RMM – Chapter 78 Spare Others When Possible

Since Su Ruo had to return to Zhengjia Courtyard that evening, she didn’t stay long at the bar with He Wen and Duan Wei. She left around eight.

Before leaving, she couldn’t help but worry about the two of them drinking alone and reminded them to be careful. He Wen waved her off impatiently, saying, “What, you think we’ll be safer just because you’re here?”

After returning to Zhengjia Courtyard, she found her mother-in-law and Xi Yuehui chatting in the living room. She joined them for a while, and the three talked about military matters.

They already knew about her son’s promotion and were visibly proud. As for Xi Yuechen’s transfer, no one else except Su Feng was aware.

The next day, something completely unexpected happened.

After breakfast, Su Ruo made a trip back to Jingyue Mingdu to pick up a few things. Since she was no longer living there alone, there were some necessities she needed to bring over—otherwise, it would be quite inconvenient.

Before she left, Shen Liang told her to bring Xi Yuehui along, just in case. Better safe than sorry. The last time, it was only due to a moment of carelessness that the kidnappers managed to strike.

After a lot of persuasion and guarantees, Su Ruo finally refused successfully. Besides that thug Hong Shirong, who else could still be targeting her? He was probably too busy scrambling to save himself to come looking for her.

But as the saying goes, life is full of surprises and uncertainty.

She was startled by a figure that suddenly appeared in front of her car. Slamming on the brakes, she panicked. Who is this idiot walking straight into oncoming traffic? Even if you’re trying to die, don’t drag me into it!

Furious and shaken, she looked up and saw the figure approaching her car window quickly.

One glance, and Su Ruo’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. Her knuckles turned white with the force she was using.

Her face must have looked complicated. She tried to adjust her expression, but it was no use—she was burning with rage.

The man outside the car was none other than Hong Shirong.

His face was filled with anxious pleading, gesturing for her to roll down the window.

Su Ruo couldn’t care less what he wanted. She let out a cold laugh. “What, are you addicted to harassing me now? You want me to open the window? Why not just invite you inside while I’m at it!”

Seeing her pull out her phone to make a call, likely to Su Heng or Xi Yuehui, Hong Shirong became even more desperate.

“Miss Su, please, just open the window. I only want to say a few words. I won’t do anything, I swear. I’m begging you.”

Su Ruo looked at his groveling and pathetic state with cold disdain. She didn’t care about what kind of retribution he was suffering—she just wanted this person to vanish from her life.

Hong Shirong had expected her to be hostile, but he still came anyway. He knew very well that his family’s current mess was entirely his doing.

His father had asked him what kind of people he had provoked. Seeing his father’s unprecedented weariness, he had no choice but to tell the whole story.

“You messed with the Xi family and the Su family?” His father, Hong Bo, who had spent decades navigating the business world in the capital, immediately lost all hope.

Hong Shirong had expected a scolding. Instead, his father had said nothing, merely turned and climbed the stairs. The once-straight back now appeared bent and tired, weighed down by something unbearable. The image had left Hong Shirong feeling heavy and suffocated.

He didn’t go back to the company, but he could imagine what a disaster it had become. The guilt gnawed at him—it was all his fault.

After days of reflection, he decided he couldn’t keep hiding. He couldn’t just watch his family be destroyed.

He only knew Su Ruo lived at Jingyue Mingdu. With no other options, he came to wait, hoping for a chance encounter—he didn’t dare approach anyone else.

To his surprise, his gamble paid off. He recognized Su Ruo’s car and immediately stepped in front of it. If she entered the compound, it would be much harder to approach her again.

“Miss Su, I was wrong. I apologize. Please let me say a few words!”

Su Ruo ignored him and started the car, ready to drive into Jingyue Mingdu.

But Hong Shirong once again blocked her path, clearly daring her to run him over.

Teeth clenched in fury, Su Ruo could hardly believe his shamelessness. What does he want? Apologize and expect me to be moved to tears?

They were still some distance from the compound gate—too far to hope for security guards to intervene. She could only wait for Su Heng to arrive.

Seeing that Hong Shirong was alone gave her some peace of mind. She wasn’t in a rush to drive off. Instead, she took out a magazine and flipped through it, completely ignoring the desperate man outside.

Hong Shirong realized she was waiting for someone, and he should leave now. But if he missed this chance, who knew when he’d see her again? The heavy silence at home over the past few days made him willing to risk everything.

Su Heng arrived quickly. With a screech, his car stopped, and he jumped out.

“You bastard! You think I won’t kill you?” he shouted, kicking Hong Shirong to the ground.

Coming here again—what was he planning? Another kidnapping?

“I came to apologize!” Hong Shirong clutched his stomach, groaning in pain. “You can hit me or whatever, just stop targeting my family. Please!”

Su Ruo rolled down the window and caught that last line. She raised an eyebrow. Must be the Commander’s doing, huh?

The commotion was starting to draw attention. Passersby kept looking back; some even stopped to watch.

Sigh, typical of our people—love a good scene, Su Ruo thought. Better not linger, or tomorrow there’ll be headlines about a street brawl. The Su family can’t afford that embarrassment.

She looked at the two men outside. “Su Heng.”

“Yes, sis?”

“Let’s take this elsewhere. I’m curious what he wants to say.”

“Miss Su, I’m sorry. Everything was my fault. I deserve to die. Please have mercy on my family!” Hong Shirong quickly chimed in.

“Shut up!” Su Heng snapped. “Sis, what’s the point of talking to trash like him?”

Su Ruo hesitated. Just now, she’d felt that maybe, just maybe, this man wasn’t completely heartless. At least he had some sense of responsibility. So she’d considered listening.

She was about to refuse again when something struck her. Her expression shifted slightly, brows furrowed. After a moment of silence, she spoke.

“Hong Shirong, don’t show your face to me again. You’d best leave the capital.” Her tone was cold and expressionless as she glanced at Su Heng. “Su Heng, come with me.”

She drove slowly into Jingyue Mingdu.

Su Heng understood immediately—she was letting him go. He frowned, then turned to Hong Shirong. “You heard her? Get lost. If I see you again…”

“No, no, I’ll leave right away!” Hong Shirong promised hastily. This… this was a lifeline!

Su Heng snorted and turned back to his car, never glancing at the overjoyed man again.

Hong Shirong hadn’t expected a turn of events like this. He knew how badly he’d hurt Su Ruo and assumed she hated him to the core. But still, he had come, desperate to beg. His mother’s constant anxiety and his father’s hunched back left him no room for hesitation.

He hadn’t expected hope. But her words meant a way out. As long as they left the capital, they wouldn’t have to worry anymore.

He jumped in his car and sped away. He had to tell his father—they needed to leave the capital as soon as possible. Anywhere else would do. There would be a chance to rise again. Anything was better than staying.

“Why did you let him go?” Su Heng asked as they walked into the house, frowning.

To him, Hong Shirong deserved to be torn to pieces. His sister should’ve skinned him alive, yet now she was showing mercy?

“Su Heng,” Su Ruo said quietly, “Spare others when possible. Besides, he didn’t actually harm me. Why chase them to the bitter end?”

There was something strangely solemn in her tone, like she’d seen through life and death—as if she understood something deeper.

Thinking of her rebirth, Su Ruo felt that fate was mysterious indeed. She now had everything she once didn’t dare dream of—how fortunate. Why should she use that good fortune to take revenge?

To spare others is to accumulate virtue. Besides, the Hong family itself was innocent. One man’s mistake shouldn’t mean punishing them all.

Her current happiness hadn’t come easily. She wanted to protect it, to build more blessings. As long as Hong Shirong didn’t appear before her again, she didn’t care about the rest.

Su Heng scratched his head, finding her attitude strange, but he didn’t press. Fine. If sis says let him go, then so be it. He tried to ignore the lingering dissatisfaction in his heart.

“Oh, right. Sis, you should tell your husband about the Hong family. He told us not to get involved.”

“Mm, I know.” The Commander had said he wouldn’t spare the Hongs, so it must’ve been his doing.

I wonder what the Commander is doing right now? Busy in meetings again, probably.

“You’re living at Zhengjia Courtyard now?” Su Heng’s question pulled her back from her thoughts.

She sighed and nodded. “Yeah.”

“When are you coming home? You should visit more often. I think Mom and Dad miss you.”

Her heart softened instantly, and she smiled. “Okay. I’ll come tomorrow. I’m not staying there full-time, I have time.”

“Great! I’ll go tell Mom. She’s been thinking about you a lot. We’ll probably get a feast tomorrow. Heh, lucky me!”

Su Heng was delighted. Every time Su Ruo came home, their mom cooked up a storm—that kind of food he could never get otherwise. Giving her a heads-up would give Mom time to prepare.

“Greedy boy. It’s not like you ever go hungry.”

Su Ruo teased, warm sunshine spilling over her, making her feel cozy inside and out.

A few days later, the once-prominent Hong Corporation, known in the capital’s business world, quietly left the city. No one knew exactly what had happened. From its peak, the company collapsed almost overnight before vanishing from the capital.

But then again, who really cared? The capital never lacked for gossip, and before long, everyone would forget that the Hong family ever existed.