The intruder smirked, leaning against the doorway with a cruel glint in his eyes. "Why, you ask? Do you remember the Lin family? Lin Outang's sister, Lin Shuya? She was your father's fiancée, but then he suddenly married your mother. Do you know what happened to her? She's rotting in a mental hospital. And as for her daughter, Lin Rui? She fell for your brother, only for him to marry another woman. She couldn't take it and ended her life!"
Qin Yuheng's lips curled into a sneer, his gaze icy. "So, you're here to seek revenge for the Lin family's misfortunes?"
"Misfortunes?!" The man laughed bitterly. "Your family destroyed ours. We lost everything because of you!"
"Is that so?" Qin Yuheng took a step forward, shielding Shen Ning behind him. His tone turned sharp, mocking. "From where I stand, it seems like the Lin family's downfall was their own doing. A family of psychos blaming others for their misery."
The man's face twisted in rage. "You dare—"
Before he could finish, a sudden noise behind him made him whip around. Leng Jing's men surrounded the factory. The sound of a commotion filled the factory as Fu Sinan and Huo Siang handled the remaining guards.
Qin Yuheng seized the moment. In one swift motion, he grabbed a steel rod lying nearby and swung it at the intruder. The man barely dodged, but the force of the attack made him stagger backward.
With a snarl, the intruder pulled a gun from his waistband and fired.
The gunshot echoed through the room.
"Ah Yu!" Shen Ning's voice cracked with panic.
"Yuheng!" Fu Sinan and Huo Siang yelled simultaneously as they rushed toward him.
Qin Yuheng stumbled but quickly pressed his hand against his bleeding arm. His jaw tightened as he gritted out, "I'm fine."
The momentary chaos gave the intruder's guards a chance to counterattack. Soon, both sides clashed in a brutal fight.
Qin Yuheng stayed rooted near Shen Ning, his focus was unwavering. He fought off anyone who came too close, ensuring she remained unharmed.
Even as his wound throbbed and blood seeped through his fingers, Qin Yuheng didn't falter. The fury in his eyes blazed like an inferno as he took down one guard after another.
Soon the kidnappers were subdued by them.
"Ah Ning, don't cry," he murmured, his voice hoarse, "it's over. You're safe now."
Tears welled in her eyes as she placed her hands over his, her touch was featherlight. "You're hurt..."
A faint smile tugged at his lips despite the pain. "It's nothing. As long as you're okay, it's worth it."
"Haha... Haha..."
The sudden, maniacal laughter pierced the air, sending chills through the room.
Qin Yuheng turned sharply to face the intruder, his gaze narrowing. "Have you lost your mind?"
The man laughed again, blood dripping from his mouth. "Haha..." he coughed, spitting out a dark red substance.
Huo Siang stepped forward, his expression grim. "He's already taken poison."
They had a bad premonition.
His laugh deepened, twisted with madness. "You thought it was over? No! This whole factory is rigged with bombs. In just a few minutes— boom! Haha!"
Fu Sinan stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding. "We've already defused them."
The man's expression faltered for a split second, but then his laughter returned, even more sinister. "Oh, really? And what about this?"
With a twisted grin, he ripped open his jacket, revealing a vest strapped with explosives.
Shen Ning's fingers tightened on the corner of Qin Yuheng's shirt, her face pale with fear.
The intruder's breath grew labored, white foam beginning to bubble at his lips as the poison took effect.
Huo Siang's voice was urgent. "Yuheng, let's go. We only have a few minutes left."
"Hey!" His body shaking as he pointed a trembling hand at them. "Don't leave. Your… death is destined today…"
Qin Yuheng took Shen Ning's hand, and the group began moving toward the exit.
Halfway, Qin Yuheng suddenly stopped.
Shen Ning's heart raced as she turned to him, panic evident in her voice. "What's wrong? Is your wound hurting too much?"
He didn't answer immediately, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
"Hold on," she pleaded. "It won't hurt as much after we treat it. But we need to leave first. Let's go!"
He didn't budge. "Ah Ning, go with Sinan and wait for me."
"Huh?" Shen Ning blinked, confusion and fear mingling on her face.
"I have something to take care of." He said again, "Good girl, leave this place with Sinan. Eat well, sleep well, study hard and... take care of yourself in my absence." There was a strange tenderness in his voice as he spoke, before he slowly began to turn away.
"No!" Shen Ning threw her arms around him, clinging tightly. "I won't let you go. Don't joke something like that."
With trembling hands, he pried her arms away.
"Hubby, please…" she sobbed, clinging to him like her life depended on it. "Let's leave together!"
Fu Sinan reminded them. "We don't have much time."
"Take her out of here," Qin Yuheng commanded, his eyes locking with Sinan.
"No! I won't leave without you!" Shen Ning's voice cracked as she refused to let go. Tears streamed down her face, her heart screaming that if she let him go now, she would lose him forever. "If you have to go back, I'll go with you!"
"Shen Ning! I am telling you for the last time, go with Sinan." Qin Yuheng said sternly. His sharp tone silenced her for a moment.
Her tears fell faster as she shook her head fiercely, unable to accept his words.
Qin Yuheng's expression softened, his resolve almost breaking as he pulled her into a tight embrace. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his voice was gentler now. "Go with him, Ah Ning. I'll come back safely, I promise."
With that, he pulled away, turning to run back into the factory. He was afraid that if he stayed any more second his heart would melt.
"Don't go!"