Zhan Jiayi was taken to a high-end apartment. The driver had her take a discreet elevator from the underground garage to the top floor.
When the elevator doors opened, they led directly into the living room on the top floor of the apartment. She stepped out and saw that all the lights in the living room were on, but Xie Zhendong was nowhere to be seen.
Curiously, she began to explore. The decoration and furnishings here were several notches above Zhao Jianhua's villa, and possessed more taste than a nouveau riche like Zhao Jianhua.
This reminded her of the short time she had spent living in the Shu family mansion. In reality, even the wealthy were divided into different strata.
She stood by the wine cabinet, her hand gliding over a set of expensive crystal wine glasses.
As the glassware lightly clinked, it produced a clear, melodious sound, like heavenly music.
"I never realized the sound of these wine glasses colliding was so beautiful." Xie Zhendong had appeared behind her at some point.
Startled, Zhan Jiayi quickly turned around and said nervously, "Mr. Xie, I'm sorry, I was just moving them casually."
In fact, this way of tapping crystal wine glasses was something Shu Zhongze had taught her before. She had been quite amazed at the time that high-end crystal wine glasses could be used for entertainment in such a manner.
"It's alright, you can continue if you like it," Xie Zhendong said, naturally taking her hand.
She didn't resist, but her palms began to sweat.
Xie Zhendong looked directly at her and smiled, saying, "You're very nervous."
She immediately shook her head, unsure of what to say.
"What is your relationship with Zhao Jianhua?" Xie Zhendong asked as if casually.
Zhan Jiayi gritted her teeth and said with a touch of sadness, "It's the kind of relationship you imagine, Mr. Xie. I am a gift he gave you."
Xie Zhendong patted the back of her hand with pity. "He doesn't cherish you enough. You won't have to experience that again with me."
Zhan Jiayi no longer leaned towards him nervously. She said, "I have no other desires now. As long as Mr. Xie is satisfied with me, that will be enough."
Xie Zhendong gently lifted her chin with one finger. He felt that her understanding was so profound it was heartbreaking. "As long as you become mine, I won't treat you badly. But you must also understand our relationship and not overstep. Even if we part ways someday, it won't be like Zhao Jianhua; I will make arrangements for you."
"Mm, I understand," Zhan Jiayi thought of him as Shu Zhongze. He was so similar to Shu Zhongze in both age and demeanor.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her lips closer to his.
She could no longer see his face clearly; in her daze, the person she saw was Shu Zhongze.
His breath was scorching. He picked her up, unable to resist, and walked directly towards the bathroom.
From this moment on, she would use him to reclaim everything Shu Zhongze had once owed her, and to avenge Shu Zhongze's abandonment of her as if she were refuse.
...
Late at night, Tianyi returned home very late. Susu sat on the living room sofa, unable to sleep, waiting for him.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Tianyi glanced at her and then headed towards the children's room to check on the two children.
Susu immediately stood up and quickly said, "I'm sorry, I feel very guilty about Chen Ma's death. Can we talk about it properly?"
Tianyi looked weary and said, "Talk about what? I'm so tired tonight. We'll talk tomorrow."
"Alright, then you go see the children. I'll warm a glass of milk for you and prepare your bathwater," she said, heading towards the kitchen.
After Tianyi had seen the sleeping children, he returned to the bedroom. He saw a cup of warmed milk on the bedside table, and heard the faint sound of running water from the bathroom.
He hadn't intended to tell Susu about this so soon. He knew that once Susu found out, there would inevitably be disagreements between them regarding the handling of Sophie.
However, he would not back down on the matter of Sophie. He stood for a moment outside the semi-transparent bathroom door, his gaze deep, before finally gently pushing the door open.
He saw Susu with her long hair casually tied up at the back, bending by the bathtub to test the water temperature with her hand. A few stray strands of hair fell messily around her cheeks.
He knew she must be feeling distressed as well. He couldn't bear to continue treating her coldly, so he said, "I can do it myself. You go rest."
Susu hadn't noticed him enter and quickly turned her head, saying, "The water will be ready soon."
Tianyi stepped forward and put his arm around her shoulder, his tone softening. "Let's not mention Sophie between us anymore, okay? Don't worry, I won't take her life."
Susu took a deep breath. It wasn't that she sympathized with Sophie; she always felt that Tianyi was doing the wrong thing, but she didn't point it out now. She only asked, "Why didn't you tell me sooner after such a big incident? Did you have An Jing lie to me, saying Sophie went to Paris?"
"Yes, I was afraid you wouldn't be able to accept it. Besides, even if you knew, you couldn't change anything, and it would only make one more person suffer," Tianyi pulled her into his embrace.
Susu leaned against him. "Alright, it's not your fault. It's just my fault for letting Sophie stay at home. I want to go to Chen Ma's grave tomorrow and apologize to her."
"Don't blame yourself too much. I think Chen Ma wouldn't blame you," Tianyi said, sitting by the bathtub and holding her tightly.
"But if I don't go, I'll feel very uneasy." Susu asked, "How did you discover such a terrible thing?"
Tianyi told her how he discovered it and why he was so sure it was Sophie. He found some evidence, and Sophie had also personally admitted it.
He played the recording of Sophie's confession on his phone for Susu.
After listening, Susu nodded and said, "I understand now. You're right. Hurry up and take your bath, or the water will get cold."
Seeing that she was no longer dwelling on her sympathy for Sophie, Tianyi breathed a sigh of relief. He efficiently took off his shirt, revealing his well-defined muscles for Susu to see.
Susu grabbed a bath towel and threw it at him, saying, "I'm not interested in watching you bathe." With that, she turned and ran away.
She left the bathroom and closed the door behind Tianyi, leaning against the wall outside the bathroom.
According to Tianyi, Sophie deserved what she got, but Tianyi holding her captive privately was using vigilante justice.
Since there was evidence of Sophie murdering Chen Ma, they should have reported it to the police and had Sophie arrested.
Even if someone with a mental illness wouldn't be severely punished by law, the law should still be followed.
She knew that Tianyi wouldn't agree with her viewpoint now, and there was no point in saying more. She would wait for the right moment to persuade Tianyi.
Thinking this, she lay down on the bed, still feeling dispirited.
Not long after, Tianyi emerged from the bathroom. He lifted a corner of the quilt covering her and lay down, then embraced her with both arms, whispering in her ear, "I'll go with you to see Chen Ma tomorrow."
Susu hummed in response, snuggling against him, and closed her eyes, saying, "Okay, let's sleep. You've been too tired lately, get some good rest."
But Tianyi, behind her, didn't respond. His breathing became even, and he had already fallen asleep.
The next morning, Susu woke up wishing that Sophie she saw yesterday and the truth about Chen Ma's murder were all just a nightmare.
"What's wrong? You're spacing out as soon as you wake up," Tianyi, who had also woken up, said from beside her.