Tian Ruyi didn't struggle as she was taken to Bai Keran's study. She may have feared him back then but this time, she gathered up all her courage not to be afraid. She didn't regret staying. Among Bai Kai, Bai Jingye, and her, she has the highest chance of escaping death.

She was shoved in the room where Bai Keran and Si Guanlin were having their conversation. Without giving her a glance, the old man ruthlessly ordered his men.

"Kill her and follow Bai Kai and Bai Jingye.

"

The men began approaching her without a second thought but as they did, Tian Ruyi hurriedly exclaimed,

"Are you sure you want to kill me right now?

"

"I have no use of you.

" Bai Keran spat before taking a sip from the teacup. He was not afraid of facing her adoptive father. He could easily lie his way out and frame someone else for her murder.

Tian Ruyi turned to Si Guanlin who was staring at the chessboard in front of him. He was cupping his chin, thinking of his next move. He was Si Hongqi's brother, right? If so, he was someone who could help her if she told him that she was connected with her brother. She just has to make him believe that she was close to his brother. And so, as she watched him raise a black knight, she mindlessly spurted out,

"I am Si Hongqi's girlfriend.

"

Si Guanlin paused, finally giving her the attention she demanded. He raised a brow as he scrutinized her with his amused gaze.

"Oho? My little brother's girlfriend.

"

"Yes. I am his girlfriend.

"

"She's lying.

" Bai Keran eyed his men with an impatient glare.

"What are you waiting for? Take her away and kill her.

"

"I'm not lying!

" She exclaimed in her defense. She looked at Si Guanlin pleadingly.

"If you don't want to believe me then you can call him.

"

One of the men grabbed her arm, tugging her back. This time, Tian Ruyi tried to struggle from his hold, she refused to be taken away.

"I'm telling you the truth! Si Hongqi is my boyfriend!

"Wait.

"

Si Guanlin's voice stopped the man from dragging her away.

Bai Keran lifted his gaze at the young man before him.

"Mr. Qi, surely you don't believe what she is saying, right?

"

"How can I not believe her? What if she really is my brother's girlfriend?

" He chuckled in return.

"Wouldn't that be fun? I don't want my little brother to have another heartbreak.

" He moved the black bishop chess piece, eating Bai Keran's white queen.

"If you lose your queen so easily, it will be your loss.

"

"So what if she is his girlfriend? Shouldn't it be-

"

"Hush now, old man.

" He flashed him a smile.

"It would be a horrible game if it ended with the queen's death. Fortunately for us, the aim is to devour the king. It's your turn, Mr. Bai.

"

"B-but Mr. Qi…

"

"How about we do it like this? If I win, she gets to live and you'll have to kill yourself in front of me. If I lose, you can have her but I'll have your head,

" Si Guanlin offered. His voice was pleasant to the ears, unlike his dire words. He didn't look threatening at all with that friendly smile of his but that simple smile was enough to send chills in his body.

Tian Ruyi didn't expect Si Guanlin to be another two-faced man. He was just like his brother except for… he seemed to be deadlier. She never saw Bai Keran look so pale. She could see the panic in his eyes.

After Bai Keran's failed attempt to kill Lu Mengjie, the old man knew that Si Guanlin was going to visit him. He planned on asking for more men. Better men. He believed that Si Guanlin was not going to kill him since he was useful to him. But now… he was going to die. The man before him was a psycho, more sinister than him. He feared him the most despite being younger than him. He was a force that should not be offended. He was his only hope against those bastards in the Lu family.

"M-Mr. Qi… please… I-I didn't know that he was with her.

" Bai Keran pleaded for his life. He didn't want to play the game, the man before him was a Chess Master, how could he even win? He only indulged the young man by becoming his opponent even if he already knew that he was going to lose.

"P-Please give me one last chance…

"

Why were Bai Keran's men just watching them? Tian Ruyi wondered. The old man was at an advantage when it came to numbers. Si Guanlin was only with an ash brown-haired woman.

Si Guanlin's phone vibrated, ignoring the old man. Upon reading the message the smile on his lips became stiff. He stared at it for a second before a bone-chilling smile erupted from him.

"Good. Good. I didn't think that you'll play your cards this way huh?

" He darted his cold gaze at the old man.

"I'll give you another chance.

"

Bai Keran inwardly sighed in relief. He opened his mouth to thank him but before he could even say a word, Si Guanlin added,

"That is if you survive.

"

The old man looked at him in confusion. Even Tian Ruyi was puzzled by Si Guanlin's words.

"Xue Lihua,

" he called.

"Yes sir?

"

"She'll be coming with us.

" He stood up and walked out of the room.

Tian Ruyi stayed still on the ground, not knowing what was happening. She was startled when the woman named Xue Lihua grabbed her arm.

"W-wha?

"

"Let's go,

" Xue Lihua said.

"You better come obediently if you don't want me to leave you here.

"

Without protesting, Tian Ruyi followed her. She didn't want to stay with the crazy old man who could kill her. She was still trying to process the things she witnessed. She thought that Si Guanlin was there for business purposes but from the looks of it, it seemed like it was more than that.

"You should have chosen death rather than choosing Si Guanlin.

" Xue Lihua's monotonous voice snapped her out of her thoughts as they walked down the hall, following Si Guanlin.

"W-what?

"

"Oh come on, Lihua, don't scare her like that,

" Si Guanlin replied after hearing his companion's warning to Tian Ruyi.

"Don't you think that I'm lucky to have found Bai Keran's replacement just in time? She'll be more useful than him.

" He pulled a chess piece from his pocket, a black queen, and began tossing it a few times as he walked out the place with them.

"I've found my queen.

"