After My Death, I Became a Heartless Madman - Chapter 33.1

The unusual cold spell in the Inner City had finally passed. A light drizzle melted the thin ice that had lingered for days, leaving only scattered shards on the roads. To maintain the city’s pristine appearance, the sanitation department spared no expense in clearing the snow and ice, determined to restore the streets to their flawless state and return the Inner City to its warm, idyllic charm.

The winding paths of Snow Pavilion remained unaffected by the weather, as most were paved with stone, Miss Bai loved the sound of her leather boots tapping against the ground.

This time, Song Shizhou didn’t get lost. Navigating the vast Snow Pavilion was no easy feat; it had taken her a full hour to walk from Ink Residence to the main gate.

Qingluan was temporarily serving as her chauffeur, driving her to a quaint café in the Inner City.

Perhaps due to the approaching winter, the usually warm and humid Inner City carried a faint chill. Song Shizhou wore a short black zip-up padded jacket, her knee-high boots reaching well past her knees.

She had recently cut her hair, the ends lightly brushing against her cheeks.

After the argument sparked by the painting a few days prior, Miss Bai had once again retreated into silence. That quarrel had ended with Song Shizhou painting on Miss Bai’s chest, the rough brush mixed with cold oil paint, leaving Miss Bai’s delicate skin flushed with an unnatural redness.

Like an allergic reaction, it looked hot and swollen. If the brush pressed down hard, the sensation would surely be unbearable.

Bai Ruowei hadn’t gotten Song Shizhou’s painting but instead ended up with an ink stain on her body. Song Shizhou’s brush had threatened to move lower, yet Bai Ruowei didn’t resist. Her slender legs, exposed to the air, remained still at their owner’s command, though the tension in her skin betrayed a subtle tremble.

Now, Song Shizhou regretted not adding a stroke to the inside of her thighs.

Miss Bai had fled soon after, as if suddenly realizing something. She quickly dressed, her face flushed, and hurried out.

Perhaps startled by her own reaction, Bai Ruowei hadn’t returned to Snow Pavilion for nearly half a month.

Song Shizhou decided not to dwell on it.

Maybe this was just the Inner City’s unique charm, the café was even colder inside than outside. Song Shizhou chose a table at random, only to realize Sister Yu had been waiting for her all along.

Outside the café, crowds bustled past. Fengyu wore a black wool coat, her inner layers just as dark.

Her beautiful long hair cascaded over her chest, the ends curled in loose waves. Today, Fengyu wasn’t wearing her glasses, her lightly made-up face accentuating eyes as dark as ink.

Those sharp eyes fixed on her perhaps Fengyu had noticed her entrance but chose not to call out, waiting for her to notice instead.

Song Shizhou felt a pang of guilt upon seeing Sister Yu and quietly took the seat across from her.

A waiter promptly brought over another menu. Song Fengyu remained silent, her head bowed as she fiddled with something.

Shizhou smiled. “The same as hers.”

An iced Americano soon arrived at the table. Drinking cold coffee in the dead of winter was Fengyu’s habit. Song Shizhou took a sip, the bitterness spreading across her tongue like medicine.

Fengyu finally allowed herself a small smile.

“If you can’t handle it, don’t force yourself. I’ll order you a cappuccino instead.”

When Shizhou was little, she also had a sweet tooth. Every New Year, Song’s Mother’s business associates would send over large boxes of chocolate candies. Song Nianchu didn’t like sweets, and Fengyu couldn’t eat them due to her illness, so all these candies ended up being devoured by Shizhou.

Shizhou was adorable as a child, with round, dumpling-like cheeks. She used to cling to Fengyu’s back all the time. Perhaps reminiscing about those harmonious childhood scenes, the smile on Fengyu’s face deepened.

Song Shizhou didn’t know what she was thinking, only feeling that drinking this was fine too. She shook her head,

“No need, I’ll stick with this.”

Fengyu secretly observed the expression of the person across from her, it didn’t seem like the state of someone being imprisoned. A few strands of hair fell across her forehead, the gentle curves softening her features. Song Shizhou’s amber-colored eyes looked particularly warm.

Sensing Fengyu’s gaze, Shizhou set down her cup and gave her an obedient smile.

Fengyu felt her heart tremble suddenly.

It was the dead of winter, yet she felt as if flowers were about to bloom.

With a helpless sigh, she realized she could never hold her ground against this version of Shizhou.

Fengyu placed her cup heavily on the table with a loud thud.

Song Shizhou startled, her gentle eyes lowering instinctively, which only made Fengyu’s heart soften again.

She hadn’t actually intended to lose her temper with Shizhou today. But Song Shizhou had been back in the Inner City for nearly a month, and apart from that phone call a few days ago, this was the first time she’d reached out.

This was the first time in their lives that Fengyu and Shizhou had been separated for so long.

Song Shizhou clearly noticed something was off with the person before her. Fengyu always carried a scent reminiscent of after rain like the lonely, desolate fragrance left after fireworks fade. When she was upset, this scent became somewhat oppressive.

Song Fengyu pushed her hands forward.

After all these days, claiming she wasn’t anxious or angry would be impossible.

She asked in a low voice,

“Have you been staying at Bai Mansion these days?”

“Yes.”

Song Shizhou nodded, offering just that simple word in reply.

Yes.

Dozens of days of disappearance covered with a single “yes.” Fengyu gripped her hand in disbelief,

“Shizhou, I don’t need you to explain everything that’s happened these days. But at the very least, tell me, what exactly is your relationship with Bai Ruowei? What happened between you two?”

Fengyu’s expression was urgent, an uncommon look on Sister Yu’s face that made Song Shizhou’s heart skip. She didn’t pull her hand back.

“Bai Ruowei and I, we can’t really be said to have any particular relationship right now.”

She smiled.

“But there are still some misunderstandings between us. Fengyu, don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

“The reason I’ve been staying at Snow Pavilion is because these misunderstandings with Bai Ruowei haven’t been resolved yet. Once they are, I’ll naturally return.”

Fengyu suddenly laughed as if she understood.

“Is that so…”

“Then how have you been these days at Bai Mansion? Were you happy?”

Song Shizhou paused.

“I wouldn’t say happy or unhappy.”

“If you weren’t happy, why didn’t you leave?”

Song Fengyu grew agitated.

“I sent people to look for you several times. They all said you were detained at Bai Mansion and couldn’t leave. Song Shizhou, are you being held at Bai Mansion or did you go willingly? How much longer are you going to keep hiding the truth from me?”

Sister Yu was usually composed when fishing for information, but this was the first time she had been so agitated. Song Shizhou smiled and patted the back of her hand soothingly.

“Maybe it was like that at first, but not anymore.”

Song Fengyu was on the verge of breaking down.

“Shizhou, don’t do anything dangerous.”

“Bai Ruowei is a dangerous person. You’re playing with fire.”

She hardly knew whether these words were meant to persuade Shizhou or to warn herself.

She couldn’t just stand by and watch Song Shizhou walk into peril.

“But here I am, safe and sound in front of you, Sister Yu. Even if you were worried before, seeing me now, what is there left to worry about?”

Song Shizhou replied with a smile.

Besides, she had a plan.

After that argument about the painting, Miss Bai had been gone for some time. True to her word, once Shizhou had recovered, she hadn’t imposed any restrictions on her movements. Soon enough, she might even be able to leave that place.

Of course, she would leave.

But she hoped that day would be as unforgettable as possible for Miss Bai.

Perhaps swayed by her explanation, Song Fengyu fell silent.

The two sat across from each other in quiet, the hush making Song Shizhou uneasy. Fengyu’s eyes were lowered, the corners faintly red.

“ShizhouS, tell me the truth, do you like Bai Ruowei?”

Song Shizhou countered,

“Sister, does it matter who I like or don’t like?”

“Of course it matters!”

Fengyu answered.

The tightly wound string in her mind finally snapped. The suppressed emotions surged like an undercurrent, creeping closer to them, making it hard for Fengyu to even breathe.

She had always been composed. Due to her congenital heart condition, she had been on medication for as long as she could remember. Now, Song Fengyu felt a heavy, sour ache in her chest, one that didn’t ease with her words but only grew more intense.

Anyone else would be fine, just not Bai Ruowei.

Fengyu even felt a little dizzy. Logically, she had barely met Bai Ruowei and didn’t know much about her relationship with Shizhou. Yet every time Bai Ruowei was mentioned, every time their connection came up, an uncontrollable, stifling panic gripped her.

As if Shizhou, would be taken away by her, never to return.

Maybe she needed to go to the hospital for a check-up soon…

Song Shizhou was taken aback.

Between sisters, pressing so urgently about romantic feelings wasn’t that a little ambiguous?

“Sister Yu, don’t get so worked up…”

Should she really be confessing her romantic history to Fengyu? They had been inseparable since they were twelve. As kids, they had even played house, she was the mother, Fengyu the father. Song Shizhou scratched her head, finding the memory oddly strange now.

Fengyu took a moment to steady herself before murmuring an apology.

“I got a little carried away.”

Song Shizhou reassured her, “It’s fine, Sister Yu.”

“Su Ziqing reserved a table tonight. Since you and Miss Bai have nothing going on, let’s not think about her anymore. After you’ve had some fun with them, I’ll come pick you up.”

Song Shizhou nodded.

Su Ziqing, the nightlife prince, wouldn’t let this rare chance to drag Shizhou out slip by. He had already bombarded her on WeChat, sending her pictures of various VIP lounges and asking which one she wanted.

Song Shizhou said it was all fine, whatever you decide.

Watching Song Shizhou quietly lower her head to reply to messages, Fengyu couldn’t help but smile unconsciously.

“Aren’t you going to tonight’s gathering?”

Fengyu shook her head.

“You know I’ve never liked noisy places. I won’t be going.”

Song Shizhou paused.

“Sister Yu, how’s your heart been lately?”

Fengyu smiled.

“Everything’s fine.”

I won’t die just yet.

“I won’t be going to the gathering tonight, but after it’s over, you have to come stay at my place for a day.”

“Don’t say no. You’ve been away for so long, you should come back at least once.”

Fengyu wasn’t a strict older sister, but her words still carried weight with Shizhou. Song Shizhou nodded and said, “Alright.”

Su Ziqing had reserved a table at Night Island, a well-known nightclub in the Inner City where even regular seats were hard to book, let alone private rooms.

Su Ziqing waved her hand dismissively, saying she was friends with the club’s owner not only could she get a private room, but a VIP one at that.

Song Shizhou chuckled.

“Of course, every nightclub owner in the Inner City is your friend.”

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