Final Civilization

Chapter 24: Alumni

After the rain cleared in Jinghai, the sky was as clear as a washed sapphire. The afternoon breeze gently caressed the surface of the Ming River, and the serene scent of camphor trees flowed on the wind.

Han Ming pushed Tao Jie's wheelchair along the riverbank. Wrapped in sunlight, Tao Jie's pale cheeks glowed with a thin, porcelain-like light. Han Ming looked down at her slightly trembling, lowered eyelashes; she was so quiet it seemed as if the breath of the entire silent universe rested upon her.

"Chen Yufeng was a good man."

Recalling the man who was taken by misfortune before he could even walk into the wedding hall with her, Tao Jie said softly, "I met him when I was studying in the UK. Actually, I didn't like Pengcheng Group, and I didn't like the Chen family either, but with him alone, we shared many resonances, in our outlook on life and dreams..."

"To the point that before that car accident, I originally thought my life was smooth sailing."

Han Ming saw her hand resting on the thin blanket unconsciously curl up, as if trying to grasp a strand of wind with nowhere to settle.

"Defining your life so young?" Han Ming asked.

Tao Jie sighed. "Ever since you told me about this matter earlier, I've been thinking: was that car accident targeting me, or targeting Chen Yufeng?"

"You're still alive now, so the answer is quite clear," Han Ming said.

Hearing this, Tao Jie's fingers gripped the armrests of her wheelchair tightly, her knuckles turning white. "But it's still hard for me to believe. Although I know there can't be that many coincidences in the world..."Han Ming responded, "Let's assume this was indeed a one hundred percent premeditated assassination. From the saturation-style preparations to the impact of the overloaded river sand truck, it shows the underlying purpose was to ensure everyone in the main wedding car died, leaving no room whatsoever. In all my years of practice, including the various premeditated homicide cases we studied, a murder with such precise coordination, engineered to look like an accident in a major city like Jinghai... I've only seen that in movies."

He looked at Tao Jie. "So what I really can't understand is, why would such a professional-grade murder method be used on Chen Yufeng? Did he provoke some enemy, or did he touch upon someone's interests?"

Hearing this, a complex expression suddenly flashed in Tao Jie's eyes. She didn't respond to Han Ming's question. Instead, she pressed her lips together tightly, looking at the river surface, her mind lost in unknown thoughts.

What kind of deep-seated hatred would warrant this level of murder? Han Ming had considered many possibilities, such as vendettas or business competition involving the Chen or Tao families, but none of them held up well under scrutiny.

Because the scale of this 'accident' was too grand, and too professional. It looked like something meticulously planned by some large organization.

That heavy truck clearly had a mission to leave no survivors when it crashed, giving no quarter to the Tao and Chen families.

Tao Jie and Chen Yufeng were just from the younger generation. Both had good reputations in their respective circles. What kind of hatred would justify this?

Therefore, Han Ming could only start guessing in the direction of the Sacred Realm of Science, probing into what Tao Jie and Chen Yufeng joined and came into contact with in the UK, contemplating those hidden undercurrents concerning the world's destruction lurking in the world's dark side.

Seeing Tao Jie's reaction now, Han Ming thought he had probably guessed the right direction.

"Han Ming." Tao Jie's gaze flickered as she spoke.

"Do you believe in the end of the world?"

Hearing this, Han Ming's expression suddenly turned solemn. He responded slowly,

"That's a bit of a leap in topic."

Tao Jie shook her head, looking at Han Ming with an utterly serious gaze.

"Answer me."

Han Ming thought for a moment and said, "From a secular perspective, no. From a cosmic perspective, yes."

"Why?"

"Because stars are destroyed every minute and every second in the universe," Han Ming said.

Tao Jie fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "Then if I told you this world will be destroyed in 300 years, would you think I'm crazy?"

Han Ming paused, looking at Tao Jie.

"If you explain the reasoning behind this argument to me, I will try to believe it."

Seeing Han Ming's serious response, the tension in Tao Jie's brow eased slightly. She seemed to want to say something, but hesitated.

"Tao Jie!"

Just then, a voice called out from not far away.

A Passat stopped by the roadside. The door opened, and Zheng Jiaqing got out, running towards her with a delighted expression.

Seeing the newcomer, Tao Jie's expression relaxed a little. She asked the approaching Zheng Jiaqing, "What are you doing here?"

"My event ended, and I happened to pass by and saw you..." Zheng Jiaqing's gaze shifted to Han Ming. "And this is?"

"Han Ming." Han Ming extended his hand to shake his.

"Oh, Zheng Jiaqing. I'm Tao Jie's..." He stopped halfway, quickly looking at Tao Jie as if seeking her opinion.

"He's my boyfriend," Tao Jie said calmly.

"Right, I'm Tao Jie's boyfriend." Zheng Jiaqing smiled slightly, his expression appearing carefree.

"Han Ming is my former classmate from Jinghai University of Law." Tao Jie hadn't expected to meet Zheng Jiaqing here, but she still introduced Han Ming to him.

"Han Ming?" Upon hearing the name, Zheng Jiaqing seemed to remember something, looking at Han Ming with surprise.

"I remember you."

"You know me?" Han Ming was surprised.

Zheng Jiaqing quickly said, "You and Tao Jie were at Jinghai University of Law. I was in the Art College. I watched your debate competitions. We should be in the same graduating class."

Han Ming smiled. "So we're all alumni."

"Yes." Zheng Jiaqing's gaze subtly scrutinized Han Ming, a smile playing on his lips. "You and Tao Jie haven't seen each other for a long time, right? I didn't know you were still in contact."

Han Ming sensed an awkward, twisted vibe from Zheng Jiaqing—somewhat cautious, yet wanting to probe something. He found it rather amusing and said straightforwardly,

"Tao Jie and I are just..."

"Jiaqing." Tao Jie interrupted their conversation. She spoke lightly, "It's good you're here. I'm a bit tired. Can you take me back?"

"Oh, oh, sure..." Zheng Jiaqing looked at Tao Jie, then at Han Ming, somewhat apologetically saying, "Well..."

"It's fine." Han Ming nodded. "You should take her back."

"Okay, let's chat another time." Zheng Jiaqing gave Han Ming a gracious smile, then began pushing Tao Jie's wheelchair to leave.

At that moment, Tao Jie held onto the wheelchair and looked back at Han Ming, her expression complex.

"Han Ming, thank you for what you told me today. I... might need to think about it."

Han Ming said nothing, just nodded and responded with a single word.

"Okay."

On the road, Zheng Jiaqing drove while watching Tao Jie in the rearview mirror. He noticed she was looking out the window, preoccupied with her thoughts.

"You and Han Ming... you're still in contact?" he asked with a smile.

Tao Jie didn't speak. Zheng Jiaqing changed tack, saying, "I know you old friends haven't seen each other for many years. I just didn't expect you to skip the important family lunch banquet just to meet a classmate."

Seeing Tao Jie still not responding, the smile faded from Zheng Jiaqing's face. His thumb kept rubbing against the steering wheel.

Of course, he was unhappy that Tao Jie had come out to meet a man, especially this man being Han Ming.

Although not familiar with Han Ming, Zheng Jiaqing knew Han Ming must have been one of Tao Jie's suitors back then.

If it were just an ordinary meal or meeting, that would be one thing. But she had refused an important family banquet at noon to come. This naturally made Zheng Jiaqing harbor some resentment.

Moreover, what Tao Jie said when they were leaving left an even more unpleasant taste in Zheng Jiaqing's mouth. It sounded somewhat ambiguous, as if the two had discussed something beyond the bounds of ordinary friendship.

However, although displeased inside, Zheng Jiaqing wouldn't show it directly. Tao Jie after her paralysis wasn't an easy person to get along with. In everything, Zheng Jiaqing had indulged and accommodated her. It was precisely because of this persistence that he had won Tao Jie's heart and the approval of her parents.

Tao Jie wasn't concerned with Zheng Jiaqing's thoughts. Her gaze fixed on the traffic outside the window, her mind now completely filled with recalling the instant of that car accident three years ago.

As they passed through an intersection, she suddenly seemed to see a large truck rushing towards her from the side. Her face instantly changed color, and she cried out in alarm.

"Ah!!"

"What's wrong?!" Zheng Jiaqing quickly turned to look and found Tao Jie lying pale-faced in the back seat, her chest heaving rapidly.

Coming back to her senses, Tao Jie was filled with lingering fear. She kept panting, her mind recalling Han Ming's earlier words.

*'So many vehicles appearing on these two roads, approaching this intersection from different directions at the same time period, reminds me of a term from the military field.'*

*'Saturation Strike.'*

*'The impact of the overloaded river sand truck shows the underlying purpose was to ensure everyone in the main wedding car died, leaving no room whatsoever.'*

Zheng Jiaqing stopped the car, ran to the back, opened the door, and helped Tao Jie sit up, asking with concern,

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Tao Jie shook her head. Her expression finally eased a bit as she said to Zheng Jiaqing, "That truck just now startled me. It's nothing."

Zheng Jiaqing realized and quickly said,

"My fault. I shouldn't have rushed through the traffic light. I'll drive slower from now on, okay?"

"Mhm."

Tao Jie nodded, giving Zheng Jiaqing a smile to indicate she was fine. But she couldn't calm the storm of emotions raging within her at that moment.