The Devil who devoured Snow White

327  My place

Meanwhile, back in Si Guanlin's estate. Inside the study room.

"Don't you think this is earlier than expected?" Xue Lihua asked as she poured the tea she prepared on Si Guanlin's cup. "Her relationship with Si Hongqi has not been deepened."

"Maybe, maybe not," he replied as he watched her fill his cup. After doing so, he took the cup and sipped from it. "She's a double-edged sword, Si Guanlin," she reminded.

"I know." He placed the cup back on his desk before he lifted his head to look at the woman beside him. "That's why I assigned you to her. I need you to keep an eye on her."

Xue Lihua ended up heaving a sigh. "She's still in her grieving period, it might take a while before we can fully use her."

He chuckled softly. "No, I don't think that's the case. She came here to us, asking for revenge against the person who killed her precious friend." He cast his eyes towards the woman who was leaning against the doorpost.

"She'll have to get in line for that," Matsuma commented.

"We can just pass the blame to someone else," Xue Lihua suggested.

"Ah, good girl." He gently patted the woman's head as he flashed her a pleased smile. "And that's what we're going to do. We'll have to help her taint her hands with blood."

Xue Lihua furrowed her brows in confusion. "What do you mean? You're not planning on having her kill someone? She's not ready, Si Guanlin."

"Her thirst for revenge is enough to make her ready. All we have to do is guide her to our target."

"And who are you planning to kill this time?" Matsuma asked as she raised a brow at him.

"How about one of Lu Mengjie's people? Having the two hate on each other will be a fun thing to watch~"

"You have to forge evidence for her to believe you." Xue Lihua knew that she probably shouldn't be suggesting things to a man like Si Guanlin but he would already have thought of it. He was probably just waiting for someone to say it for him. As always.

Pleased, he patted her head yet once again. "That's my girl."

"Anyway, I should go and check on her. She's been skipping meals lately, we can't have her go weak and die out of starvation." She moved away from him before she stood up. It was only an excuse to get away from him since he was getting too close.

…

A knock was soon heard but she remained unmoved from her seat. Soon, the door went open and Xue Lihua entered the room, carrying a tray with food on it.

"Ms. Tian." She called. "It's lunchtime. I heard from the maid earlier that you haven't touched your breakfast."

Finally, movements were seen from Tian Ruyi as she turned her head and looked at her. "I'm not hungry."

Xue Lihua rolled her eyes. "If you want to starve yourself then fine." She placed the tray on the coffee table. "But let me tell you this, sulking and starving yourself won't help you in what you want. If you want to get revenge for whoever killed that friend of yours, you have to reserve your strength and start planning for the worse."

"I'm going to kill the bastard that murdered Jingye."

"I hope you're not just spouting empty words. You're facing a killer, Ms. Tian. Going after that person will require you to dirty your hands."

Tian Ruyi clenched her fists tightly as she lowered her head. Her eyes were covered by the fringes of her bangs.

Xue Lihua peered at her for a moment before she turned away and left the room. She wasn't worried that the other woman might not eat the food she brought.

Once Tian Ruyi was left in the room, minutes ticked by before she finally went towards the coffee table to have her lunch. Xue Lihua was right, she shouldn't starve herself like this when she still has to take care of things. She was willing to do anything just to seek justice for his death.

While she was eating, she heard her phone ring. For the past few days, she had ignored all the calls and messages she received from various people after she had left her place.

She picked up her phone to check on who was calling, and there she saw Si Hongqi's name on the screen.

Just as she wanted to focus on going after the person who killed Bai Jingye, she couldn't help but stare at the caller ID. She has been avoiding so many people lately but this time, she at least wanted to talk with someone.

She finally tapped on her phone's screen to answer the call.

"Ruyi, you finally answered! I've been trying to reach out to you. Where have you been? Are you alright?"

She could hear the relief and at the same time, the worry in his soothing voice. It felt like so long since she last heard him.

"Can we meet?" She didn't bother going around so she went straight to the point.

Si Hongqi was not expecting to hear those words from her but he couldn't help but he was more than willing to do what she wanted. "Of course. When do you want us to meet? Where?"

"Tonight… my place." She still has to return to her place to get a few things there. Besides, it would be the easiest excuse to make if ever Si Guanlin or Xue Lihua asked where she was going.

She didn't know what came to her mind when she packed a few of her clothes and went to Si Guanlin, asking him for his help. Why was he the first person she thought of?

"Your place? Sure, sure. Why don't I come and pick you up?"

"There's no need for that. Just meet me at my place." She ended the call after saying those words.