“Why didn’t you answer the phone last night?”
The moment Bai Moting opened his mouth, it was a question of reproach. As an onlooker, Li Qiao couldn’t help but feel a wave of irritation.
She quietly watched the two of them.
Tang Liusu sneered. “Does it even matter whether I go or not? If you have nothing to do, go somewhere else. Don’t bother us here.”
“Us?”
His gaze locked onto Li Shaojin with undisguised hostility. Li Qiao’s eyelids twitched. Oh boy—was he mistaking her older brother for a love rival?
Li Shaojin, however, remained perfectly composed.
As for Tang Liusu, she simply took Li Qiao by the hand and led her away. Bai Moting’s eyes never left her back.
“Careful, or you might take this game too far.”
“None of your business!” Bai Moting’s handsome face was tinged with a shadow of gloom.
He deeply disliked Li Shaojin, and even more so, he hated the sight of them together. His animosity was far from subtle.
As Tang Liusu’s close friend, Li Shaojin had little regard for Bai Mouting. The man’s actions were nothing short of disgraceful.
He knew Tang Liusu had always held a deep affection for Bai Moting. With the best of intentions, Li Shaojin advised, “Mr. Bai, some things should be done in moderation. Liusu is different from other people—she’s a young woman with a strong will of her own, and she’s also the heir to the Tang family.”
He shot a glance at Bai Moting’s expression. Whether this man could ever truly win Liusu over—well, that was looking rather doubtful.
When Bai Moting asked where Tang Liusu had gone, Li Shaojin simply ignored him. As it turned out, Li Qiao and Tang Liusu had headed straight to Tang Liusu’s grandmother’s place—Osmanthus Village, out in the countryside.
As soon as they entered the village, a few locals cast curious glances their way. Fortunately, Tang Liusu drove fast.
After they parked and got out—
The auntie next door greeted them with a hearty laugh. “Liusu, you’re back! You’re getting prettier and prettier! Found yourself a boyfriend yet?”
“Auntie Plump, you’re as warm-hearted as ever.”
“Of course! I’m the most kindhearted soul in the whole village!”
Tang Liusu handed her a box of gifts, which only made Auntie Plump beam even brighter.
Seizing the moment, she asked, “Auntie Plump, has anything unusual happened around the village lately?”
“Unusual? Well, as a matter of fact, yes. A week ago, Wang Qiang’s mother brought back a woman. But that woman suddenly fell ill and died three days ago—and to this day, the Wang family still hasn’t held the funeral.”
“Why no funeral?”
“That’s the spooky part. They say the coffin won’t budge—can’t even lift it.”
Li Qiao tugged at Tang Liusu’s sleeve. Their eyes met, and without another word, they headed straight for Tang Liusu’s grandmother’s house.
The only one at home was Tang Liusu’s grandma, Old Madam Li. She loved life in the countryside and had always refused to go live in the city with her granddaughter.
When Old Madam Li saw Li Qiao, she looked pleasantly surprised. “Liusu, who is this…”
“Grandma, this is my friend’s younger sister, Li Qiao. She came along to visit you with me. It’s been a while since I was last here—I really missed you.”
Old Madam Li smiled with deep affection.
In her old age, she tended to get drowsy easily. After just one sentence, she already felt tired and went back to her room to rest. Once she was gone, Li Qiao spoke up. “Let’s go pay a visit to Wang Qiang’s place.”
“Is Ah Ye’s matter connected to the Wang family?”
“We’ll only know once we get there.”
And indeed, the situation was bizarre.
Wang Qiang’s house stood at the far west end of the village—a simple red-brick and tile-roofed building. Wang Qiang walked up to the coffin and shoved it open!
“Qiangzi, what are you doing?!”
Li Chunxiang grabbed his arm.
“Mom, she’s dead anyway. What’s wrong with me having a little fun?”
“But she’s a corpse!”
“Does she look dead to you with that rosy complexion? I’ve been holding it in for days—just let me have another round.” Wang Qiang climbed smugly into the coffin. Seeing that, Li Chunxiang had no choice but to turn and leave.
