Saturday, A Day before Xu Jia Li's birthday
When Xu Jia Li strode towards her dressing room, she was alarmed when she heard Shen Linqin's loud scream. She quickly entered the room and what she saw made her clenched her fist. It was still seven in the morning and no one could be seen in the perimeter.
She strode as if a heavy stone was tied in her feet. Even though she still couldn't see what Shen Linqin might have seen but what was place over the vanity table was enough to tell her that it wasn't good. Even her nose couldn't take the smell that percolated the whole room. The strong disgusting scent was enough to cause a sudden repugnance.
Shen Linqin was slumping on the floor, trembling with fear. She looked so pale that Xu Jia Li immediately held her, "Linqin, are you okay?"
"L-li-jie… th-theres a …." Shen Linqin couldn't finish her words as she pointed at the box on the vanity table. She almost threw up as she spoke before she covered her nose.
Xu Jia Li stood as she looked inside the box. The box looked like an ordinary food box but what was inside made her stomach revolt. She felt nauseous as she glanced at the gruesome sight of the dead black cat inside. Just like what Si Weimin had told her about the four sparrows, the poor cat was also decapitated and the intestines were scattered inside the box.
It was also beginning to rot as the head was already full of maggots. Even the smell was upsetting.
"I-I t-thought i-it's your b-breakfast s-so… s-s-so I-ah I o-opened i-it. I d-didn't –"
Xu Jia Li's mind went blank as it began to spin. She held the edge on the table for support. She closed her eyes for a second before she closed the box. Her stunning brows were turned into a frown as she raked her brain with possible answer.
'This was all too much! Does this have anything to do with the recent events?' Xu Jia Li thought inside before she moved her gaze back at Shen Linqin.
"Linqin, have you seen anyone who came here?"
"I don't." Shen Linqin answered with clattering teeth.
Xu Jia Li nodded as she took a big paper bag from the closet. She was about to put the box inside when Shen Linqin said softly, "B-but Li-jie, earlier…"
Xu Jia Li stopped and stared at Shen Linqin. She nodded her head to encourage her to continue her words.
Shen Linqin bit down her lip before she said, "I saw Miss Meng's assistant running. She bumped into me and she came from this direction… but I haven't really seen her coming out of your dressing room… Li-jie, she looked really in a hurry."
As soon as Xu Jia Li heard Shen Linqin's words, her eyes flashed an ineffable glint as she smirked to herself, "Well, I guess it's just getting better."
She instructed Shen Linqin to go back to their bedroom to ease up a bit. But Shen Linqin was too scared to even walk. The gruesome sight made Shen Linqin unsettled so Xu Jia Li didn't force her.
She was somehow relieved that it had nothing to do with the scarred man or the people who desired for her to stop.
****
The day passed by like a wind in the desert sky, almost busying the crews about their tasks. The shooting successful ended for the day and the most awaited rest was only a day away.
Xu Jia Li strode regally on the corridor. She was still deep in thought when she saw Tang Xie stopped on her track upon seeing her. She had a huge smile on her face when she saw Tang Xie's nervous glances. She stifled a mocking laugh when she saw the distress on her face when she walked in front of her.
Tang Xie, on the other hand, pretended to ignore Xu Jia Li as she rummaged inside the paper bag on her hand.
"Did you enjoy it?" Xu Jia Li asked meaningfully. She almost burst into laughing the moment she saw Tang Xie's face, "How was it? Was it satisfying?"
"W-what do you m-mean?" Tang Xie's eyes were fidgety and her face was pale. She became agitated by the minute. Her lips twitched and her hands trembled while holding the paper bag.
"What do you think I meant?" Xu Jia Li flashed a provocative smile towards the woman which made the latter clenched her jaw.
"Are y-you implying something, Miss Xu?! N-not because you're the female lead in the movie, you c-can treat me like this!"