C8 Be Careful of Her!

"Girl, there are many things in this world that ordinary folks just don't get. Truth be told, I only have a vague understanding myself!"

Lee Guangrui turned to Lin Hao and added, "Perhaps your friend here has a deeper insight!"

Qin Sisi gave Lin Hao a look of inner turmoil.

Lin Hao returned the look to Lee Guangrui, his face mirroring her conflict.

He had an epiphany that the world held many secrets he had yet to encounter, and it was likely that the system on his monitor wasn't unique.

Of course, this realization came to him only after reaching this new level of understanding. Whether there truly were other entities like him out there remained an open question.

"Little Lin, what's your vision for this piece of wood?" Lee Guangrui deftly shifted the conversation, snapping Lin Hao out of his reverie.

Lin Hao paused for a moment, then sketched the pattern from the monitor.

His artistic skills were modest, but as a graphic design major, he managed to capture a fair likeness.

Lee Guangrui examined the peculiar image before him, his brow furrowing. "This looks like a Buddha statue, but with a fierce expression, eyes full of murderous intent, a knife in hand, and fangs in its mouth. This..."

"It's supposed to be an Asura," Lin Hao interjected with a wry smile.

He recounted the tale of the figure from the image, as described on the monitor.

"Asuras are unique among the Buddhas; they attain enlightenment through slaughter, embodying both malevolence and a killer instinct. Yet, they use violence to quell violence and save the masses!"

"He's the wrathful Buddha... And I think carving him from the Thunder Tree wood would be quite fascinating!"

Lee Guangrui applauded Lin Hao's explanation.

"Ha! What a fantastic subject! Indeed, it's excellent!"

"Okay, I'll get started right away. You can pick it up in three days!"

"Sounds good!" Lin Hao agreed with a nod.

He caught sight of a woman approaching in the distance and hesitated before speaking. "Uncle Lee, I'm aware that money isn't a concern for you, so I'll skip the clichés."

"I'll share a secret with you instead, as payment for your carving work!"

"Oh?" Lee Guangrui chuckled. "Now you've piqued my interest. Go on, tell me!"

Lin Hao cast a sidelong glance at Qin Sisi next to him, and Lee Guangrui caught on immediately. He turned to Qin Sisi with a smile. "Sisi, go give Zhou Ya a hand. We can't afford to be this slow!"

Qin Sisi pursed her lips, fully aware that Lee Guangrui was trying to send her away. She shot Lin Hao a resentful look and, with great reluctance, muttered an agreement before turning to leave.

"Can we talk now?" Lee Guangrui asked, still smiling.

Lin Hao returned the smile, nodded, and leaned in to whisper something to Lee Guangrui in a hushed tone.

Lee Guangrui's smile stiffened as he listened to Lin Hao. He looked at Lin Hao, his face a mix of hesitation and concern, as if he was on the verge of speaking but couldn't find the words.

"Okay, I've got it. I... I'll be cautious!" Lee Guangrui finally said, taking a deep breath. "How did you come across this?"

Lin Hao just shrugged. "You noticed it too, didn't you? You just didn't want to face it, right?"

With that, Lin Hao got to his feet. "Uncle Lee, I'll pass on the tea and snacks. I don't want to disturb your rest, so I'll head out now."

Lin Hao was privy to a secret, and that made him reluctant to linger. Or perhaps, he simply didn't want to confront the woman named Zhou Ya.

Spotting Zhou Ya and Qin Sisi approaching from a distance, Lin Hao called out with a laugh, "Time to go—give me a lift home!"

"You..." Qin Sisi was fuming. "Jerk, why are you bailing all of a sudden? Wait for me!"

She hurried after him.

Zhou Ya, with a tray in hand, approached the pavilion and nearly dropped it when she saw Lee Guangrui's troubled gaze fixed on her.

She offered an embarrassed smile and inquired, "Guangrui, what's the matter?"

"I..." Lee Guangrui let out a sigh. "Nothing, really. I'm just a bit tired and would like to rest. Could you bring the rosewood to my studio later? I'll get up and start carving after a while."

With that, Lee Guangrui rose and made his way back to the villa.

Within minutes, the pavilion returned to its serene state. Zhou Ya watched Lee Guangrui's retreating figure, her eyes reflecting a myriad of complex emotions.

Lin Hao stepped out of the estate, with Qin Sisi quickly catching up to him.

As Lin Hao approached the passenger side, Qin Sisi abruptly reached out, grabbed his arm, and spun him to face her.

"Are you out of your mind? You barely sat down before storming off!"

"Even if you don't care about Uncle Lee's feelings, can't you at least consider mine? You just started complaining. You... If you don't clear things up for me now, I..."

Before Qin Sisi could finish, Lin Hao let out a sigh and interrupted, "Get in the car. We'll go somewhere else and I'll explain everything."

Qin Sisi glared at Lin Hao, fuming as she marched to the driver's seat, yanked the door open, and slammed it shut with force.

The car took off like a bolt of lightning.

Minutes later, it came to a halt beside a tranquil stream.

"Out with it!"

Qin Sisi engaged the handbrake and turned to Lin Hao with a fiery gaze.

Lin Hao exhaled deeply and asked, "What's... What's the nature of your relationship with Zhou Ya?"

"Give it to me straight!"

Caught off guard, Qin Sisi faltered, "We're okay. What's she got to do with this?"

"Just okay?" pressed Lin Hao.

Feeling the pressure, Qin Sisi admitted, "I've known her for three or four years. She's Uncle Lee's wife from his second marriage. Ever since they got married, I've chatted with her on Weixin when I have free time."

"To tell you the truth, she's had it rough. Uncle Lee can be peculiar and quite the male chauvinist, often losing his temper with her. She's come from far away, and when she's upset, she has no one else to talk to, so she turns to me. She frequently invites me out shopping, too!"

"With Uncle Lee being sick these past few months, I haven't asked her out at all."

Hearing Qin Sisi's words, Lin Hao's face twisted with concern.

He inhaled deeply and said with a sense of resignation, "I know you might not take my word for it, but..."

"I have to warn you, keep your distance from that woman. She's not as straightforward as you think."

"That's absurd!" Qin Sisi seized Lin Hao's collar, her voice shaking, "Clarify what you mean, now!"

After a moment's hesitation, Lin Hao revealed, "I have a suspicion that Uncle Lee isn't just sick, but... he may have been poisoned!"

"The poison is subtle, nearly undetectable to the untrained eye. And it's a toxin that only someone very close could administer, gradually, over time. Without an antidote, he won't survive beyond three months!"

"But what does she have to do with any of this..."

Qin Sisi's voice trailed off as she lowered her head, her face etched with fear, shaking her head in disbelief. "It can't be. She would never harm Uncle Lee. She's too kind-hearted to commit such an act."

"No, you're lying to me, it has to be a lie!"

In a burst of emotion, Qin Sisi seized Lin Hao by the collar, her eyes blazing with fury as tears streamed down her face.