The young woman immediately crouched down.
She hid behind the Plum Tree.
She lowered herself as much as she could.
She slowed her breathing.
Until she held her breath.
She cautiously raised her eyes.
Her eyes narrowed.
She focused on the direction the footsteps were coming from.
It was Madam Xiao.
The young woman recognized her at once.
Her heart clenched.
She slightly curled her fingers.
She silently prayed that Madam Xiao hadn't noticed anything and would leave soon.
Who would have thought...
Madam Xiao seemed certain someone was in the courtyard.
Why?
The young woman didn't understand.
Madam Xiao hadn't spotted her.
She was sure of that.
Otherwise, Madam Xiao wouldn't just be making threats.
But...
If she hadn't spotted her, why was she so certain someone was there?
The only possibility the young woman could think of was that Madam Xiao was trying to bluff her into coming out.
She wasn't about to lose her nerve.
Though when she heard Madam Xiao say she would call the police...
The young woman's heart skipped a beat.
But she quickly reassured herself.
No.
Madam Xiao was only trying to scare her.
How could she really call the police and have them search the courtyard?
Wasn't she worried they'd find nothing and waste police resources?
No... No...
The young woman's heart raced.
A buzzing filled her ears.
She furrowed her brow,
but didn't dare raise a hand to rub her ears.
She could only endure it.
The young woman stared at Madam Xiao without blinking.
Over and over, she thought: Go... Hurry up and go... Go...
Madam Xiao looked up at the Plum Tree.
It had been a while since she'd seen it without blossoms.
Madam Xiao took a deep breath.
"...You refuse to come out?"