Listening to the commotion, the corners of Shen Ruxu's mouth lifted. Through the earpiece, he listened to the little girl chattering away, recounting the story of how a psycho—namely, himself—had snatched her bread at the school gate.
After her cheerful speech, the little girl didn't forget to sweetly call out to another person, referring to him as her brother.
To think that besides her obedient younger brother, this little girl actually had an older brother at home.
Just as he was thinking this absentmindedly, the voice in the earpiece came to an abrupt halt.
It wasn't the static of signal interference, but a very clean, absolute silence.
Shen Ruxu twitched his lips, revealing a knowing, indifferent smile.
He had been discovered.
And his bug had been removed.
Quite fast, and with no small amount of vigilance.
Shen Ruxu wasn't a pervert who just threw bugs on random people he met; he had slipped it onto her simply because the kid looked incredibly familiar.
But he just couldn't remember where he had seen her.
Forget it.
He would think about it the next time they met.
Anyway, he planned to hang around Hejing for a while longer, and while he was at it, settle a score with Shen Wenta.
...
Ever since he could remember, Shen Xun had encountered many strange people.
A crude listening device was hardly a clever trick.
With a slight squeeze, he crushed it into useless metal scraps.
The person's behavioral patterns were unpredictable.
They probably had a screw loose.
"I wonder what Mom will make for dinner tonight."
Shen Yi swallowed hard. "I really want to eat meat."
The two were completely on different wavelengths. Shen Xun was still pondering, "What did the person who asked for your bread earlier look like?"
"Pretty mean."
Robbing a kid of their bread—shameless!
"He seemed to have a bad personality too, spouting nonsense about executing his younger brother."
Shen Xun, meanwhile, wondered if it was his older brother's doing.
But their eldest brother had a very gentle personality and would absolutely never do something like this.
As for their second brother...
Their second brother's brain sometimes didn't work right, but even the most brain-dead person wouldn't rob a child of their bread at the school gate.
After thinking in circles, he ultimately concluded that it was indeed just a pervert.
As expected, he needed to keep a closer eye on Shen Yi!
...
Meanwhile, at the other end of the city.
Night fell, dotted with stars.
Song Sijun sat quietly by the window, reflecting on his actions over the past year.
He wasn't stupid.
Because his childhood experiences were far from pleasant, he had become overly precocious and sharp.
After his rebirth, he began to quietly collect information without batting an eye.
The relationships in high society were massive and complex. The flow of information was like a hidden river, requiring him to carefully unravel and utilize it.
Speaking of which, he had to thank that bizarre assassin named Shen Xun, who had absolutely no sense of confidentiality.
Whatever Song Sijun asked, he answered.
These scattered pieces of intelligence were collected by Song Sijun like a jigsaw puzzle.
Not long ago, he had personally drowned a boy who, in his past life, loved to throw his weight around and find every possible way to bully the two of them.
Before his death, the boy struggled, his voice distorted by fear, screaming as he tried to sway him with wealth and promises.
It was truly hilarious.
These young masters and ladies, who always thought they could step on others, still tried to use these tricks to struggle even when death was imminent.
And regarding the bullying in his past life, they had no subjective sense of good and evil.
They simply thought it was fun.
A group of people easily blamed the pain they experienced on being children, being ignorant, being young, and being childish.
"Why do you always feel that you can rise above everyone else?"
He leaned forward slightly, getting closer to the water's surface, watching the boy's gradually unfocusing eyes. "Because of your status?"
"Actually, in the face of life and death, wealth and status are the most worthless things."
"Just like now, your status cannot save you."
The struggling force transmitted to his hands gradually weakened, eventually returning to stillness.
That was Song Sijun's first time killing someone.
His mind was more peaceful than ever before.
Another time, he personally tied up a girl and dragged her to a deserted place.
This was a good friend of Song Yee, who styled herself as righteous and viewed Shen Yi as an enemy.
Verbal bullying and ostracization, isolation and tearing at banquets.
To say he didn't mind would be a lie; he hated everything Shen Yi had suffered to death.
Song Yee had too many good friends. There was always someone to stand up for her and fight her battles.
Even if she did something wrong, someone would apologize on Song Yee's behalf, telling Shen Yi not to hold a grudge.
But who would compensate for his sister's life?
He still remembered the scene of holding a knife to that girl's neck as she screamed and cried out for her mom and dad.
Song Sijun had no experience and struck too ruthlessly.
Blood splattered on his face, and he gently wiped away the warmth with his fingertips.
A hollow yet satisfied smile slowly bloomed on his pale face.
Then he walked out as if nothing had happened.
He had destroyed all possible surveillance equipment at the scene in advance.
To be honest, it was very easy to lay hands on these young masters and ladies who lived at the top of the ivory tower and were heavily protected.
Their families would guard against kidnapping, extortion, and political assassination.
But they would solely ignore a child who was usually silent, well-behaved, lacked any presence, and had exceptionally shallow relationships with everyone around him.
Besides, it didn't matter if he was discovered.
He knew very well that even if he left any clues, Song Guanyan would use all his power to clear him of suspicion.
"What exactly have you been doing this past year? Song Sijun!"
Song Guanyan rushed over, travel-worn, and barged right into his room, clutching some blurry photos and reports he had bought at a high price.
Throwing those things onto the table, the man, with slightly messy hair and heavy breathing, said sternly, "Those two kids who died for no reason recently—you did it."
No matter how cleanly Song Sijun executed it, the two coincidences forced Song Guanyan to suspect his own child.
His frequent actions recently made it hard for Song Guanyan to pretend not to see.
For over a year now, his son's mental state had been far too dangerous, like a string pulled to its absolute limit, ready to snap at any moment.
His speech and demeanor were so mature that he didn't seem like a child at all.
Song Guanyan had tried sending him to a psychiatrist, but after several attempts, it proved completely ineffective.
"What are you talking about? I'm just a child."
Song Sijun turned his head, seeming somewhat surprised. He gently pulled his jacket closer around himself, his tone obedient and well-behaved.
He had a very good-looking face.
His amber eyes were somewhat round, making him look innocent.
Only, without the usual baby fat of a child, his thin, frail face was expressionless, his look exceptionally cold.
"By the way, I heard that you've been getting quite close to the head of the Lu family recently. Are you planning something?" The boy's tone was very sweet, as if he were just casually asking.
Song Guanyan subconsciously frowned.
This child usually spoke to him with cold mockery and sarcasm; suddenly using a respectful address made him a bit uncomfortable.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Song Sijun was brewing something...
"The second son of the Lu family is quite outstanding. When your sister returns, we can try letting the two of them be playmates. It's possible for some kind of relationship to develop in the future."
Song Guanyan had already started calculating what kind of fiancé he should find for his child.
Completely unaware that Song Sijun's expression had already turned icy to the extreme.
"—Lu Mingyuan."
The name rolled over the tip of Song Sijun's tongue, bringing up a wave of disgust and murderous intent.
This cheap bastard was his sister's fiancé in their previous life.
And more than once, he had shown a special attitude towards his sister.
Yet in the end, he still turned around and chose Song Yee.
Memories of the past surged up uncontrollably.
"Lu Mingyuan said he would get engaged to me, and we will be together in the future."
When fifteen-year-old Shen Yi told her younger brother this news, her voice carried a bit of joy.
"Then what about me? Are you going to leave with him and abandon me?" Song Sijun pressed close to her, his voice tight.
"Of course not," Shen Yi shook her head and reached out to hug his thin shoulders. "You are the most important. We agreed to survive together and leave this place!"
"But if someone could help us, leaving would be a little easier..."
"When the time comes, I won't count on a pampered young master like you to cook. But you'll have to clean the house and wash the dishes."
"As for the tuition fees..."
Shen Yi was still fantasizing about how they would live in the future.
However, reality soon poured a bucket of cold water on her.
— "I don't want her. Song Yee is my true fiancée."
"I want to cancel the engagement."
Lu Mingyuan's tone was clear and cold.
The scene was extremely ugly at that time.
Lu Mingyuan was punished, and both families lost face.
Shen Yi was silent for a long time afterwards, so long that Song Sijun thought she was going to cry.
But in the end, she just touched his head and sighed, "As expected, relying on others is useless. We still have to rely on ourselves."
Song Sijun hated it to death when he heard about this.
He muttered in a low voice, "A wavering cheap dog like Lu Mingyuan should just die."
Shen Yi let out a soft wow, looking as if he had learned bad things.
She rubbed his head vigorously, "Don't say swear words. It's not worth getting angry over such things."
After all, she originally just wanted to use him a bit.
It was just that Lu Mingyuan didn't take the bait.
"You'll get used to this kind of thing." Shen Yi could tell that he was prone to overthinking. She pinched his cheek and smiled playfully, "Anyway, I've never been chosen before. Don't be angry, boys aren't pretty when they get mad."
However, these words actually hurt Song Sijun. He flinched slightly, his fingertips clenching bit by bit.
"Please don't say that, it makes me very sad," Song Sijun's voice sounded like he was about to cry as he said, "I will choose you."
I will choose you.
No matter how many times, I will only ever choose you.
...
"Shall we talk, Sijun?"
Song Guanyan tapped the table in front of him.
The movement in front of him pulled Song Sijun out of his memories.
He suppressed his impatience, put on an obedient look, and asked politely, "What do you want to talk about, Father?"
"About your sister—"
Song Guanyan looked at him, the doubts in his heart growing stronger. He couldn't help but press his brow and say, "I saw a little girl in Hejing who looks very much like you."
Song Sijun's breathing seemed to pause for half a second, and his fingertips curled unconsciously.
But he controlled his facial expression extremely well, maintaining that look of attentive listening.
"Her name is Shen Yi."
As these words fell.
The study fell into an almost suffocating silence.
The lamplight flowed silently, reflecting on the side of Song Sijun's face, flickering brightly and dimly.
Shen Yi, Shen Yi, Shen Yi.
He kept repeating this name in his heart.
His sister's name was Song Yi.
Actually, she was supposed to be named Song Muyun at the very beginning.
But when she first arrived, she refused to change her name no matter what.
"My name is Xiao Yi, I don't want to change my name."
She had a very poor sense of belonging to the family and a very stubborn personality.
The first time she saw Song Yee in the house, she automatically categorized herself as an outsider and stubbornly refused to call Song Guanyan Father.
Nor was she willing to use that name.
When he heard the name Shen Yi, he bit the back of his hand, his voice carrying an imperceptible tremble. "Do you have a picture?"
Song Sijun needed to confirm the authenticity of his information.
Seeing his huge reaction, Song Guanyan immediately showed him the children's school admission photos he had investigated earlier.
"It's this child. Her father works in a foreign trade company, and her mother is a housewife."
"She also has an older brother."
However, he could barely hear what Song Guanyan said next.
A layer of mist quickly covered the boy's eyes.
He bit his lower lip tightly, trying to suppress his surging emotions, but large teardrops rolled down uncontrollably, sliding across his cheeks.
Swallowing all the sobs that were about to burst from his mouth, he looked up and asked with a trembling voice, "Is... is she doing well?"
"She is doing very well." When he said this, Song Guanyan's feelings were also complicated.
Although Shen Sixing looked like a slacker who didn't do honest work and just goofed off and slept all day, judging from the situation when he saw Shen Yi...
That child really had a lively personality.
Maybe even a little... too lively.
"Is that so?" Receiving his father's answer, he still couldn't quite believe it.
It couldn't be helped.
His sister had been clumsy since childhood and was easily bullied.
The feeling of living under someone else's roof was definitely miserable.
The moment he received news of Shen Yi, Song Sijun had an uncontrollable urge to run and see her, but ultimately, rationality overcame his impulse.
No, he couldn't.
Before dealing with everyone else, Song Sijun would not dare to approach her no matter what.
"Looking at the photo, the two of you do look very similar. Plus, it's highly likely this child was adopted." Song Guanyan was still analyzing things rationally. "Once the paternity test results are out, I will definitely bring her back."
"You should get some good rest first."
With that, he prepared to leave.
Just as the man turned and walked to the door, Song Sijun's calm and emotionless voice came from behind him:
"Father."
Song Guanyan stopped in his tracks and looked back.
"Do not disturb her." Song Sijun's voice was very light, yet it carried a bit of gloomy coldness. "At least, before I do—"
"No one is allowed to."
Song Guanyan turned around, his brows furrowing slightly. "Don't you want her to come home?"
But Song Sijun did not answer his nonsense.
The boy looked as if he was in a trance, blinking extremely slowly, staring intently at the little girl in the admission photo. At this moment, his mind was completely occupied by timidity.
To say he wasn't worried about her would be a lie.
To say he didn't want to see her would also be a lie.
But she looked so happy.
His rash appearance would definitely disturb her.
Perhaps he could wait until later, after he had killed everyone.
Right before he died, he could boldly make a phone call, or see her from afar?
The boy's long eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes. At this thought, he gently cupped his face with his hands and smiled slightly.
If he could see her again before he died.
That would surely be a very happy thing.
