After My Death, I Became a Heartless Madman - Chapter 46.1

The meal lasted quite a while, and by the time they returned to the porcelain workshop, it was already late at night.

The master who taught her had already clocked out, and the workers from the design department were trickling out one after another. From the upper floors, the departing crowd looked like a dense swarm of tiny dots Shizhou was the sole exception, moving against the tide.

Her workstation was on the thirteenth floor. Just as she stepped into the elevator, Feng Yu’s call came through.

Song Shizhou instinctively ducked into the stairwell.

She knew Su Ziqing was unreliable, always eager to act as a messenger between her and Sister Yu. But she hadn’t expected the woman’s resolve to be so weak, selling her out to Feng Yu so quickly.

Sister Yu’s side sounded noisy, as if she were at a drinking party.

“Ziqing just called me.”

“Shizhou.”

Song Fengyu’s voice was calm, even carrying a hint of indulgence.

“Why did you suddenly decide to work with porcelain? It’s hard work.”

Song Shizhou chuckled lightly.

“But isn’t starting any business hard?”

She knew Feng Yu had little interest in the porcelain trade. Back when Madam Song Lanyi was in charge, there had been some consideration of expanding into porcelain. But once Feng Yu gradually took over the company, Song Group’s focus shifted back to the hotel industry.

“It is all hard work, but you still need to find the right direction, don’t you?”

Song Fengyu’s voice was slightly hoarse, as if she was deliberately softening her tone, making it sound a bit unnatural.

“If you really want to do this, our family already has the resources ready. Why go around looking for help elsewhere?”

She laughed, her voice pleasant.

“Chairman Chen probably doesn’t understand these things, does he?”

“Sister Yu.”

The night in the Inner City was chilly. It was almost eight, and most shops on the commercial street had already closed. Through the stairwell window, the once-bustling street now looked desolate.

Song Shizhou replied coolly,

“Sister Yu, I’ve already cut ties with the Song family.”

Song Fengyu felt a pang in her chest.

Why did she always use this to shut her down?

She was currently at a business banquet, surrounded mostly by Song Group’s partners. Seeing her expression shift, her assistant hurriedly asked if she was alright was her heart acting up again?

Song Fengyu waved her off and retreated to a quiet corner.

“Shizhou, I know you’ve cut ties with the Song family.”

Her eyes flickered.

“But we’re still sisters, aren’t we?”

Her frail heart began racing uncontrollably, completely disregarding the setting. She was in the middle of a banquet, discussing Song Group’s future with investors who clinked glasses and assumed she was nothing more than a decorative vase among them.

Little did they know, they were the prey, she was the hunter.

Feng Yu stumbled out of the banquet hall. The air in the stairwell was cold. She tightened the rabbit fur coat around her real rabbit fur, not the plant-based faux fur advocated by animal rights groups. Rabbits were strange creatures; they had no vocal cords, so even if they were in excruciating pain, they wouldn’t make a sound.

The rabbit fur coat Feng Yu wore was a rare masterpiece, made entirely of gray rabbit fur. If the rabbits were killed before skinning, the pelts wouldn’t remain intact. So, the only way was to.

Skin them alive.

The corridor was eerily quiet. Song Fengyu’s steps were unsteady. The rabbit fur coat was so warm it brought a flush of delicate pink to her cheeks.

She repeated,

“I’m your sister aren’t I?”

Silence answered her.

What was the purpose of so eagerly reiterating their relationship? Was it to keep Song Shizhou from straying too far, or to constantly remind herself of their bond? Perhaps both, or perhaps.

She continued,

“Su Ziqing must have mentioned those shops to you, right?”

“Shizhou, you’re just starting your business now. Every aspect requires careful attention. Finding a suitable studio location is tough, and here you have ready-made shops available. Why make things harder for yourself?”

“These shops used to be the Song family’s porcelain exhibition centers. All the equipment, decor, and display stands can be used as-is. Your friends can help connect the dots for you. I’m your sister can’t I help you too?”

Song Shizhou paused.

“But Sister Yu, I really don’t want any ties with the Song family right now.”

“The shop issue isn’t as troublesome as you think. I feel you’re worrying too much about me. Even if I can’t find the perfect place right away, I can rent a smaller space first and upgrade later once the business takes off.”

She hesitated briefly.

“I’ll find the right shop eventually. I’ll earn money, it’s just a matter of time.”

“Sister Yu, don’t you believe that?”

Of course, she believed.

But she couldn’t understand why Song Shizhou insisted on going into the porcelain business.

Song Fengyu tightened her grip on the phone.

Why choose an industry the Song family had already ventured into? And why, after doing so, insist on cutting ties with them? Why could Song Shizhou accept help from others so easily yet recoil from hers?

Was help also ranked by status?

The alcohol she had just consumed churned in her stomach. Heart disease was such a finicky ailment even mildly stimulating drinks were off-limits. Feng Yu clutched the cold railing and slowly crouched down.

Why did Shizhou always have to do things beyond her control?

Living step by step, existing within her sight, marrying someone she approved of, entering an industry she understood, then letting her attend the wedding as an elder sister.

Living a simple, happy life by her side.

Wasn’t that, good enough?

The boiling desire nearly broke free from its cage. Staggering to her feet, Song Fengyu finally thought of a compromise.

“Fine,” she said.

“Since you can’t find a suitable place now, how about I become your landlord? I won’t charge rent. You can pay me back once you earn your first profit.”

Don’t reject me again.

This feeling was almost impossible to articulate. Feng Yu felt like she was about to explode maybe from the alcohol, maybe because Song Shizhou accepted everyone’s help except hers. Did goodwill also have hierarchies? Or was her disguise not convincing enough? But she genuinely wanted to help Song Shizhou. Could the latter really detect any falseness in that sincerity?

At this point, there was no need to continue the conversation.

After a long silence, Song Shizhou slowly shook her head.

“Sorry, Sister Yu.”

With those words, she hung up.

Night had fallen, and the bustling commercial street quickly turned desolate. The wind swept up a few fallen leaves, soon carrying them out of sight.

Workers leaving their shifts passed by the stairwell, casting curious glances at Song Shizhou, as if wondering who she was.

Sister Yu, are you really in such a hurry?

Song Shizhou stared at the fluttering fallen leaves outside the window. Against the bleak cold wind, her gentle eyes carried an indistinct expression.

Must you really make me hate you?

The matter concerning Feng Yu didn’t consume much of her energy. She took the elevator back to the thirteenth floor and focused on completing the unfinished design draft.

By the time the first draft was finished, it was already late at night. She took a photo, planning to send it to Master for review the next day. If Master approved, she could proceed further.

Driving home alone, she felt slightly hungry upon arrival. Ordering takeout at this hour was too troublesome, so she decided to find something to eat at home. After rummaging around, all she found was the bottle of red wine Feng Yu had brought over last time.

The amber bottle glistened under the light, the deep red liquid inside looking even more enticing.

Drinking red wine at night aids sleep, and this was a brand she particularly liked. Feng Yu seemed to remember all her preferences clearly.

If he could remember her likes so well, then surely he must also know what she dislikes and where her boundaries lie shouldn’t Sister Yu know that too?

Song Shizhou’s heart skipped a beat, and her usually calm eyes darkened. She wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful, but there was an undeniable charm when her expression turned somber. A beam of moonlight cast a pale blue hue over her face and demeanor.

A cold, desolate pale blue.

However, Feng Yu’s call did remind her she really should focus more on finding a studio location.

A good location was crucial for a studio, so she couldn’t afford to be careless. It required careful consideration from multiple angles and might take ten days to half a month. But the rented equipment couldn’t wait much longer.

They were all professional pottery-making tools, each set quite expensive. Though Chen Ting’s financial support eliminated funding concerns, she still didn’t have a habit of splurging.

These delicate instruments couldn’t withstand rough handling. Though Sun Mengchen had offered to store them at the Sun family’s porcelain workshop, keeping them there indefinitely wasn’t a solution.

She needed a proper place for them.

At worst, she could rent a small space first location wasn’t the top priority for now.

She could treat it as practice, especially since she hadn’t hired an assistant yet.

With this thought, Song Shizhou stopped overthinking and went to bed.

A small studio space was quickly found, a modest storefront in Houhai. The area had high foot traffic, so most new businesses there did well. She planned to use this as a trial run to simulate real operations and identify potential pitfalls beforehand.

Since this was just an experiment, she didn’t inform her friends about the soft opening only Su Ziqing found out after persistent pestering.

Su Ziqing was displeased with Song Shizhou’s deliberate secrecy, accusing her of not treating her as a true friend.

Shizhou mimicked Sun Mengchen’s tone and called her “Young Miss.”

“Young Miss, this is just a trial run, not the official opening. The shop I really want hasn’t been secured yet. Once I finalize that deal, you can come celebrate with me then.”

Su Ziqing was far from satisfied.

“That won’t do. Even if it’s just a trial run, I have to come support you. We agreed, remember? I’ll introduce clients to you, and when your business grows bigger, I’ll become your shareholder.”

Song Shizhou smiled helplessly.

Su Ziqing had insisted on sending flowers and being her ribbon-cutting guest. She’d ordered dozens of bouquets from the florist, startling Song Shizhou who quickly waved her hands in refusal, saying Su’s presence alone would be enough.

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