Chapter Sixteen: The Vacation Villa

When Su Man reached the upper floor, the man was standing by the window, his face obscured in the shadows, impossible to see clearly. It was hard to guess what he was thinking. But when he turned and saw it was her who entered, a gentle smile instantly appeared on his face. "Manman, I'm awake now. I've heard everything. Thank you for saving me."

The affectionate way he addressed her still felt strange and unfamiliar to Su Man. "I'm sorry, I still don't know your name."

There was no reason to push away someone who showed her kindness, especially a strong person. She was also probing his boundaries.

Upon hearing her words, the man's expression showed obvious disappointment but he quickly concealed it. "Zhou Yan, my name is Zhou Yan."

Su Man was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "That's a lovely name."

Zhou Yan murmured, crestfallen, "Is it only lovely?"

His face drooped, pitiful like a big dog.

"What's wrong?" Su Man frowned, not quite catching what he said.

"It's nothing," Zhou Yan shook his head.

Su Man nodded. "If it's nothing, then don't show such a pitiful expression in front of me. I don't like it very much."

Zhou Yan could clearly sense Su Man's sudden distance and was at a loss. "Manman..."

"And also, don't call me Manman!"

"Man... Su Man," Zhou Yan corrected himself, his voice small under her stern gaze.

Su Man seemed angry, yet somehow not. Aside from the earlier obvious impatience, now she was composed and poised, as if nothing had happened, sitting across from him and asking questions.

"Xiao Liang just said you tried to kill him."

"That's not true. Is he your friend? Your friends are my friends."

"He's not my friend."

"...Oh."

"Why did you come here? What is your relationship with Xin Ling?"

"Xin Ling? No relation," Zhou Yan replied slyly.

"I'm asking why you're here," Su Man pressed, unwilling to let him evade.

"This... um... actually..." Zhou Yan straightened his back more, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Man, Su Man, I can't tell you yet, but I swear, I have nothing to do with that Xin Ling."

"Anyone who appears here is bound to have some connection to her, how could you not? Su Man, don't let him fool you," Xiao Liang interjected, finally finding his chance. He was convinced Zhou Yan was lying, unaware of the power Zhou Yan had shown that night.

Zhou Yan's gaze suddenly became sharp as an arrow, as if Xiao Liang was already dead.

In that instant, Xiao Liang felt as though a venomous snake had targeted him, freezing him in place, his eyes filled with uncertainty and fear.

"It doesn't matter, say what you like, I was just asking," Su Man said.

Only when Su Man spoke again did Xiao Liang feel the oppressive aura fade away. His back was soaked in cold sweat.

Zhou Yan, who had nearly killed him with just a glance earlier, was now trying to please Su Man. "Manman, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just not the right time. I promise I'll tell you everything later, is that alright?"

Of course it wasn't.

Su Man gave him a cold look and turned to leave the room.

Xiao Liang muttered to himself, thinking Su Man was indeed the woman he believed could make it to the end.

Once she confirmed that Zhou Yan was no longer a threat, Su Man stopped keeping an eye on him and turned her attention to studying her resurrection card.

This time, however, Zhou Yan trailed behind her like a little tail.

"Why are you following me?" Su Man folded her arms and looked at him.

Zhou Yan's gaze floated. "I just want to follow."

"You can't."

Seeing Su Man meant it, Zhou Yan grew anxious. "I can protect you."

Su Man raised her eyebrows. Zhou Yan hurried to add, "But I don't have the power I had yesterday anymore... Even so, if there's danger, I can act as a shield for you."

Under Su Man's steely gaze, his voice grew quieter and quieter. "I'm serious, Manman. I could harm anyone, but never you."

"You can't follow."

All his words only earned him Su Man's repeated refusal.

Zhou Yan understood why Su Man was stubborn, but some things he truly couldn't say. "Manman, there are things that won't benefit you if you know them too soon."

As they spoke, they arrived at the room with the points of light.

"You can't follow!" Su Man issued a final warning. "If you keep pestering me, don't blame me for taking action. Don't test my patience, and don't make me regret saving you."

She gave him a deep look as she finished. Zhou Yan opened his mouth, but the weight of her last words was so heavy he couldn't utter a single syllable.

Su Man had already placed her hand on the door handle. The room seemed quiet. She carefully opened the door, only to be struck by a sudden chill.

Trouble—she couldn't move!

Her body felt locked in place, feet nailed to the floor, unable to budge.

In her sight, a faint glow from the slightly opened door was flying towards her, growing larger as it approached.

At the critical moment, her body was yanked aside and she was pulled into a warm embrace. The next second, a stream of black smoke shot out from the room, landing right where she had just stood. After the smoke dissipated, a pitch-black hole appeared on the floor.

A wisp of black smoke landed on Su Man's arm, burning a small hole that began to bleed. She merely frowned, making no fuss.

"It's here again!" Su Man's keen sixth sense kicked in. The chilling aura from the room made her scalp tingle.

She calmly shrugged off Zhou Yan's arms around her, wanting to close the door, but failed. Zhou Yan was holding her tightly, his gaze fixed on her injured arm. "You're hurt?"

"A minor wound."

"Let go. I need to close that door!" Su Man's tone was already harsh; she could sense that whatever was in the room was beyond her current ability to handle.

She could revive, yes—but she couldn't guarantee that the thing inside wouldn't remain outside after being released. If it stayed, even resurrection wouldn't save her.

"Leave it to me," Zhou Yan soothed, squeezing her shoulder.

Then, without Su Man seeing him do much, he just looked into the room. His eyes seemed to change color, and the strange aura vanished.

"What did you do? You know what was in that room, don't you?" Su Man pushed him away again. "Who are you, really?"

"Zhou Yan," the big dog became pitiful once more, but the next moment he patted Su Man's head and smiled indulgently. "Wait for me, I have something to deal with. I'll tell you when I return."