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墨書 Inktalez
“Old Buddy, are you leaving?”
“Yeah.”
For the first time, I had no intention of teasing him. He had been out and about these past few days, looking worn and weary. I knew he must have something important to attend to, and soon it would be time for him to leave, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. Today, after escaping from that vortex-like place and returning to Curved Pavilion, I found him sitting in the living room waiting for me, looking more formal than ever.
I nestled against him obediently, allowing him to gently stroke my soft, dark hair.
As I gazed at his immaculate and stunning face, I felt as if I were in a dream from a past life. The chaos that had surrounded me recently—the deceit and intrigue—seemed to vanish entirely in this moment.
I rubbed my head against his broad chest like a small animal. Although I often played pranks on him, deep down I had come to rely on him like family. I didn’t know why, but being with him brought an inexplicable sense of peace and a long-lost familiarity.
“Girl, the martial arts tournament is about to take place; I have to leave.”
I blinked in surprise, exclaiming, “Why? Didn’t they say it happens every five years? It’s only been three since the last one!”
He looked into the distance with a cold gaze, clear and deep like moonlight, yet shrouded in fog that obscured any focus. I knew he had never been interested in such matters; it was merely the responsibility of his family’s mission that compelled him to persist until now.
His voice was as cool as the water of a deep winter lake. “A mysterious force has risen in the martial world, threatening the major sects. If we don’t act quickly, it could lead to disaster. As the Master of Sword Sage Villa, I cannot stand idly by.”
I caressed his smooth face, tracing the gentle lines of his jaw, his straight nose, and the clean depths of his eyes like a tranquil spring.
“Promise me, Old Buddy, that you’ll take care of yourself. Don’t get hurt, don’t put yourself in danger, and don’t do anything foolish… Sacrificing yourself for others is not your responsibility. Once everything is resolved, come find me.” I chuckled lightly before adding, “From now on, no matter how poor or down-and-out I become, I won’t let you go hungry again or keep sending you away.”
He furrowed his brow slightly as if recalling some unfortunate past but then smiled with resignation. “At my age, having to endure your endless torment and tricks is truly a headache; my body can’t take it anymore.”
I glanced at him with gratitude. He knew my thoughts, yet he taught me various skills and self-defense techniques without complaint, even clearing away many obstacles that hindered my business. I understood everything, but I wouldn’t say anything. I knew those useless thanks meant nothing to him; he simply hoped I could live well.
Although I didn’t know why he wanted me to be happy, I was clear that he had always been the one hiding in the shadows, silently caring for me the most. When the whole world abandoned me, he was the only one who would never turn his back on me.
I composed myself, pretending nothing was wrong. “What do you mean by this age?!” I scoffed, “Old Buddy, a man at thirty-one is like a flower in full bloom; you’re thriving.”
“Heh,” he chuckled lightly, his stunning face breaking into a captivating smile that left me momentarily dazed. Truly, his beauty was enchanting.
That smile dimmed the moonlight and made the stars lose their luster, as if witnessing a sunrise slowly rising from the horizon, instantly radiating brilliance that captivated the heart.
I couldn’t help but stretch out my arms and awkwardly embrace him, feeling that this was the only way he truly existed in this world, by my side. Sighing contentedly, I said, “Old Buddy, what if you come back and can’t find the original me? What should we do?” I didn’t want him to know that today my life had strayed far from its previous path; our ordinary and safe life at Curved Pavilion might never return.
He looked at me and smiled gently, “No matter where you are, I will find you.”
“Good. Just promise me you won’t go back on your word.”
With his promise secured, I relaxed and found a comfortable position in his embrace, letting out a big yawn as I slowly drifted off to sleep…
In my hazy state, someone pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead and whispered, “Sleep now.”
It turned out it had always been him.
In my dream, I smiled sweetly…
Yet the remnants of reason wouldn’t let me escape the nightmare of this afternoon—
"Head of the Family" paused for a moment and said, seemingly casually, "Then, can 'Firefly' replace you, 'Second Sister', and enter the palace on her behalf?"
With a loud bang, I was stunned into silence. My mind went blank, as if I had fallen into a "Dream," where flowers were not flowers, mist was not mist, and dreams were not dreams... But why couldn't I wake from this long dream?
The pressure of the medicine in my palm suddenly intensified, causing me to gasp in pain. I turned my head in confusion to look at "Head of the Family," finally coming to my senses. It turned out that everyone in the hall was also dumbfounded. The usually neglected "Fourth Miss Xie" was actually going to replace the virtuous and beautiful "Second Miss" to enter the palace; this was indeed hard to believe.
I regained my composure and reflexively said, "You're joking, right?"
As soon as I spoke, there was another round of gasps around me. "Head of the Family" didn't even change his expression; what an old fox, I thought bitterly.
"Brother Three" asked incredulously, his tone filled with urgency, "Father, 'Sister Four', how can 'Sister Four' do this?"
"Head of the Family" calmly replied with a question of his own, "Why can't she?"
"She—" "Brother Three" stammered in frustration but couldn't continue. I saw "Second Madam" pulling him back from rushing forward to plead for me. She must have sensed the strange atmosphere today and the cold expression on "Head of the Family's" face.
I glanced around at everyone with vacant eyes, feeling as if my head was suspended in mid-air, neither up nor down. "Brother Three's" eyes were red with worry that showed no sign of being hidden; my eldest brother had veins visibly popping on his forehead; "Fifth Lady" wore an expression of anger, clearly unable to accept that the person they had always bullied had become a pawn for their master; that younger brother of "Xie Wan" looked at me with disdain (how dare he look down on me!); "Second Sister's" sorrowful gaze held a silent plea—was she asking for my support for her and "Chen Ningyuan"? And in "Chen Ningyuan's" eyes were only guilt and some complex emotions that I found hard to decipher...
I coldly stared at "Head of the Family," finally revealing a detachment after enduring fear and weakness. Today, I truly had to thank him for letting me witness such a rich display of human emotions for free.
"You all may leave," "Head of the Family" suddenly said. "Steward, escort everyone back to their rooms."
"Yes." The "Steward" looked at several ladies and said, "Ladies, let's go."
"Then, Master, we take our leave." Just as I intended to blend in with the crowd leaving in a chaotic manner, "Head of the Family," as if aware of my clumsy intentions, shot me a glance and commanded sternly, "You stay."
He wrapped my palm with gauze again, and with a hint of concern said, "From now on, don't hurt yourself."
I looked at him warily. There was no such thing as unsolicited kindness; it was either deceit or theft.
Yet he did not meet my gaze, as if in this room I was the only one lost in thought while he observed my clumsy musings. Like a hunter savoring the struggle of its prey before delivering the final blow.
"What if I told you I wasn't joking? What would you think?" His voice was calm, as if it hadn't come from his mouth.
I despised how he toyed with others' fates so nonchalantly. So I replied coldly, "You don't need to seek my opinion. Isn't arranging others' lives for your maximum benefit what you're best at?"
He didn't get angry; instead, he looked at me seriously and said, "Firefly, it's different for you."
I scoffed. What was different? It was all manipulation, and I hated those who used me, even though sometimes I felt helpless against it.
I fell silent.
"If you go, I won't pursue the matter of you, Second Sister, and that man any further."
I stared at him in surprise, quickly regaining my composure. Did he know something?
In a voice devoid of emotion, I replied, "That has nothing to do with me."
"Is that so?" He didn't argue. But his unwavering certainty sent chills down my spine.
"Why me?" I whispered.
"I know you can do it."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Once you enter the palace, assist your aunt in seizing the throne."
I scoffed softly; so it turned out I was merely meant to be a useful pawn.
A vein throbbed on my forehead as I bitterly smiled to myself but remained silent, saying, "You've got the wrong person. I won't enter the palace." With that, I turned to leave.
"Is that really true?" he gently questioned from behind.
His soft tone made my steps feel as heavy as lead, draining me of any remaining strength.
I halted just outside the hall and asked for that poor girl, "Did you ever love me? No, I should say, did you ever love your daughter, Xie Weiying?"
Behind me was a silence so profound it was almost terrifying.
I didn't wait for his answer, feeling desolate over my foolish question. In this era, within such large families with numerous children, how could one expect a father who only spoke in terms of profit to offer any semblance of love?
Resolutely, I walked away, silently reciting: Chen Ningyuan, I have repaid what I owe you...
As I left, my words echoed hauntingly in the vast hall: "I promise you. If I still hold any value for you, then I promise you. Father."
In the dreadful silence, a long and mournful sigh suddenly broke through.
Xie Yushi collapsed onto the wooden chair, softly murmuring to the Steward, who had silently returned to his side, "Did I really do something wrong?"
"The master is not at fault; fate is. The Fourth Young Lady is destined to walk this path," the Steward's calm voice replied.
"Sigh— I wanted Firefly to live a simple and peaceful life. Perhaps that would have been best for her."
"But you cannot protect her," the Steward cruelly struck at his sore spot.
Xie Yushi's usually expressionless face changed as he grappled with the memory of Firefly nearly drowning. He still could not let go of it. Ranran's death had not been an accident either, yet he had been unable to protect her… He had thought that by ignoring Firefly, by not even glancing her way, he could ensure her safety throughout her life. Yet, it was still unavoidable—somehow, she had grown up, becoming so beautiful and intelligent, reminiscent of Ranran in her youth, no, even more so than Ranran back then…
Such a person should be able to wield power over the world…
In his mind echoed the cold and stubborn question from his most beloved daughter: "Did you ever love me? No, I should ask, did you ever love your daughter, Xie Weiying?"
Firefly was right in the end; despite loving her so much, he still could not avoid using her…
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