Volume One, Chapter 61: Mu Shaozhou Is Truly Ruthless!

Biological kinship.

A sudden heat welled up in Yu Mo’s eyes, and tears nearly spilled over. She clutched the test report tightly, her heart surging with excitement, unable to contain herself. She longed to leap into the air. Of her two wishes over these years, one had finally come true.

She had found her brother.

She couldn’t wait to share this good news with her mother.

Yu Mo strode quickly toward the exit. Just as she stepped out of the corridor, she bumped into a man.

She looked up, a little startled.

“Qi Yancheng?”

Why was it him?

She blurted out instinctively, “What are you doing at the hospital?”

Qi Yancheng glanced at the test report in her hand.

His eyes darkened, and he reached out, taking her by the arm.

His tone was strange.

“Come with me. There’s something I need to tell you.”

He led her to a quiet corner before releasing her hand.

Right now, seeing Qi Yancheng, Yu Mo’s heart was overwhelmed with emotion.

Because he was her brother.

Her own younger brother.

She couldn’t help but speak first.

“Qi Yancheng, do you know about your origins?”

Qi Yancheng seemed to anticipate what Yu Mo wanted to say, for her words didn’t surprise him in the least.

His expression remained calm, but a sharp glint flickered in his long, upturned eyes, tinged red at the corners.

“Yu Mo, don’t get worked up. Listen to me first.”

His voice carried a weight that touched the heart, and Yu Mo was instantly calmed.

Suddenly, she understood.

“Qi Yancheng, you’ve known all along, haven’t you? That you’re my brother.”

Even after she spoke, Qi Yancheng remained composed.

Yu Mo’s confusion only deepened, doubt filling her gaze.

“If you knew, then why…”

The midday sun was glaring, but she paid it no mind; she let the rays fall into her eyes, determined to see the person before her clearly.

Suddenly, Yu Mo recalled that from her first encounter with Qi Yancheng to her moving into the Qi family home, he had always been involved behind the scenes.

As if reading her thoughts, Qi Yancheng spoke.

“Yu Mo, you don’t need to know that much. The more you know, the greater the danger to you. Give me some more time. When I’ve handled everything, I’ll give you an explanation.”

Yu Mo thought back to these days spent at the Qi home, witnessing how Qi Yancheng’s mother cared for and loved him, and how Mr. Qi watched it all without comment.

On the surface, it was an image of maternal affection and filial devotion, but what secrets lay beneath?

Qi Yancheng understood her thoughts, his eyes growing redder at the corners, as if he’d just wept.

But his gaze was resolute as steel.

“Don’t tell Mother about this for now. I’m afraid she’ll be hurt. Take her back to Modu as soon as possible. Once I’ve settled things here, I’ll come find you both.”

For the first time, Yu Mo saw genuine concern in his eyes.

It was out of care that he concealed the truth; out of care, he feigned indifference.

Her clear gaze met his deep eyes.

At last, she relented, her voice soft.

“Qi Yancheng, can you tell me? Whatever you’re doing, if you need my help, I’ll be there for you. I can keep this from Mother, but you have to tell me.”

Qi Yancheng turned his face away, his long lashes catching the sunlight and reflecting little sparks, revealing a hint of his inner struggle.

All these years, he had not fared well in the Qi family. Meng Pei, the woman who on the surface doted on him, secretly despised him, treating him as if he were a demon.

For as long as he could remember, he’d feared Meng Pei. She always found ways to inflict injuries that left no trace.

Hunger and cold were commonplace. But what he feared most were those thin, long needles, which brought pain worse than death, yet left no outward sign of abuse.

Qi Yancheng spoke, his voice still clear and cool, but trembling slightly.

“Sis, please don’t ask anymore. All I can say is: stay away from Meng Pei. Keep Mother away from her too. If I want to find Dad, I must keep dealing with her.”

Yu Mo’s body stiffened, nearly losing her balance.

Her hands, hanging at her sides, clenched into fists, her voice quivering with tears.

“You know about Dad’s disappearance? You’ve always known? Since when? Why didn’t you contact me and Mom? Do you know how much we—Mom, Grandpa, and I—have missed you all these years? Dad disappeared while searching for you.”

These years since their father vanished, Yu Mo had kept telling herself and her mother that her brother and father would return.

It was this belief that kept her mother going all this time.

“Dad disappeared because of me… Sis, please don’t ask. When we find Dad, I’ll tell you and Mom everything.”

Qi Yancheng reached out, gripping Yu Mo’s shoulders.

It was clear he was deeply moved.

He was also in great pain.

Yu Mo grabbed his hand, feeling his trembling. Suddenly, her heart ached for this man before her.

“All right, I promise. I’ll help you keep this from Mom for now. Whatever you’re planning, you must keep yourself safe, understand?”

“Yes, Sis!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Qi Yancheng pulled Yu Mo into an embrace.

Hearing him call her “Sis,” Yu Mo finally let go as well, holding her brother and letting tears stream down her face.

She murmured softly,

“One day, our family will be reunited.”

Footsteps sounded nearby. Yu Mo finally noticed, and she lifted her tear-filled eyes.

Pretty Boy?

Why was he here?

Before she could voice her question,

Mu Shaozhou had already reached them. He pulled Qi Yancheng away, and without warning, landed a solid punch to Qi Yancheng’s face.

Qi Yancheng staggered back several steps before regaining his footing, a glaring fist mark now blooming on his cheek.

His eyes were even redder at the corners, betraying his fury.

This blockhead Mu Shaozhou—could he not see the connection between him and Yu Mo? Charging in without understanding the situation—how could such a rash brute be worthy to be his brother-in-law?

“Mu—”

Mu Shaozhou threw another punch at Qi Yancheng, cutting off his words.

Qi Yancheng couldn’t be bothered to argue further.

He stepped back with his right leg, steadied himself, and dodged the heavy blow with a tilt of his body.

Mu Shaozhou then lifted his long leg, aiming a direct kick at Qi Yancheng’s face. Qi Yancheng dodged again, but lost his balance.

Mu Shaozhou knocked him to the ground with a punch, then delivered a brutal, forceful elbow strike toward Qi Yancheng’s chest.

Qi Yancheng hadn’t expected Mu Shaozhou to be so strong. Resigned, he closed his eyes, bracing for the blow.

But the pain never came. Qi Yancheng slowly opened his eyes.

Yu Mo had thrown herself over him, shielding him with her own body.

Mu Shaozhou screeched to a halt, withdrawing his arm.

He stood, hurt flickering in his eyes.

He could hardly believe that Yu Mo would protect this man so fiercely.

What did Qi Yancheng have that he didn’t?

Yu Mo was already helping her brother up, checking carefully for any other injuries.

Seeing her like this, Mu Shaozhou was even more wounded.

“I’m fine,” Qi Yancheng said, pressing his cheek and managing a wry smile—the punch had been full force.

Mu Shaozhou was ruthless.

Once Yu Mo was certain her brother was all right, she turned, furious, to question the pretty boy.

“Mu Yu, are you crazy? You just hit someone without even asking what’s going on!”

It was the first time Yu Mo used Pretty Boy’s name; before, she’d always called him “darling.”

Mu Shaozhou froze, only then realizing she was calling his name.

A crisp slap rang out.

A fresh handprint immediately bloomed on Mu Shaozhou’s face.