Reborn to Redeem: Their Abusive Love-Chapter 119: Xu Si will never wither.

It was English too.

But because the stationery in the room hadn’t been used for years, the ink was somewhat intermittent. Analyzing the indentations, one could barely make out the strokes of each letter.

"Why do the eyes wither, and not the Rose?"

It was Xu Si’s handwriting.

It was just an idle question she’d written down.

She hadn’t expected a serious answer.

But as her gaze moved down, there was, unexpectedly, another line of English. It must have been written in the afternoon. The handwriting was very careful and meticulous; where the ink had broken off, it had been repeatedly filled in, without the slightest hint of carelessness.

"Because Xu Si will never wither."

Some emotions always burst through the constraints of time.

Just like now.

The young man’s vague faith was clear at this moment.

Xu Si leaned on the desk, looking at it for a while. Her mood was calm, and she enjoyed this magical feeling of conversing with the past. A contented smile curved her lips. Waiting for the intense feeling inside her to subside, she then straightened up, her elegant brows arched high, picked up the letter, and placed it in a locked drawer.

Then, she lifted her gaze to the moon obscured by dark clouds.

She exhaled.

Lowering her head, she walked towards the darkness without a word.

She wasn’t a savior.

She drew closer to him only to satisfy her desires.

How filthy.

But that sentence, "Xu Si will never wither," was like a burning hot piece of iron, seared into her heart.

SIZZLE. CRACKLE. It seemed to release steam.

It tinged her eyes with a different shade.

「...」

In the narrowest sea region of the Underground City, the ferry, amidst faint and sporadic rain, distanced itself from the familiar scent and damp cold of Hong Kong Island, hurtling towards the opulent yet sinful underworld kingdom.

The sea’s surface rippled with a desolate chill, and mist filled the air.

The silver-haired man seemed to sense something. He suddenly opened his bewitching grey eyes, feeling the cool sea breeze brush against his arms.

His posture was noble yet unrestrained.

His long fingers were partially curled, resting against his delicate jawline.

The demonic face tattoo climbing up from his sensual neck was terrifying and radiated murderous intent.

Hei Shi stood ramrod straight, one hand in his pocket. His ferocious face was expressionless as he looked at the Hong Kong Island tycoons standing in neat rows on deck, drenched in rain.

He was preparing to take them back for a round of "re-education."

Then he’d toss them back to the cops.

The Triad Society controlled the Underground City, preventing other gangs from encroaching on Hong Kong Island, the nearest territory.

The upper echelons of Hong Kong Island were currently in disarray, which had allowed Triad Society members to move about the island legally.

They truly had that power.

The old man with the cane clenched his teeth, quietly sizing up the ferry and looking for any evidence related to Xu Si.

He was old.

He had weathered all sorts of storms but had never encountered anything like this.

Pei Zhen didn’t even glance at him. His gaze was fixed on the rain-shrouded moon, which appeared larger than the one over Hong Kong Island. His voice was ethereal and otherworldly.

"Keep looking, and I’ll gouge out your eyes."

Indeed, all heads bowed deeper; probing glances dared only to rest on the deck floor.

For a moment, the only sounds on the ferry were the waves washing against the hull.

Looking at the ever-distant Hong Kong Island, Hei Shi asked, "Boss, aren’t you going to say goodbye to Sister-in-law before you leave?"

Pei Zhen seemed to chuckle softly, his silver hair whipping silently in the night. "I’ve already said my goodbyes. She can hear me."

He paused. Then, remembering something, his arm muscles flexed, creating beautiful lines as he smoothly lifted the heavy metal Scepter. He stood up and walked to the ship’s railing. His tall figure blocked much of the light. His vampire-like handsome face lifted devoutly, his fierce eyes staring at the moon hidden in the mist.

His fingers gently caressed the metal Scepter.

He parted his lips and whispered, his voice barely audible, "Just now, she wanted to ask if I would be sad, right?"

Recalling the delicate, scratched soles of her feet he had touched, his gaze became tinged with strands of darkness.

But there were too many pebbles on the road.

He just wanted to pave her path smoothly; he had no time to feel sad.

「...」

「The next day.」

Xu Si woke to glorious sunlight.

In the courtyard of the Xu Mansion, the vast patch of velvety roses was even more luxuriant than the night before. Fervent sunlight spilled down, making them seem alive and unlike the otherwise silent autumn day.

The weather was erratic, flipping between hot and cold.

The entire courtyard, filled with precious trees, was lush and green.

Only the Phoenix Trees were immersed in the autumn atmosphere.

Xu Si ran her fingers through her hair. Her throat felt dry and parched. She took a few sips of ice-cold water, which pained her as she swallowed.

After washing up, she walked out of her room, her face fresh and clear.

She tried to call out for Butler Ge, her voice a raw croak.

"Urgh... urgh..."

She tried several times but found her throat unable to produce any sound.

It was Butler Ge, considerate and attentive, who noticed something was amiss and promptly called the family doctor.

Everyone was on tenterhooks, fearing she had contracted some strange illness. As the sole decision-maker of the Xu Family, she was naturally precious.

Fortunately, the final diagnosis was merely an inflamed throat due to excessive internal heat. With proper rest, she would recover in two days.

Only then did Xu Si remember that she indeed hadn’t been drinking enough water recently, and her throat had been dry and raspy.

Even with her voice gone, work had to continue. Not wanting to damage her image by going to the company, she followed her usual routine and had Butler Ge call Anshi to move all the work that needed handling to the study in the Xu Mansion.

Anshi, thinking she simply wanted to avoid the gossiping media, gladly headed to the study.

During this time, Xu Si remained silent, keeping her lips tightly sealed, afraid of making any strange, duck-like quacking sounds.

This behavior made Anshi incredibly nervous; he thought Miss Xu, with her somber expression, was in a bad mood.

Xu Si read his thoughts. Unable to produce a pleasant sound, she simply took a tissue to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and then patted his shoulder reassuringly.

Such physical contact was uncommon.

Anshi’s heart pounded, and his hands trembled in response. He was clutching an expensive, branded pen, which helplessly slipped from his grasp. PLINK! It clattered to the ground, the sound of metal scraping against the wooden floor echoing crisply.

It would surely leave quite a few scratches.

Xu Si raised an eyebrow, then understanding dawned. Her red lips curled into a smile as she scribbled a flamboyant note on a sticky pad:

[My voice is wrecked. I’ll reimburse you for that pen. Go buy a new one.]

After she finished her work, night had deepened into a pitch-black, ink-like canvas.

Xu Si followed the doctor’s advice and worked out in the Xu Mansion’s fitness room. Her fair arms bore traces of regular exercise, with clearly defined, albeit thin, muscle lines.

Butler Ge brought tea to the fitness room.

He also delivered a piece of news: her third uncle had successfully checked into the hospital.

While there, he ceaselessly mentioned Xu Si to anyone who would listen, earnestly emphasizing his status as her uncle and subtly implying that Xu Si was cold-hearted.

Xu Si didn’t care what he said.

Forcing sound from her voiceless throat, she rasped, "Tomorrow, summon the detective I sent to find Jiaojiao. I want to ask about the situation."

Butler Ge blinked. "Yes."

Xu Si’s hand, holding the water cup, trembled slightly. Since yesterday, she’d had a vague premonition, though it wasn’t confirmed yet.

Even if Wen Jiaojiao was just hiding at her boyfriend’s place... so much time had passed. How could there not be a single clue?