SES Chapter 96 Part 1

Chapter 96 – Extra

Lian Shu couldn’t recall any memories directly connected to Mu Dai’s accident.

All she could say was that when Luo Ren and the others hadn’t yet returned, she had gone to Uncle Zheng’s place once or twice. Each time, for some reason, her eyes were always drawn to the room at the very end of the second floor.

Still, she knew the etiquette of “do not enter unless invited.” At most, she’d glance at it twice, never overstepping. But just the morning before, the moment she stepped into the courtyard, it was as if an invisible hand had pushed her forward, forcing her against her will.

When she found herself standing in front of the fish tank, the rouge-amber pendant at her chest grew warm and soft. In her mind, only one thought lingered.

Luo Ren asked her, “What thought?”

Afraid of angering him, Lian Shu hesitated, stammering.

“I wanted to… hang Mu Dai.”

Luo Ren said nothing. “Hanging” was the short phrase of the third cursed slip of bamboo—the method of that woman’s death, and also Old Man Yan’s fate.

Lian Shu wanted to hang Mu Dai. There had been ligature marks on Mu Dai’s neck, but in the end, she was struck by a car. Something had happened in between, something Lian Shu could not remember. Mu Dai might remember—if she ever woke up.

Luo Ren signaled Yan Hongsha to untie Lian Shu.

Confused, Lian Shu rubbed her wrists, standing there uncertainly. Luo Ren shifted slightly to the side and said, “Go.”

Just like that—he was letting her go? Lian Shu couldn’t believe it. Still, she stumbled and bolted toward the exit. Yi Wan-san opened the door for her, and outside the sunlight poured down, so bright she could barely open her eyes.

Watching her retreating figure, Cao Yanhua couldn’t believe Luo Ren would just let it go like that. “Little Luo, that’s it?”

“The police will come for her,” Luo Ren said.

And they would. She was the last person seen with Mu Dai. The wallpaper dealer and the delivery driver could testify—they had seen her carrying the unconscious Mu Dai off the truck. She had personally slipped the rope around Mu Dai’s neck. She might forget what happened, but actions always left traces: there could be witnesses, there could be footage. Every suspicion pointed to her.

She was either an attempted murderer or a dangerous lunatic. There was no way she’d walk away clean.

Cao Yanhua fidgeted nervously. “But… Little Luo, what if she tells the cops you forced her into a confession…?”

“I’m the victim’s boyfriend. A moment of impulse—the police will understand.”

“And…”

It felt selfish to ask, but Cao Yanhua needed to get it off his chest. “What if she drags us into it too…?”

Luo Ren gave a faint smile. “Do you think the police will believe her? She insists she never hurt Mu Dai, remember?”

Cao Yanhua froze. A chill crawled up his spine. Luo Ren went on giving instructions, saying he was heading back to the hospital, asking Yan Hongsha to help return the last piece of rouge amber to its place. But Cao Yanhua barely heard a word.

It wasn’t until Luo Ren walked off that Cao Yanhua shuddered and nudged Yi Wan-san’s arm. “Brother San, seriously… I think I’m a little scared of Little Luo now.”

Yi Wan-san said, “Then just avoid provoking him.”

Cao Yanhua frowned. “Why? Do you know something?”

Yi Wan-san stayed silent, suddenly remembering that time on the road to Wuzhu Village, when he had accidentally overheard Luo Ren’s phone call.

—“What about over in Mindanao?”

He gave Cao Yanhua a vague answer: “Doesn’t matter. Just don’t mess with him.”

By chance, they arrived at the hospital right during visiting hours.

The hospital allowed one hour for visits. But when the patient was still unconscious, whether it was an hour or an extra minute made no difference. Uncle Zhang sat with Mu Dai for a while, telling her he had gotten in touch with Huo Zihong, that Auntie Hong would be coming back soon to see her, and that she had to stay strong, stay determined, and recover quickly.

Even he felt like the words were just clichés lifted from some TV drama—hollow and dull.

The nurse beside him gently reminded: during this time, it was good to talk more with the patient. Experience showed that encouragement from family or loved ones could give them strength.

Uncle Zhang knew full well—he was neither family nor lover.

He knew Luo Ren was waiting outside, so he stepped out to let him in.

Luo Ren sat down beside the bed.

Mu Dai lay quietly, sleeping peacefully. Her breathing was light, her lashes trembling faintly with each breath. A pale cheek bore a scrape, probably from when Lian Shu had dragged her to the ground.

Luo Ren reached out, wanting to caress her face—then drew his hand back.

The wound hasn’t healed yet—if touched, it must hurt.

The nurse beside him reminded him that he should talk to his girlfriend, maybe recall some sweet memories.

Luo Ren gave a faint smile. He didn’t want to speak—crying and choking out words under a stranger’s watchful gaze felt far too inappropriate.

Instead, he held Mu Dai’s hand, quietly watching her for a long time, memories flooding back.

Such an adorable little pocket of joy—his girl. No one could ever replace her.

At last, he lowered his head, pressing his forehead gently against their joined hands.

He didn’t know how much time had passed before the nurse tapped his shoulder, signaling that visiting hours were over.

Luo Ren stood, then suddenly thought of something. He pulled out the sheathed knife from his pocket and asked the nurse, “Can I leave this here?”

The nurse inspected it, frowning when she saw it was a knife. But in the end, she still nodded.

As he walked out, Luo Ren glanced back and saw the nurse carefully tuck the knife under the bedding.

Uncle Zhang was sitting outside the room. When he saw Luo Ren come out, he lifted his head, dazed.

Luo Ren sat down beside him. “Did you reach Huo Zihong?”