Chapter 218: Someone Like Us
Translator: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97
"Now speak, why did you help Yun Ruobing steal my design?" interrogated Xinghe, as she took a step forward and looked down at him.
Ee Chen raised his head to look at her. He pointed at Xia Zhi and Xiao Mo. "I will tell you everything after you have them removed from this room."
"Looks like you still need to be taught a lesson…" Xia Zhi raised his arm ready to launch another series of punches but Xinghe stopped him, saying, "Wait for me outside."
Xia Zhi was shocked. "Sis, you can't agree to his demand. What if he attacks you after we're gone?"
Xiao Mo was equally concerned. "He's right, Miss Xia. It's too dangerous to leave you alone with him."
Xinghe shook her head. "He won't harm me. Please wait for me outside."
"But…"
"It'll be fine," Xinghe was unmovable in her determination. Xiao Mo and Xia Zhi knew they couldn't convince her otherwise so they left.
However, they didn't dare venture far from the basement entrance. In fact, they stuck their ears against the door, keeping tab on what was happening within just so they could jump out if the situation demanded it.
However, Xinghe and Ee Chen spoke at such a low volume that they could barely hear anything.
Xinghe pulled out a chair and said, "It's time for you to come clean. If you can't give me a satisfactory reason, I have to warn you because I have many ways I can make your life hell." Her words were as mellow as usual but there was an oppressing threat behind them.
Ee Chen climbed up with the aid of a chair which he later laid his body out on. He didn't answer Xinghe immediately. Instead he inspected his bruised face, complaining, "If I knew you guys who do such a thing to my face, I wouldn't have stayed behind voluntarily. Damn my conscience to hell."
"So, you admit you've sinned?"
Ee Chen deflected her question with one of his own, "How did you know it was me who stole your design for Yun Ruobing?"
"Because everything was simply too convenient. She finished her design the same time I did? Preposterous! Furthermore, I don't have faith in her capability to be able to even finish the design to begin with."
"Ouch, that burn! But you're right, she couldn't have finished the design on her own," Ee Chen joked trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm not here for chit-chat, get to the point and quick!" Xinghe narrowed her eyes at him, shutting him down effectively.
Ee Chen's expression turned severe and he finally said, "Yun Ruobing is someone like us!"
Xinghe was taken by surprise but she quickly regained her senses. "So what?"
"She has in her possession something crucial to understanding our identity so I've been trying to get my hands on it. She sought me out earlier, tasking me with stealing your design. If she's satisfied with my work, she'll give me the thing I want as exchange."
Xinghe stared cautiously at him as if trying to gauge whether he was lying before asking, "What thing?"
Ee Chen reverted to his usual leisurely self. He replied with a smile, "To be honest, I have no idea what it really is either but I know you also have one of them."
Xinghe was once again taken by surprise.
"I'll admit it, I also have one of them. Not only that, other people beside the three of us have them too. Only after we collect all of them can we know what their actual purpose is."
Ee Chen seemed to be speaking in riddles but Xinghe understood him perfectly.
"Who else?" she asked calmly.
"Can't say for sure, so far I've only located you and Yun Ruobing. I will tell you if I manage to identify others."
"Where is the thing you speak of, hand it over--" Xinghe stretched out her hand but Ee Chen shook his head. "No, can't do. Finders keepers, so the one I have and the one I got are staying with me. But I wouldn't worry if I were you because eventually I will need to come back to you. You know I'm not good enough to understand the mystery behind them anyway. I suspect only you can crack the mystery so just consider that I'm keeping them on your behalf for now. Trust me - because I assure you I will take good care of them."