Chapter 45: The Fugitive

“Take care, brother!”
The restaurant owner waved enthusiastically at Mu Yu’s retreating figure, a derisive smile curling at the corner of his lips.
“Tch, I thought he’d eat a lot, but in the end he left after just half an hour.”
He stepped back into the dining hall, preparing to have his staff clean up and start prepping for the evening.
“Hey? Xiao Wang, you’re quite diligent today.”
Surprisingly, every tray that had held food was spotless, even the rice pot gleamed as if newly polished.
“I haven’t started cleaning yet, actually.”
Xiao Wang shuffled over, still half asleep, having enjoyed a lazy morning since there weren’t many customers today.
“Hiss~”
The owner stood frozen in place.

………………………………………………………………………………

“I’m heading out now. You two stay home, I’ve sent money to your phone, and don’t eat too many snacks.”
Mu Yu ruffled Mu Qing’s hair, making her already fluffy locks stand out like a hedgehog—one with its belly exposed, waiting for someone to scratch it.
“Got it, got it! Hurry up, big brother, or you’ll miss the bus!”
Mu Qing pushed Mu Yu out the door, while Gu Zi obediently helped carry the luggage.
“I’ll have to trouble you to look after her these next couple of days.”
Mu Yu looked helplessly at his sister’s excited expression, taking the luggage from Gu Zi’s hands.
“Mm.”
Seeing Gu Zi’s shy demeanor, Mu Yu gently patted her head before turning to leave.
“Yay! A free weekend for the two of us!”
Mu Qing closed the door and cheered. It was the first time her brother had been so generous—he’d sent her ten thousand yuan for pocket money!
Staring at the four round zeroes on her phone, Mu Qing was so happy she could jump.
“Zi Zi, how about we go out and have fun this weekend?”
“Zi Zi! Zi Zi!”
Mu Qing tapped Gu Zi’s shoulder, wondering why she seemed dazed.
“Oh, oh, anything’s fine—but wait, I need to go home and grab something first.”
Gu Zi snapped out of it, then darted into the bathroom, almost fleeing.
“I’ll wash up first!”
As the door closed, Gu Zi splashed cold water on her flushed face again and again.
“Oooh~”
The girl in the mirror covered her face, feeling the warmth left by that large hand.
“Tsk, is it really okay to leave those two alone?”
Mu Yu recalled Mu Qing’s silly, absent-minded look and shook his head, handing his luggage to the driver.
“Is Old Ding not here today?”
The driver bowed slightly, opening the car door for Mu Yu.
“The head of the Ding family is arranging security in the area. Is there anything you need?”
“No, let’s go to the bus station.”
Mu Yu was pleased at how seriously the old man took his duties, nodding in satisfaction.
With the Ding family watching over things, unless something extraordinary happened, those two girls would be safe.
It was the weekend, yet fewer people were out than usual. Most preferred staying home with the air conditioning rather than braving the sun.
The massive bronze pillar was hidden away by the investigation team somehow—even Mu Yu could only sense its faint heat, nothing visible to the eye.

As for yesterday’s tremors and light...

“At noon yesterday, a major gas pipeline explosion occurred in the outskirts of the city, resulting in one death and eighteen injuries. The cause is still under investigation.”
“Let me remind all listeners: summer is hot and dry, please ventilate your homes and be cautious with fire.”
The announcer’s sweet voice echoed in the car.
Rather than letting ordinary people worry and society grow unstable, it was better to cover up the truth with a small lie.
Although as the frequency of events increased, there would inevitably come a day when the truth could not be concealed. Until then, people like Mo Yan would safeguard this simple peace and happiness.
Mu Yu’s hometown was in a more remote rural area, reachable only by a day and a half’s bus ride, with an overnight stop at a service area.
When Mu Yu stowed his luggage under the bus, there were already a few scattered passengers inside.
Tickets were required for these buses, but the seats rarely filled, so people usually sat wherever they liked.
Mu Yu didn’t join the crowd, picking a quiet corner seat, placing his backpack beside him and pulling out his phone.
He didn’t have many friends—his college roommates were busy with their own careers, so there was little news.
“I’m on the bus now, have you had breakfast?”
There were only three people in the group chat: a cute cartoon avatar, an anime boy, and a grinning Samoyed dog.
“We ate already! Why are you acting like a mom, big brother? Zi Zi and I are going out!”
The cartoon avatar sent a fist emoji.
“Be careful on the road.”
The anime boy was as taciturn as always—Mu Yu could imagine her blushing as she typed.
She’d started off acting like a tomboy, but now seemed shy.
“Don’t worry!”
The Samoyed avatar was one his mother had made him use—originally, Mu Yu’s was a heroic knight.
“Single boys should use single dog avatars!”
His mother said, forcibly changing it for him.
The group soon fell silent again; clearly the two girls were too busy to pay attention to their lonely traveling companion.
“Excuse me, may I sit here?”
Mu Yu turned off his phone and looked up.
A gentle, refined young man stood by, carrying a bag, dressed in a suit and tie, with striking features.
The black-framed glasses made him look particularly harmless.
Such attire was distinctly out of place in the simple bus interior.
“Go ahead, take a seat.”
Mu Yu smiled kindly, moving his backpack to the overhead rack.
“Thank you.”
The man nodded and sat down.
Only then did Mu Yu realize the bus had quietly filled up, mostly with students in uniforms, gathered in small groups.
“There are a lot of people today.”
He found it odd—usually, when he went home, the bus was barely half full.
“Probably a group outing.”
The man beside him responded, having overheard Mu Yu’s muttering.
“A new agritourism spot opened along this route—it’s pretty popular, I hear.”
“Oh~”
Mu Yu nodded; it had been two or three months since he’d taken this bus, so the change was understandable.
As the bus started moving, only the chatter of teens remained.
Mu Yu and the man beside him fell silent—one dozing against the window, the other reading a book.

Young people’s energy was remarkable; after several hours, they showed no sign of fatigue.
The students began singing under the leadership of a handsome, charismatic boy.
To steal a weekend from their busy studies, to travel, perhaps to grow closer to someone they liked—there was nothing more beautiful in the world.
“Brats, stop that singing! How’s anyone supposed to sleep?”
The singing faded immediately; the man beside Mu Yu frowned and turned around.
The speaker had a face full of scars, a black dragon tattooed on his shoulder, looking fierce and intimidating.
“What are you staring at? We bought tickets like everyone else! Don’t disturb us!”
The female teacher, knowing she was at fault, stood and smiled apologetically.
“Sorry, sorry.”
The mood in the bus cooled; the teenagers exchanged uncertain glances.
Raised in sweetness, they’d never seen such a scene and didn’t know how to respond.
“Apologies aren’t enough!”
The tattooed man eyed the teacher’s pretty face, a flicker of desire in his gaze, seizing the opportunity.
Now that the bus had left the city, surrounded only by endless fields, his inner urges grew stronger.
He had noticed this teacher before, but hadn’t dared act in the city; now, out here, he could no longer restrain himself.
He was already a wanted fugitive, running desperately—such a chance was too tempting to waste.
“Come here, talk to me, and this will be settled!”
He stood, scanning the bus.
Aside from students and teachers, there were only two refined-looking men—no threat at all.
One hand slipped into his pocket, and the glint of a blade could be seen. He moved forward, reaching for the teacher’s hand.
If anyone tried to stop him, he’d strike immediately, intimidating everyone—then he could do whatever he pleased.
He’d done this kind of thing before; last time he was caught on camera and became a wanted man, but he felt no remorse.
Instead, he was even more reckless. He knew if caught, he’d be sentenced to death, so he might as well enjoy himself while he could.
A ruthless gleam flashed across his face, full of lust. These female students and the teacher appearing here—wasn’t it a gift from heaven?
A few male students sensed trouble and stood to shield the teacher.
“Get out of the way!”
The man struck out boldly, drawing his knife and aiming viciously at a student’s neck.
Had the blade struck, they wouldn’t even make it to a hospital.
The students, unused to life-and-death conflict, froze. Only the teacher’s quick pull saved the boy from a fatal wound.
Screams erupted, especially among the girls, who shrank back, hoping not to be noticed.
The bus was in chaos.
“Don’t scream, don’t scream!”
Luan Meng hurriedly covered her friend’s mouth, but it was too late. The man, knowing he had to be ruthless now, began swinging his knife indiscriminately.
The man beside Mu Yu frowned and stood up.
He’d thought it was just a normal argument, not expecting the brute to go for blood.
But it was too late—even with his skills, he couldn’t push through the panicked crowd.
Just as he grew desperate, a gust brushed past his ear.
The brute’s thick arm was caught in a firm grip, unable to move.