C15 A Confrontation in Person

The night itself seemed to shatter at the sound of the piano keys.

A delightful melody soon filled the air.

I kept walking toward the source, my hand reaching for the door. I had intended to knock, but then it occurred to me that with the piano playing so loudly, my knocking would likely go unnoticed. So, I abandoned the idea and simply pushed the door open.

As I entered, a soft creak echoed through the space. The lighting inside was dim, casting a somewhat eerie glow.

Yet, the room was filled with pianos, clearly marking it as a piano store.

Following the music, my eyes landed on a figure in a black robe, absorbed in playing the piano.

I paused, taking in the sight of his silhouette. The store was otherwise deserted.

I stood behind him, patiently waiting. He finished his piece in about five minutes, and with the final note, silence reclaimed the room.

It was just him and me in the stillness.

"Is it you?" I called out from behind.

No sooner had I spoken than a fit of harsh coughing erupted. "Zhang Lia, have you reached a decision?"

His voice was raspy, punctuated by uncontrollable coughs, his body shaking with each one.

I held back my response, as he was still turned away from me, his face unseen, leaving me unable to confirm his identity.

I moved to step around to his front, eager to see his face, but as I did, he slowly turned to face me. My eyes locked onto his figure.

Yet, when he fully faced me, disappointment washed over me. His features were obscured by a black cloth, leaving only his piercing, hawk-like eyes visible.

The gaze that met mine carried an unsettling chill.

"Not talking? Haven't made up your mind?" His tone was icy. This man had previously threatened my life, and now he was here to talk business. When I remained silent, he abruptly turned, bent down, and retrieved a black box from beneath the piano. He placed the box before him, just three meters separating us.

I had a clear view of the box, and he didn't hesitate to open it. In a flash, the brilliance inside nearly blinded me—it was filled with a million yuan.

All in bright red banknotes, a mere glance was enough to send a jolt through your heart, stirring up a mix of fear and covetousness.

A million. This was a whole million. If I walked away with this money, my future would undoubtedly be so much brighter.

My eyes were glued to the million yuan, and it was my gaze that ultimately gave me away.

Then, a mocking chuckle broke the silence. "Zhang Lia, your chance is right here. Just hand over what you've got and promise me you'll stay out of Zhong Ling's business from here on out, and this million yuan is yours."

"With this money, you could do anything—buy a house, a car; it's more than enough."

He went on, his words dripping with temptation.

After he finished, a fit of coughing seized him.

He was clearly in bad shape. The vessel and the malevolent entity I held seemed to have inflicted severe harm on him. I even considered that destroying these items might cost him half his life.

After pondering for a moment, I addressed him, "Before we make this deal, there are some questions I need to clear up. Can you answer them?"

My eyes settled on him.

I couldn't see his true form, but I could sense a chilling aura emanating from him, unsettling even to me.

He hesitated, then invited, "Ask your questions."

"I want to know, who are you, really?"

"This... You needn't concern yourself with that. Knowing who I am would bring you no benefit."

I had more to say.

But he cut me off, insisting that I shouldn't pry into this matter, and that even if I did, he wouldn't divulge anything.

Seeing his firm stance, I decided not to press further.

Without further delay, I voiced the second doubt that weighed on my mind, "Why are you after Zhong Ling?"

At my words, he froze momentarily. As I stared into his eyes, they seemed to grow colder by the second.

"This is between me and the Zhong Ling family; it's none of your business. Zhang Lia, understand this—meddling too much in affairs that don't concern you is not to your advantage. And don't be fooled into thinking that Zhong Ling's family members are saints. Some people are far more ruthless than they appear."

His words left me somewhat bewildered, yet one thing was crystal clear: he bore a grudge against Zhong Ling. Observing this, I refrained from probing further. The enmity between him and the Zhong family wasn't something I could simply dissolve.

At that moment, he was shaking uncontrollably, his posture stooped. Judging by his appearance, I suspected he was well into his fifties or sixties. If that were the case, our company's general manager could be crossed off the suspect list. Our general manager, after all, was a handsome and accomplished man in his forties—nothing like the individual before me. It appeared I had indeed misjudged the general manager.

After some contemplation, I addressed the man before me, "Here's a thought: I don't need your money, and I'm willing to return the cursed items and their containers to you."

My words left him frozen for a few seconds, struggling to grasp the situation. His gaze, filled with skepticism, seemed to question my sincerity.

"Zhang Lia, cut the games. You're foregoing the money and even offering to return the items. What's your angle?" he asked, his voice tinged with doubt.

I didn't keep him in suspense, replying promptly, "I have my reasons, of course."

"What reasons?" he pressed.

"I want you to spare Zhong Ling. I'm aware you've tampered with her again. If you agree to leave her be, I'll hand over the items, and you can keep the money."

Perhaps it was my inherently good nature, but the allure of a million dollars was significant. Yet the thought of endangering Zhong Ling's life for that money would leave me with a lifetime of guilt.

Having said my piece, I awaited his response.