4. You are not worthy

Shi Nianxin's heart leapt with a jolt. She quickly moved her phone down to look at the screen. As expected—once again it was an unfamiliar call with no number displayed!

She hurriedly looked around— the entire neighborhood was still asleep, no lights on in any houses, and no one stepping outside. In the vast expanse of the world, she and her car seemed like a solitary boat on an endless sea.

She began to regret mentioning her location in such detail. Being in the car was hardly as safe as being inside a house. She wanted to retreat back inside, but in her flustered haste, she suddenly couldn't unlock her car door!

Despair surged like gray-blue seawater, crashing over her.

.

This had been happening for some time now. Often during nights or early mornings when Xiang Yuan wasn't home, Shi Nian would receive these eerie calls. Those were the times when her mental defenses were weakest, and each scare would render her unable to cope.

Initially, Shi Nian thought someone had dialed the wrong number, or perhaps it was a prank call, and she ignored it. But the calls persisted like haunting ghosts, always appearing when she was least prepared!

In those days, she would bury herself under the blankets, trembling and hugging herself tightly. Whenever she needed Xiang Yuan, he was never around. Only the small space under the covers and the isolating darkness of the world became her last refuge.

Then, drenched in sweat, she could only despairingly whisper, "Dad, save me. Dad, please save me..."

.

Shi Nian clung tightly to the phone, determined not to let past nightmares defeat her. Cold sweat already trickled down her forehead, but she commanded herself to stay calm.

Dad was gone... She could only rely on herself; she couldn't afford to be scared anymore.

She shouted at the phone, "Who are you? Speak!"

Still, there was no answer.

It was as if her anxiety was the perpetrator's favorite performance.

Shi Nian then screamed, "I know it's you who's been harassing me all along. I warn you, if you don't stop, I will call the police!"

The dawn spread, and all she heard was the unfamiliar, tense voice in her ears, so unlike her own.

Whether the other person heard the change in her voice or not, there was a long and distant sigh from the other side. Then the call was disconnected, leaving only a silent void.

Shi Nian pressed a hand to her chest, struggling to put away the phone. Only then did she realize that she was drenched in cold sweat, and the hand that had been clutching the phone was still trembling.

.

In such a condition, Shi Nian couldn't drive, nor could she appear at the interview site, soaked in sweat. Helplessly, she had to get out of the car and return home.

Once she had showered and changed, sent off a delivery, and taken a groggy nap, she finally arrived at the police station, only to find she was already late. The multifunctional hall of the police station was already packed with various media, and all the good seats had been taken.

Assistant Ye He signaled to her above the sea of heads. Thankfully, Ye He had arrived first, allowing Shi Nian to breathe a sigh of relief.

Bending down, squeezing into her seat, she hurriedly organized her interview outline, only to see Ye He with a troubled expression, saying, "Boss, no need to bother."

Shi Nian was surprised, "What's wrong?"

Ye He's round apple face was clouded with distress: "...That Tang Yanqing said he won't accept our interview anymore!"

Shi Nian's ears buzzed.

"He just decided not to accept? What's his reason?"

Ye He cautiously observed Shi Nian's expression.

Shi Nian frowned, "Tell me."

Ye He sniffed and said, "He said, you're not worthy."