219: Chapter 219 Persuading Zhang Haonan

The night was pitch black, and a cold wind howled.

As Zhu Li ran, she bit her lip hard; tears blurred her vision, and her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.

There was only one thought in her mind.

Faster, just a little faster.

Please don't let anything happen.

Please don't let Zhang Haonan make a mistake.

Please don't let the only light in her life fall into the abyss because of her.

Cao Kun moved extremely fast, pressing the key to unlock the car, pulling open the door for Zhu Li to sit in the passenger seat, then quickly circling to the driver's seat, starting the engine, shifting gears, and flooring the accelerator.

The engine let out a low roar, and the black sedan sped through the night like an arrow from a bow, racing madly toward the address Zhang Haonan had sent.

Streetlights receded rapidly, and the city's night view turned into a blur of light.

There was dead silence in the car, save for the two's rapid breathing and Zhu Li's uncontrollable, suppressed sobbing.

An originally perfectly planned revenge had completely veered off course.

No one had expected an impulsive and reckless Zhang Haonan to burst onto the scene halfway through.

No one knew what kind of out-of-control situation awaited them.

The vehicle sped through the night; every minute and every second felt like walking a tightrope.

Cao Kun gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes cold and his mind racing, thinking about how to control the situation upon arrival—how to save Liu Ziqiang, how to appease Zhang Haonan, how to protect Zhu Li, and how to minimize all harm.

Meanwhile, Zhu Li curled up in the passenger seat, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes, tears streaming down her face, her heart full of panic and prayers.

Please... please don't let it be too late.

...

The night was as dark as ink.

A cold wind swirled with dust as it swept through an abandoned single-story factory building on the outskirts of the city.

This place was remote and desolate, with no residents or surveillance nearby.

Only a few dilapidated streetlights flickered in the wind, stretching the two running figures into long and short shadows.

Cao Kun brought the car to a steady stop, and Zhu Li practically stumbled out the door, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst through her chest.

She looked up to see the factory door ajar; a faint light shone from within, accompanied by a suffocating silence.

She wasn't afraid of Liu Ziqiang, but she feared that Zhang Haonan would make an irreversible mistake in a moment of impulse.

"Don't panic, I'm here."

Cao Kun whispered a low instruction and took the lead in pushing open the rust-stained iron gate.

The door hinges let out a piercing creak, and the scene inside the factory instantly came into view.

On the empty ground.

Liu Ziqiang was tied tightly to a concrete pillar with thick hemp rope, his head drooping, his mouth bruised; he had clearly been knocked unconscious and was unresponsive.

Not far away, Zhang Haonan stood there with his hands clenched, his back stiff, exuding an aura of extreme anxiety and hostility.

Hearing the noise, Zhang Haonan spun around.

The moment he saw Zhu Li, all the ruthlessness and coldness in his eyes collapsed, leaving only burning heartache and panic.

He practically rushed over, and before Zhu Li could react, he opened his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace.

This hug used all of his strength.

"Zhu Li... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Zhang Haonan's voice was incredibly hoarse; hot tears fell onto the top of Zhu Li's head, and his shoulders shook uncontrollably.

"I'm late. I actually let you suffer so much alone, and I didn't know anything... It's my fault, I didn't protect you well..."

He apologized over and over, blaming himself repeatedly, every word carrying heart-wrenching pain.

Held in his arms, Zhu Li felt his real warmth, his real heartache, and his real love.

All her feigned strength, indifference, and resolve completely crumbled at this moment.

Her nose stung, and tears surged out without warning, soaking Zhang Haonan's clothes.

The fear, despair, grievance, and struggle of these past days finally found an outlet in this warm embrace.

"I'm not suffering..." Zhu Li choked out, her voice faint but clear. "I'm fine, I'm really fine..."

"You're lying to me."

Zhang Haonan tightened his arms, holding her even closer, feeling so much heartache he could barely breathe.

"Cao Kun told me everything—what happened three years ago, the blackmail this past year, you being forced to break up, wanting to kill someone... Zhu Li, why are you so foolish? Why didn't you tell me? Why did you carry it all alone?"

"I was afraid... I was afraid you'd despise me, afraid you wouldn't want me, afraid of involving you..." Zhu Li cried as she spoke of her deepest, most humble fear.

"I'm not clean anymore, I'm not good enough for you. I didn't want people to point fingers at you because of me, I didn't want to ruin your life..."

"Don't say such things!"

Zhang Haonan suddenly let go of her, cupping her face with his hands, wiping away her tears with his thumbs, his gaze resolutely firm.

"To me, you are forever clean, forever precious, and forever the girl I want to marry most. That wasn't your fault, it never was. How could I possibly despise you?"

"I'm telling you, Zhu Li, no matter what happened in the past, no matter what we encounter in the future, I will never let you go."

"We're not breaking up. The wedding will go on as planned, the date won't change. For the rest of my life, I'll protect you, and we'll face it together, okay?"

His gaze was burning, his tone sincere; every word struck deep into Zhu Li's heart, causing her once deadened heart to reignite with a faint but warm light.

Zhu Li cried until her body felt weak, her heart surging with unspeakable emotion.

But logic soon pulled her thoughts back. She looked at Zhang Haonan with an anxious and serious expression.

"Haonan, I know you're good to me, but you're too impulsive! How could you kidnap Liu Ziqiang on your own? How could you think of killing him?"

"He's scum, a demon, but you can't ruin yourself for him! Your family background is so good, your future is so bright. If you really did it, your life would be over!"

"I'm not afraid!" Zhang Haonan's tone was resolute. "For you, I'm willing to do anything!"

"But I am afraid!" Zhu Li's eyes were red, her voice tearful.

"I can't let you pay such a heavy price for me! I've already discussed a countermeasure with Cao Kun. We have a way to make Liu Ziqiang pay without breaking the law or having anyone take risks. Trust us, okay?"

During their argument, Cao Kun stepped forward slowly, his expression steady, speaking in his capacity as the "distant cousin."

"Haonan, I know you care for Zhu Li, and I know you want to get revenge for her."

"But you are the person Zhu Li cares about most. You absolutely cannot get involved in this. If anything goes wrong, Zhu Li will live with guilt for the rest of her life."

"Zhu Li and I have already devised a complete plan that will ensure Liu Ziqiang receives his due punishment while making sure everyone gets out safely."

"Leave this matter to me, as her cousin. You just need to wait outside safely, and when it's over, marry Zhu Li and take her home. That's the best way to protect her."

Zhang Haonan looked at the tearful yet determined Zhu Li, then at the steady and confident Cao Kun. The impulse in his heart was gradually suppressed.

He knew Cao Kun was right.

His impulsive actions might seem like revenge, but they were actually pushing Zhu Li into deeper pain.

He couldn't be so selfish as to trade his entire life for a moment of satisfaction.

He was silent for a long time, his clenched fists slowly relaxing, the hostility in his eyes gradually fading, leaving only heartache and helplessness.

"...Okay."

Zhang Haonan finally nodded, his voice hoarse. "I'll listen to you. I won't interfere. I'll wait."

...