After My Death, I Became a Heartless Madman - Chapter 39.1

Bai Ruowei spent the entire morning packing up Song Shizhou’s belongings.

Song Shizhou had sent her the address, and she planned to go there in the afternoon to return everything to her.

Xiao Bao was an extremely noisy and disobedient little dog. If not for its adorable puppy face that was still in its “prime,” Bai Ruowei would have long since packed it up and thrown it out of Ink Residence. The pup happily chewed on a bone-shaped toy, and Bai Ruowei grabbed it by the scruff of its neck, pulling it close.

“Your owner doesn’t want you anymore.”

Xiao Bao stared back at her with big, clueless eyes.

The tiny brain of the beagle couldn’t comprehend the concept of “owner,” but the breed itself understood loyalty all too well. Beagles were actually excellent lab dogs energetic, affectionate, and with poor memories. Even after being confined in a tiny cage for ten years, they would still trust the hand that gently stroked their heads.

Bai Ruowei hugged Xiao Bao to her chest, and the little thing licked the side of her neck.

It was then that Mia knocked on the door.

“Miss Bai, the year-end banquet at the Council has been confirmed tonight. As usual, they’ve sent you an invitation.”

This was an old tradition of the Council. Every year, at the turn of the season, a celebratory banquet would be held in Chairman Chen’s name. Though called a banquet, it was really just an excuse to report work over drinks.

Since no one could change the Council’s orders, the timing of the banquet was always arbitrary decided on a whim, leaving no time for preparation.

Bai Ruowei felt a headache coming on.

“I’m not feeling well. You go in my place.”

Chairman Chen had rarely made appearances in recent years, so what was once a work report had turned into an ordinary social event. Bai Ruowei had never been fond of these flashy, alcohol-fueled gatherings and usually declined.

But this time, Mia hesitated.

“But Chairman Chen will be attending this year’s banquet.”

“And…” Mia’s expression was earnest. “Mr. Bai hinted that Chairman Chen might announce the new Vice Chairman at this event.”

Bai Ruowei paused.

She glanced at the invitation.

Location: Council Ballroom. Time: Tonight.

Less than five hours from now.

Her eyes lowered.

“I understand.”

With her agreement, Gu Zhiyu quickly wheeled in two racks of evening gowns. To match the tone of the banquet, most were sophisticated and sleek suits far from the mermaid-style dresses. Gu Zhiyu looked pale, afraid Miss Bai might recall the unpleasant banquet from a few days ago.

Bai Ruowei picked out a simple suit.

There were still five hours until the banquet, too early for styling. Besides, Miss Bai didn’t need much embellishment to begin with.

But Mia, worried she might be uncooperative due to her mood, had already called in the makeup artist early.

Miss Sun was Bai Ruowei’s personal makeup artist. Though experienced, she found herself at a loss with Miss Bai in this state.

The reflection in the mirror looked haggard mostly from emotional exhaustion. No amount of expensive cosmetics could mask it. Not even a fraction of Miss Bai’s usual beauty could be restored. The makeup artist was at a loss.

“If Miss Bai is willing, we could style your hair. Straight hair would complement the suit better.”

The makeup artist awkwardly tried to smooth things over,

but Bai Ruowei waved her away.

She was in no mood for this now.

…

The Council was the highest administrative body of the Wei Nation. A main building stood at the center of hundreds of hectares of land, backed by three towering elliptical office buildings that pierced the clouds. Dozens of black Maybachs were neatly parked on either side of the entrance. Bai Ruowei adjusted her collar as Mia opened the car door for her.

The banquet hall could accommodate five hundred people, yet fewer than a hundred had the privilege to attend. The mellow strains of jazz played softly, carrying an almost ambiguous undertone if one listened closely.

Bai Ruowei casually took a seat on a sofa. The hall was warm, too warm, making her uncomfortable.

Her chest ached.

Perhaps it was PTSD. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she had been rejected by Song Shizhou in a similar setting, so now any banquet made her heart feel heavy.

She sat quietly in the corner, trying to steal a moment of peace. Unfortunately, not everyone was willing to let her be. People kept coming to toast her, and she had no choice but to accept each one.

Tonight’s banquet seemed to have invited more than just Council members even prominent families from the Inner City were in attendance.

This felt… somewhat unusual.

Amid the clinking of glasses, a familiar face drifted past. Bai Ruowei instinctively turned to follow, only to be blocked by someone.

Feng Yu held up a glass of wine.

“Miss Bai, long time no see.”

Bai Ruowei said nothing, lowering her head as she tried to leave.

She and Song Fengyu had been sworn enemies in their past lives, yet Feng Yu still refused to let her go in this one. It had only been a few days since they last met, but Bai Ruowei had become so much more subdued. Feng Yu was momentarily taken aback, then smiled.

“Miss Bai, why run away at the sight of me? I just wanted to share a drink with you.”

Bai Ruowei replied,

“I know what you want to say.”

“Congratulations, Miss Song.”

She clinked her glass against Feng Yu’s.

“You win.”

Her voice trembled, her lips tightly pressed together as she forced the words out.

Feng Yu’s eyes flickered.

She was admitting defeat.

Bai Ruowei actually conceding?

Feng Yu wasn’t one for competition. She had always despised Bai Ruowei’s perpetually superior attitude. But seeing the other woman in such obvious pain, she felt an unexpected pang of sympathy.

Mia steadied Bai Ruowei just in time.

“Don’t say any more, Miss Bai.”

She whispered into Bai Ruowei’s ear,

“Chairman Chen will be arriving soon.”

Meeting Bai Ruowei’s gaze, she added,

“She’s expected to announce the Deputy Chairman candidate later. You must go and toast her.”

What was this?

Bai Ruowei thought.

Losing in love but winning in career?

The brief exchange went largely unnoticed. Bai Ruowei gripped Mia’s wrist as they moved aside.

“Have you seen Lan Chi recently?”

Mia froze, unsure why Bai Ruowei would suddenly bring up Lan Chi.

“No.”

Lan Chi’s sentence had long been decided. Traitors of the Surveillance Institute never met good ends, she would either be exiled to the remote District Twenty-Three or… already dead.

“I keep feeling like I saw her.”

Bai Ruowei said flatly.

“Perhaps Miss Bai has just been exhausted lately. In any case, that person’s affairs ended long ago.”

Mia referred to Lan Chi as “that person.”

Bai Ruowei smiled faintly.

She hoped she wouldn’t one day become the “that person” in Mia’s words.

The lazy strains of jazz music quietly filled the air. Though the melody was suggestive, Bai Ruowei found it inexplicably melancholic.

Amidst gasps of surprise, the sound of footsteps slowly approached from the entrance.

A woman around Mr. Bai’s age stood at the doorway, flanked by black-suited bodyguards.

Chairman Chen wore a black silk dress with subtle black-and-gold embroidery at the collar. She appeared amiable, yet there was a sharpness in her smiling eyes.

Mia nudged Bai Ruowei.

“Miss Bai, you should go offer a toast.”

Since the Council oversaw the Surveillance Institute, Chairman Chen was technically her superior. As if waking from a dream, Bai Ruowei picked up a glass of red wine, hastily wiped her swollen eyes, and walked over steadily.

Moving gracefully through the crowd, she emerged like a fragrant breeze among the sea of elegant dresses.

“Tonight’s banquet serves not only as the Council’s year-end celebration but also to introduce someone special,” Chairman Chen paused.

“As you all know, our Council colleagues are advanced humans possessing Superpowers. The capacity to bear these abilities is closely related to Secondary gender characteristics.”

“Miss Bai,” she said softly, “come here.”

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