Yan Sui’s eyes flickered slightly.
Aside from the few strands of hair that were missing, everything else was exactly the same as when she had left.
Someone had come here?
Just to take a few strands of her hair?
The idea was so absurd that she wondered if she had remembered it wrong.
Naturally, her thoughts drifted to that sticky, lingering gaze that always seemed to settle on her from time to time.
How interesting.
She carefully inspected every corner of the room once more, making sure nothing had been touched and that there were no hidden cameras or listening devices.
After confirming everything was safe, she sprinkled a little colorless powder beside the window.
Then she happily went to sleep.
That night, Yan Sui was probably the only one who slept well.
Lin Jian was overwhelmed, making countless phone calls while bowing and scraping for help. In the end, he threw his phone aside with a dark expression.
Ever since his ex-wife died, he had only enjoyed a year of prosperity before the company began its decline.
The reason he could still barely maintain a place among the elite was simply because the Yan Group’s foundation was strong.
Recently, an investment in a new industry had resulted in devastating losses, causing severe cash flow problems.
Last night, he had used every connection he had to invite several influential figures, hoping to strengthen relationships and persuade them to help the Yan Group survive the crisis.
But why had there been a snake?!
Why was there a snake there?!
He wanted to tear his hair out.
Meanwhile, in another room, He Wan was trapped in overwhelming fear and agitation.
The cold, slippery sensation still seemed to linger around her calf.
For some reason, the snake had wrapped itself tightly around her, almost crushing her bones. No matter how hard people tried, they couldn’t pull it off.
She called Lin Qi over.
“Your coming-of-age banquet was ruined today, all because of that little bitch Yan Sui!”
Lin Qi was also annoyed by the snake, but he found his mother’s accusation ridiculous.
“What does that have to do with her?”
Recalling Yan Sui’s face and the words she had spoken, He Wan trembled with anger.
“Are you stupid? Can’t you tell she’s scheming?
“Acting pitiful in front of everyone while insulting me behind my back.
“And the moment she showed up, there was a snake. Maybe she released it herself!”
Lin Qi, however, remembered Yan Sui smiling at him, her voice soft and gentle.
He brushed away his mother’s hand.
“Mom, she’s only one year older than me. She grew up in the countryside. Where would she get all this scheming from?
“And releasing a snake? Does she look like someone who’d even dare touch one?
“Why do you talk so harshly? Can’t you even tolerate a girl who isn’t going to fight me over the inheritance?”
He Wan froze.
She stared at her son in disbelief.
But Lin Qi no longer wanted to deal with her emotions.
“I’m going back to sleep.”
Throwing out those words, he stormed out of the room.
A moment later, the sound of a cup shattering against the floor rang out behind him.
Lin Qi returned to his room.
The moment he looked at his phone, he saw message after message from his friends asking for Yan Sui’s contact information.
He cursed each of them before replying:
【She doesn’t want to add any of you. Get lost.】
Bang!
A sudden loud noise exploded through the room.
Startled, he looked toward the window.
Something had struck the glass.
But this was the third floor.
He stood up and cautiously approached the window before opening it.
A violent gust of night wind rushed in, carrying a thick scent of blood that made every hair on his body stand on end—
A bird had slammed itself to death against his window.
Its neck was twisted grotesquely, blood-soaked feathers sticking to the glass and windowsill.
Its lifeless eyes stared directly at him.
“Damn!”
He cursed and stumbled back, his heart pounding.
After calming down slightly, he instinctively reached out to push the dead bird off the sill.
Why was he having such terrible luck today?
The instant he touched it, intense pain exploded through his finger—
“Fuck!!”
A razor-sharp blade was protruding from the bird’s back.
The blade had been blackened by blood, making it completely invisible in the darkness.
Gritting his teeth as blood streamed from his wound, Lin Qi grabbed a cup from his desk and smashed the bird off the windowsill before slamming the window shut.
His heart hammered wildly.
The burning pain in his hand mixed with the cold stiffness of the dead bird.
His scalp tingled uncontrollably.
Only after a long while did the lights in his room finally go out.
In the darkness not far away, a figure blended seamlessly into the night.
A faint, mocking sound escaped him—
“Tsk.”
Yan Sui slept very well.
When she opened the curtains the next morning, the pile of powder beside the window remained untouched.
However, a wild rose had somehow appeared outside the window.
The flower was still covered in dew. Its delicate petals trembled softly in the breeze. Among the entire cluster, it was the most beautiful bloom.
Scattered leaves and tangled vines lay around it, making it look as though a strong wind had swept it there during the night.
Blinking, the young girl picked up the rose and placed it in the vase beside her bed.
After getting ready, she went downstairs to head back to school.
But Lin Jian stopped her.
Dark circles hung heavily beneath the middle-aged man’s eyes. His gaze swept over her face several times as though evaluating a decorative ornament.
Then he spoke in a tone that allowed no refusal.
“Spend the next two days learning some etiquette. Tomorrow night, you’re coming with me to a banquet.”
Yan Sui blinked.
What was this? Had the schedule for selling off his daughter been moved up?
The girl obediently agreed.
Lin Jian’s tone softened slightly.
“Don’t be nervous. This is your official introduction into our social circle. Behave well and don’t disappoint me.”
Although last night had been a disaster, not everything about it had been bad.
For example, several business partners had contacted him that morning, praising how beautiful the daughter he had brought back was.
Suddenly, he realized he had underestimated Yan Sui.
Originally, he planned to let her finish university, polish her image, and then marry her off.
But now it seemed that a beautiful, innocent girl who had only recently come of age might be even more valuable.
Yan Sui nodded obediently.
“I understand, Dad. I’m heading to school now.”
“Go ahead.”
Lin Jian nodded in satisfaction.
“Oh, right. Have the driver take you.”
There was only one driver in the household, and this was the first time Yan Sui had received such treatment.
The girl happily climbed into the car, took out her phone, and casually scrolled through it.
Suddenly, a news article appeared on her screen.
【Middle-aged Man Found Dead Naked in Alleyway; Investigation Ongoing…】
Her fingers paused.
She opened the photo.
Even though it was heavily censored, she recognized him instantly.
It was the man who had harassed her yesterday.
The reported time of death was only ten minutes after he had harassed her.
She reread the article several times.
A faint chill suddenly crept up her spine.
That meant the killer had been within five hundred meters of her.
A revenge killing?
A crime of passion?
A random murder?
Yet on her way home last night, she had never sensed any danger.
Only that feeling of being watched.
Being watched?
She licked her lips.
As if compelled by some invisible force, she bookmarked the article.
When she arrived at school, Yan Sui returned to her dormitory.
The dorms at the prestigious academy were all single rooms, and she liked them very much.
Fortunately, Lin Jian cared about appearances. Even though he didn’t want to spend money on her, he still sent her to a school like this to improve her status.
After putting down her belongings and taking a drink of water, it was almost time for her first class.
She slung her backpack over her shoulder and left.
Her slender figure quickly disappeared around the corner of the hallway.
Suddenly, the lock on her dorm room door emitted a faint click.
A tall shadow silently stepped inside.
Footsteps landed softly on the floor.
His gaze swept across the small room.
Pale fingers picked up a long strand of hair lying near the door and carefully stored it away.
Then, like a ghost, he approached her bed without making a sound.
Lowering himself onto one knee, he picked up the cup from which Yan Sui had just taken a sip.
His fingertips hesitated before gently touching the faint imprint of her lips.
At that exact moment—
Rapid footsteps suddenly echoed outside the door.
Yan Sui abruptly pushed the door open!