chapter 3

The girl’s message was still sitting there in the chat window.

I picked up my phone and replied: [Qi Sinian won’t be coming. Take it easy with your little games; don’t end up playing yourself to death.]

After sending it, I blocked and deleted her.

Then, I dialed Qi Sinian’s number.

“Hello? Ah Yan…”

“That assistant of yours-I’ve locked her up.”

For a moment, there was a deathly silence on the other end of the line.

Five seconds later, Qi Sinian erupted in a roar.

“What did you do to her? Ning Yan, what have you done?”

I idly toyed with the paring knife in my hand.

“Don’t worry, she can still scream. Do you want to hear?”

“Oh, wait. The signal is blocked down there. Once I go down, you won’t be able to hear a thing.”

“So, I’ll just repeat it for you. She said you won’t let me get away with this. She said that once you find out, you’ll definitely kill me.”

I don’t know which part of that triggered him.

He let out another low growl.

“Ning Yan.”

I let out a delighted laugh.

“Actually, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

“Qi Sinian, if I killed her, would you call the police on me, or would you help me bury the body?”

“Ning Yan, Ah Yan, I was wrong!” Qi Sinian’s voice trembled, but he forced himself to slow down, fighting to keep his emotions in check. “I’m already on my way back. Just wait for me. Don’t do anything reckless. Ah Yan, it’s all my fault. I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay home and celebrate your birthday with you. I’ll cook you longevity noodles…”

“You still haven’t answered my question, Qi Sinian. Answer me. Will you be the informant, or the accomplice?”

My voice was soft and low.

Qi Sinian’s breathing shifted from heavy gasps to a slow, steady rhythm.

He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, his voice almost a murmur. “I am your accomplice.”