Lin Ruoyan didn't go home that night, and when she finally did the next day, it was already late.
She'd originally planned to avoid Xu Jingyi, but she hadn't expected her to still be sitting on the sofa at almost midnight.
The living room lights were off.
Lin Ruoyan only saw Xu Jingyi when she turned them on.
"Sister-in-law." After a few quick thoughts, Lin Ruoyan greeted her.
The air was eerily silent, and she didn't want to linger.
She turned to go upstairs after saying hello, but Xu Jingyi stopped her.
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After she sat down on the sofa, there was a dead silence, both of them waiting for the other to speak.
Lin Ruoyan was more patient, but Xu Jingyi spoke first, her voice heavy.
"Did you go see that woman?"
"Yes." She found out quickly, Lin Ruoyan thought.
"What did you ask?"
Xu Jingyi looked over, staring at her expression.
Her head was lowered, making her feel a little restless.
"Look at me when you speak."
Lin Ruoyan looked up at her, but could see nothing in her eyes.
Her expression was as calm as still water.
"Where's Sister-in-law? What did you talk about when you went to see that woman?"
The tense atmosphere became even more oppressive. Xu Jingyi knew she wouldn't get anything from the other woman, so she took a step back and asked, "Why are you still investigating? Isn't it all in the past?"
This time, Lin Ruoyan didn't mince words. She said directly, "Heh, maybe it's in the past in Sister-in-law's eyes, but as I said before, Brother's death was definitely not an accident.
I don't believe the police's conclusion."
As she spoke, anger appeared in her eyes, no longer like still water.
"To find the real killer, I will definitely investigate. I will continue to investigate. That woman is just the beginning."
"You…"
The other woman's attitude was resolute, and Xu Jingyi was somewhat exasperated. She wanted to say something, but in the end, she swallowed it back.
."Isn't it good now?
Why do you have to pursue the truth?"
Her words were strange, as if she was content with the present situation, or perhaps she had wanted this result all along.
Or perhaps… this result was caused by her.
But now, there was only a slight clue about this matter; nothing could be said before it was investigated clearly.
Lin Ruoyan snorted coldly, "It's not good. I want to know who the real killer of Brother is. What's wrong with that?"
"And then what?" Xu Jingyi stood up abruptly, her chest heaving with labored breaths.
"So you know, then what? Are you going to kill someone to avenge your Brother? Make them pay with their life?"
She looked down at Lin Ruoyan, her hands clenched tightly, her voice loud, almost argumentative.
"Are you going to die too?
Have you considered that if someone really did orchestrate your Brother's death without leaving any evidence, they could do the same to you."
Lin Ruoyan wasn't intimidated. She also stood up, her aura even subtly surpassing the other woman's. Her voice was low but firm.
"I'll find the evidence, and the police will investigate. Why would I kill anyone?"
"Yes, you and Brother were just husband and wife.
When disaster strikes, everyone goes their separate ways. Brother died, and you could enjoy everything alone, so there's no need to investigate.
But I'm not like you. As long as there are doubts, I will find the truth."
Hearing this, Xu Jingyi raised her hand and slapped her. Pa. The sound was crisp and clear.
A red handprint quickly appeared on Lin Ruoyan's face, but the slap did not silence her. "Brother was with you every day.
Everything you had was intertwined.
Any grievances would have been shared.
But only my Brother died. You should know the reason better than I do."
This time, Xu Jingyi didn't hit her, she wasn't even as angry as before.
"What else? Tell me everything."
"You should already know what I've found out, but you haven't told me anything.
Why?
Is it really because you're afraid I'll get caught up in this and something will happen, or is there another reason?
You should know better than anyone."
"Since we've come this far, I'll be frank.
I've caught a lead, and I won't give up easily."
Xu Jingyi clasped her hands behind her back, clenching them into fists.
"I advise you not to continue, or the consequences will be difficult to bear."
"If Sister-in-law is taking this stance, I'm curious to know the reason why you so readily accepted the 'accident' explanation.
You know very well that you have many enemies, and the likelihood of an accident is minuscule."
"I've already said, since the matter has happened and can't be undone, then accept it.
Living well from now on is the best choice."
"Heh, can you truly live in peace from now on?"
"Why not?"
Lin Ruoyan's expression turned colder, a different suspicion gaining the upper hand given Xu Jingyi's attitude.
Her tone became icier, the two of them completely tearing off their masks. "In that case, I have nothing more to say to you."
She turned and walked away, their conversation ending on a sour note.
The relationship, which had just begun to improve, became even more strained.
Their recent harmonious interactions were like Kyōka Suigetsu.
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