CHAPTER 269: CHAPTER 256 NEW YEAR’S DAY 2

At this moment, Susan He was also just on her way back.

The assistant sat beside her, obviously still frightened by the scene during the day.

It wasn’t her first time seeing Lin Zhenxin. Normally, she appeared gentle and frail, a small petite figure. Who would have thought she would act so boldly?

Initially, the assistant also thought it was just a scare tactic towards Susan He. Never did she expect Lin Zhenxin would truly aim to kill.

The moment she saw the blood, the assistant’s heart leaped to her throat.

How could she be so reckless!

With the slightest mistake, someone could die!

She glanced sideways at Susan He, whose back was straight as usual, but the assistant clearly noticed the vulnerability in her eyes.

The car continued to drive forward slowly...

Inside the neighborhood.

When Susan He got out of the car, she intentionally looked at the building in front.

Seeing the lights on in Lin Zhenxin’s home, a darkness flickered in her eyes.

"Have the driver take you home," Susan He said to the assistant.

Soon, she was left alone.

She stood staring at the lights for an unknown amount of time before finally walking upstairs.

For some reason, the staircase light didn’t turn on, leaving the area pitch black. Susan He could only hear her own heavy breathing.

"Who’s there?" Susan He’s expression turned cold as she spun around!

The only response was silence.

Just now, she clearly heard a second breathing sound.

Taking two more steps forward, the hallway light remained off. Susan He kept her face tense and lips tightly sealed.

With a click, a red light suddenly flashed in the dark corridor, and in the next second...

She was slammed forcefully against the wall!

With a bang, Susan He felt as if her bones were breaking.

The hallway light still didn’t come on, but the smell of tobacco was particularly strong, indicating danger everywhere.

Just then, relying on that red light, Susan He vaguely saw a silhouette, wearing a hoodie with the hood up, and a baseball cap.

The brim was pressed so low it was impossible to see the face clearly.

"Who are you?" After the sharp pain, Susan He quickly regained her composure and began assessing the potential danger she faced.

The person remained silent for a short while, but soon, with a click, the red light flickered on again.

It was only at this point that Susan He realized that light was the faint glow of a lighter.

When she clearly saw who had her in a hold, an involuntary chill ran through her.

Under the baseball cap was Li Yanan!

His face, sternly chiseled, seemed sculpted by the hand of a master, the ruthlessness usually hidden beneath his suit now fully exposed.

Especially his eyes, oppressive and sinister in the dim light.

His inherent wildness wasn’t hidden in the slightest, naturally instilling fear.

"Ms. He." His emotionless voice was like a nightmare, causing an instinctive shiver from Susan He.

"Elliott, what do you want to do?" Susan He’s voice tightened.

Li Yanan said nothing but dangerously narrowed his eyes.

The red light went out, but Susan He didn’t relax her guard for a moment, as sounds of metal clashing creeped in.

Just when Susan He felt her heart leap into her throat...

The next second, Susan He felt a chill on her neck, and the scent of blood permeated the air.

She instinctively covered her neck, and soon, felt a dampness in her palm.

The red light flashed again, and Susan He looked down to find her hand stained with blood!

"If you can’t protect her..." Under the cap, Li Yanan’s voice rang again, as he sheathed the blood-stained Swiss army knife.

Yet his eyes remained terrifying!

"Li Yanan!" Susan He shouted in shock and fear, her heart pounding fiercely.

"Then don’t hurt her again!"

With those words, Li Yanan released his grip on Susan He and took a step back.

"Ms. He, remember what I said today!"

His gaze was profound, ignoring Susan He’s slight trembling.

"Otherwise, next time, I can’t guarantee my blade will be as restrained!"

The night was deep, in front of the ICU ward.

There was a sudden sound of heavy footsteps.

Visiting hours were long over, leaving the corridor desolate.

This made the footsteps sound particularly abrupt.

Li Chengze was carrying something and soon reached the door of the ICU ward.

Then, he sat down on the bench.

The duty nurse only glanced at him, clearly accustomed to Li Chengze’s presence in the hospital.

Since he didn’t intend to enter the ward, no one said a word.

Soon, Li Chengze opened the food container he carried.

Inside, two rows of dumplings were neatly placed.

He said nothing, just let his gaze fall on the ICU ward.

Maybe it was the lighting, but Li Chengze’s temples appeared to have some graying.

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Everywhere was still decorated with lights and festivities, even inside and outside the hospital there was a sense of celebration and joy.

Except here.

It seemed shrouded in overwhelming sorrow.

"You still haven’t woken up." Li Chengze spoke softly.

After saying this, something choked in his throat, but soon, he forced it down.

"The whole world witnessed my stupidity, only you..."

Li Chengze let out a soft chuckle, a shadow passing through his eyes.

She should have been the one mocking him amidst his misery.

He was down, and despised...she should have been the one standing on the heights looking down at his disgrace.

—You just said it was my fault, then tell me, during this time, was there really...

—Not even a little thought of me?

—Not even a bit?

—Li Chengze, answer me!

Li Chengze picked up the cleanly washed chopsticks.

This was the bleakest New Year he had ever spent.

Those former friends now wished to stay far away from him.

Human kindness comes and goes, something he learned very clearly within a short period.

Precisely because of this, Li Chengze understood even more...

How brave it was for Tu Haohao to dedicate herself entirely to him, to consider only him.

She loved in such a simple way, while he foolishly understood all too clearly.

How could he have spoken those heart-breaking words so unhesitantly?

Li Yingying couldn’t talk anymore, let alone Li Miya, and the money for the sanatorium...

He put a dumpling in his mouth.

But his throat felt blocked.

"I lied." He said, only to immediately break into a dry cough.

He clenched his hand into a fist, pressing it tightly against his lips to stifle any sound.

"But now, who even cares?"

Li Yanan returned to bed after showering.

As soon as he approached, Lin Zhenxin awoke.

"Did I wake you?" Li Yanan smiled, pulling her into his arms.

Lin Zhenxin said nothing, just buried her face in his chest, but shortly after, she lifted her head, hesitating to speak.

"Are you hurt?"

Li Yanan paused for a moment.

Perhaps he didn’t expect that even after a shower, Lin Zhenxin could still smell the blood.

"No, why?" Li Yanan asked.

Lin Zhenxin shook her head and closed her eyes again.

The noise of firecrackers was lively outside, but inside the bedroom, it was silent.

"I smell blood." Lin Zhenxin said softly after some time.

Li Yanan’s response was just to hold her tighter...

The next day.

Li Yanan clearly felt Lin Zhenxin’s reliance on him.

Yesterday’s event had indeed frightened her.

Even coming out of the bathroom, Lin Zhenxin stood at the door like a little puppy.

Seeing him emerge, she gave a fawning smile.

Then, feeling childish, she blushed in embarrassment.

To cover the wound on her neck, Lin Zhenxin deliberately changed into a soft yellow high-neck plush sweater, giving her already youthful face an even younger appearance.

Li Yanan felt his heart soften in an instant.

"The police just want me to help with the investigation, don’t be afraid."

Lin Zhenxin nodded but continued to hold onto his hand.

"Where do you want to go today?" Li Yanan was at a loss and could only let her hold him.

The second day was supposed to be for visiting her parents, but clearly, Lin Zhenxin didn’t feel she had any.

"To the cemetery." She thought for a moment, her eyes dimming slightly.

"Alright, I’ll take you."

Cemetery.

Lin Zhenxin stood in front of Lin Jusheng’s tombstone, instinctively touching the wound on her neck.

—It was her who killed him!

—It was Tu Xinya who killed Jusheng!

—On the day of his death, Jusheng met Tu Xinya, I saw it with my own eyes! After returning, Jusheng broke down emotionally, leading to that fire!

Tu Wanzi’s words echoed repeatedly in Lin Zhenxin’s ears.

Soon, Lin Zhenxin bent down and poured wine from a cup at the tombstone.

Her mind flashed with Susan He’s face, she laughed self-mockingly, then sighed softly.

Suddenly, there was the sound of clacking high heels behind her.

Li Yanan was the first to turn around, showing no expression as he saw who it was.

Lin Zhenxin quickly turned as well and, recognizing the face, her expression cooled.

Tu Wanzi was holding a bouquet of fresh white daisies, a sorrowful look on her once youthful face now noticeably aged.

Upon seeing Lin Zhenxin, Tu Wanzi stopped her steps first.

Conversely, Lin Zhenxin said nothing, simply intending to walk past and leave.

Currently, she had no desire to see any of the Tu Family.

"Ha, are you feeling smug now?" As they brushed past, Lin Zhenxin heard Tu Wanzi’s voice.

"You have a loving husband for support, Tu Xinya has transformed into a He family member returning to you, but what about our Haohao? She met the wrong person and now lies alone in the ICU. Why...why do you have everything in your favor!"

Tu Wanzi spat these words with gritted teeth, as if squeezed out from between her clenched jaw.

Why is Tu Xinya’s daughter so fortunate?

Why?

Li Yanan’s brows furrowed, his face gradually shrouded in a faint menace.

"I do wonder, how could a woman like you raise a daughter like Haohao?"

This had always been Lin Zhenxin’s biggest question.

Startled by Li Yanan’s presence, aside from the mockery, Tu Wanzi dared not truly do anything to Lin Zhenxin for the moment.