Chapter 49 - A Beautiful Heart
Translated by Eve
Edited by Kara
WARNING: Violence and gore.
14. A Beautiful Heart
Bai Xiaorui finally stopped crying a long time later. He sniffled and said to Xie He, “Sorry, I let you see me make a fool of myself.”
Clearly, he had wanted to comfort the other. In the end, Xie He was fine, and he was the one who cried himself into a mess. It was just that when he thought about what Xie He had undergone all this time, he became unbearably sad....
Xie He looked at him calmly, “It’s fine. Thank you.”
Thank you for letting me know that my parents were good people. Although they didn’t know me, although they died without knowing they had a son like me, at the very least, I know that...if we were ever to meet, they would have definitely loved me.
They would have loved me as much as they had loved you.
Xie He stood up, turning around to leave. Bai Xiaorui suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand. He said, “Are you going back to your room?”
Xie He silently nodded.
Bai Xiaorui gritted his teeth. He didn’t want Xie He to go back. He didn’t want him to go back to Deng Jingwen’s room...he shouldn’t be treated so cruelly! To be mercilessly possessed by the person he had once considered his father...how much despair must reside in his heart as he stayed in that bedroom all alone? That must be why his reaction to Bai Xiaorui had been so intense....
It was just a pity that Bai Xiaorui had no means to help him or even the courage to fight Deng Jingwen. But, at least...he could stay with him, take him out to do things to take his mind off matters, no?
Bai Xiaorui thought of this and said, “Let’s go play, ba.”
Xie He looked at him expressionlessly. He didn’t respond.
Bai Xiaorui spoke again, “There’s an amusement park. My dad used to take me there all the time when I was young. How about I take you there?”
Finally, a glimmer of light appeared in Xie He’s eyes. However, he didn’t express his opinion as if hesitating.
Bai Xiaorui noticed the flicker of anticipation and longing in Xie He’s eyes. He directly dragged Xie He by the arm towards the door, smiling, “Go with me, la! You’ll become moldy if you spend all day shut up at home!”
Xie He was dragged out like this. If the two young masters wanted to go out, no one dared to stop them. Very quickly, they set off with the chauffeur and bodyguards.
After so many years, that amusement park had already become outdated. It was just barely still in business. There were a few families here and there at the park, and the majority were just people who lived in the neighbourhood and came because it was close by.
Bai Xiaorui, however, was in extremely high spirits. All along the way, he led Xie He by the hand, speaking as they walked, “That Ferris wheel was my favourite when I was young. I always pestered Dad until he couldn’t stand it anymore and would take me here. Haha...over here, there used to be a cotton candy vendor. I really liked to eat it when I was young. Mom would always buy some and wait for us down here...over here...and over there....”
It was such a small place, but it held so many memories.
Xie He was entranced while listening. By the end, he felt like he had been there himself. He stared at Bai Xiaorui fixedly. Suddenly, he felt very envious of him.
If...this misunderstanding hadn’t happened at the start, how good would that have been? Then the person who got to enjoy all of these memories, would it have been him? If he could have obtained even a bit of true, parental love, then he would have been willing to pay any cost.
Unfortunately, time could not be reversed. The dead could not be revived.
The two of them walked rather quickly. The bodyguards behind them did not dare disturb them, so they stayed a few meters behind. In addition, nothing had happened for a long time, so they were rather careless.
Therefore, when Xie He and Bai Xiaorui were suppressed by a man who suddenly appeared from the carousel, the bodyguards could not react in time! The masked man dressed in black pressed a dagger against Xie He’s throat and sternly shouted, “Stay away!”
He then quickly met eyes with his partner and nodded.
Bai Xiaorui grew up in a normal home. He had never encountered such a situation before. Having a gun pointed at him, he was pale from fright, “W-Who are you people...?”
The man did not pay any attention to him. In a low voice, he said, “Take Deng Zhuo. Leave quickly!”
Xie He was very quickly dragged into a car. The bodyguards chased after them, unwilling to give up. Seeing that the bodyguards were catching up, the man took the trembling Bai Xiaorui and threw him out of the car. The bodyguards were afraid of hurting Bai Xiaorui, so they were forced to stop. When they were finally ready to continue their pursuit, it was already too late.
................................................................................................
The kidnappers drove into downtown. In the end, they stopped at some place and got out. The people took off their coats and masks, easily blending into the crowd and taking Xie He into an apartment building. No one expected them to actually have been hiding in the city centre all this time.
Xie He was tied to a chair. He looked miserable from head to toe. Only, aside from the panic at the very beginning, he was calm now.
After a while, Zhao Ling entered. The sleeve on his right side was empty and his expression malicious. He stared at Xie He coldly and said, “Deng Shao. Long time to see, ah.”
Xie He looked at him, brows furrowed, “It’s you.”
Zhao Ling held a sharp knife in his left hand and gently patted Xie He’s face with it. He sneered, “Are you surprised?”
Xie He pursed his lips. He didn’t answer.
Zhao Ling chuckled, “You never thought that you’d end up in my hands, ba? Don’t worry. This time, I’ll definitely entertain you properly. Deng Jingwen crippled my arm. Today, I’ll chop off all your limbs and send them back to him. Don’t you think he’ll have a very nice expression when he sees them?”
Xie He’s face paled. Finally, fear emerged in his eyes.
At this time, a middle-aged man entered. His icy gaze fell on Xie He, and he said, “This is Deng Jingwen’s son?”
Zhao Ling laughed, “Yes, Dad.”
Zhao Hong shot a gaze at Xie He and said, “Don’t blame me. If you need to blame someone, then blame Deng Jingwen for having sinned too much. Wait until we’ve received our ransom. Then, we’ll show you a good time.”
At this moment, Xie He became truly afraid. His whole body stiffened, and he summoned up the courage to say, “You’ve caught the wrong person. I’m not Deng Jingwen’s son&#k2026;he won’t pay a ransom for me&#k2026;even if you kill me, it’s no use!”
Zhao Ling was startled. Soon after, he shook with laughter, “Deng Shao can unexpectedly tell jokes! I never knew you had a sense of humour!”
Xie He looked at him, biting his lips, “I’m telling the truth.”
“I think you need to be given a lesson!” Zhao Ling walked over and landed a fierce kick on Xie He’s stomach. Xie He immediately cried out in pain.
Zhao Hong frowned. He pulled Zhao Ling over and said in a low voice, “Stop playing around. Deng Jingwen will find us soon. Don’t waste time!” As he said this, he directly dialed Deng Jingwen’s number.
However, the dialing tone rang for a long time, and no one answered the phone. Doubt appeared in Zhao Hong’s eyes, “Isn’t it said that what Deng Jingwen treasures the most is his son? It’s reasonable to say that he already knows about this. Why isn’t he picking up his phone?”
Zhao Ling said uncertainly, “It couldn’t be that he hasn’t heard about it yet?”
Zhao Hong thought that it was impossible. The first step didn’t proceed according to common sense. This caused a bad premonition to spring up in his heart.
Xie He laid on the floor. He was in so much pain that his face became white. The phone rang and rang...causing his hopes to gradually become crushed. Although he already knew that Deng Jingwen didn’t care about him and only thought of him as a plaything, to really be abandoned in a moment of life or death...only now did he realize he could fall into even deeper despair....
He could still fall deeper. His heart could still feel colder.
When the voice on the phone finally said that no one picked up, Xie He couldn’t stop himself from laughing out loud. He laughed so hard that hysterical tears flowed down his face. He looked at Zhao Ling like he was an idiot, “I already said that I wasn’t his son! He doesn’t care about my life or death at all! Hahahahaha...you idiot...he won’t do anything for me at all!”
That phone call made Zhao Ling, who originally thought that he had victory in his hands, become extremely antsy! Xie He’s words enraged him, and he ruthlessly kicked Xie He several more times!
Zhao Hong’s expression darkened. He watched this all with no expression. He then continued to dial.
This time, it rang for a long time, but it finally connected!
“Hello,” Deng Jingwen’s apathetic and cool voice transmitted through the call.
Zhao Hong spoke in a low voice, “President Deng, your son is in my hands, but you don’t seem concerned, ah.”
There was a pause on the other side for a second. Then, a chuckle, “Are you talking about Deng Zhuo?”
Zhao Hong said, “Yes.”
For a long time, there was no response on the other side. Just as Zhao Hong was about to lose patience, Deng Jingwen’s indifferent voice said, “He’s not my son.”
This was like a clap of thunder on a clear day to Zhao Hong and Zhao Ling!
Zhao Hong’s expression immediately changed! His original steady voice began to tremble, but he was still more shrewd than Zhao Ling. He forced himself to laugh, “President Deng is joking, ba. Although I want to borrow a little money from President Deng, you don’t have to pretend to not recognize your own son over this money!”
Deng Jingwen calmly stated, “Everyone knows that I have never told a joke before. Since you called me today, I’ll tell you something. My son is someone else. Soon, I will officially announce this to the world. Deng Zhuo is just a little play thing I carried away by mistake at that time. Only, I still like him a bit. If you let him go, I’ll let bygones be bygones. If not...you’re on your own!”
After saying this, he hung up. The disconnected tone was like a slap in the face to the Zhao father and son!
From start to finish, Deng Jingwen did not ask whether Deng Zhuo was doing OK or if he was even still alive.
Zhao Hong finally fell into a mess! He dialed the number again but was rejected by the other party! It was clear that the other had no intention of bargaining with him! Zhao Hong smashed his cellphone onto the ground! He was flustered and exasperated. He roared, “This is impossible! Impossible!”
Because the phone call was on speaker phone, Xie He had heard Deng Jingwen’s every word. There was a deathly stillness in his eyes. It was like his eyes were no longer capable of reflecting any light.
That’s right, this was the man he had whole-heartedly regarded as his father. He finally had no reason to hold onto any expectations anymore.
Actually, this was good. He should have admitted this fact a long time ago.
Xie He’s expression suddenly become extremely calm. He even smiled a bit. He said to Zhao Hong, “I already told you that I’m not his son, but you guys didn’t believe me.”
【444：Woah, I can’t bear this any longer. This is making me cry. /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~How can there be someone like this?! I don’t believe that his Favourability Value is already 90!】
【Xie He：......】
【444：Wuwuwuwu, this capture target is too despicable! /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~】
【Xie He：Baby, from now on, give me a heads-up before you start crying, OK? Just now, my expression almost collapsed because of your crying. :)】
【444：But, I couldn’t hold it in, ah! QAQ】
【Xie He：My dear, don’t look at the surface when analyzing things. Deng Jingwen’s words sounded very relaxed, but he’s actually not at all relaxed on the inside—he’s suffering. The Zhao father-and-son pair hate him to the bone. If I was his biological son, they would not let me return alive. Not only do they want money, but they also want Deng Jingwen to regret his past deeds and be so aggrieved that he wishes he were dead. After getting their money, the first thing they would do is kill me! However, if I’m not his son, I have a chance to survive. Although Zhao Ling hates me, which means I’ll still suffer, he might not kill me. This will make him believe that I’d suffer more alive than dead. Moreover, the more Deng Jingwen acts like he doesn’t care, the more he plays things down, the more the Zhao father and son will be flustered and confused. They’ll be too busy to mind me.】
【Xie He：Under these circumstances, the stupidest thing one can do is give the enemy information that can be used against oneself as well as the upper hand, all because you were impatient and let your emotions control you. If I were Deng Jingwen, I would also choose to do what he did. I would first let Zhao Hong panic and wait for an opportunity to save the hostage. This is the best way to ensure the hostage’s life and safety. Deng Jingwen said that he isn’t concerned about me. However, he might actually be hitting his desk in worry right now, ne. Smile. JPG】
【444：......】He doesn’t dare imagine the scene of Deng Jingwen hitting his desk......
【Xie He：Only, it’s really a pity......】
【444：？】
【Xie He：An innocent and pure child like me can’t understand Dad’s thoughtful considerations, ah.】
【Xie He：I’m heart-broken and sad, ne.】
【444：......】I suddenly can’t cry anymore......_(:зゝ∠)_
..............................................................................
Zhao Hong smashed his phone to pieces. His expression was so overcast that it was like a storm was about to occur. After a long time, he finally calmed down.
Zhao Ling was nervous and uneasy, “Dad, is Deng Jingwen tricking us? How can Deng Zhuo not be his son?”
Zhao Hong muttered to himself for a long time. He then coldly spat out one word, “No.”
“Then, what should we do?” Zhao Ling was thoroughly panicked. He broke out into a cold sweat, eyes filled with bitter resentment and unwillingness. This time, they took the risk and exposed their tracks. In the end, it turned out that Deng Zhuo was not Deng Jingwen’s son after all! Deng Jingwen had no qualms. How could he let them off?
Zhao Hong did not respond. He walked towards Xie He and asked in a low voice, “What’s going on?”
Xie He repeated in a flat tone of voice, “I am not his son.”
Zhao Hong nodded, “This we already know. What I want to know is why you aren’t his son, when did he find out, and also...why Deng Jingwen kept you by his side, even though you aren’t his son.”
With every question Zhao Hong asked, Xie He’s face paled another degree. He pursed his lips tightly and was unwilling to answer.
Zhao Ling grabbed Xie He by his hair, forcing his head off the ground. Exasperated, he said, “We’re asking you a question! Quickly answer us!”
Xie He stubbornly shut his mouth and didn’t make a sound. His eyes were red. There was a very suppressed pain in his eyes...his body was tied up, and he had helplessly fallen to the ground. However, his neck was forcefully raised. He was like a bound swan, struggling on its deathbed: a beautiful scene, full of forlorn and despair.
Zhao Hong’s eyes darkened as if he had realized something. He suddenly asked, “Half a year ago, Deng Jingwen expelled you from the family. He found out that you weren’t his son then, right?”
Xie He’s eyes became dull.
Zhao Hong began to understand. He paused and gazed at Xie He’s face. Slowly, he said, “It’s said that Deng Jingwen likes beautiful young men like you the most. Looking at your appearance, I can say that he would certainly like it a lot. So...he changed his mind and let you go back, because he took a fancy to you, right?”
Xie He began to shake, face so white that it looked like drained of all blood. He used an ice-cold, still gaze to look at Zhao Hong. He then shut his eyes.
Zhao Hong and Zhao Ling exchanged glances. They couldn’t believe it!
They already thought that it was shocking enough that Deng Zhuo was not Deng Jingwen’s son. Who’d have thought that the truth would be even more unbelievable!? Deng Jingwen actually....
When Zhao Hong looked at Xie He again, there was only sympathy left in his gaze. Deng Jingwen was never one who would let his heart be moved by a mere plaything. For the most part, he would throw them away after having his fun with them. From his attitude today, it was clear that Deng Zhuo was no exception, even if this young man was someone he had raised as a son. It was just that if it was like this...they were in a bad situation. Without an advantage to exploit, Deng Jingwen would not show any mercy to them! Although Deng Jingwen didn’t care about Deng Zhuo, their actions were like a slap in the face to Deng Jingwen. They would be dealt with mercilessly!
This time was a total failure! Zhao Hong was someone who could meet losses and gains with equanimity, so he decisively said, “We must leave now!” They had to take this time before Deng Jingwen came over to escape! This was the only way they would still have a chance to live!
Although he knew they had no other choice, Zhao Ling was still extremely unwilling, “Dad, are we just going to let this go like that?!”
Zhao Hong said, “If we don’t let things pass, what else can we do?” He sighed inwardly. This son of his had been spoiled rotten. He was also partly responsible for their current situation. Only, although he knew this, he could not watch his son die! He only had this one son!
Zhao Ling glanced at his empty sleeve. A deep-rooted hate emerged in his eyes. To escape like this and then hide for the rest of his life...how could he be resigned to it!? How could he accept this!? In that moment, anger and hate won over his fear! He told Zhao Hong, “Dad, you go first. I’ll kill this youngster and then follow!”
【Xie He：Baby, quickly help me shoot a 360 degree picture. Afterwards, turn it into a holographic image. I want to always be able to enjoy my immaculate beauty at any time or place!】
【444：Right now???】Host dada is still in the mood to take a selfie at this time?! Σ( °△°|||)︴
【Xie He：Of course, right now. Later, I won’t be able to enjoy this beautiful face. When I think about this, it really makes me inconsolably sad. 】
【444：......？】Why was it that the more he heard, the less he understood?
【Xie He：You should know that sometimes being too beautiful is a hindrance...right, have you started filming?】
【444：Yes!】Although he still didn’t understand, it was fine so long as he did what Host dada commanded. @[email protected]
【Xie He：Very good. It’s time to let Dad throw out that showy outer appearance and be moved by my inner beauty. :)】
444：......What the heck?
Zhao Hong’s face turned cold when he heard this, “No! Leave him here to impede Deng Jingwen. Although Deng Jingwen doesn’t really care about him, since he was willing to keep him by his side for so long, he probably has some regard for him. We can use this to give us some more time!”
Zhao Ling gnashed his teeth, “But....”
Zhao Hong shouted, “No ‘buts!’ What’s most important is our survival!” He turned and ordered, “Pack up! We have to leave now!”
Zhao Ling gripped his knife tightly. He then turned and headed towards Xie He!
Seeing his son’s actions, Zhao Hong was extremely furious, “What are you doing!? I said not to meddle with him!”
Zhao Ling turned around and revealed a strange smile, “Dad, I won’t kill him. I just want to give him a little lesson, that’s all. It won’t even take a minute.”
He squatted next to Xie He. He looked at the other’s pale face, his own eyes dark, “Deng Shao, it seems that your life isn’t all that great. I won’t kill you today. However, you’re really displeasing to my eyes.”
He used the knife to raise Xie He’s chin, “It looks like you’re not too happy by Deng Jingwen’s side. If you didn’t have this face, Deng Jingwen will probably lose interest in you. Today, I’ll help you out. I hope you’ll be able to escape your suffering from today on. I don’t know if we’ll meet again, so there’s no need to thank me.”
After saying this, he shoved his knife into Xie He’s mouth, and under Xie He’s extremely frightened gaze, he slashed towards Xie He’s right cheek with force! Instantly, the flesh broke apart, and blood spurted out!
Xie He screamed miserably. His head fell to the ground, powerless, a pool of blood gathering beneath his head.
Zhao Ling looked at this scene with satisfaction. He took back his knife and followed Zhao Hong out.
【444：QAQ！！！】
【Xie He：Baby, before you cry, how about setting up a pain barrier first? Smile.JPG】
【444：......】It’s just that he can only block out 30% of the pain, ah! Yingyingying.
【444：Anyway...how did you know he was going to destroy your face, ne? QAQ】
【Xie He：I didn’t know. I just thought that there was no way he would let me off so easily. He was very likely going to stab me several times before leaving. I thought that at that time, I’d use my face to meet his knife by accident. Who’d think that he would directly do this...such a professional cannon fodder who cooperates so well with me, please give me many more like this. 🙂 】
【444：......】His tears were rescinded...for his tears to be held back so often, would a problem occur, ah? Yingyingying.
..................................................................
Since Xie He had been kidnapped, half an hour had already passed, and yet, there was no new information on him.
Deng Jingwen smacked everything on his desk to the ground! He angrily shouted, “Find him! All of you, go out and find him! You’re all useless!”
There was still no information, why was there no information...Deng Jingwen stood before his work desk and stared fixedly at the phone in his hand. He really wanted to be reckless. He really wanted to call back and tell Zhao Hong to hand Deng Zhuo over! So long as he was willing to safely hand Deng Zhuo over to him, money was no issue. Even if he lost all his fortune, it was no issue...but...he couldn’t.
If he did that, Zhao Hong would know that he had the advantage and would feel secure!
If he lost his rationality, who would protect his boy?
Deng Jingwen’s hands tightly clenched into fists. It had already been such a long time since the boy was captured by Zhao Ling. Would he be tortured, injured, afraid...would he...already be dead?
He could not prevent himself from thinking about this. As soon as he thought about how the boy may be facing some terrifying experience, it felt like there was something tightly squeezing his heart.
This was his fault...this was because of him....
When he thought about how he might lose the boy...he began to drown in an unprecedented terror.
He never knew that he could care for someone to this degree. He would rather that he had never understood.
【Ding, the target, Deng Jingwen’s Favourability Value +2. The current Favourability Value is 92.】
Liu Yan had finally just received information and rushed over to Deng Jingwen’s office. He was met with the sight of Deng Jingwen slumped over on the couch, hands intersected, elbows resting on his knees. The man who had always been steady and immovable as a mountain currently had his shoulders slumped and was enveloped in an air of despair and ruin.
He was frightened by this scene. For a moment, he didn’t dare make a sound.
That was until Deng Jingwen raised his head and looked at him. His eyes were like a bottomless pit.
Liu Yan felt a chill running up his spine and promptly said, “I know where he is!”
Deng Jingwen suddenly stood up and rushed forward in a fluster. Without a word, he darted out of the office!
Liu Yan calmly sat in the passenger seat. He looked at Deng Jingwen through the rear mirror, and suddenly, his emotions became complicated.
As the person who saw everything that had occurred between Deng Zhuo and Deng Jingwen, he never thought that things would get to this point...that Mr. Deng would actually fall in love with the boy who used to be his son.
When they arrived, the apartment was already empty.
Despite the danger the situation posed, Deng Jingwen took the lead. Before he pushed the door open though, he suddenly paused. He realized that he was actually afraid...afraid that he would see something he didn’t want to see. However, he could not back down. His boy was waiting for him to save him...Deng Jingwen pushed the door open!
When he saw the scene before him, his breathing instantly stopped!
His boy laid on the floor. The splayed blood beneath his body was like a blooming red spider lily. He was motionless. It was unknown whether he was alive or dead.
The hands hanging by Deng Jingwen’s side began to shake uncontrollably. He took one step at a time and gently brought the boy into his arms.
The boy’s chest was moving up and down slightly. All of a sudden, Deng Jingwen felt his eyes heat up. He had never been so happy....
His boy was still alive...he was still alive....
He held him, very gently, as if he was afraid that the boy would die from pain if he used even the tiniest bit of strength.
I’m sorry, I will definitely protect you well from now on. I will never let you be hurt like this again....
He gently lifted the boy’s head that had turned to the side, revealing the other half of his face that was facing the ground.
At that moment...Deng Jingwen felt his blood freeze.
The author has something to say:
_(:зゝ∠) The feeling of an unprecedented super long chapter has broken through me, ne! For the sake of starting to abuse Dad, this author is doing their best....
Eve: I hate Zhao Ling, I hate what he did, that mental imagery is terrible, I’m afraid of blood oh god. I haaaaate gore. JFC XH you’re crazy how can you endure that ah ah ah. I, a self-proclaimed big baby, am going to go cry with 444. Yingyingying.
Kara: Wow...I...I am hollow. This chapter has literally destroyed my entire emotional stability and editing flow. I need a break...or a drink...maybe both.
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