NOVPUBLiu Yin had just managed to put her child to sleep and was about to wash up and rest when she suddenly heard someone knocking on her courtyard gate.
Her drowsiness vanished instantly, and her heart leaped into her throat.
The people of Linshan Village were simple, warm-hearted, and though they loved gossip, they harbored no ill intentions. No one had ever bullied her just because she was an outsider.
But there were always a few who, seeing her as a widow with a child, might entertain unsavory thoughts.
Steadying her breath, she turned to the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and walked out, calling, "Who is it?"
"Ms. Liu, hello."
"I apologize for disturbing you so late, but there are some matters regarding your husband, Wang Zhiping, that I’d like to discuss with you."
At the mention of her husband’s name, Liu Yin’s expression changed.
She edged closer to the door. Under normal circumstances, she might not have opened it, but the voice belonged to a woman—one who sounded quite young.
Besides, it was only a little past eight in the evening. Most households were still awake. If anything happened, she could always shout for help.
With that in mind, she gripped the cleaver in one hand and unlocked the door with the other, pulling it open.
As the door swung wide, the face of a young girl came into view.
Liu Yin was startled at first, then realized this must be the outsider the villagers had been talking about.
Things like, "Pretty as if she descended from the heavens," "A foreigner—her eyes are green!" and "Her skin’s as white as milk, clearly a city girl."
Many villagers here had never ventured farther than the county town in their lives, so exaggeration was common. Liu Yin hadn’t taken it seriously at first.
But seeing the girl in person now, she was genuinely stunned. It hadn’t been an exaggeration after all.
What would a celestial beauty like this want with her man?
Her gaze flickered to the expressionless man standing behind Ji Nian before she looked away.
"Come in."
The place Liu Yin shared with her son was small. The kitchen was outside, and the interior was crammed with furniture, leaving little space. Only one room, its door shut, was visible.
Noticing Ji Nian’s glance, she explained, "My son. He’s asleep."
Watching Ji Nian settle into a seat without hesitation, Liu Yin’s face warmed with embarrassment. She regretted not having wiped the chairs earlier.
"Don’t bother with tea. I’ll only say a few words."
Though the girl looked young, something in her tone made Liu Yin freeze mid-motion.
"O-oh, alright."
Liu Yin awkwardly sat down. It was her own home, yet she felt strangely out of place.
Ji Nian studied the woman before her.
She was young, her hair tied in a low ponytail, dressed in simple home clothes. Slender and petite, she seemed unassuming—but the cleaver in her hand at the door had revealed a different side.
When push came to shove, she could be ruthless.
"Ms. Liu, I’d like to ask—how long has it been since Wang Zhiping last came home?"
At the mention of her husband’s name, Liu Yin didn’t need to think. "Almost two years."
"He used to send money, but a year ago, he suddenly told me to move. After I relocated here as he instructed, he stopped responding to my calls."
"I even went to his workplace to look for him, but there was no trace."
"Do… do you know where he is?"
Her youthful face bore eyes that were weary and aged beyond their years, now fixed on Ji Nian with desperate hope.
Ji Nian met her gaze, her voice calm. "He’s dead."
"Poisoned."
Liu Yin’s face went blank.
Deep down, she had suspected this answer. But remembering the kindness he’d once shown her, she had refused to entertain the thought.
Now, hearing it confirmed by another, her mind reeled as if struck by a hammer, leaving her limbs numb.
"...I see… I see."
Her lips moved, but the words felt disconnected, as if spoken by someone else.
Ji Nian had expected her to break down, but Liu Yin didn’t shed a single tear. Perhaps the shock hadn’t fully sunk in yet.
"Did he leave any money behind?"
It was almost laughable—this was the first thing Liu Yin could think to ask.
"No."
"There’s one more thing you should know."
"The name Wang Zhiping was fake. His real name was Sun Xiao. Your marriage certificate is also forged—legally, you were never husband and wife."
Liu Yin listened as if in a dream, struggling to process that these words were meant for her.
Ji Nian observed her reaction before lowering her voice. "His death was suspicious, which is why I traced your whereabouts. I wanted to ask—during your time with Wang Zhiping, did he have any hidden illnesses or unusual physical symptoms?"
Liu Yin shook her head slowly.
Ji Nian pressed further. "Did he leave anything with you?"
At this, Liu Yin fell silent.
Ji Nian’s eyes gleamed. So, there was something.
"I… I need to sleep. You should go."
Her eyes vacant, Liu Yin stood and turned toward the bedroom without another word.
Ji Nian remained seated, watching her retreating figure thoughtfully.
You Er spoke up at the right moment. "Should I—?"
Interrogation was his specialty.
Ji Nian rose and shook her head.
Having obtained the lead she needed, she left with You Er.
Once the door closed behind them, she turned, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Uncle You Er, you brought backup, didn’t you?"
You Er stiffened.
Ji Nian continued leisurely, "Dad wouldn’t have sent just you alone with me."
She wasn’t stupid. She’d make use of every resource available.
Not that she minded roughing it, but she had no desire to stay long in a place without air conditioning. Besides, she had classes to return to.
"...Yes."
Seeing she’d figured it out, You Er admitted outright.
Ji Nian snapped her fingers. "Perfect."
Her jade-green eyes glimmered in the night, scheming silently.
...
The days that followed passed in a haze for Liu Yin.
She had suspected Wang Zhiping was dead, but she never imagined his entire identity had been fabricated.
Logically, she should have questioned the girl’s claims instead of accepting so readily that the man she’d shared a bed with had deceived her.
But none of it mattered anymore. If he were alive, she could have punched him in the mouth. But what good would that do now that he was gone?
"Mom! Mom!"
Her son’s cry snapped her out of her thoughts.
Dazed, she looked up to see her young child clutching her arm in fear. "Mom, there’s a noise."
Liu Yin patted his head, forcing herself to sound calm. "Probably just a stray cat. I’ll check."
She slipped off the bed, slid her feet into slippers, and had just opened the bedroom door when—
A gleaming blade flashed past her throat.
Blood sprayed.
Her child’s scream pierced the room.
