Chapter 16: If She Likes Him, Then Let Her Go on Her Own!

This young girl was far too strange, possessing an extraordinary strength that could not be broken free even with inner power. Her temperament was unlike that of ordinary people. She was nothing like what Mrs. Zhang claimed—a mere foolish lunatic with a bit more strength.

The man suddenly regretted agreeing to this task. He had thought it would require little effort and be an easy job. Unexpectedly, at this moment, his life was literally in someone else’s hands.

“I heard it was Master Feng who sent you,” Bai Ruyu said calmly, sipping her tea with an unchanging expression.

Noticing the man’s eyes flicker nervously, she smiled lightly. “No need to rush to deny it. I have a rough idea. If you’re honest, I can give you the antidote, and you will still get your payment.”

Upon hearing this, the man’s gaze grew serious. After a moment of contemplation and seeing that she did not seem to be lying, he endured the burning pain on his face and slowly explained the entire sequence of events.

Bai Ruyu lowered her head, lightly tapping the table with her left hand, absorbing every word without omission.

After a brief silence, she raised several questions one by one.

“Has Master Feng ever seen me? Did he say anything about bringing me back for examination? Does any damage to my appearance matter?”

The man thought carefully for a moment before answering steadily, “Master Feng and his family have never seen you. Everything was arranged by Mrs. Zhang. Master Feng only instructed us to bring you back and to dress you in wedding clothes before placing you in Young Master Feng’s coffin.”

He paused, then continued thoughtfully, “There was no special instruction regarding your appearance. After all, with the red veil covering your face and the coffin being nailed shut early tomorrow morning, it probably won’t be an issue.”

Seeing the faintly terrifying smile curl at the corner of Bai Ruyu’s lips, the man suddenly felt a wave of unease.

“Since this is all arranged, I suppose it was she who brought you here?”

Bai Ruyu lifted her head, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes as she smiled gently. “Release the people in the courtyard and bring Mrs. Zhang inside. Then, I will give you the first antidote.”

The man did not act immediately but stared at Bai Ruyu with a shadow passing through his eyes.

“No need to look at me like that. Either you listen to me, and I give you the antidote, or you take me to the Feng family to be buried with them. No one can cure my poison—if you don’t believe me, try it.”

Bai Ruyu met his gaze without the slightest fear, a touch of madness shining through.

“Fine, I’ll listen to you. I hope you mean what you say.”

The man closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, his gaze was steady. He turned and walked out.

Not long after he left, White Xiuming and the others in the courtyard stumbled into the house in panic.

“Sister? Are you alright?” Er Gou was the first to enter, seeing Bai Ruyu sitting calmly in a chair, with two men beside her whose faces were swollen like pigs’.

Fanning her? Massaging her shoulders? Brewing tea for her?

“What... what’s going on?” Those following Er Gou were stunned. These people had looked fierce just moments ago. How could they seem like different people now?

“Mother, please take the younger siblings back inside to rest,” Bai Ruyu looked toward those at the door, her gaze landing on White Xiuming. “Father, you stay.”

Er Gou clenched his small fist and turned away. Third Brother and Little Ya quickly followed suit.

“Yujie, if there’s really no other way, you should escape on your own, understand?” Jiang approached the two men in black inside, worry etched deeply on her face as she warned solemnly.

“Yue Niang, go check on the children. I’m here,” White Xiuming pushed her outside, still trying to comfort her.

“Hero! Hero! Why’d you drag me in? If that foolish girl refuses and the people in the courtyard try to stop us, didn’t Master Feng say to kill them?” Zhang’s sharp voice came from afar, growing louder until it reached everyone in the courtyard.

White Xiuming’s hand froze as he pushed Jiang’s away. Turning his head, he saw Zhang being dragged in, looking panicked.

The man grabbed her and marched past the others into the room, throwing her onto the floor.

In a deep voice, he ordered, “Zhang’s brought her. Give me the antidote.”

Bai Ruyu wasted no time and tossed him three small, dark, glossy chocolate balls.

“This is temporary. Once this is settled, I’ll give you the others.”

The man took the antidote, eating one immediately. Gritting his teeth, he handed the remaining two to the tall man and the short man.

“Sorry, big brother...”

“Big brother, wahhh—”

The two looked at him with guilt. The tall one even cried openly, whether from eye pain or deep remorse, it was unclear.

“Learn from your mistakes. This time we were reckless. No one else is to blame,” the man thought angrily but softened seeing the pitiful expressions of his two comrades. His anger vanished without a trace.

“You... you guys...”

Zhang lay on the ground, watching this scene in disbelief. She hadn’t expected that foolish girl to be unbeatable even by third-rate experts!

Bai Ruyu stood before her, smiling. “Well? Surprised?”

Zhang slowly rose and sat on the floor, snorting coldly. “Hmph. Master Feng wants you! If they don’t find you before dawn, they’ll naturally send more people.”

What was there to fear? That foolish girl was destined to die anyway.

“Oh, so the person must be returned before dawn? What are you all waiting for?” Bai Ruyu’s eyes flashed fiercely, a gentle smile appearing on her lips. “Hold her down!”

“You—how dare you! You little slut! What do you want? I raised your father!”

Seeing the three men in the room closing in, Zhang panicked, sliding backward toward the door.

Suddenly—

She felt as if she had bumped into something, unable to move.

Looking up and sideways, she saw White Xiuming standing at the door with a dark expression, his eyes coldly fixed on her.

“Er Lang! Er Lang! I—”

“Shut up! First you killed my parents, now you want to offer my daughter as a ghost bride?”

White Xiuming yanked her up and dragged her inside.

“You raised me! But I’ve worked like a beast for you for over thirty years. I think that’s enough repayment.”

Throwing Zhang back to the floor, his eyes were void of feeling as he asked his daughter gravely,

“Yu Jie, what do you want to do? Father will help you.”

Bai Ruyu looked down at the terrified woman and said softly, “She’s so eager to marry me off as a ghost bride? Since she’s so fond of the idea, let her go then!”

Her words drew the attention of everyone inside.

The black-clad men held their breath for a moment.

She said she could still make money, but it turned out she wanted Zhang to take her place?

One had to admit, that was bold.

“What... what did you say?” Zhang stared wide-eyed, unable to believe it.

“I said, since you like the ghost marriage so much, you can go yourself!” Bai Ruyu explained kindly.

Then, she added indifferently, “Have her die, then slash her face all over, dress her in the wedding clothes.”

Seeing Zhang’s pale face and trembling lips, she grinned, “And any exposed skin must be slashed too—no flaws can be left showing!”