Chapter 120: Return to Serenity

At this moment, Zhang Wenhao, seated quietly in a classroom at Jiangcheng No.1 High School, showed no interest whatsoever in what was happening outside. He had meticulously reviewed every detail of the events from the previous night countless times. There was absolutely no evidence left behind. Even if he had killed just one of the two men, no one would suspect him. Yet he had killed both, and had planted enough false clues to firmly link their deaths together in everyone’s minds.

Even if someone noticed his past conflicts with Mo Sinan, they would still see him as a victim. After all, he was just a high school student—completely incapable of hiring assassins. No suspicion would fall upon him.

As for the assassin who died at noon, no one except Qian Ning would suspect any connection between that killer and Zhang Wenhao. The assassin had been investigating Zhang in Jiangcheng, but unfortunately for him, just as he uncovered some clues and was about to expose Zhang, he was silenced forever. All surveillance footage related to Zhang had been thoroughly deleted, and the organization behind the assassin would never be able to trace anything back to him.

With that, Zhang could live his life in peace. Whatever upheaval was occurring outside had nothing to do with him.

This was Zhang Wenhao’s ultimate goal—and now, it had been achieved.

With just over a month left until the college entrance exam, Zhang decided to restrain himself and behave like a proper student. Once exams were over, a new life would begin for him.

Everything unfolded exactly as Zhang had planned. Mo Jiangsheng made a huge move—first bringing in top forensic experts to repeatedly examine the crime scene, then leveraging all his connections and channels to investigate the assassin organization.

Days dragged on, and Mo Jiangsheng grew weary of Jiangcheng. This city was a sorrowful place for him, where he had lost his beloved son. He never found a moment’s peace. He had two sons: the eldest in Canada, and the younger, Mo Sinan, brutally murdered. Mo Sinan was his favorite, sharing a personality strikingly similar to his own. The grief and shock of losing his precious son forced him to grit his teeth and remain in Jiangcheng, solely hoping the truth would be uncovered.

His wife, unable to bear the pain, returned to Yanjing with their son’s body. The grandparents, who doted on their grandson, were overwhelmed by fury and sorrow. Although Mo Jiangsheng wanted to cremate Mo Sinan in Jiangcheng, the elders insisted on seeing their beloved grandson one last time. Reluctantly, Mo Jiangsheng sent the body back to Yanjing, planning to cremate and bury him there at a later date.

The forensic experts informed Mo Jiangsheng that the entire scene had been thoroughly examined, with no contradictions to their initial conclusions. Young Master Mo had been carefully targeted and assassinated by the killer. Fortunately, fate intervened and the assassin was killed on the spot. Otherwise, the assassin had multiple legal identities and could have fled the country, making him impossible to find.

Mo Jiangsheng accepted this “reality” in his heart. His foremost concern now was avenging his son.

With the case’s framework established, Mo Jiangsheng boarded a plane back to Yanjing on Friday night. There was no longer any reason to remain in Jiangcheng—investigating the assassin organization would take far longer than a few days. What troubled him most was the true nature of this mysterious assassin group. If it was an overseas organization, how could he possibly exact revenge? These foreign killers killed for money without hesitation. What leverage did he have to threaten them and demand justice? And if he had indeed provoked some powerful enemies, even if he avoided them, they would eventually come for him.

Meanwhile, after school, Zhang Wenhao and Su Ruoran strolled through a supermarket preparing for their trip to Yuquan Mountain Reservoir the next day. On the plane, Mo Jiangsheng received a call that instantly drained the color from his face.

“The assassin organization that targeted Young Master Mo is the internationally notorious ‘Night of Death’ group, headquartered in Israel. They have dozens of top assassins, and even the CIA finds them a nightmare. Being based in the chaotic Middle East, no government dares to act against them. The recent assassination of Gu Haiming was also carried out by them.”

Mo Jiangsheng was stunned, a flicker of fear creeping into his heart.

Night of Death—a group responsible for countless killings, never once facing meaningful retaliation. They had even attempted assassinations against key Western leaders, yet no government had struck back, for they could assume any identity in an instant and vanish from any country, only to return later with relentless vengeance.

Mo Jiangsheng fell into deep silence, overwhelmed by helplessness. His departure marked the final return of peace to Zhang Wenhao’s life.

“Wenhao, how about this one?” Su Ruoran picked up a small mini grill and said, “This should be good for barbecuing, and it doesn’t take up much space.”

Pushing a cart full to the brim, Zhang Wenhao smiled and replied, “Small is fine. Just the two of us—it’s perfect. Let’s get it.”

Su Ruoran nodded, placing the grill in the cart. Then she asked, “Do you think we missed anything? It would be too late to remember once we get there tomorrow.”

Pointing toward the camping tents displayed in the outdoor gear section, Zhang teased, “I think that looks good. Why don’t we buy one and just stay overnight?”

Su Ruoran blushed slightly, scolding, “With this weather, camping in the wilderness? You really think of everything.”

Zhang scratched his head, about to say he was joking, when Su Ruoran’s phone suddenly rang. Seeing it was her mother, Nie Minhui, she answered promptly.

“Where are you, Ranran?” her mother asked immediately.

“Just shopping with Wenhao. We’re preparing for a spring outing at Yuquan Mountain Reservoir tomorrow,” Su Ruoran replied casually.

“Yuquan Mountain Reservoir? How long will you be gone? The whole weekend?” Nie Minhui asked anxiously.

“No, we’re leaving in the morning and coming back at night,” Su Ruoran said, sensing her mother’s worry.

That relieved Nie Minhui a bit. She had accepted her daughter’s relationship with Zhang Wenhao but would never tolerate her daughter staying out overnight with a boy at this age. As a mother who had been through it, the thought of such nights immediately made her worry about the worst. Luckily, Su Ruoran had explained things clearly later, or else Nie Minhui could never have accepted it.

Still, Nie Minhui warned, “Ranran, you’re young. Some things are not for you yet. You have to be careful and know your limits, understand?”

Su Ruoran, naturally bright, caught the meaning behind her mother’s words, flushed with embarrassment, and said softly, “Mom! Don’t think like that! We’re still shopping.”

“Wait,” Nie Minhui said hurriedly. “There’s something I wanted to tell you, but you scared me so much I almost forgot.”

“What is it?” Su Ruoran asked.

“There’s news… Have you seen Mo Sinan in Jiangcheng?”

“I have. He goes to No.1 High School, but I haven’t seen him this week,” Su Ruoran replied.

Mentioning Mo Sinan stirred a knot of anger inside Su Ruoran. The day he drove his car at Zhang Wenhao was clearly attempted murder. She had been terrified. If not for Zhang’s quick reaction, something terrible might have happened. She had wanted to tell her mother and pressure the Mo family, but Zhang had firmly opposed it, so she had held back. Now, her mother bringing up Mo Sinan unexpectedly left her wondering what was going on.

Then Nie Minhui said over the phone, “I just got the news—Mo Sinan is dead.”

“What?!” Su Ruoran was stunned, blurting out, “How did he die?”

“Apparently, he was assassinated by a professional killer, who also died. Mo Sinan’s body has been sent back to Yanjing for cremation tomorrow,” Nie Minhui explained.

Su Ruoran’s mind reeled. Mo Sinan was dead, assassinated by a professional killer—how could retribution come so fast within just a few days?

She had never experienced the death of a peer before and was momentarily at a loss.

Nie Minhui continued, “I’m calling to remind you. You should be relatively safe in Jiangcheng, especially with Wenhao by your side. But don’t let your guard down. Avoid places outside school and home if possible.”

She added, “You said you’re going to the reservoir for a spring outing tomorrow. I think you should cancel it.”

“Mom, don’t worry. I’m just a girl, and I’m not like Mo Sinan causing trouble. There’s no danger, especially since Wenhao’s with me,” Su Ruoran reassured.

Nie Minhui could only respond, “Remember what I said—both parts.”

“I know,” Su Ruoran sighed, ending the call.

Turning to Zhang Wenhao, she said, “Wenhao, Mo Sinan is really dead.”

“Is that so?” Zhang feigned surprise despite having sensed something earlier. “Maybe the retribution came a little too fast.”

“Yeah,” Su Ruoran smiled wryly, shaking her head. “I can’t quite describe how I feel—shocked, but also a bit pleased. Wenhao, am I evil?”

“You’re not evil,” Zhang patted her side gently. “You’re just too kind. People like him—his death is a blessing for the whole country.”

Changing the subject, Zhang said, “Let’s go. We’ve got almost everything. We’ll load up the car soon, and I’ll drive you home. Tomorrow morning, I’ll pick you up at seven.”