As Lei Junshan took his place in front of the incense, he extended his left hand slowly towards Lei Juncheng. The gesture was deliberate and filled with unity.
Lei Juncheng understood the unspoken command. He stepped forward, his eyes locked with Lei Junshan's, and he reached out to grasp his elder brother's left hand. The touch was firm, a tangible link in the chain that bound the brothers together.
Lei Junshan then extended his right hand towards Lei Junmo. This gesture was a pledge, a testament to the strength of their bond and the shared destiny they were about to forge.
Lei Junmo moved forward to join his brothers. As he reached out to clasp Lei Junshan's right hand, the connection was complete. The physical and symbolic unity of the brothers was palpable in that moment, their hands forming an unbreakable chain.
The three brothers then held the incense together. With synchronized precision, the three brothers lit the incense as one.
This sequence of movements not only solidified the brothers' bond but also served as a defiant act, a declaration to all that no external force could sever their connection.
As the ceremony of paying respects was going on, Huang Min slowly whispered in Lei Gang's ear, "We have traced Zhu Zimo's phone. He is present in this party."
Lei Gang's brows furrowed on hearing this news.
Soon, the atmosphere on the yacht, which had been filled with anticipation and the weight of tradition, was shattered by the sudden and horrifying interruption. The guests and family members watched in stunned disbelief as Zhu Zimo emerged with a container of kerosene in his hand.
In a shocking and desperate act, Zhu Zimo began to methodically pour the kerosene over his own body. The pungent scent of the flammable liquid filled the air, creating an immediate sense of dread. His movements were deliberate, his expression one of unwavering determination as he soaked himself in the volatile substance.
As the onlookers realized the gravity of the situation, panic and horror began to sweep through the crowd. Gasps and screams erupted as they comprehended the imminent danger. Some guests attempted to flee the area, while others stood frozen, their faces etched with terror.
With the kerosene thoroughly drenching his body, Zhu Zimo produced a lighter. The click of the lighter was unmistakable, and a collective gasp filled the air. In an instant, a burst of flames erupted from the lighter, enveloping Zhu Zimo in a horrifying inferno. The flames leapt high, the fiery spectacle casting an eerie glow over the yacht's deck.
The guests and family members were left in a state of shock, their celebratory evening transformed into a nightmarish scene of chaos and tragedy. The yacht's deck transformed into a scene of chaos and terror as the fire blazed, casting an eerie, flickering light over the horrified faces of the onlookers.
Amidst the chaos and horror of the self-immolation, Lei Junshan and his brothers acted with urgency. Along with their bodyguards, they rushed forward, pushing through the panicked crowd to reach Zhu Zimo, who was engulfed in flames.
The bodyguards swiftly went into action, using fire extinguishers and any available materials to combat the fire. The scene was chaotic and perilous, with the flames and the scorching heat making it difficult to get close to Zhu Zimo.
Lei Junshan, demonstrating immense courage and concern for the injured man, joined the effort to extinguish the fire. He reached out with a fire extinguisher in an attempt to smother the flames. In the process, his hand got injured, searing pain surging through him as he fought to save the life of the man who had just set himself on fire.
With a collective effort, they eventually managed to put out the flames, and the charred and severely injured Zhu Zimo was immediately rushed to the hospital. However, even before Zhu Zimo could reach the hospital, he was declared dead.
…
Lei Junshan retreated to a quiet and contemplative spot on the yacht. He sat alone, deep in thought, his injured hand wrapped and bandaged from the ordeal.
The deck, which had been bustling with guests, now lay quiet and deserted. The chaos and panic that had unfolded were replaced by an eerie stillness, emphasizing the isolation of Lei Junshan in his solitude.
At this time, Grandma Lei approached her eldest grandson. With a concerned but gentle expression, she took a seat beside him. Looking at Lei Junshan, Grandma Lei inquired softly, "Is your hand okay, my dear?"
Lei Junshan met her gaze, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. He nodded in response, acknowledging her question with a solemn nod.
Grandma Lei's face was downcast as she reminisced, "In the early days of our family business, when your grandfather established our first factory, there was a fire. The factory was filled with goods, and the flames raged. All the employees of the factory ran inside to save the goods. But your grandpa stopped them. He made a difficult decision and didn't allow anyone to enter the factory.
"Everyone asked your grandfather whether he did not care about the goods and his business. Your grandfather replied to everyone that he cared about the lives of the people. Your grandfather understood that, in that moment, lives were more important than any goods or business.
"And today, on his birthday, a man set himself on fire. His name, his legacy has been destroyed," Grandma Lei's tears fell thinking about her husband and her family.