Chapter 16 The Death of Wang Ye

Zhang Bo stared blankly at the longsword suspended above his head, oblivious to the fact that his once meticulously groomed, gray-white hair had been completely burned away, leaving him bald. Cold sweat soaked his back as a wave of despair and lingering fear swept over his heart; after all, no one ever thinks they’ve lived long enough. He had spent most of his life surviving, and still, it was not enough.

The black flames on the greatsword went out. Han Feng slung the alloy sword across his back, cast a cold glance at Zhang Bo, and then turned to look toward the helicopter.

At some point, Ye Tianyi had managed to remove the tattered glove that had been shoved into her mouth. Now, she gazed anxiously and worriedly in their direction. That desperate shout of “No!” just now had burst from her lips before she could think. She couldn’t explain it herself—though Zhang Bo’s sudden betrayal should have left her cold, heartbroken, and indifferent, as Han Feng was about to execute him, an unexpected pain welled up inside her. Scenes of Zhang Bo playing with her since childhood flashed through her mind, and now tears streamed down her delicate face.

Han Feng understood Ye Tianyi’s feelings. He sighed inwardly, then nodded toward Zhang Bo, indicating that he should go to Wang Ye, and said nothing more.

Zhang Bo understood that he owed his life to his mistress’s lingering affection. There was no hope of escape—he was no match for the young man before him. With a long sigh, he straightened his disheveled clothing, leaned on his cane, and walked toward Wang Ye. For all these years, he had always insisted on maintaining his dignity, no matter the circumstance: dignified, gentle, and meticulous—that was always the impression he gave.

Once more, the roar of helicopter engines echoed in the sky. Zhang Bo stopped and looked up. A silver civilian helicopter swiftly approached and landed nearby.

Five fully armed mercenaries leaped out, their weapons advanced and formidable. They spread into a protective formation as soon as they touched ground, clearly seasoned professionals.

After them, a middle-aged man with a gentle, jade-like face jumped down. Everything about him exuded the aura of someone in command.

Han Feng, seeing the helicopter land, had already drawn his pistol, his face tense with caution.

“Dad!” Ye Tianyi, recognizing the newcomer, brightened instantly. Her tears turned to laughter as she called out loudly.

The middle-aged man, hearing her voice, turned and broke into a broad smile, hurrying over to her almost at a run.

The five mercenaries raised their guns, aiming at Han Feng and Zhang Bo, forming a barrier between the newcomer and Han Feng.

“Tianyi! Child, you had us so worried. As soon as I received your emergency signal, I dropped everything and rushed over! Let me see… Thank goodness, you’re not hurt.” The middle-aged man was, of course, Ye Tianyi’s father, Ye Jiadong, Chairman of the N+S Group. Concern and anxiety filled his eyes as he looked her over.

“Dad, I’m fine. That’s my friend, Han Feng—he saved me.” With her hands untied by her father, Ye Tianyi, too embarrassed to throw herself into his arms before so many, simply took his arm and spoke softly.

“Lower your weapons,” Ye Jiadong ordered the mercenaries, then led Ye Tianyi toward Han Feng.

“Young man, thank you for saving Tianyi. The Ye family will never forget this favor!” Ye Jiadong clasped his fists in gratitude.

“You’re welcome—it was nothing,” Han Feng replied with a polite smile.

“Old Zhang, what’s going on? Why didn’t you let me know when you picked Tianyi up?” Ye Jiadong’s tone was tinged with annoyance.

“I’m sorry, sir. I’ve wronged you all!” Zhang Bo, defeated, knelt before Ye Jiadong.

“What’s this about?” Ye Jiadong was puzzled. He had no intention of blaming Zhang Bo—he was only a little displeased that Zhang Bo had failed to notify him and left him to worry, but it was hardly a serious matter. Why was Zhang Bo suddenly kneeling?

Ye Jiadong had yet to learn of Zhang Bo’s betrayal. After receiving the emergency signal, he had immediately dispatched Zhang Bo to assist first.

Ye Tianyi, seeing her father’s confusion, leaned close and quietly recounted everything that had happened.

As Ye Jiadong listened, his expression grew more and more severe, anger simmering beneath the surface. Only then did he notice Wang Ye, sprawled on the ground nearby, gasping for breath, all four limbs broken.

“Old Zhang! You—how could you be so foolish?” Ye Jiadong pointed at Zhang Bo, his hand trembling with rage. “If you were in trouble, why didn’t you tell me? After all these years as friends, wouldn’t I help you? I warned you time and again about that son of yours—he needed discipline, not indulgence! But you and your wife wouldn’t listen, and now, look at what’s happened…”

Zhang Bo knelt there, tears streaming down his aged face, consumed with guilt. For the sake of his unworthy son, he had betrayed an old friend and placed the girl he’d watched grow up in mortal danger.

But such is a parent’s love. To be a parent is to be willing to sacrifice everything for your child. Even for a child who is unworthy, lazy, troublemaking—even one who has committed crimes deserving death many times over—in a parent’s eyes, though angry and heartbroken, he remains their child, and they would do anything for him, even things they would otherwise never contemplate.

“Wang Ye,” Ye Jiadong said angrily, stepping past Zhang Bo to stand over the broken man, “I have always treated you well. Why would you target Tianyi? If you have a problem, take it up with me!”

“Heh… Twenty years. Twenty years I’ve been your deputy! Why, when we started this company together, should I always have to take orders from you? I’ve had enough—why must I always be second best?” Wang Ye lay on the ground, panting, his face twisted in resentment.

“This time, the Poly Group set their sights on our sales network and offered a very generous investment to buy in, but you refused!” Wang Ye’s voice was thick with grievance.

“Don’t you know who lurks behind Poly Group? It’s nothing but a criminal shell company!” Ye Jiadong replied coldly. “Can’t you guess what they want with our network?”

“Of course I know—but what do I care? If they invest, I take my share and walk! I’ve had enough of following your orders!” Wang Ye spat, his resentment unabated.

“Behind them stands the Angel Syndicate—one of the three great pirate organizations in the galaxy! They’ll use our network to traffic drugs and illegal compounds—how many citizens will they poison, how many families will they destroy? And you care nothing for any of it?” Ye Jiadong’s anger was palpable.

“I told you, it’s none of my business!” Wang Ye glared at Ye Jiadong, blood at the corner of his mouth.

“So you set your sights on Tianyi—colluding with pirates to kidnap her, planning to use her as leverage to force my hand, to hand over the company to that criminal front?” Ye Jiadong’s voice was icy. “Did it ever cross your mind you were bargaining with wolves? Aren’t you afraid they’d kill you the moment you’re no longer useful?”

“It doesn’t matter now. The victor takes all; I admit defeat.” Wang Ye shut his eyes and fell silent.

Ye Jiadong tilted his head back and exhaled deeply. Then, from his belt, he drew a pistol and ended Wang Ye’s life.

He could still recall that winter when he first met Wang Ye. Snow was falling. He had just founded his company; Wang Ye, unemployed and behind on rent, had been evicted and nearly froze to death on the street. Ye Jiadong gave him food and clothing. Through their conversation, he saw Wang Ye’s potential and asked him to join him. Together, they toiled and struggled, building the company into what it was.

But somewhere along the way, Wang Ye changed. He forgot the past, became greedy and impatient, selfish and grasping—not the earnest, passionate young man he once was.

Ye Jiadong closed his eyes, exhaling deeply once more.