After My Death, I Became a Heartless Madman - Chapter 13

Perhaps it was due to excessive excitement, but Shizhou couldn’t sleep at all that night. She tossed and turned until dawn, scrolling through Weibo countless times and playing match-3 games past level 500, yet sleep still eluded her.

There was a bar near the guesthouse. Song Shizhou ordered a glass of sake and sat at the counter.

Fengyu hadn’t called her again because Shizhou had changed her number. Su Ziqing, however, had managed to get in touch and filled her in on the recent happenings in the Inner City.

“You should’ve seen how furious your mom was. She searched every place you usually go, and when she realized you weren’t there, she was practically fuming. When has Madam Song Lanyi ever lost her composure like that?”

“And Song Nianchu, he actually said something like, ‘Good riddance, I’ve had enough of her anyway.’ Then your mom publicly tore into him in front of everyone, told him to get out and not come back for a while.”

“Jade Sis, though, was pretty calm. She’s so busy with a million things every day maybe she figured your mom was handling it and didn’t bother looking for you.”

Shizhou said nothing, taking a sip of her drink.

“And then there’s Little White Dragon. She’s been acting really weird lately. A few days ago, the Third District chief’s daughter got married, and I was invited. She was there too. We were all just chatting casually when, out of nowhere, Little White Dragon started crying.”

“Mia was terrified, Li Ningzhi was terrified, and so was I!!! That’s Little White Dragon we’re talking about. Later, Li Ningzhi told me her Little White Dragon had passed the Surveillance Institute’s assessment at just fourteen—someone who’s truly fought her way through hell…”

Li Ningzhi’s exact words were:

“I’ve known Miss Bai since I was six. All these years, I’ve never seen her cry.”

“Shizhou, tell me, why would she cry?”

“Did Mr. Bai pass away? Doesn’t seem likely. Is Mia terminally ill? She didn’t look it. Did Li Ningzhi grow a brain? Nope…”

Su Ziqing’s rambling grew increasingly absurd, so Shizhou cut her off.

“How would I know? You’re the ones still in the Inner City. I’m the one who ran away.”

Su Ziqing nodded.

“Maybe it’s a guilty conscience.”

“Maybe she deceived some innocent, beautiful Omega, toyed with their feelings, and then, moved by such a touching wedding, burst into tears.”

Su Ziqing’s tone shifted back to dreamy admiration.

“Little White Dragon is so dashing and charming, imagine how gorgeous she must look when she’s being a heartless playgirl.”

“I’d let her break my heart. If Little White Dragon doesn’t mind, she can toy with me all she wants. I’m thick-skinned, I can take the emotional damage.”

Shizhou sighed. “You really like her that much?”

Su Ziqing scratched her head.

“Eh, not really.”

“By the way, Shizhou me calling you, it won’t cause you any trouble, right?”

Even if Shizhou said it would, wouldn’t Su Ziqing still find a way to contact her? Shizhou exhaled helplessly.

“No trouble. Worst case, I’ll just change my communication chip again.”

“Oh…”

Su Ziqing’s voice suddenly grew hesitant.

“Um… Shizhou, Jade Sis… she wants to talk to you…”

Shizhou froze.

“Jade Sis? Su Ziqing, is Jade Sis with you? How could you?”

Before she could finish, Fengyu’s voice cut in.

“Shizhou, why aren’t you answering my calls?”

A single accusatory question, and Shizhou fell silent.

Four years ago, Fengyu was still the same, acting like an elder sister, taking responsibility for everything, only to end up frustrated and leaving for the Third District alone. Song Shizhou chuckled inwardly, thinking, I’m actually several years older than you now. You should be calling me “elder sister” instead.

“I heard from Mom that you’re cutting ties with her?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Song Shizhou answered bluntly.

She had expected Fengyu to act as a mediator, but she hadn’t anticipated the call coming so soon nor had she expected Fengyu’s voice to tremble slightly.

“Have you… thought this through?”

Shizhou nodded.

“Yes, I have.”

“Yu-jie, I’ve actually been considering this for a long time. It’s not just a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

Fengyu fell silent for a moment.

“I know you keep your thoughts buried deep. On the surface, you seem indifferent, but you hold everything inside…”

“I don’t agree with you cutting ties with Mom. After all, you’re flesh and blood. Even if bones break, the sinews remain connected.”

Song Shizhou smiled, thinking Fengyu’s words would be better suited for Madam Song Lanyi.

“I heard Mom froze your credit card. She’s just desperate to force you back. Don’t worry about money. I’ll transfer some to you right away.”

Shizhou laughed softly.

“Yu-jie, don’t worry. I’m doing fine out here. I’ll figure out the money situation myself.”

Fengyu went quiet.

Perhaps she hadn’t expected Shizhou to be so resolute. The voice on the other end of the line gradually grew heavier.

“Shizhou… are you ever coming back?”

“Actually… you’ve always cared too much about the people who don’t like you. Me, Su Ziqing, and so many others…”

“We all miss you.”

Shizhou froze, surprised by Fengyu’s words.

“You returned to the Inner City at twelve. Even though Song Nianchu never let go of her resentment toward you, I…”

The voice on the phone inexplicably choked up.

“I… we, all really liked you.”

In her past life, Fengyu had never said these things to her. After she got together with Bai Ruowei, she rarely saw Fengyu or Su Ziqing anymore because every meeting would upset Bai Ruowei. Miss Bai also had a habit of checking her phone, so even when Su Ziqing messaged her, she seldom replied. Gradually, they drifted apart.

She still remembered a high school autumn outing when Song Nianchu locked her in a storage room. The school bus was about to leave, and Fengyu searched frantically through the crowd, realizing Shizhou hadn’t boarded. She dropped her things and ran off to look for her.

Classrooms, the sports field, the rooftop, she checked everywhere. Shizhou still didn’t know how Fengyu had guessed she was locked in the storage room. Shizhou had claustrophobia ever since her stepfather used to trap her in the closet to beat her. She couldn’t escape, powerless to do anything but endure.

The janitor had already left. Fengyu kicked at the door from outside, how much strength could an undifferentiated child have? She didn’t know how long it took, but eventually, the door gave way.

Fengyu usually seemed quiet, but she was perceptive just not one to speak her mind. She kept everything inside, silently turning things over on her own.

She asked Shizhou, Who locked you in here? We’ve been looking for you forever.

But the only one who came looking for Shizhou was Fengyu herself.

So now, when she says, When are you coming back to the Inner City? We all miss you,

What she really means is—

In her past life, Song Shizhou never got to see Fengyu one last time. Song Nianchu said she had angered Sister Yu and driven her away. Later, Sister Yu sent her a message:

“If you’ve decided to be with Bai Ruowei, then settle down and be good to her.”

“We wish you happiness.”

I wish you happiness.

Song Shizhou suddenly realized she seemed to have missed out on so much.

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