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墨書 Inktalez
"Housekeeper Liu, hold onto these medicines. How was the effect of the trial last time?" The indistinct figure in the darkness asked nonchalantly. Housekeeper Liu nodded, not wishing to engage in further conversation, and tucked the medicines into his coat before walking out.
Today is New Year's Eve, the day he planned to take action. The streets are adorned with festive decorations, and even the Concession Area, which prides itself on being in line with international standards, shows no signs of neglect during this traditional Chinese festival. Everyone wears joyful smiles as they hurry to welcome the new year. And he, too, is about to be reborn.
The Cheng Family Residence has been decorated with great festivity. This year, since the master will not be returning for the New Year, everything is managed by Cheng Mo Su, who has done an impeccable job without missing a detail. Even the usually neglected backyard has been adorned with colorful paper decorations, exuding a warm festive atmosphere.
Shaoyi sits alone on a stone bench in the backyard, a few snowflakes landing on him. It’s unclear if they melted upon contact, but the icy demeanor between his brows matches that of the snowflakes, radiating a cold light from within that envelops him and refuses to dissipate. Afu watches Shaoyi's slightly fierce gaze, unsure whether to approach or retreat. Fortunately, Shaoyi notices him and calls him over, allowing Afu to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Young Master Shaoyi, I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Afu says somewhat nervously. Although Shaoyi has been treating them well since that incident and hasn’t made them do extra work like Housekeeper Liu does, he always carries an air of coldness that makes it hard to approach him. Seeing Shaoyi shake his head, Afu swallows hard and continues, "I just saw Housekeeper Liu on the street; he seemed off—his expression was particularly flustered. It’s not just today; he’s been acting strangely for several days now. I don’t know if he’s planning something bad against you..."
Shaoyi has already noticed something amiss with Housekeeper Liu, but what exactly is wrong? He rubs his swollen temples, his gaze sharpening slightly. "Afu, go find the stable boy for me; I have some questions for him." Afu nods and quickly complies. Within minutes, he brings the stable boy over. The sharpness in Shaoyi's eyes frightens the new stable boy into trembling backward until Shaoyi averts his gaze—this stable boy has been replaced.
"When did you take up your position?" Shaoyi asks casually while glancing at him.
"I... oh no, I mean... I am..." The new stable boy stammers nervously; this person looks too intimidating. With a tug from Afu at his sleeve, he finally manages to say, "I started this morning; Housekeeper Liu personally assigned me."
Shaoyi gazes into the distance as confusion and sharpness alternate in his eyes. The horse that was given sleeping powder, the flustered Housekeeper Liu, and the replaced stable boy—all three are undoubtedly connected in some way. However, this connection seems to lie in a blind spot that prevents him from uncovering it.
As he ponders this, Afu whispers, "The young lady is here."
Shaoyi retracts his gaze and looks toward Cheng Mo Su as she gracefully approaches him wrapped in a snow-colored coat that blends seamlessly with the scenery. Her long black hair cascades down to her waist without any adornment, and her face is free of makeup, giving her an exceptionally serene elegance. Did she come here right after getting out of bed? The coldness in Shaoyi's eyes dissipates significantly.
"Shaoyi, I just went to the library but couldn't find you. I thought you might be here," she says as she sits beside him. There’s no trace of a master-servant dynamic between them. Afu immediately understands what’s happening and leaves with the stable boy before Cheng Mo Su can ask him to go. He thinks to himself that those rumors within the residence are indeed true—Miss and Shaoyi... No wonder she always protects Shaoyi so fiercely.
Shaoyi smiled, but Cheng Mo Su caught the emotion behind his smile and felt a tremor in her heart. "Are you still thinking about that horse?"
Shaoyi glanced at her and realized she was sitting on the stone bench just like him. He could sit on the cold stone bench comfortably, but now that it was so cold and snowing, how could she sit there like that? His expression darkened as he pulled Cheng Mo Su up and placed his black coat on the stone bench for her to sit on. A faint blush appeared on Cheng Mo Su's face; he was worried she would be cold, so he offered her his coat as a cushion. The thought of caring for her made his heart feel sweet, as if coated with honey.
"Um..." Cheng Mo Su looked up at him, her clear eyes hiding an unspoken expectation. "Tonight is New Year's Eve, and according to the old tradition of the Cheng Family, everyone in the Cheng Residence has dinner together. Of course, you don't have to come, but..." She lowered her Eyes, her face serene and pure. "But I hope you will come..." Shaoyi's heart seemed to be touched by something. He maintained a straight posture but suddenly felt stiff all over. Only her gentle voice echoed in his ears, and his slightly chaotic heartbeat reminded him that her presence made him less rational.
Once something exists, it cannot be suppressed. Shaoyi understood this principle well; he just knew that the right timing was crucial for doing the right thing, and now was not the time. He stood up, trying not to look at her Eyes. "I still have some things to take care of; once I'm done, I'll come." He neither agreed nor refused. Cheng Mo Su smiled slightly, feeling she had succeeded to a large extent. She picked up the coat from the stone bench and handed it to him, her soft hand brushing against his palm almost imperceptibly. Shaoyi put on the coat and watched her figure gradually fade away.
Once she left his sight, the rationality he usually maintained began to gather bit by bit.
The snow finally stopped at the moment when countless neon lights lit up. The sound of firecrackers began to fill the streets; it was New Year's Eve, a day for family reunions. However, he was separated from his father forever and could not see his sister. Shaoyi tightened his fist, pushing aside the negative emotions that affected him. He still needed to investigate the truth as soon as possible; his keen instincts honed through years of turmoil told him that this matter was extremely significant.
The New Year's Eve dinner at the Cheng Residence was about to begin. Since Cheng Mo Su usually ate later, the kitchen had only just started preparing now. Shaoyi walked to the backyard, his thoughts still muddled after a day of sorting them out. The closer he got to the truth, the easier it became to fall into blind spots; as long as he could break through the darkness before him, he would grasp the light that should be there. He casually sat by the well water pool; surprisingly, a thin layer of ice had formed on top of the water—one poke would shatter it.
Wait... He squeezed his eyes tightly and stared at the well water. There were inexplicable white powders that had solidified on top without melting away. How could there be powder here? The Cheng Residence was very particular about drinking water; it all came from this well pool. His thoughts slowly connected into clear lines, breaking through that thin veil of darkness as a huge light surged toward him, almost overwhelming him.
His gaze sharpened; everyone in the Cheng Residence was in danger.
He decisively stood up and hurried away.
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