Chapter 105: The Abandoned One

After a long silence, there was no sound from Cheng Jingmo. Yu Xiangnian’s heart also fell silent. This kind of choice was too cruel, impossible for anyone to make. She didn’t want to die, but she also didn’t want Xiao Jie to die. She looked down at Xiao Jie, just as he looked up at her. His eyes were dull, lacking the usual vitality. As an adopted child, he was sensitive and sensible. He must be feeling the same conflict and fear, afraid that Cheng Jingmo would give up on him, yet also afraid that he would give up on her. At that moment, Yu Xiangnian didn’t know how to comfort Xiao Jie.

Another scream from Rui Rui broke the silence. Ding Yunfei said, “Will you choose or not? If not, I’ll kill him first!”

After a moment, Cheng Jingmo said, “I choose.”

Ding Yunfei said, “Then cut it!”

“Hahaha…” Ding Yunfei laughed. “Yu Xiangnian, do you want to know who Cheng Jingmo chose?”

She didn’t want to know. Not at all.

“Cheng Jingmo, tell Yu Xiangnian whose rope you chose to cut!”

Cheng Jingmo remained silent.

Ding Yunfei said, “How many more cuts can this child take?”

Cheng Jingmo’s voice was still steady, “Yu Xiangnian, I’m sorry.”

Yu Xiangnian had already guessed Cheng Jingmo’s choice, but hearing him confirm it was still heartbreaking. How could he calmly make such a cruel decision? Did he have no attachment or reluctance for her?

Yu Xiangnian’s entire chest hurt, her throat ached, making it hard to breathe.

Ding Yunfei said, “I told you to tell her whose rope you’re cutting!”

Cheng Jingmo’s voice dropped even lower, “Yu Xiangnian, I have to cut your rope. I’m sorry!”

Ding Yunfei laughed triumphantly, “Yu Xiangnian, you want my life, and now your man wants your life! It’s karma!”

He continued, “You have one minute to cut it, or I’ll kill this child first! Hahaha…”

Yu Xiangnian felt the rope shake from the cutting at the other end, and her heart sank. So, the dream was real! She was really going to fall off the cliff. Bai Mei and the madman both died here. With her hands tied, she was surely doomed.

Ding Yunfei started counting down, “Ten, nine, eight…”

Cheng Jingmo spoke in a very calm tone, “Ding Yunfei, do you think it was Yu Xiangnian who set you up?”

“I’ll tell you a basic fact: when a man is so drunk that he’s unconscious, he can’t get it up! You never had sex with Bai Mei that night; she framed you!”

Cheng Jingmo scoffed, “You’re a man and you don’t even understand that!”

“What?!” Ding Yunfei barely finished his sentence when a gunshot rang out.

Yu Xiangnian’s body plummeted, with Xiao Jie’s cries ringing in her ears, “Aunt!”

In a split second, Yu Xiangnian thought: It’s over for me! She wondered if falling from such a height would kill her instantly or if she would suffer first. How painful would it be? How long would the pain last?

Suddenly, intense pain shot through her wrists, and her body abruptly stopped, swinging in mid-air. Yu Xiangnian gritted her teeth in pain and looked up to see Cheng Jingmo hanging half off the edge of the cliff, gripping the rope tightly with all his strength. His face was taut with effort.

Their eyes met, and without a word, Cheng Jingmo clenched his teeth and began pulling up the rope, winding it around his arm to secure it with each pull. Yu Xiangnian’s heart was still in her throat, but she felt more at ease compared to before.

She gradually rose, the distance between them closing bit by bit. Cheng Jingmo was straining so hard that Yu Xiangnian could see the veins bulging in his neck. Sweat dripped from his forehead and temples, glistening as it fell in front of her eyes.

As Yu Xiangnian’s head emerged over the edge, she saw Cheng Jingmo lying flat on the ground, with two soldiers holding tightly to his ankles. Haozi and another soldier were pulling up Xiao Jie’s rope.

Yu Xiangnian was finally pulled up. Her heart was still pounding, and her wrists were still bound when Cheng Jingmo suddenly pulled her into an embrace. The hug came so suddenly that Yu Xiangnian didn’t have time to react.

Cheng Jingmo held her tightly, as if he wanted to merge her into his body. His chin pressed against her shoulder, his voice choked with emotion as he repeatedly called her name, “Yu Xiangnian… Yu Xiangnian…”

Yu Xiangnian’s chin rested on Cheng Jingmo’s shoulder. She saw Ding Yunfei lying not far away, his head splattered with brain matter. Rui Rui was clearly terrified, sitting on the ground, trembling, his face pale and covered in blood and brain matter.

Yu Xiangyang ran over with a sniper rifle slung over his back. Seeing the two of them embracing, or rather Cheng Jingmo holding Yu Xiangnian who remained still, he stopped, disbelief evident on his face, and choked out, “Is my sister dead?”

“You’re the one who’s dead! Your whole family…” Yu Xiangnian stopped abruptly. At this moment, Cheng Jingmo released her and began untying her hands. Yu Xiangnian thought she saw his eyes red, but when he looked up after untying her, his expression was as calm as ever. She must have been seeing things.

Yu Xiangyang hugged her tightly, “I’m just glad you’re alive!”

But it was Yu Xiangyang whose eyes were red!

“Why did you kill him?” Yu Xiangnian pushed Yu Xiangyang away angrily. “You didn’t get a chance to ask him about his hiding place and the people sheltering him before you shot him!”

After saying this, she limped off angrily down the mountain. She knew she wasn’t truly angry about that; she was furious because she was the one who had been abandoned. She had nowhere to vent her pent-up frustration, and Yu Xiangyang happened to be in the way!

Yu Xiangnian, Xiao Jie, and Rui Rui were taken to the hospital. Yu Xiangnian had multiple soft tissue injuries and her wrists were skinned. Rui Rui was the most seriously injured, with five stab wounds, one near his waist that nearly killed him.

The three were hospitalized at the military hospital. The entire Yu family came to visit. Since leaving the cliff, Yu Xiangnian hadn’t spoken to Cheng Jingmo. It was clear to everyone that she was angry with him. They wisely avoided mentioning the incident and simply urged them to heal well.

After everyone left, the hospital room was left with only Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangnian. She turned away from him, closing her eyes to sleep.

Cheng Jingmo spoke from behind her, “Yu Xiangnian, I’m sorry about today. You can hit me or scold me; I’ll take it.”

Yu Xiangnian replied coldly, “I want to rest. Please leave!”

“Call me if you need anything.”

Only after hearing the door close did Yu Xiangnian open her eyes.