Chapter 422 - Following

Huo Ling, Shi Jiu and Jiu Ye dropped their chopsticks when they heard what Pei Ru said. Meanwhile, Yi Bing's figure momentarily swayed before he regained his composure. 

"What happened to gege? Are you okay, gege?" Pei Li asked Jiu Ye who was sitting beside her as they talked. 

"I – I'm fine…" Jiu Ye answered and forced a laugh even though he is crying inside. He felt the hairs on his nape raised because Pei Ru is just behind him. 

Pei Ru said that she was asleep last night and didn't talk to Han ma…

"Ah? Oh. Then, I must be dreaming last night…" Han ma said and resumed eating. 

Jiu Ye almost collapsed and felt chills on his spine. If they didn't see it last night, just based on the conversation, they wouldn't think much about it. But, they have seen it last night that the two women talked. Yet, now, Pei Ru is saying that she didn't, and Han ma brushed it off because she was really sleepy last night… 

Yi Bing, Huo Ling and Shi Jiu are in one table, fortunately, so no one asked them why did they suddenly dropped their chopsticks. 

"Do…" Shi Jiu spoke with much difficulty after he had recovered from his shock. "Do you think it's true?" he asked. What a load of bullshit. Is his brain filled with water? Oh, yes, it is. 

They have clearly seen it with their eyes. Even if mini Anji Li is faulty, which only has point zero one percent chance of happening, it isn't capable of recording such scene. So, there's only one possibility for this… and even the dimwitted Jiu Ye could realize it. 

Pei Ru is possessed. But, it doesn't look like she was reborn unlike Ah Su and Shi Jiu's two drinking buddies before, because Pei Ru didn't act like she has knowledge of her past. Meanwhile, Ah Su and Shi Jiu's two drinking buddies clearly have because, not only they know so much of the Pei family, but that they are hostile to them. But, when they returned to 'normal', they act normally towards the Pei family. 

But Pei Ru isn't reborn. She's just possessed. Pei Ru didn't act abnormally when she was possessed last night and only asked a question. But, if she isn't reborn and it was just a mere possession, then, why did she ask such a question? How did this question relate to her… or the one possessing her? 

The more they think about it, the more fearful they are. The one who possessed Pei Ru, the one who asked the question… has something to do with Pei Tinghe and is using Pei Ru's body to ask the question. So, who might this someone be possessing Pei Ru? 

They all frowned and resumed eating for the other people in the dining hall not notice that they discovered something strange. 

…

"Huo Ling." Yi Bing called as they left. "You add Pei Tinghe's past relationships to your investigation list." He said. 

"Yes." Huo Ling answered and added on his notes. 

"Shi Jiu. You can also ask Li Huchong about this." Yi Bing said. 

"Okay." Shi Jiu nodded. 

"Jiu Ye." Yi Bing called as he turned. "That priestess is more capable than she looks. Follow her closely and guess what she is thinking on her discoveries." He said. 

Not only will this help their investigation, this can also test Jiu Ye's observation and inference skills, and to further develop his EQ, which is higher than the three of them, since the three of them are rational type while Jiu Ye is the emotional type. Both types have their strengths and weaknesses, so they can help each other cover up their weaknesses in order for them to become stronger. 

The four of them split up at noon. Ji Qiuxin, after eating lunch, excused herself from the Pei family to investigate Pei Tinghe's case on her own. Since Pei Li is still a child, she takes nap after lunch so Jiu Ye was relieved of playing with her. Jiu Ye immediately followed Ji Qiuxin secretly, maintaining a certain distance. 

Shi Jiu, on the other hand, invited Li Huchong for a drink. Since he can't make his plan obvious, he also invited the other male guests. He also deliberately invited Pei Tingming, Pei Tingyi, Pei Tingsong, Wu Deguang as well as Pei Tingming's father. But, Pei Tingming, as the host of Pei Tinghe's funeral, naturally wouldn't accept since he is the one who is mourning the 'most'. Pei Tingyi sincerely declined. Not only is he mourning, but he's also a well-behaved person and has no vices – smoking, drinking or whoring. Wu Deguang politely declined. He still has to make preparations because lord Xu died. 

On the other hand, Pei grandfather accepted the offer. Shi Jiu's smile stiffened. He was thinking of some plans to make Pei grandfather decline when Pei grandmother arrived and heard Pei grandfather's answer. She immediately pinched Pei grandfather's ear and pulled him away. Before she left, she scolded Shi Jiu for still inviting the Pei family members for mourning and warned him to not drink too much while he is still young. Shi Jiu welcomed her reprimand and then left with the male guests. 

Huo Ling, who was left on the Pei mansion, executed his plan. It just so happens that Wu Deguang isn't around Pei Ru, and Pei Ru was idling on the porch. 

"Doctor xiao Ru." He called as he approached her. But, he maintained some distance. 

Pei Ru turned and saw Huo Ling. She recognizes him. "Yes?" she answered. 

"Can I trouble you to check my body?" Huo Ling asked. "I feel unwell." He explained. 

"Where do you feel unwell?" Pei Ru asked. 

"I have a trouble of sleeping lately. It worsened last night." Huo Ling answered. 

"It might be due to poor acclimatation in new environment…" Pei Ru spoke when her voice trailed off after she heard the latter part of Huo Ling's answer. Her expression changed and she fell silent. 

Huo Ling stared at her. This is what he expected. "Doctor xiao Ru. Are you alright?" he asked in a soft voice. 

If Yi Bing was just here, he would definitely be jealous to death of Pei Ru. Huo Ling has never acted this soft towards him, even just an act. 

Pei Ru heard him spoke and she started. She forced a laugh. "How can I feel something wrong?" she asked back. "I am a doctor and I know how to take care of my body well." She said. 

"Mn. That's good, then." Huo Ling nodded. 

"Right. There are the Pei family's doctors. Why did you come to me?" Pei Ru asked. 

"I saw you while I am on my way back to my room." Huo Ling answered. "As for the family doctors…" he looked at her face. "I don't trust them." He said. 

Pei Ru froze. "Why?" she asked. 

Huo Ling made a pause, then looked like he was hesitating to answer. 

"Why?" she asked again. 

Huo Ling raised his head to look at her in the eyes. "Because the Pei family is dishonest." He answered. 

Pei Ru's eyes widened. She was stunned. "What do you mean dishonest?" Pei Ru asked, although her expression looked awkward after. She remembered that last night, Pei Tingming doesn't want to answer Ji Qiuxin's questions, so Pei Tingming answered vaguely to avoid her. 

As expected, he heard Huo Ling asked, "Aren't they?" he asked back. 

Pei Ru's face turned green. Even though she's cut off herself from the Pei family before, and still hates them, but she can't remove her surname and that her father and siblings are still in the Pei family. Even though she doesn't want to get involved with them anymore, but it was the Pei family who raised her. 

Also, she hates only a certain few people namely Pei Tingming, Li Hua, Pei Tinghe, Pei Tingsong and Pei Tingting. She admires Sun Ri and respects her grandparents. She loves her father and siblings. 

Huo Ling seemed to read her thoughts. "I apologize for my generalized wording. I mean, Pei Tingming is dishonest." He said. "And since he is dishonest, naturally, the people working for him should be, too." He looked at her in the eyes. "The dog reflects its owner's behaviors, after all." He said in a matter-of-fact tone. 

The corner of Pei Ru's lip twitched. Although she knows what Huo Ling is saying is true, thus she can't refute it, but she still feels annoyed. Pei Tingming is a member of the Pei family, and so is she. This is indirectly dissing her that she's also dishonest. 

"You seem hostile towards our family. Why?" she directly asked. "What do you want, exactly? Why did you approach me?" she added. 

Huo Ling was momentarily taken aback by her straightforwardness but he immediately regained his composure. "I want to know more about Pei Tinghe, as well as Pei Tingting." He answered. He didn't forget to include Pei Tingting. He feels that Pei Tingting should be included. And, the more information he gathers, the better. 

"… is this related to their deaths?" Pei Ru asked. "Why do you want to know?" she stared at him. 

Huo Ling shrugged, looking carefree. "I like playing detective, that's all." He answered.