Just as Xiao-Tong finished speaking, Shi-Han suddenly remembered Chen-Yu's mysterious phone call. Her expression darkened, and she said angrily,
Shi-Han: "Enough! Not another word, or I'll slap you. Do you think you're the only one in the world who's gone through a breakup? Am I nobody to you? Kai-Wen may have betrayed you, but that's where it ended. Chen-Yu betrayed me too, and even after that, he tried to frame me for a murder case. Yet... I'm still alive, aren't I?"
The moment Shi-Han finished speaking, Xiao-Tong broke down completely and burst into tears.
As the memories of Chen-Yu resurfaced, tears silently rolled down Shi-Han's cheeks as well.
Through her sobs, Xiao-Tong continued,
Xiao-Tong: "Shi-Han... it feels like our fates are woven from the same thread. You had parents, but you've lost them. My parents abandoned me when I was just a child and disappeared without a trace. But don't people like us deserve to have a family too? Just because I'm an orphan, does that mean I don't have a heart? Don't we have the right to be loved? Why? What crime did we commit that fate keeps betraying us over and over again?"
Shi-Han gently held her shoulders and replied,
Shi-Han: "I don't know the answers to those questions, and honestly, I don't want to. But we have to keep living—for Master Mu-Lian and Grandma Xiao-Lin. Do you understand? Come on... let's go home."
As soon as Shi-Han finished speaking, Xiao-Tong tried to say something else, but Shi-Han immediately stopped her.
Shi-Han: "No. Not another word. From today onward, you're staying at my apartment for a few days."
Then she called toward the outer room,
Shi-Han: "Captain, could you please ask our club's driver to take us home?"
Ji-Xuan had been playing games in the outer room the entire time. He had deliberately stayed out of Shi-Han and Xiao-Tong's conversation.
As soon as Shi-Han finished speaking, Ji-Xuan's voice came from outside.
Ji-Xuan: "Okay, Sister. I'll let him know."
★★★
On the fourth floor of the Long-Ying-Ting Apartment, inside Jun-Yu's apartment, Mei-Xue sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa.
Nearby, Jun-Kai sat at the dining table with a half-filled glass of water in his hand.
An oppressive silence filled the apartment.
It was as though only a father's silent anguish remained, while a mother's heart burned with unbearable grief.
Every corner of the room seemed to echo with Mei-Xue's sorrow and maternal despair.
The security guards had called Jun-Kai long ago to report that Jun-Yu had abandoned the car he had driven away in midway through his escape.
Now, no one knew where to find him.
Jun-Kai could have informed the police at any moment.
But he understood one thing—
"Someone who wants to be found is easy to find. But someone who truly wants to disappear cannot be found so easily."
Besides, Jun-Yu needed time.
Today, he had achieved the greatest honor of his racing career by becoming the National CRRC Road Racing Champion.
Yet on that very same day, he had also lost the achievement he had devoted years of his life to—his beloved laboratory and everything he had built.
No one could recover from such a devastating loss overnight.
But a mother's heart never listens to reason.
Ever since Jun-Yu left home, Mei-Xue had been crying nonstop.
The pain of losing her son, combined with the accusations she hurled at Jun-Kai, tore his heart apart.
Unable to bear it any longer, Jun-Kai stood up from the dining table.
He walked over to Mei-Xue, knelt down in front of her, and spoke in a remorseful voice.
Jun-Kai: "Please forgive me, Mei-Xue. I truly didn't realize how deeply Jun-Yu was hurting. But... was I really wrong? All I wanted was for Prince Jun to give up his research."
Mei-Xue clenched both fists and lightly pounded against Jun-Kai's chest as tears streamed down her face.
Mei-Xue: "What kind of father can't even understand his own son's pain? Why do you think your son holds so much resentment toward you? And is that really all you wanted—that Prince Jun give up science? No... you don't even want him to race. He could have become a professional racer a long time ago if you hadn't kept holding him back."
Jun-Kai gently took Mei-Xue's hands in his own.
Jun-Kai: "Mei-Xue... please, calm down. Just listen to me for once. Do you think I don't have a heart? Do you think destroying Jun-Yu's laboratory means I feel no pain?"
Before he could say anything more, Mei-Xue collapsed into his embrace and cried even harder.
Jun-Kai gently stroked her hair as he tried to comfort her.
Jun-Kai: "Mei-Xue... even if you see me as a heartless man, I'm still the father of two children. My heart aches for them just as deeply. Jin-Yu left the warmth of my embrace long ago, and now the king of my kingdom... my Prince Jun... has left my world empty as well. Just think for a moment about how much pain I'm in. Jun-Yu's mountain of resentment, your bitter accusations, and this kingdom without my prince... the suffering they're causing me is beyond words. Please... don't keep piercing me with your accusations. I... I've failed as a father."
Mei-Xue slowly lifted her head from Jun-Kai's chest, wiped away her tears, and spoke with unwavering resolve.
Mei-Xue: "I don't want to hear any of it. Did you ever stop to think about how much pain your son would suffer? When you destroyed his laboratory, did you even consider whether he could survive such a devastating emotional blow? Did you think about that even once?"
Jun-Kai had no answer.
Her words left him completely speechless.
A mistake was still a mistake.
If he had truly understood how broken Jun-Yu would become... if he had seen that heartbreaking future before his eyes... would he ever have done such a thing?
The thought alone left him unable to speak.
With nothing but overwhelming regret, he lowered his head in silence.
Mei-Xue continued,
Mei-Xue: "Listen to me, Jun-Kai. You always say that in your kingdom of wealth, power, and luxury, my Jun-Yu is your Prince. But I don't want your kingdom. I only want my son. Bring my Jun-Yu back into my arms. If you can't bring him home before tonight is over... then I'll be the one who leaves your kingdom."
Jun-Kai stared at her in disbelief.
Jun-Kai: "Mei-Xue... are you really saying this to me?"
★★★
It was late at night.
Moonlight hung heavily over the silent city, while the streets lay deserted. At such an hour, almost everyone had long since gone to sleep.
The city's lights flickered faintly in the darkness.
Only one place still glowed with colorful lights—a bar tucked away in a quiet corner of the city.
The music had already stopped.
One by one, the customers had gone home, leaving behind only a handful of staff members.
Even they wore expressions of exhaustion and frustration.
For what felt like hours, Jun-Yu had been sitting at the counter, emptying one glass after another.
Leaning forward with his head resting on his folded arms, he remained motionless.
His head throbbed with unbearable pain.
Ever since Shi-Han had struck him on the head the previous evening, the headache had refused to go away.
Although he had taken painkillers, the pain had worsened again after the motorcycle crash earlier that afternoon.
And on top of that, he had never been prepared for the devastating emotional blow he had suffered that evening.
Poor Jun-Yu...
Nearly a dozen empty wine glasses sat scattered before him.
Another unopened bottle rested in his hand as he slowly turned it over and over, staring at it blankly.
Tears silently rolled down his cheeks.
Only one thought echoed endlessly in his mind.
"In just a few moments... everything I had was destroyed. And the person who destroyed it... was my own father."
Lost in his thoughts, another voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Jun-Yu... your father is far more terrifying than you realize. He doesn't love any of you at all."
The words rang through his ears.
Jun-Yu lowered his head and whispered to himself,
Jun-Yu: "My dad isn't a bad person... I believe that one day I'll be able to prove it. But... how could Dad destroy everything I lived for?"
As soon as Jun-Yu finished speaking, the bartender standing behind the counter looked at him with concern and said,
Bartender: "Sir... aren't you going home? It's very late. We need to close the bar and head home too."
Jun-Yu let out a faint, bitter smile.
Jun-Yu: "Home...? Brother... I don't have a home anymore. Could you let me stay here tonight? And... could you give me a job, please?"
As he finished speaking, he emptied the wine glass in his hand.
The bartender couldn't help feeling sorry for him.
Such a handsome young man... What happened to him?
Jun-Yu's fair complexion, deep black eyes, and gentle, captivating voice made it difficult for anyone to look away.
After all, beauty has a way of drawing people's attention, regardless of whether they're a man or a woman.
The bartender studied him quietly.
"Judging by his clothes, he clearly comes from a wealthy family... But what could have happened to leave him in such terrible emotional pain?"
While lost in those thoughts, he saw Jun-Yu raise his index finger.
Jun-Yu: "Please... bring me another bottle of wine."
The bartender immediately shook his head.
Bartender: "Absolutely not. You've had enough. Drinking any more will only harm your health. Please go home."
As soon as the bartender finished speaking, Jun-Yu reached into his pocket and placed several bank cards on the counter.
Jun-Yu: "Here... take these. My debit card, my credit cards... they're all yours. I'll even tell you the PIN codes. Just do me one favor."
His voice cracked.
Jun-Yu: "The fire burning inside me... only the wine in your bar can put it out. Please... give me everything you've got."
The bartender stared at him in disbelief.
Bartender: "Who are you? And why are you talking like this? If I keep serving you alcohol, you could die. Are you trying to tempt me with these cards and turn me into a murderer?"
Before Jun-Yu could answer, one of the bar staff, who had just finished cleaning up, walked over to the counter and spoke in surprise.
Staff Member: "You don't recognize him? How is that possible? Even if you don't know who he is, I can't believe you haven't heard about what happened today."
The bartender frowned.
Bartender: "What happened today? If you know him, then contact his family. They should come and take him home."
The staff member sighed.
Staff Member: "He's Jun-Yu... the racer who became the National CRRC Road Racing Champion today. But... how am I supposed to contact his family?"
The moment those words reached his ears, Jun-Yu felt a wave of nausea.
He struggled to steady himself before speaking in a weak voice.
Jun-Yu: "I'm not a racer anymore... and I don't have a home. If you won't let me stay here... then just give me one bottle of wine, and I'll leave."
As soon as Jun-Yu finished speaking, the bartender quietly gestured to the staff member and said…
Bartender: "Take him outside first. I'll close the bar and be right there. If you can, hail a taxi. I'll take him home myself. He's had far too much to drink. He needs to sober up first."
As soon as the bartender finished speaking, one of the staff members slipped Jun-Yu's left arm over his shoulder to support him.
Staggering unsteadily, Jun-Yu lazily raised his right hand and mumbled,
Jun-Yu: "You're... just as mean as my dad... You wouldn't even let me drink a little more wine..."
As he spoke, he pressed his lips together tightly.
His heart wasn't the only thing that had shattered—his body was giving out as well.
His vision had become blurry.
His head was spinning violently.
He could barely keep himself on his feet.
The staff member quickly called back to the bartender,
Staff: "Please hurry! He has a very high fever. His whole body is burning. We need to take him to a doctor."
With that, the staff member helped Jun-Yu outside the bar.
At that exact moment, Shi-Han was returning to her apartment with Xiao-Tong.
The instant she saw Jun-Yu's head drooping against the staff member's shoulder, she immediately shouted to the driver,
Shi-Han: "Stop! Stop, Uncle! That's Jun-Yu! What happened to him? Why is he in this condition?"
The driver slammed on the brakes.
Xiao-Tong was asleep in the back seat.
Shi-Han hurried over to Jun-Yu. Seeing how pale and exhausted he looked, she anxiously called out to him,
Shi-Han: "Jun-Yu! Jun-Yu! What happened? How did you end up like this in such a short time? Jun-Yu, can you hear me?"
Earlier, Jun-Yu had been sitting at the bar with his head resting on his folded arms.
But ever since the staff had helped him outside, the dizziness had become unbearable.
Unable to steady himself, he kept his head lowered and his eyes closed.
As Shi-Han repeatedly called his name, Jun-Yu suddenly doubled over and bent forward, his body trembling.
Shi-Han: "Jun-Yu! Jun-Yu, are you alright?"
The staff member explained,
Staff: "Ma'am, he's extremely drunk. He's had almost one and a half liters of alcohol. Please don't worry. This kind of reaction is normal. He should start feeling better once he sobers up."
After a brief pause, he added,
Staff: "From the way you're reacting, I assume you know him. Please take extra care of him tonight. From the things he was saying, it's obvious he's been through severe emotional trauma."
As he spoke, the staff member gently transferred Jun-Yu's arm onto Shi-Han's shoulder.
In a faint whisper, Jun-Yu murmured,
Jun-Yu: "I'm... all alone... I don't want to go... I don't have... a home anymore... I... can't... go on..."
As soon as the words left his lips, he tried to take another step.
But his legs refused to support his weight.
The harder he tried to stay on his feet, the more his body gave way.
Growing increasingly worried, Shi-Han looked at the staff member.
Shi-Han: "Brother, could you please help me get him to the car? I think he's about to lose consciousness. His body is getting heavier by the second."
The staff member immediately rushed over and supported Jun-Yu's other arm.
Staff: "Don't worry. This is common after drinking this much. But he does have a high fever, so please keep a close eye on him."