Early in the morning, Xin Ya sent her son off and tidied herself up before putting on the ring she had picked up from the living room floor that night. She called for a taxi as usual, and like every day, she set her destination to the gallery where she worked.
To get from her apartment to the gallery, she needed to cross through a bay. As the taxi drove over the sea bridge, an explosion occurred, causing it to veer off the road and plunge into the ocean.
It looked like an accident.
At that time, Han Jun was exercising in the morning, sweat streaming down his well-defined muscles. Suddenly, an alert rang out from his smart device, indicating that there was an issue with Xin Ya's life monitor. He raised an eyebrow, assuming she had dared to defy him and take contraceptive pills without his knowledge.
He felt a little pleased. Xin Ya’s defiance was much more enjoyable than her usual docility.
However, when the screen lit up, showing only faint signs of life from Xin Ya that quickly went to zero, his heart sank.
The next time he saw her, she had already been retrieved from the water. Though it looked like an accident, he spotted the ring on her hand and knew otherwise.
These great families' ships dared to shoot quantum cannons at each other beyond government control, yet they followed the law on land, not operating mechs or drawing guns, leaving the police immensely grateful.
The head of the security team cautiously reported to the patriarch of the Han family, “The car was destroyed from the inside, which is why it exploded and fell into the sea. This was likely… this lady…”
“An accident,” Han Jun interrupted him.
“Ah?” The security chief was stunned.
Han Jun replied indifferently, “She left for work in the morning. The car broke down and fell into the sea. Just a traffic accident, nothing unusual.”
Cold sweat broke out on the security chief's forehead as he wiped it away, saying, “Yes, a traffic accident.”
Not suicide.
Once the security chief left, the room was left with only one man and the woman who had passed away.
Han Jun lit a cigarette and silently smoked it until it was finished. He crushed the stub underfoot, hands in his pockets as he watched her for a moment longer before turning to leave.
Death was like a light extinguished; no matter any past obsession with her, it faded along with her life.
“Bring Tang Ke back,” he commanded.
Han Yanyan waited until near noon before she saw Tang Ke, pale-faced, hurrying away with members of the Han family. It took them so long, she thought.
She did not leave with Tang Ke. But once he departed, she called for her private aircraft. She had already learned everything she needed in the last cycle, and she could do all that was required of her. If not for Tang Ke, she wouldn’t have endured five long years among the children. School held no meaning for her.
Tang Ke’s happiness lasted only half a day before it was shattered. Even when he held Xin Ya’s cold, stiff hand, he couldn't believe it was real.
Not long after he started to remember things, his father passed away. He had always lived with his mother, who had supported him throughout his life. Now, his world had crumbled.
The young man knelt on the ground, crying over the back of her hand.
You are already strong.
Do not fear being hurt again.
Tell Mama, can you take care of yourself?
Now those words, reflecting back, felt eerily like a farewell. What did Xin Ya say to him that night? Tang Ke hated that he had been so absent-minded, lost in thought.
He didn’t need to worry about Xin Ya’s funeral arrangements; the Han family would handle everything from the coffin to the burial.
During the funeral, relatives from the fourth elder’s branch came. Each person mourned in front of Tang Ke and reiterated their kinship with him. Yet, Tang Ke didn’t remember any of them, dazedly watching his mother be laid to rest.
As the crowd dispersed, only three people remained in front of the gravestone: himself, his cousin, and his cousin sister.
His cousin gave his shoulder a reassuring pat before leaving, while only Han Yanyan stayed behind. When she looked at the gravestone, her expression was utterly blank, as if she were a person born without emotions.
Finally, she kissed his forehead and took his hand to leave.
No matter who died or departed, life must go on. When his father passed, his mother had to keep living, alone with him.
Tang Ke returned to school. After he became an S+ level spiritual power wielder, others treated him far better. Even Han Jin and those who had once bullied him no longer dared provoke him and avoided him instead.
But one day, seeking some quiet time alone, he accidentally overheard Han Jin chatting with a few of his friends.
“... He’s still family, so what? His mother is still with my dad, isn’t she?”
“One day, when his mom dropped him off, I went to the study to find my dad and saw her enter the study.”
“I thought about waiting for her to come out, but she was in there for three hours! Three whole hours!”
“What were they doing? Just two of them? Haha!”
Because he was Han Jun’s son, Han Yanyan’s brother, Tang Ke had always endured Han Jin's antics. Han Jin was all talk and never truly dared to take his life. Even if the injuries were serious, they could simply be treated in a healing chamber. The treatment rooms in Dongchen used high-grade muscle restoration liquid, beneficial for the body skin over long-term usage.
But this time, Tang Ke didn’t hold back. He could endure many things, but he wouldn't allow anyone to insult his mother.
With spiritual power surging in his fist, he shattered Han Jin's cheekbone in one hit. The intensity of his S+ level power was not something ordinary people could withstand. Tang Ke lost his rationality, nearly beating Han Jin to death!
It was Han Yanyan who grabbed his wrist.
For the first time, Tang Ke felt the might of an SS level wielder. Her fingers were long and her palm thin, yet she grasped his wrist tightly, forcibly stopping his furious onslaught.
Seeing her, Tang Ke finally regained his senses.
Han Jin was close to death but still alive. As long as he was alive, he could be saved. Yet, he had injured the son of the Han family patriarch to the brink of death and stared at Han Yanyan, bracing himself for her wrath.
Han Yanyan directed others to take Han Jin to the treatment room without expressing any anger toward Tang Ke. A slight smile played on her lips.
“Don’t worry. He’s just a useless brat; even if he dies, my father won’t shed a tear. He’s still young; he can have more children. One less doesn’t matter.” After she finished speaking, she looked at Tang Ke, “Today you’re not too bad.”
Tang Ke was confused.
If this was considered not too bad, what about before? All those retreating and enduring, she didn't care for them at all.
Tang Ke finally understood.
I’m sorry, mama is a weak person who passed her weakness on to you.
You must overcome it.
Otherwise, those truly strong will catch wind of your weakness.
Mama... when did she understand? He pondered.
The head of the Han family indeed did not care about Han Jin’s matter, just as Han Yanyan had said. Finally, Tang Ke comprehended that in the world of the strong, their eyes never looked down nor could they ever see weaklings and there’s no benefit to being viewed.
He thought becoming an S+ level wielder meant he was strong; he was wrong.
Mama was right: she said, if one's heart is not strong enough, even power cannot be controlled.
After losing his mother, Tang Ke was no longer the gentle, enduring boy he once was. He began to possess a heart worthy of an S+ level wielder.
He started to reflect on his life, thinking about what he wanted. When his gaze landed on Han Yanyan, he realized he wanted her. To become her husband, he needed to become a real strong man.
He shed his past weak self and was reborn.
Tang Ke no longer observed Han Yanyan from a distance; he openly displayed his ambition towards her, pursuing her relentlessly.
Han Yanyan had many admirers, with lovers no fewer than her father. Tang Ke began to clear them one by one. Even Han Yanyan grew annoyed. She punched him away and leaned forward to pin him down, placing her foot on his chest.
“Don’t go too far,” she snapped.
He had blood at the corners of his mouth as he said, “You don’t need them.”
Han Yanyan sneered, “No, I ‘need’ them.”
Tang Ke grasped her ankle, “You have me.”
Han Yanyan studied him for a moment, then kicked her foot and shook off his hand, “Not tall enough!”
Those around Han Yanyan were quite excellent; there were indeed some tough competitors that Tang Ke couldn’t scare away. Gao Pei, the illegitimate son of the Gao family patriarch, was also an S+ level, like Tang Ke. He was held in check by his SS level brother and banished by his father to maintain balance, lacking networks and resources. In terms of status, he had no advantages over Tang Ke.
But he was older than Tang Ke.
He was taller than Tang Ke.
He was also taller than Han Yanyan.
Tang Ke was shorter than Han Yanyan; it was his Achilles' heel.
What could he do? He was only thirteen. He could train hard to become stronger, but he couldn't grow taller overnight.
Han Yanyan made it clear that she wanted a man for a lover, not a child. Until he was taller than her, there was no need to consider him. He could only force himself to consume nutrition meals after strenuous workouts, hoping to grow taller and older quickly.
The boy who had lost his mother's protection began to grow fiercely, evolving from a herbivore to a crazy carnivore.
At this moment, Tang Ke viewed the Han family patriarch as an idol.
The Han family patriarch was S level. Tang Ke once thought that with his S+ power strength, he wouldn't be intimidated by him again. He later realized he had thought too much. Even if his power was stronger, standing before that man, he still felt awe and fear.
What is true strength? The Han family patriarch made him redefine this word. Strength was not just about the intensity of power.
Time slips away easily within the monotony of routine life. In the blink of an eye, a year passed. The boy aged one more year, taller by a notch.
Along with the height, came the overflowing hormones of adolescence, making him restless.
As Han Yanyan walked down the corridor, a hand suddenly reached out from a nearby room, pulling her in. The door slammed shut, pressing her against the door as someone attempted to kiss her. Han Yanyan quickly grabbed that person’s wrist, spun around, and threw him out.
Tang Ke landed steadily, snorting.
“I just ruptured Gao Pei's spleen,” he reported to her, “He can’t move at all today.”
“How long did it take?” Han Yanyan asked, crossing her arms.
“39 minutes.” He was in a good mood.
Han Yanyan raised an eyebrow, “Not bad.”
Tang Ke leaned closer, his gaze intense: “A reward for under forty minutes—your words.”
Han Yanyan felt a bit of a headache. She covered her eyes and quickly pecked his forehead.
Tang Ke pulled her hand away, feeling dizzy with anger.
Han Yanyan raised her eyebrow, “You promised a kiss; I did it.”
“Not there!” Tang Ke was furious.
Han Yanyan let out a cold laugh, slapping the top of his head and pinning him down, “If you need me to bow down, it’s not in the kissing range.”
This year, Tang Ke had grown considerably, but he was still just a tad shorter than Han Yanyan. The flaw was undeniable. Tang Ke wore a sullen face.
Han Yanyan opened the door to leave, but Tang Ke grasped her wrist, “Yanyan!” Now he called her directly by her name, no longer willing to call her “sister.”
“Is it because I’m younger that you refuse to be close with me?” he asked, sensing something strange, vaguely aware that Han Yanyan resisted getting close to him. However, she was not reluctant with others.
“I want to be a person,” Han Yanyan said, her face blank.
Shaking off his hand, she left, thinking to herself: No, not just because you are young, but also because you are old... In this world, you may be underage, but in reality, you already have great-grandchildren.
Old man, please spare me!
Now, Han Yanyan began to feel that Leo, before she entered the world, eliminating her constructed memories of the world and the true tasks ahead was actually a necessary operation from a technical standpoint. As long as she was willing to complete those so-called tasks.
She walked through the long corridor, turned twice, and arrived at her father’s study. The head of the Han family was already there, waiting for her and preparing a pile of work for her to do.
Han Yanyan deeply felt that this man must be using training as an excuse for lazy days.
But now he was the head of the family while she was just a child laborer, forced to work hard like a beast of burden.
After finally finishing all sorts of tasks, she asked, “Do you need to bring the little sister here?”
He replied, “No need. She’s still young; let her live with her mother for now.”
A few days ago, she gained a new little sister. After Han Jin, he finally allowed another woman to give birth to his child again.
After Xin Ya’s death, he grew tired of the women around him and sent them all away.
Then he replaced them with a new wave of faces, younger and more beautiful.
The woman just gave birth to a little sister for Han Yanyan had just turned eighteen, the same age as Han Yanyan. She had been with him since she was seventeen. The older a man got, it seemed the more he favored younger women.
Han Yanyan quietly hoped for the clichés that had historically been seen as “lost love,” “despair,” or “regret,” but those had not arisen.
She looked at him—this was an extravagant character design, far beyond what she had constructed for him, almost a mirror of Tang Ke’s true self.
Han Yanyan observed him, as if she originally sought a domineering CEO’s love after redemption, but stumbled into a male-centered power struggle novel instead.
She closely examined the man created by men, pondering his behavior and inner thoughts, and afterward, deeply sighed.
What women believed would last a lifetime, in the world of men, was merely a minute of fleeting sentiment, a sigh over a smoke.
Who hasn’t seen someone crying on forums in the real world: After decades of marriage, my mother passed away, and within a month, my father was ready to remarry, does he even have feelings?
Most men’s hearts were like this.
Han Yanyan recalled her time in the apocalypse, longing to be remembered her entire life through her death for Ding Yao. In her memory, that was actually a long time ago.
Yet she couldn't help but think how foolish she had been back then.
Author's Note: Pre-collection means to collect in advance, not to be immediately opened.