The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

Mr. Qu grew more and more agitated. "You, you really, really will help me?"

"Of course." Zachary Qu's handsome face appeared under the faint light, but his expression was impossible to read.

He hid all his true emotions in the darkness.

He spoke softly, "So, Dad, you'll protect me, right? If my brothers try to hurt me, you'll protect me too, won't you?"

Mr. Qu said nothing.

"I know you've never been one to sit and wait for death. Ever since you got seriously ill half a year ago, my brothers have been acting more and more recklessly. They've angered you, but you never say anything, just quietly indulge them. Finally, they couldn't wait any longer, couldn't wait for you to step down on your own." Zachary Qu chuckled, "But what they don't know is that as early as six months ago, you had already moved most of your assets overseas. Don't worry, don't panic, don't get excited. I told you, I'm on your side. I won't expose your arrangements, and I won't let you die early."

"How—how did you know?" Mr. Qu stammered, drooling slightly. "What do you want?"

"I want your love!" Zachary Qu smiled gently. "I'm the child born to an outsider woman, I've never had your fatherly love since I was little. So I've always longed for you to share some affection with me! That's why I came back to the Qu family! Dad, am I your most outstanding son?"

"Heh heh heh." Mr. Qu said, "You really are clever."

"That's right. I think so too. I believe I'm the one most like you. Don't you think so?" Zachary Qu tilted his ear, listening for movement outside. "Dad, you have ten minutes to decide. In ten minutes, Eric Qu will completely break through Steven Qu's defenses. By then, we'll all be in Eric Qu's hands. Dad, do you really want to die?"

Mr. Qu began to tremble violently.

No one wants to die.

Not even Mr. Qu, paralyzed by a stroke.

He didn't want to die either.

He especially didn't want to die at the hands of his own sons.

He couldn't afford to hesitate any longer, so he asked, "What arrangements have you made?"

"I've prepared a safe house here. There's a passage in the safe house that leads outside." Zachary Qu spoke softly, "Right now, the safest places are the Yin Family Estate and the Monroe Family Estate. As long as you hide there, no one will find you."

"Is that so." Mr. Qu gave his son a deep look. He was now certain this son wasn't testing him, but had already confirmed his own deal with Charles Yin.

This son had always been quiet, almost invisible—never doing much beyond eating, drinking, and chasing women.

He had never really paid attention to this son before.