When it came to major principles, my father was the backbone of the Su family. What surprised me was that even my mother seemed determined this time.
"I'm coming too. Even though that wretched girl has done some foolish things over the years, she's still my daughter."
"It's too chaotic over there. Bringing you would be a burden. Wait for news at home."
My father quickly assigned roles, arranged for contacts in Jindian, and booked a flight for that night with Lu Shiyan.
The group headed to the airport, but I felt something was off. At such a critical moment, Su Ning'an was conspicuously absent.
This wasn't like her usual style.
She had always acted very concerned about matters involving me. She even went to dissuade Lu Shiyan when she found out he was going to Jindian. Today, with the whole family mobilized, she was silent.
For some reason, I felt Su Ning'an was playing a much larger game.
This game wasn't limited to romantic entanglements.
What does she want to do? She's not at the Su residence. Did she go back to the Lu family?
I felt deeply uneasy and instinctively went to Grandma's side.
Since receiving this human-skin book, Grandma had kept it with her constantly, so I could always find her there.
Grandma was kneeling on the prayer cushion, praying for me.
I stared blankly at the Bodhisattva she was bowing to. The Bodhisattva's gaze was compassionate, but there were so many unhappy souls in this world. How could she possibly aid everyone?
The unfortunate still bore the burdens of their misfortune.
"Grandma." Su Ning'an's voice came from the doorway, making my heart clench.
My premonition was right. The moment the Su family left, she came to Grandma, deliberately choosing the time when Nanny Wang was in the kitchen preparing bird's nest soup for Grandma.
Hearing her voice, Grandma's eyes turned icy. "What are you doing here? This is a pure, sacred place. Get out."
Su Ning'an was different today. Before, although she disliked Grandma, she would pretend to be affectionate on the surface.
Now, a smile hung on her face as she ignored Grandma's warning and stepped inside.
She glanced at the enshrined Bodhisattva with disdain. "Praying again? Praying every day, offering incense daily. Has the person you're praying for returned?"
"Get out!"
Ignoring Grandma's scolding, Su Ning'an directly took three incense sticks, lit them.
"If the Bodhisattva is truly divine, then I'll make a wish... what should I wish for?"
She continued talking to herself, "Got it. I'll wish for Su Wan to never come back. How about that?"
Saying this, she casually stuck the incense into the incense burner.
Grandma, already worried about me, turned pale with anger at these words. "Su Ning'an, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"Nonsense? Grandma, you're so naive. If Su Wan could come back, why haven't you found any trace of her?"
Grandma seemed to realize something, her gaze suddenly sharpening on Su Ning'an. "Do you know something?"
Su Ning'an sat down on a nearby stool, even crossing her legs. Where was the obedient facade she always put on in front of everyone?
"Let me tell you, Su Wan is in my hands, Grandma. If you want her back, trade it for the shares you hold."
Hearing this, Grandma glared furiously. "What did you say?"
Su Ning'an took a diamond necklace from her bag and tossed it over. The large diamonds sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
Both the design and the carat size made it exceptionally eye-catching.
"You should recognize this, right?"
When I saw this necklace, I was also stunned.
All these days, I had suspected my death was related to Su Ning'an, but it was just a guess.
After all, there was no concrete evidence proving she did it.
I always thought, we are biological sisters. Even if she wanted to steal Lu Shiyan from me, she wouldn't hate me enough to want me dead.
Until she produced the necklace I wore on my wedding day. Everything finally became clear.
Because this necklace was given to me by Grandma.
Before my wedding, my mother, because of a word from Su Ning'an, cut down my dowry, leaving me without decent jewelry for my wedding.
Grandma, indignant, gave me the token of love Grandpa had given her.
This diamond necklace was a precious piece once worn by a princess from a previous century, one of Grandma's most valuable pieces of jewelry.
She said her granddaughter should marry with dignity.
Even now, I could remember Grandma gently brushing my hair, her face full of hope.
She hoped I would pass this necklace down.
But I never imagined I would wear it for less than twenty-four hours before I was murdered.
And the one who killed me was actually my own sister.
Learning the truth, I felt an intense pain in my heart.
Why?
Lu Shiyan was already favoring her, even sleeping with her on our wedding night.
She had already won. Why did she still need to kill me?
I am her own sister!
Grandma's cloudy eyes suddenly became clear.
She first grabbed the necklace, examining it carefully. After confirming it wasn't a fake, she struggled to rise from the prayer cushion.
Because of her bad legs, she could only lean on her cane, walking unsteadily towards Su Ning'an.
"Where have you hidden your sister? Why would you do this?"
Those few steps exhausted Grandma. Her whole body trembled uncontrollably from the shock.
Seeing the white-haired, pitiful Grandma, Su Ning'an showed not an ounce of compassion.
Instead, her gaze was full of disdain. She sat there without any intention of moving.
"Why? All those years I was drifting and wandering outside, she was enjoying your love and care. Why does she get all the good things? I am also your granddaughter. Why must you favor her?"
Grandma was furious. "From the moment you returned, hasn't everyone in the family treated you sincerely, wanting to compensate you? What have you done to Su Wan? How dare you say that!"
Su Ning'an played with her nails. "Then let's not talk about that. I'm here today to ask you one thing. Will you give me the shares or not?" It seems she's tired of the pretense of weakness. Taking advantage of the family's absence, she plans to force Grandma.
Grandma slammed her cane hard on the floor. "Dream on! I'd rather die than leave the shares to you."
As if she had long anticipated Grandma's reaction, Su Ning'an chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, I won't kill you. But... don't forget, Su Wan is in my hands. I can easily do anything to her."
"How dare you!"
Grandma slapped Su Ning'an hard across the face. "Let her go! She is your sister!"
Su Ning'an pressed her tongue against her cheek, a cold smile curling her lips. "Old woman, you'll pay for slapping me."
With that, she made a call. "It's me. Cut off one of Su Wan's fingers."
My eyes widened. I'm already dead!
What is she doing?!
Grandma also refused to believe she would go that far. "You little wretch, don't try to scare me! Even if she weren't your sister, if you really hurt her, how could you ever face the Su family again? I—"
Beep—
A message came in on Su Ning'an's phone. She opened it and enlarged the newly arrived photo.
A severed finger was clearly visible.