wanted to leave. In any case, his goal had been accomplished. He had confirmed that Xie He had no recollection of Liang Ze. He had even been able to fire at Liang Ze with an intent to kill, without any hesitation.
Xie He followed Liang Chengshan out. As soon as they were out the door, they could hear Liang Ze’s mocking voice echo through the door. “A coldhearted man like Liang Chengshan only wants to play with you because you’re new and fresh. But you genuinely love him? Hehe, but I don’t think you really love him either. You’re nothing but a liar. Did you forget that you wanted to kill him? Did you think that he would really trust you if you sacrificed me?! Don’t be delusional!”
Xie He’s expression finally changed. He suddenly covered his ears and ran out. No! He wouldn’t do something like that again. He wouldn’t ever betray Liang Chengshan again! He wasn’t a liar!
Liang Chengshan regretted letting Xie He meet with Liang Ze. He had wanted to test Xie He because he had been suspicious. He had wanted Xie He to personally draw lines between himself and Liang Ze. He wanted Liang Ze to give up.
But Liang Ze had said things Xie He shouldn’t listen to. His words would fill Xie He’s head with nonsense.
Xie He ran to the shore. He stepped into the icy cold sea. Because it was too cold, he took a panicked step back. At that moment, he saw Liang Chengshan coming after him, looking at him worriedly.
He stared at Liang Chengshan, distraught. “I…I’m not like that. I don’t remember…I really love you. I’m not lying. I’m not lying….”
Liang Chengshan held Xie He in his arms and said in a soft voice, “I know. I love you.”
Xie He was held in Liang Chengshan’s arms but Liang Ze’s words kept echoing in his mind. So it was all true. He really had something with that person in the past. They had betrayed Liang Chengshan together….
He deserved to be punished. He deserved to become useless….
Did Liang Chengshan really love him? Or was it as that man had said? Did the other only see him as a plaything?
Liang Chengshan stroked Xie He’s trembling back. He knew that the other had taken too great of a blow today. He would need some time to calm down. But there was one thing he had confirmed. Xie He would not be swayed by Liang Ze. He was completely his….. This made the last knot in Liang Chengshan’s chest disappear.
Liang Chengshan said, “Let’s go home.”
This place could no longer make Xie He feel safe now that such a thing had occurred. They might as well go home.
…………………………………………
Xie He didn’t see Liang Ze again. It was like Liang Ze had never come. He and Liang Chengshan went home. The wounds on Xie He’s arms had already healed but there were still scars left behind.
【444：Ah, Host dada, were you really planning on killing Liang Ze then?】
【Xie He：Of course not. How could I bear to kill off 8000 experience points? Liang Chengshan was obviously testing me. A tiger, though cruel, would not devour their own cubs. Nothing really happened to me either. He would not kill his own son over something like that. Moreover, Liang Ze isn’t even qualified to be seen as his opponent. Someone who poses no threat can be gotten rid of at any time. Just like how a tiger would not care if an ant would occasionally provoke it, the tiger would naturally be even more tolerant of the ‘ant’ it fathered.】
【444：(⊙o⊙) Oh.】
【Xie He：But it’s almost time for me to find a chance to ‘recover’ my memories. I can’t let Uncle Liang continue living in this lie forever. 🙂 】
【444：……】
Liang Chengshan had taken Xie He to live on that island for a bit more than a month. It had been very difficult to help Xie He feel less self-deprecating and sensitive. But then the thing with Liang Ze had happened. This had made all of Liang Chengshan’s efforts go down the drain.
Except for when Liang Chengshan asked Xie He to come with him, the other never stepped foot outside the house. Every day, he stared into space while sitting at home. He would wait for Liang Chengshan to come home. It was like there was nothing else in his world except for Liang Chengshan.
Liang Chengshan felt helpless and heartbroken seeing Xie He like this. At night, He held Xie He and asked, “Don’t you want to come to work with me?”
Xie He lowered his gaze. “I can’t do anything….”
Liang Chengshan encouraged him gently. “But I want you to be able to stand next to me.”
Xie He’s gaze was still as dim as before. There was none of the spirit from before. He could not be comforted no matter what Liang Chengshan said. He quietly said, “I…I don’t deserve to stand next to you….” He had mulled over this every day. He had racked his brains. In the end, this was the conclusion he had come up with.
He had paid so much, all for the sake of being able to stand next to Liang Chengshan. But he was still unable to be a normal person.
He couldn’t do it. He wanted to give up….
When Liang Chengshan heard this, he could no longer conceal the suffering in his eyes. He shut the eyes and opened them again a long while later. He gazed at Xie He gravely. “You’re not allowed to say such a thing again.”
Xie He was frightened by Liang Chengshan’s solemn attitude. He cowered but didn’t refute. He only said, “But I…I can’t do anything….”
Liang Chengshan gazed at him with deep emotions. He suddenly kissed Xie He deeply until the other couldn’t breathe or stand straight. Xie He only remained standing because of Liang Chengshan’s hold.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
A long time later, Liang Chengshan let go. He pinched Xie He’s chin and coldly said, “You can. What can’t you do? You didn’t even try but you’re saying you can’t do it. You’ve really disappointed me.”
When Xie He heard Liang Chengshan say that he was disappointed, he was frightened. Tears well up in his eyes.
When Liang Chengshan saw this, his heart clenched. Intense pain wracked his chest. He hugged Xie He and slowly said in a heavy tone, “You must stand next to me. Only you have the right to be with me. Therefore, you have to pick yourself up.”
Xie He’s vision grew blurry from the tears. He didn’t know what to say.
The next morning, Liang Chengshan said to Xie He, “Get dressed. Come with me.”
Xie He didn’t dare ask any questions. He thought that Liang Chengshan was still angry.
Liang Chengshan drove Xie He to a cemetery. There was a huge expanse of tombstones there. Many of Liang Chengshan’s deceased brethren had been buried here. Today, there was a light drizzle. Liang Chengshan opened a black umbrella and held Xie He tightly against him.
He walked over to the large tombstone. He said in a cool voice, “Here lay many of my brethren. They had fought with me. I brought you here to see them.”
Xie He leaned into Liang Chengshan’s chest meekly. He didn’t know why Liang Chengshan had suddenly brought him here.
Liang Chengshan lowered his head, gazing at Xie He. His eyes were full of gentle affection. His arms held Xie He’s shoulder tightly. He slowly turned his head to face the tombstone and said, “I’ll be getting married soon. I brought my spouse to see you all. If you guys were alive, you would definitely be happy for me.”
Xie He widened his eyes. He looked at Liang Chengshan, shocked. What did he mean? Liang Chengshan wanted to marry him?
Liang Chengshan smiled and kissed Xie He on the forehead. He brought him forward and introduced each person. “This is Chen Feng. His alcohol tolerance was the highest. This is Wang Jie, his shooting was really accurate but he was the lowest ranking of them all. Back then, we were all just a bunch of stowaways….This is….”
Liang Chengshan slowly made his way through, before suddenly coming to a stop. In the distance, there was a single, lone tombstone.
Xie He saw that he wasn’t moving, so he also stopped. He looked at the other inquisitively.
Liang Chengshan stared at that tombstone. Pain and hesitation flashed through his eyes. He was silent for a long time before he finally decided to bring Xie He over. There were only three simple words engraved: Yang Jin’s tombstone. There was also a fuzzy photo.
Liang Chengshan fell absentminded for a moment. Actually, there was no corpse buried here. He had burned it.
So many years had passed. He had faced enormous pressure but he had still insisted on erecting Yang Jin’s cenotaph here. He just wasn’t willing to let his friend die here in a foreign land without a ‘home’. After all, they had once said that they would live together and die together.
Even though you betrayed us….Everything is gone after death. You died and all of the hatred, the resentment…all of it disappeared with you.
Unfortunately, repaying you has to wait until our next lifetime.
Although you probably don’t want to see me again…I still want you to meet my current lover. I think…you would probably like him.
Liang Chengshan placed his hands on Xie He’s shoulder, his voice low and hoarse. “This was my best friend, Yang Jin. Let me introduce the two of you.”
Xie He stared at the words on the tombstone, lost in a daze. He also stared at the photo on top of the tombstone. He could faintly make out the determined visage of the man. Everything went fuzzy before him. Suddenly, he felt a piercing pain in his head. It was like something that had been sealed shut was not getting restless. It wanted to come out.
Eve: Just thinking about when LCS realizes who Yang Ling is and thinks back to this moment. Bruh. That’s fked up. You’re telling your once best friend that you’re boning and marrying his son. Urgh. Also, JFC, this was the longest chapter in the novel. 16k Chinese characters. RIP me.
sere: ewww ya yikes…. Also i had this chapter open for two weeks…. Too much.