Night settled heavily over the town.
Streetlights glowed dim and lonely.
In a remote corner of a small café,
Li Ya sat in silence,
her fingers slowly stirring the coffee in front of her.
Her movements were calm.
Too calm.
Sitting across from her
was Lin Han's uncle—
Lin Guodong.
His face looked worn.
Sunken eye sockets.
A man clearly already being crushed by life.
"So… what you're saying is…"
Guodong hesitated,
his voice low.
"Exactly."
Li Ya placed the spoon down
and curved her lips into a cold smile.
"As long as Lin Han disappears,
that house becomes yours."
"And I get to finally get rid of him."
"A win for both of us."
Guodong frowned.
"But this is risky,"
he muttered.
"What if someone finds out…?"
"Don't worry."
Li Ya cut him off,
her tone sharp.
"My father is Li Gang."
"In this town,
no one dares go against us."
"My people will handle everything after."
"No loose ends."
Her eyes darkened.
"The only question is…"
"Do you have the guts to do it?"
Guodong fell silent.
His gaze flickered.
Conflict burning behind his eyes.
Then his phone rang.
Sharp and piercing.
"H-hello?"
he answered.
"What?!
Tomorrow already?!
But I—"
He froze.
The person on the other end
hung up.
His hand trembled.
Sweat rolled down his forehead.
His face turned pale.
"Debt collectors?"
Li Ya asked,
raising an eyebrow.
Her voice carried nothing but disgust.
"They said…
if I don't pay up tomorrow,"
he whispered,
"they'll make me regret being born."
His fists clenched so hard
his knuckles turned white.
Li Ya leaned back.
Her smile was merciless.
"Then what are you still hesitating for?"
"As long as you cooperate with me…
you get the house."
"And you get to teach your useless nephew a lesson."
Her eyes narrowed.
"A harsh one."
Guodong slowly lifted his head.
A different light appeared in his eyes.
Cold.
Twisted.
Ruthless.
"…Fine."
he said.
"I'll do it."