Chapter 12: The Dead Rat

Shi Yun slowly rose and walked to the door. She leaned close to the peephole and glanced outside, seeing a delivery courier holding a package. She opened the door, took the package, whispered a quiet thanks, and quickly shut the door.

Placing the package on the table, Shi Yun’s eyes flickered with worry as she looked toward Jiang Zhiyu. She did not want her to be so upset because of her.

Jiang Zhiyu sat before the livestream setup, her gaze fixed on the relentless flood of comments in the chat box. Gritting her teeth in frustration, she took a deep breath and reached out to turn off the livestream.

“I really can’t stand this! These haters do nothing all day but act as if their brains have been kicked by a donkey!” Jiang Zhiyu muttered angrily under her breath, snatching up the scissors on the table and beginning to cut open the package. The scissors moved with sharp irritation in her hands.

Shi Yun stood beside her, eyelids lowered slightly, her voice hoarse, “Zhiyu, I’m sorry for causing you trouble because of me.”

Jiang Zhiyu paused mid-action, looked up at Shi Yun, and the anger on her face vanished instantly, replaced by tender concern. She set the scissors down, rose, and took Shi Yun’s shoulders in both hands, shaking her gently.

“My dear treasure, what nonsense are you talking about? We’re best friends. This is not your fault. Those people just can’t stand to see others happy and lash out blindly.”

Shi Yun walked to the water dispenser, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Jiang Zhiyu, her brow furrowed tightly. “I thought the truth would clear itself and ignored their nonsense. But I never imagined they’d go this far. Even the Mo Ru Hall was vandalized today.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhiyu’s hand trembled violently as she took the glass. She asked anxiously, “What? Mo Ru Hall was vandalized? Was it those hateful fans doing something despicable again?”

Shi Yun sighed helplessly. “Most likely. Besides them, I can’t think of anyone else who hates me this much.”

Jiang Zhiyu slammed the glass down on the table, splashing water everywhere. She stamped her foot angrily, cursing, “These brainless fans, calling her ‘Sweet Baby’ all day but being used as pawns without realizing it! They’d do anything for that white lotus—there’s no reasoning with them!”

Shi Yun sank into the chair nearby, her hands limp on the armrests. Her gaze casually swept to the half-opened package on the table. Furrowing her brow, she leaned forward slightly and asked, “What’s that smell? What did you order?”

Jiang Zhiyu sniffed the package, her brow creasing in confusion. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face before she regained composure. “Probably samples sent by the brand. I have a few collaborations coming up—maybe some new skincare products.”

She picked up the scissors and resumed cutting along the package’s sealed edge, eyes bright with expectation, wondering if it was a gift from a favorite brand.

When the scissors finally sliced through the last strip of tape with a crisp snap, she slowly opened the package.

Suddenly, a strong, pungent stench of decay wafted out, filling the room.

Jiang Zhiyu instinctively held her breath, eyes wide as she peered inside.

Inside lay a dead rat, its body stiff and coated with unknown grime. The glassy eyes stared blankly, chilling her to the bone.

Beside it was a crumpled note scrawled in red ink: “Shi Yun, usurping the nest will bring you no good end!”

Jiang Zhiyu’s face drained of color, lips trembling. With a scream that shattered the silence, she stumbled back several steps.

The scissors slipped from her hand, clattering sharply on the floor.

Shi Yun had moved forward to see what was wrong, but the sudden sight drained all color from her face, leaving it ghostly pale.

Her stomach churned violently, a wave of nausea rising, almost causing her to vomit.

After a moment, Jiang Zhiyu regained her composure, her chest heaving as she gasped deeply, voice trembling with rage, “This… this is beyond the pale! These people are utterly insane!”

Suppressing her discomfort, Shi Yun dialed the police.

She carefully relayed her address and explained the situation. The officer on the other end promised to dispatch officers promptly to investigate.

Jiang Zhiyu listened nearby, gradually calming down. Clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, she vowed, “If I find out who did this, I won’t let them off!”

Soon, the doorbell rang urgently. Jiang Zhiyu peered through the peephole to see two police officers and quickly opened the door.

The officers entered, eyes serious as they surveyed the package and its contents.

One officer inspected the scene and asked, “Have you recently had any enemies or noticed anything unusual?”

Shi Yun shook her head, her eyes filled with helplessness. “I’ve been caught up in some online disputes lately. It’s probably those crazed haters, but I’m not sure exactly who.”

After recording the information, the officer reassured them, “Don’t worry. We’ll investigate thoroughly. Please stay vigilant and contact us immediately if anything else happens.”

Once the police left, the room fell into a brief silence.

Shi Yun moved to the window, staring outside with reddened eyes. “Zhiyu, I don’t know how they found out where I am. I can’t stay here these days—I’m afraid I’ll drag you into this.”

Jiang Zhiyu immediately came to her side. “What are you saying? Wait until the police catch them; then we’ll see if they dare to cause trouble again. If you leave, I’ll be even more worried.”

She hated seeing Shi Yun so burdened with guilt.

Whenever Shi Yun’s eyes glistened with tears, Jiang Zhiyu’s heart ached with pain.

Shi Yun’s lashes cast a shadow over her face, silent.

Calling the police was only a temporary fix. This time it was a dead rat; who knew what might happen next?

After a moment’s thought, she spoke, “Zhiyu, I’ve decided about the intangible cultural heritage collaboration you mentioned last time.”

Jiang Zhiyu was momentarily stunned, recalling the proposal she had once casually mentioned.

She had long hoped Shi Yun would start a video channel, even planning the account’s style and growth strategy.

That intangible cultural heritage collaboration was carefully chosen by her as Shi Yun’s breakthrough opportunity.

In her eyes, Shi Yun’s talent was exceptional, and the channel could easily take off.

Before, she had only mentioned it casually, never expecting Shi Yun to agree.

She knew Shi Yun’s temperament was aloof, lacking ordinary desires and emotions. Modest and devoted to ancient painting restoration, she seemed almost otherworldly and might struggle with being on camera.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at Shi Yun intently and softly asked, “Are you sure? Do you really want to accept this collaboration?”