Intimate Trial Chapter 32

Chapter 32

After deleting Silin, Ye Chang leaned tiredly on the back of the large leather chair.

There was only one reading light turned on in the study, and the dim yellow light enveloped her, casting deep shadows on her straight back and drooped shoulders and neck.She took off the pair of gold-rimmed glasses that seemed to have become some kind of mask, and threw them on the table with a slight collision sound.Without the obstruction of the lenses, those eyes, which were always as calm as the abyss, were clearly exposed to the light at this moment – they were covered with fine red blood filaments, and the deep fatigue was like a tide, almost overflowing the last trace of clarity.

But deep in her eyes, besides exhaustion, there was also an icy calmness that was almost relief.

On the screen, the chat interface between “Insomnia” and Shen Silin has been completely closed, and related background programs and data traces are being automatically cleared and overwritten by the highest level security protocols.From now on, there will no longer be any record of the connection between “Insomnia” and Shen Silin in this world.

She completed the last and most important “guiding” and “cutting”.

From the words Shen Silin said during the interview, to the test in Madrid, the gift at the auction, the rescue and kiss at the Genting Club, the “temperature” of the porridge shop late at night, to the hesitation before the “Ruixin” case and the final “amendment” of the “Xinghui” case… every step was within her anticipation and control.

She watched Shen Shenlin go from being full of hatred and cautious, to gradually wavering and developing feelings that she shouldn’t have, to the pitiful and pitiful “struggle of conscience” and smart-aleck “risk warning” at the last moment… It was like observing a well-designed experiment, recording every data fluctuation and emotional reaction.

Silin thought she was seeking revenge, struggling, and looking for a way out.

Little does she know that all her emotions, choices, and even her twisted “heartbeat” have become the most critical variables for Ye Chang to verify a cruel proposition and execute a deeper plan.

Now the variables have their full effect.

The chess piece moved to the preset position.

It’s time for the role of “Insomnia” to retire.

Ye Chang raised his hand and pressed his throbbing temples with cold fingers.The long period of precise calculations, the switching of dual identities, and the never-ending burning hatred and pain deep in her heart had already strained her spirit to the limit.

But not completely relaxed yet.

Silin’s last desperate question – “Who are you?” – still seemed to echo in the silent air.

She knew that Shen Shenlin must be on the verge of collapse at this moment, swallowed up by fear, anger and a huge mystery.That warning was not only the last “mercy”, but also a necessary deterrent to prevent her from acting irrationally when she was completely out of control and disrupting the final stage of the plan.

“Leave Ye’s family, leave Ye Chang, leave this city…”

Ye Chang whispered the last warning of “Insomnia” in a low voice, and the corner of his mouth curved into a very faint smile without any smile.

Will Silin leave?

Based on her understanding of Shen Silin’s character, after experiencing such a huge shock and deception, that proud and stubborn woman would probably not be willing to just run away without any reason.The greater possibility is that she will be like a wounded trapped animal, driven by fear and unwillingness, desperate to tear open the fog and see the truth clearly.

And this…maybe this is what Ye Chang finally wants to see.

Only when Shen Shenlin is forced into a desperate situation, abandons all luck and pretense, and truly touches the bloody core, can this long “trial” usher in its most cruel and “just” ending.

Ye Chang’s eyes crossed the desk and fell on the huge abstract painting with gloomy tones on the opposite wall.The chaotically intertwined dark red and deep black lines on the canvas seem to be some kind of reflection of her inner world.

“Sister…” She murmured in an almost inaudible voice to the painting, “Have you seen it? Those who have hurt you and made you fall into despair…all the people involved, all the twisted cause and effect, are about to pay the price.”

“Including…this me who has become so cold, so calculating and disguised because of your departure.”

She closed her eyes and leaned back on the chair, as if all her strength had been drained away at this moment.

There was deathly silence in the study, except for her shallow and suppressed breathing.

After a long time, she opened her eyes again. The fatigue in her eyes was still deep, but the cold calm had re-condensed, becoming harder and more unshakable.

She sat up straight, put her glasses back on, and opened another encrypted file.Inside are the follow-up and real response plans for the “Xinghui” project, as well as several sets of countermeasures and cutting plans that have been prepared for possible crises.

The light from the screen once again illuminated her expressionless face.

Tired, but awake.

Painful, but determined.

“It’s finally almost over.”

She whispered again to the cold words on the screen.

This time, in addition to fatigue, his tone contained a touch of determination that was like dust settling and smelled of blood.

The hunter has closed the net.

The bait accomplished its mission.

The next step is to wait for the prey’s final struggle in the trap, and then… give it a fatal blow, or watch it reach its predetermined end in the chaos created by itself.

The night is still very long.

But the darkness before dawn is often the thickest and closest to the end.

At this time, there was a gentle knock on the study door.

Beneath, bee, bee.

The rhythm is steady, with a child’s unique, gentle temptation under restraint.

Ye Chang quickly suppressed all the tiredness and deepness that leaked from his face, closed the encrypted files on the screen, and switched to an ordinary work report interface.She cleared her somewhat hoarse throat before speaking, and her voice returned to its usual gentleness:

“Come in.”

The door was pushed open, and Su Yu controlled the wheelchair to slide in silently.She did not turn on the headlight, but looked at Ye Chang through the halo of the reading lamp on the desk.The girl was wearing clean pajamas, still holding the ragdoll cat that seemed to be sleeping forever in her arms. Her dark eyes were particularly clear in the dimness, falling on Ye Chang’s tired face.

“Auntie, you haven’t rested yet.” It was a statement, not a question.

“There is still some work to finish.” Ye Chang took off his glasses, rubbed his eyebrows, and gave her a slightly tired but real smile, “Why are you still up so late? Don’t you have to get up early tomorrow?”

Su Yu didn’t answer the question about why she didn’t sleep. Her eyes stayed on Ye Chang’s face for a moment, and then glanced at the already cold cup of black coffee on the table. Then she spoke calmly, not loudly, but like a pebble dropped into Ye Chang’s seemingly peaceful heart:

“Auntie, I will take the college entrance examination tomorrow.”

Six words.

Simple, but like a sudden bright light, it pierced through all the heavy haze about conspiracy, calculation, and revenge in the study, and suddenly pulled Ye Chang back to a completely different, but equally important level of reality.

Ye Chang’s movements paused.

She looked at Su Yu’s calm face, and the clarity and determination in the girl’s eyes that were not for her age, and her heart felt as if it had been gently grasped by an invisible hand, feeling a complex sourness and tingling sensation.

College entrance exam tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow is the day when Su Yu will take the college entrance examination after skipping a grade.This child, carrying the genes she shared with her sister Su Mian, was her softest and most unforgettable concern in this cold world.She put almost all her energy and calculations into that long “trial”, and almost… forgot about this important matter that was also a matter of life and death for her.

Huge guilt instantly overwhelmed her.

“Xiao Yu…” Ye Chang’s voice was choked. She immediately stood up, walked around the desk, and squatted down in front of Su Yu’s wheelchair, eye level with her.She reached out her hand, wanting to touch her head as usual, but she paused hesitantly before her fingertips touched the girl’s soft hair.She was afraid that the invisible calculations and coldness on her hands would tarnish this purity.

Su Yu took the initiative to tilt his head slightly and rubbed her palm.The ragdoll cat purred softly in her arms.

“Admittance ticket, ID card, stationery, spare clothes, water, chocolate… Wu Qi has checked them all three times, and I have also read them.” Su Yu reported in a clear and logical manner, her tone as calm as if she was explaining the weather tomorrow, “The examination room is in the nearby middle school, very close. Wu Qi has also planned the transportation route and backup plan.”

Ye Chang listened, his eyes burning slightly.This child is always so sensible, so sensible that it makes her feel bad.She should have taken care of everything for Su Yu herself and spent the night before this crucial moment in her life with her, instead of being trapped in another dark whirlpool.

“I’m sorry, Xiaoyu,” Ye Chang’s voice was low and hoarse, with deep self-blame, “Auntie… has been too busy these days and didn’t prepare properly with you.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Su Yu shook her head and looked at Ye Chang seriously with her dark eyes, “Auntie is doing important things. I know.”

Does she know?

Ye Chang was shocked.What does Su Yu know?Did you know she was dealing with Silin?Do you know the strangeness of the “Xinghui” case?Or…are you sensing something deeper and darker?

The girl’s eyes were crystal clear, but she seemed to be able to see through everything.She did not ask further questions, but used this calm “knowing” to give an understanding beyond her age, which also inexplicably made the weight on Ye Chang’s shoulders even heavier.

“Tomorrow,” Su Yu continued to say calmly, even with a hint of comfort, “I will take the exam well. Auntie, don’t worry about me. You…just do what you should do.”

Do what you have to do.

This sentence is like a silent permission and a gentle spur.

Ye Chang looked at Su Yu’s calm face and seemed to see the shadow of his sister Su Mian.Back then, had her sister ever looked at her and encouraged her with such gentle yet firm eyes?

She took a deep breath, suppressed all the surging emotions, and gathered her strength again.She gently held Su Yu’s cold little hand and wrapped it in her warm palm.

“Xiaoyu, try your best tomorrow.” Ye Chang looked into her eyes and said every word with great solemnity, “No matter what the outcome is, in my heart, you are the best. Mom… will also be proud of you.”

At the mention of “Mom”, Su Yu’s eyes fluctuated slightly, and she nodded: “Yes.”

“Okay, go to sleep.” Ye Chang stood up and straightened the thin blanket on his knees for her, “Don’t think about anything and have a good rest. Tomorrow morning, my aunt will take you out.”

“Auntie, please go to bed early.” Su Yu controlled the wheelchair and turned around. When he reached the door, he stopped again without looking back and said softly, “Auntie, don’t be too tired. Mom will feel bad.”

The door was gently closed.

Silence returned to the study.

Ye Chang stood there and did not move for a long time.Su Yu’s last words were like a warm current, but also like a sharper knife, piercing all her hard disguises and reaching the softest and most painful corner of her heart.

Sister…

She walked to the window and looked out at the dark, starless night sky.

Tomorrow, Su Yu will go on the battlefield that belongs to her, use knowledge to change her destiny, and move towards a broader future.

And she, Ye Chang, will also face the final battle that she has planned for a long time. On the ruins of hatred and judgment, she will seek a resolution, or… die together.

The two wars are equally important and cannot be lost.

Fatigue surged up again like a tide, but this time, Ye Chang’s eyes were clearer and more determined than ever before.

She cannot fall.

For Su Yu.

She walked back to her desk and turned off her computer.Those encrypted plans, cold calculations, and dangerous games… were all left behind for the time being.

At this moment, she is just an ordinary aunt who will send her child to take the college entrance examination tomorrow.

She needs rest.

For tomorrow.

For all that is to come, the ends and the beginnings.