NEFARIOUS ○ ZHONG CHENLE

○ 37

With hands raised to the air as a sign that they are not a danger, Sungchan cautiously moved his foot towards Deiji's, giving her a nudge. "What should we say?" he barely moved his lips, making it challenging for the girl to grasp what he was murmuring.

"Hurry up!" his booming voice directed aggressively. He was losing his patience. One minute, he was peacefully watering in the fields before heading into the woods to hunt. Then next, an ominous vibe tingled up his spine. Initially, he dismissed it, thinking the others had returned early. However, the realisation hit him—they weren't supposed to be back for another hour or so.

Therefore, he retraced his steps back to the mansion, only to find the front door wide open and two young teenagers wandering inside. "I'm asking one more time, who are you, and what are you doing here?" he demanded sternly.

Deiji found herself at a loss for words. Should she mention that she came in search of her father, uncertain if he even lived there? Or reveal that she was the daughter of a woman they had used as a pawn and the niece of another they had kidnapped? What good would it do? He probably wouldn't care.

In that moment, Deiji realised that she was one of the most unprepared individuals. She often tends to leap into situations without much thought and questions her actions later on.

She completely contrasts her mother who on the other hand is more calculated and an overthinker. Joo ri often found herself making impulsive decisions, and for some strange inexplicable reason, these decisions led her down a path of poison and involvement in crime. Why is it that being impulsive is leading to nothing but misfortune?

She wasn't sure if she would leave this mansion alive or not. Her mother seemed to have seemed to be entirely fine so there was a small hope that she might survive as well. But honestly speaking, Deiji regretted dragging Sungchan into this mess. The poor boy tagged along thinking they were on holiday, not embarking on a deathly adventure.

Gulping, the young girl took a deep breath and prepared to speak. She had never been this petrified of anyone. Most of the time she apparently scares people, so this was a turn of event and a rather strange sight, especially for Sungchan, who was for the first time witnessing her shivering in fear.

However, she is strong-willed and refuses to show her trembling heart to anyone. Therefore, she stood up straight and cleared her throat, determined not to reveal any vulnerability through her voice. "I'm here to find someone."

Narrowing his gaze, the man examined the two and tilted his head. "Who?" he pressed. Tightening her jaw, Deiji controlled her emotions. "Zhong Chenle."

His eye's widening, the man cocked the gun, sending a ray of tremors to sneak up the two teenagers' nerves. "What business do you have with him?!" He sounded agitated but furious at the same time. Like it was someone that shouldn't have been bought up. Naturally raising her hands higher in the air, Deiji bit her bottom lip to the extent that her skin couldn't uphold the pressure, teeth marks imprinted in. "I just want to ask a question"

He wasn't having it. The man was growing gradually suspicious of the two. Who wouldn't? Two teenagers; what business would they have associating with a criminal? Truth is, the man believed that the two were spies or from another gang. However, as he racked their bodies up and down, they seemed so feeble. No way they could even assemble a firearm. Especially the boy.

Adjusting his stance, the man rested the side of his face against the muzzle, indicating that he is preparing for fire. "I-I just want to ask whether he is my father!" Deiji squeaked out rapidly, her eye's shut.

Snapping his head to her, Sungchan scrunched his forehead at that sudden news. Truth be told, he had been trying to fix pieces together from what she had gradually said throughout their trip. Such as how this trip would help understand her mother and learn more about her father. And the fact that they made this exact journey together. He was also questioning what this place would have to do with her investigation. He had his doubts but he never questioned with not enough proof.

Mainly because if this place was owned by a gang and it beholds answers about Deiji's mystery father then that would also mean that he is involved with a bunch of criminals. Then what is her father? A criminal as well?

As curious as he was, he refused to spit a word until Deiji herself was complete with her search. He just hoped that she knows what she is doing and fill him in with answers. But now standing here, hearing her say such things made him realise that he wasn't ready for the truth. And he also wasn't sure if she had prepared herself for it either.

Afterall, Deiji is the type of person who takes the wheel not knowing how to drive.

○

It had been 10 minutes since Eun tak was told about everything. At first she couldn't believe a word she heard. However, after being taken to another room, she found Joo ri lying down on a deathbed.

With a saline IV drop attached to her, she had dark circles under her eyes and pale skin. Just at the sight, Eun tak dropped to the ground. Hand clasped over her mouth she attempted to keep her agony in. But miserably she failed and screamed in pain, crying out. Her heart tore apart.

What had she done? She brought this upon Joo ri. She made her suffer, go through so much. And what did she do on the other hand? Sit there with water, food, shelter and a companion to talk to. Yet she still wasn't satisfied and complained about being bored and exhausted for no reason.

Yes, she was worried about Joo ri but it wasn't enough. She was the reason the younger girl suffered. If she hadn't been caught, if she hadn't taken Joo ri to the club, none of this wouldn't have happened.

Sitting right beside her, she held onto Joo ri's hand tightly as tears rolled down her cheeks.

None of this would've happened. You wouldn't have been poisoned nor fallen so weak.