Chapter 415 - Empty

But, Li Huchong was doomed to be disappointed since the patriarch, her husband, Pei Tingming, noticed her and immediately pulled her back knowing she's about to create a scene by fighting Li Hua. "What are you doing?" he hissed as he pulled her to the side. 

The other people have been secretly watching them because they know that the Pei family ignored Pei Tingting's funeral. Although none of them finds this matter strange, but Li Hua definitely isn't settled with this. That is her dear daughter! So, not only was she wailing loudly because of grief for her daughter's death, but she also is doing it high-profiled because she knows it is Pei Tinghe's funeral! 

The people, although they fear the Pei family, but secretly they are gloating because of their family's internal conflicts. If Li Hua wanted to give them a show, how can they not take it for granted and watch it to amuse themselves? This is just how the humans think. 

"What? Feeling distressed seeing your sweetheart cry? Right. You also feel distressed because you can't still hold a funeral yet for that bitch daughter of yours." Sun Ri evilly grinned and glanced at the crying Li Hua with a malicious gleam in her eyes. 

Li Hua's face and eyes are red from crying, making her look pitiful added with her small and delicate face, and thin frame that was dressed in mourning clothes, which made her look frail. Anyone who will see her would feel pity towards her, but not these people who already knows her real personality.. 

"Stop that!" Pei Tingming gnashed his teeth as he glared at her. 

Sun Ri turned to Pei Tingming and sneered. "Your daughter hanged herself… who knows what shameful things she did or gotten herself into because of her stupidity." She spoke. "It's better that she's dead now so she can't continue bringing more misfortunes to our family – " she said. 

"SUN RI!" Pei Tingming can't hold back anymore and shouted. 

Li Hua who heard what Sun Ri said fell on her knees and big droplets of tears fell from her eyes and into the floor. 

"Heh. Bitch." Sun Ri sneered seeing her act. She coolly raised her brows to her husband whose face is red in anger. "What? Want to hit me? Too bad~" she grinned at him. "Will your parents allow you? Naturally not, or else my family wouldn't continue supporting your family. Instead of spending time with your other bastard child, you should spend it to Tingyi, instead, since your bastard son will never be the heir since your parents definitely wouldn't let a bastard inherit your family." She said. 

"Shut up!" Pei Tingming snapped. 

"Oh, right." Sun Ri covered her mouth when she remembered something, ignoring Pei Tingming and acting as if she couldn't see him. "Even if you push your bastard son to become your family's heir, but Tingyi still have my family. Ah – " she paused, then stared at Pei Tingming, wide-eyed, when she realized something. " – but, if that happens, my family will definitely take me back and cut off all the connections with your family. What will your family do then, ne?" she asked. She didn't wait for Pei Tingming, whow as dumbstruck, to answer, and she swaggered away. 

Li Hua's face is red, but Pei Tingming's face is redder than Li Hua's. Fortunately, Pei Tingsong wasn't currently present and was resting in his room because he caught a cold last night. Or else, even with his good temper, he would still have exploded after he heard what Sun Ri said. 

The funeral hall fell into silence. 

"Badass." Shi Jiu almost whistled after they watched the scene. Jiu Ye sweated for Sun Ri, afraid that Pei Tingming would really hit her earlier. 

Huo Ling smiled, admiring Sun Ri's strong character while Yi Bing's expression didn't change. "The Pei family really have problems." Huo Ling spoke. 

"Want to investigate them now?" Yi Bing asked Huo Ling. 

Huo Ling thought about it and his gaze fell on Li Huchong. "It's worthwhile to befriend him." he said. 

Yi Bing turned and nodded. "Yes. He's the governor. Not only can we dig more information on his side, but we can also know more people that might be crucial later for our mission." He said. 

"En." Huo Ling agreed. 

"Shi Jiu." Yi Bing called. 

"I'll do it." Shi Jiu spoke. 

Huo Ling looked at him. 

"You deal with her, though." Shi Jiu said and pointed. 

Huo Ling turned and saw Pei Li was staring at them. When she noticed that they looked her way, she waved her hand. 

"Sure." Huo Ling answered. 

Although Shi Jiu is good with socializing, but he can't deal with children. He doesn't see this as a weakness. In fact, it's better for him to say it to avoid troubles later and would hinder their mission. Thus, he admitted it. 

Huo Ling appreciated it. "In fact, I don't know how to deal with politicians, so… I'll leave him to you." He told Shi Jiu. 

"Sure!" Shi Jiu nodded enthusiastically. 

Huo Ling breathed a sigh of relief. He turned, only to see Yi Bing smiling at him. "What?" he asked. 

"Nothing." Yi Bing answered and looked away. 

Huo Ling stared at Yi Bing's handsome and sharp side profile. "Are you making fun of me?" he asked. 

"No." Yi Bing denied it. 

Huo Ling frowned. "Fine. I admit that I am forcing myself earlier. But is it right to make fun of me because of it?" he asked. 

"No." Yi Bing answered. "And no. I'm really not making fun of you." He told him. 

"Then why are you laughing at me?" Huo Ling asked. 

"I'm not. I'm just smiling." Yi Bing clarified. 

Shi Jiu who knows Yi Bing never smiled before. "…" doesn't your conscience hurt? You are an abstinent male idol of the grim reapers! You don't smile! 

"Then, why are you smiling at me?" Huo Ling asked. 

"Because I am happy." Yi Bing answered. Huo Ling was about to speak, but he continued. "Because you know how to admit your mistake." He explained. 

Huo Ling froze, then fell silent. 

"Admitting mistakes are never a shameful thing." Yi Bing said. "Instead, they are an honorable act. Not only can you learn from your mistake, but admitting it will also make you feel more eased instead of making yourself very uneasy because you didn't admit it." he explained. "It can also clarify things and avoid misunderstandings. Also, it can avoid the troubles that will happen in the future related to it." he added. "So, don't hesitate to admit your mistakes. Be more honest instead. Being honest will make your colleagues feel good will after having a good impression of you because of it. They will trust you more." he told him. 

Huo Ling nodded. "I know." He said. 

Yi Bing stared at the top of Huo Ling's head. "You should also understand that your colleagues will support you. They've got your back. Only when you learn how to trust them will they trust you, and so will they never fail to guard your back." He said. 

"… I understand." Huo Ling answered. 

Yi Bing nodded. "Good." He said and patted Huo Ling's head before he resumed watching the funeral. 

Meanwhile, Huo Ling raised his gaze and looked at Yi Bing's side profile before he straightened up on his seat. He drummed his fingers on his lap, then slightly lowered his head. The sun was about to set, and there is enough shade around the Pei mansion, so the light in the funeral hall is slightly dim. 

But, Shi Jiu and Jiu Ye didn't miss to see the suspicious red ears of Huo Ling. 

Shi Jiu and Jiu Ye who were forcefully fed dog food. "…" can you please stop it? Although it is fake, but we are still in a funeral… they thought before they moved their gazes away from Huo Ling when they felt a cold air blew their way. They crossed gazes with Yi Bing and the brothers hurriedly sat straight up on their seat and properly watched the funeral.

Yi Bing intentionally teased Huo Ling and felt satisfied seeing Huo Ling's red ears. It meant that Huo Ling really isn't indifferent to him. Although he wanted to tease him more, but he knows when is the appropriate time and place to do it, and it's definitely not in a funeral where everyone is mourning… or not. He also knows not to overdo it, seeing Shi Jiu's disapproving expression and Jiu Ye's awkward expression. He can only restrain himself and find a chance to tease Huo Ling again. 

He decided to start a new topic. "The Pei family doesn't have Pei Tinghe's real corpse, while the officials are suspecting it. Meanwhile, the people don't know a thing and Li Hua doesn't even have any intention to mourn for Pei Tinghe." He said. 

"If the Pei family doesn't have the real corpse while the official is suspecting them, and thus also don't have it, then – " Jiu Ye spoke. " – where is Pei Tinghe's corpse?" he asked.