Chapter Seventeen: An Accidental Killing

Song Yang’s voice was loud enough to draw the attention of those nearby. Words like “spoiled sibling,” “bride price and dowry,” “preference for sons over daughters,” and “child from a previous marriage” floated in the air, sparking whispered discussions among those who didn’t know the truth.

“You’re talking nonsense!” Gu Ming’s eyes reddened with anger. It was one thing if Song Yang’s accusations were true, but what did any of this have to do with Yan Xuan? What right did he have!

Yan Xuan placed a calming hand on Gu Ming’s shoulder. “Song Yang, this is just pathetic. When you were dating my sister, wasn’t she always the one footing the bill? After you broke up yesterday, you even demanded back the money for popcorn, drinks, and the apples you bought when visiting my house. Now you’re making these accusations. Are you really trying to live off a woman and still act tough?”

Those words instantly silenced Song Yang.

Yan Xuan stepped forward and patted Song Yang’s shoulder. “You’re not suited for an ordinary girl like my sister. Just enjoy serving your wealthy lady friend.”

After Yan Xuan finished speaking, the crowd could barely keep from laughing. Everyone now understood that Gu Ming had done nothing wrong; anyone saying otherwise must be blind to have encountered such a specimen.

As for the man who slandered the girl, just looking at his companion made it clear he really had latched onto a rich woman. Who would have thought that someone trying to live off women would not only demand more but also try to tarnish the girl’s reputation when he failed?

Some couldn’t see it, but others were sharp-eyed: Yan Xuan’s clothes alone cost tens of thousands. The girl’s outfit wasn’t branded, but since they were siblings, it probably wasn’t much less. With a family like that, how could they be short on money? The accusations of being a spoiled sibling or favoring sons over daughters were so absurd that people shook their heads and laughed.

Impossible.

After putting Song Yang in his place, Yan Xuan didn’t forget to tease the wealthy lady. “Sister, you’d better be careful—watch out for someone running off with your money!”

She laughed lightly. “That’s no concern. But how about you leave your contact information?”

This time, it was Yan Xuan’s turn to make a hasty escape.

Though there were other dealerships nearby, both Yan Xuan and Gu Ming had lost interest. The siblings shared lunch together, then went their separate ways home.

Yan Xuan, needing to finish a design, dove straight into his laptop upon returning, fully absorbed in the joy of creation. He was interrupted by a call from the company.

Something felt off. Overtime was routine at his company, usually scheduled in advance—either on Friday or the day before. Unless it was urgent, it was rare to be notified the same day.

Thinking it over, Yan Xuan answered. Oddly, the caller asked his location.

Sensing something was wrong, Yan Xuan didn’t reveal his actual address; instead, he gave a nearby place. The caller said there was a document for him and asked him to wait by the roadside.

Yan Xuan didn’t dwell on it and went downstairs. He’d pick up the document and feed his little black pet while he was at it.

The area where Yan Xuan rented his apartment had long since been marked for demolition. While many places were fenced off with metal and brick walls, time had worn gaps in them. When Yan Xuan first moved in, he’d seen scavengers coming and going, though now the place was empty.

Nearly a year had passed since demolition began. The surroundings grew more desolate; Yan Xuan hadn’t seen a single person on his way over. Looking at the cracks in the fences, Yan Xuan sighed. If he’d gotten the system earlier, perhaps he could have scavenged inside, at least earning a few points.

With his little black pet happily devouring nearby objects, a van pulled up beside him.

A man inside poked his head out. “Are you Yan Xuan?”

Yan Xuan looked up. “Yes.”

The man pulled back, and immediately the side door opened. Two burly men leaped out, faces twisted with menace, and charged at him.

Yan Xuan’s pupils contracted.

These men weren’t here to deliver documents—they were looking for trouble.

Though he didn’t know their purpose or who sent them, Yan Xuan knew not to suffer losses needlessly.

He ran ahead, the two men pursued, and the van sped ahead to cut off his escape.

Yan Xuan drew a deep breath and squeezed through a narrow gap in the fence.

Inside was a scene of devastation: collapsed old houses, piles of bricks, broken furniture, and after nearly a year, some areas had grown thick with grass.

It was all steeped in a sense of ruin.

Stumbling through the uneven terrain, Yan Xuan pulled out his phone to call the police.

But whether due to bad luck or his outdated phone, the call wouldn’t connect.

Yan Xuan struggled ahead, the two pursuers weren’t having an easy time either, but with their coordinated efforts, he was finally cornered in a half-collapsed building.

“Run, kid!” one of the men sneered, closing in step by step. “Originally, we just wanted to break your legs, but you’ve chosen a perfect spot.”

“Yeah, no cameras here,” the second man licked his lips, grinning wickedly.

“Gentlemen, I don’t even know you! Are you sure you’ve got the right person?”

Yan Xuan said this, but he knew it was impossible they’d mistaken him; they’d called out his name to confirm his identity.

“Stop playing games, kid.”

The two men pressed closer, and the resentment buried in Yan Xuan’s bones flared—he couldn’t just sit and wait for death.

Conveniently, there was a broken piece of timber about a meter long nearby. He grabbed it and fought the two men.

But Yan Xuan was just an ordinary person, unlike these men accustomed to the shadows. Within minutes, he was pinned to the ground.

He took several blows to the face and body; the strike to his head left him dazed and blind. In desperation, Yan Xuan grasped whatever was at hand and swung it at the man assaulting him.

A scream rang out, and the man collapsed. The other, seeing Yan Xuan’s bloodied face, recoiled in terror and fled.

Yan Xuan held on until the man’s silhouette disappeared, then slumped to the ground.

Blood from his head stained his vision red. He lay there for half an hour before clarity returned.

Only then did Yan Xuan realize he was clutching a broken brick—and the man he struck hadn’t moved at all.

Had he killed someone?

Heart pounding, he crawled over and, hands shaking, checked for breath.

Dead. Truly dead.

Yan Xuan’s vision darkened.

At some point, his little black pet had climbed off him and was gleefully devouring everything nearby, with the system’s notifications chiming incessantly.

As it moved toward the fallen man, Yan Xuan instinctively tried to stop it. But in a blink, the body was gone without a trace.

Yan Xuan: !!!