Chapter 33: A Choice of Two

Chapter 33: A Choice of Two

Silence can be the most terrifying thing. With folded arms, I sat on the chair, looking down at Ren Ming with disdain, as if embodying the spirit of a martyr with unwavering pride.

Ren Ming stared at me, speechless for a moment, then snapped his fingers.

Ten minutes later...

"I can't take it anymore... Oh my God, what is this? How could it be so delicious? Did you make this? It's driving me crazy with its aroma!"

In my left hand, I held a chicken leg, while with my right, I scooped rice into my mouth, filling it to the brim.

To be honest, I wasn't that hungry. But after Ren Ming snapped his fingers, an overwhelming hunger suddenly surged in my stomach, making my eyes glow with ravenous desire.

"I just let the spirit of a starving ghost influence you a bit. Eat, or you'll really starve to death," Ren Ming pushed the bowl closer to me.

The enticing aroma of the food rose up to my forehead, and with trembling hands, I finally picked up the chopsticks.

Tears streamed down my face as I ate. If I consumed this meal, I might poison myself; if I didn't, I'd likely starve. It seemed like there was no escape!

"Do you have paper and pen?" I asked him.

"For what?"

I replied, "To write a will. Waaaah!"

Ren Ming sighed, as if he was resigned to my antics. "I didn't poison the food, did I? I ate it too."

I didn't believe him!

I mentally retorted loudly, but my mouth was stuffed, and my tears were flowing freely as I devoured the food uncontrollably.

Influenced by the hungry ghost, I ended up eating almost all the dishes on the table by myself, while Ren Ming only had a few bites.

Slumped in my chair, feeling utterly full, Ren Ming elegantly set down his chopsticks. With a casual wave of his hand, the table and its contents vanished.

Suddenly, I felt a chill on my wrist. Looking down, I saw my little fox tattoo glowing faintly with a silvery light.

"Seems like Li Fan is getting closer to finding you," Ren Ming observed, his voice leisurely, as he gazed at my wrist.

Rising from my chair, I asked him, "Can you defeat Li Fan?"

Ren Ming replied candidly, "I can't. There's no comparison between us; he could crush me like an ant."

Hm...

For a moment, I was at a loss for words. Why wasn't he more fearful if he couldn't win?

"I thought you'd release me right away then," I said. "He's here for me. If you let me go, maybe he won't bother attacking you."

Ren Ming sneered. "Little girl, do you think he came just to save you? You're merely bait. What he truly wants is my Inner Core."

"My lair is well hidden, and it's not easy for Li Fan to locate it. So, he used you as bait... Hah, little girl, it seems you're nothing but a disposable tool to him."

Bait? I'm just bait?

I glanced at the tattoo on my wrist. Li Fan could track me through it, and he had switched my aura with Yang Ling'er's, making me a substitute sacrifice in her place.

Now, he could use me to locate Ren Ming's lair – a brilliant plan indeed.

But a bitter taste suddenly rose in my heart. I wasn't unwilling to act as bait for him, but why didn't he discuss it with me beforehand?

I had thought that I held some significance in his eyes, yet now it seemed he merely treated me as a tool.

Ah... So sad, I'll need a month of tears to recover!

"See now? It makes no difference whether I let you go or not. Li Fan will still come after my Inner Core. Being targeted by this madman is just my misfortune; I might as well stop struggling."

Ren Ming looked at me pitifully. "As for you, what did your sincere feelings bring? Only his exploitation of you. I truly feel sorry for you."

Damn it, how did he figure out my affection for Li Fan? Was my fondness that obvious?

Grumbling inwardly, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. The agony spread swiftly, leaving me drenched in cold sweat within moments.

Struggling to look at Ren Ming, I found him watching me with malicious intent. Understanding dawned upon me instantly.

I knew it, I knew it! Men's words are as deceitful as ghosts! This food was indeed poisoned!

Losing my balance, I fell to the ground with a thud. The pain intensified, and I writhed on the dark floor in agony.

Ren Ming crouched before me, engaging me in leisurely conversation. "Young lady, do you know why Li Fan insists on staying by your side all the time?"

I don't want to know, damn it! I'm in excruciating pain!

Ren Ming paid no attention to my thoughts. Gripping my shoulders with both hands, he gazed at me hungrily. "It's because of this blood on you, your blood is a rare treasure... that's what he's after!"

"Desiring my blood?"

Why would you want my blood? I'm not some rare blood type or anything.

But reflecting on it now, Li Fan did indeed drink my blood. That rainy night, he sank his teeth into my shoulder, draining the wound until it turned pale.

Tsk... Could it be that I'm some sort of mobile blood bank? Whenever he needs it, he comes to me for a sip?

A wave of sorrow suddenly washed over me, but I quickly suppressed it.

No, I vowed to trust Li Fan, so I can't doubt him!

I need to keep my mouth shut. Instead of indulging in wild speculations, it's better to ask him directly when the time comes.

The pain in my abdomen intensified, reaching an unbearable level. I no longer had the energy to ponder over Ren Ming's words.

I curled up from the pain and then abruptly felt a sudden emptiness in my stomach.

The surrounding light was too dim, so I looked down at my abdomen and discovered what seemed like a massive hole, with a small pile of objects spilling out.

My mind went blank for a few seconds before I lost it completely.

Those couldn't possibly be my intestines, could they? Were they spilling out?

Ren Ming, you motherf*cker! #%$**&/()%***!

Bearing the pain, I reached into my pocket and pulled out an old plastic bag. I then grabbed the intestines and started stuffing them inside.

Ren Ming: "???"

"What are you looking at? You want to watch me stuff my own intestines? I hate you!" I yelled at him, feeling wronged. "Get away! Don't step on my organs!"

With the intestines in the plastic bag, hopefully, the doctors could still put them back when we got to the hospital, right?

I felt like crying, but I held back, my hands coated in sticky, warm blood.

Ren Ming crouched beside me for a while, then, seemingly out of nowhere, he produced a dagger and tossed it to me.

I glanced at the dagger, then at him. Was he suggesting I take my own life?

"You don't need to be so panicked. You won't die just yet; you'll last long enough for Li Fan to arrive," Ren Ming sneered. "Of course, if you can't endure it, you're welcome to end it yourself."

"Little girl, judging by your expression, you must have quite a bit of faith in that cunning fox, huh? How about we make a bet?"

Ren Ming continued, "This poison can contaminate your blood. Though it won't kill you instantly, by the time Li Fan finds you, time won't be on your side."

"If he chooses to detoxify you, your blood will lose its effectiveness. But if he wants your blood, then you'll perish."

"It's a choice between two options. I'm curious to see what he'll pick."