Tan Jiao intervened with a smile on her face before I could say anything. Mr. Yan, you dont need to keep thanking us. Lets just be friends from now on. But we did come all this way on a hot day, so could you at least let us come in for a drink? Well be quick about it, dont worry.
I smiled promptly and looked at Yan Yuan.
Tan Jiaos gentle approach would make it hard for any guy to decline. Although the request was fairly normal, Yan Yuan still insisted, shaking his head. I Im sorry I cant allow you to come in. The house is a mess, and I am about to take a shower. Miss Tan, you guys should leave.
Yan Yuan was about to shut the door after saying that, but I quickly put my foot in to stop him. The next moment, Tan Jiao grabbed onto my arm, probably because she was worried.
With the door in between us, Yan Yuan and I stared at each other. His friendly and polite eyes were now replaced with a sharp, somewhat hostile gaze.
At that moment.
A loud bang came from behind Yan Yuan, seemingly from the stairs in the house. Next, tumbling sounds came from something that appeared to be heavy. Yan Yuans gaze flickered, and I used that opportunity to push open the door, shoving him back.
Then Tan Jiao and I saw the terror happening in broad daylight: A man covered in blood that was tied to a chair laid at the bottom of the stairs. With his mouth gagged, the man could only stare at us with his terror-filled eyes while groaning desperately.
Isnt that Zhu Zhongling? What is going on in this house?
No sooner after the scene of horror had appeared before us, the corner of my eyes caught the shine of a dagger coming toward me. Be careful! Tan Jiao screamed.
Yan Yuan had pulled a dagger out and was coming at us with an ominous glare.
Immediately, I took a step in front of Tan Jiao, but I was too late to dodge the dagger. Cutting pain spread as the cold dagger sliced horizontally across my abdomen. I was able to grab onto his arm after that, but his cold smile greeted me.
Noticing his strength and flexibility, I immediately realized he was not someone I could beat; he was not at all the typical business person.
Tan Jiao, call the police! Go get help!
Yan Yuans brows knitted tightly, but there was no way I was going to let him get to Tan Jiao. As such, I grabbed onto him until Tan Jiaos footsteps faded into the distance.
Breaking free from my hold, Yan Yuan took a step back and stared at me with his bloodshot eyes, asking furiously, Who are you? Why are you such a busybody?
With my guard up, I stayed silent.
He doesnt know me?
The birds seem to know me, yet he doesnt?
Did you give Xu Zifeng those birds? And taught him how to use them? I asked.
He was taken aback briefly, but a smile soon developed. You know about this too? Did Zifeng tell you about it? Why?
His voice sounded cold and sinister until he finally raised his hand and let out an oddly echoey whistle.
Sounds of wings fluttering came from outside the windows, becoming louder and louder. At the same time, the shadow of a sinister grin appeared on Yan Yuans face.
It struck me then that when Xu Zifeng died, someone in the pit had yelled Hes dead. That voice seemed to belong to Yan Yuan, which means that those birds were actually following his orders.
Did you go on a cruise called Yunnan Beauty in June last year? Are you able to remember anything after the first day on that cruise? Do you know how youve gained the ability to control these birds?
Yan Yuan froze on the spot with his eyes wide open. How do you know this?
You were also on that ship? he figured it out very quickly and asked with a cracked voice.