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Cheng Mo quietly watched them, her gaze gathering like an elusive mist. "Afu, who tied you up? The Cheng Family rules state that punishment cannot be used on servants." Her eyes shifted. "Uncle Liu, have you forgotten?"
"It has nothing to do with Butler Liu," Afu quickly replied. Butler Liu usually treated them well; although he often bullied them, it wasn't particularly excessive. Moreover, compared to Shaoyi, he found Shaoyi more annoying for beating him up like a target last night. "It was that new Shaoyi who did this to us!"
"Shaoyi?" Cheng Mo paused slightly, the mist in her Water Eyes slowly dissipating. Her probing gaze fell on Butler Liu, who dared not look her in the eye, then circled back to Afu, who was tightly bound. She gently closed her long lashes, as if piecing together the entire sequence of events in her mind. "Uncle Liu."
"Yes..." Butler Liu hurriedly responded, feeling anxious inside. What would happen if the young lady learned the whole story?
Cheng Mo fixed her black-and-white Eyes on him, her expression unchanged. "Let's leave it at that. You all know the circumstances well enough. Afu, you can go back to work now; there's no need to pursue this matter with Shaoyi." Butler Liu breathed a sigh of relief, not daring to voice any objections and could only nod in agreement.
She turned away, her unkempt long hair swaying gently with the air, releasing a faint fragrance. "By the way, Uncle Liu mentioned yesterday that the rooms are full, so your relative should wait a while before coming over." She smiled lightly.
The slightly worn door was half-open, and outside the door, the scent of grass mixed with the aroma of food. Several blue tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and a pot of sweet-smelling tea sat on the table. Afu rubbed his sore shoulders and plopped down into a chair. There were few fruits left on the table, and a few other young servants nearby were discussing the flirtatious maid Qingyin in a lively manner. While eating, Afu couldn't help but think about how Qingyin would send a silk handkerchief to whoever she fancied; he had received one himself back in the day! Just as he was about to join in the discussion, one of the young servants grinned and asked, "Hey, did you talk to the young lady this morning?"
This seemed even more worthy of boasting than spending a night with Qingyin. The servants at Cheng Residence lived in a small courtyard while the young lady and master resided in the main courtyard; it was usually difficult even to see each other up close, let alone exchange a few words. He raised his eyebrows proudly and prepared to continue when the young servant added, "But I heard you were tied up by that new Shaoyi." As soon as he finished speaking, laughter erupted around them.
"Bah! What is that Shaoyi? If it weren't so dark that I couldn't see him, I would have..." He wanted to continue but was immediately pulled by Afu's sleeve. However, angered Afu didn't care about such things anymore. "He better not let me see him again! Otherwise, I'll beat him so badly that even his mother won't recognize him." Afu patted his chest; it felt great to boast like this. But… why was there such a chilling aura behind him?
He turned around just in time to meet those cold eyes like dark night; the sharp gaze pierced through him like a dagger. The memory of being beaten yesterday flashed before his eyes, and he couldn't help but shiver. "Shao… Shaoyi, I didn't mean to say you..." But Shaoyi ignored him completely, reaching for the fruit platter and turning away with every step exuding chilling indifference.
When he walked out of the room, not just Afu but everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
Dressed in a lotus-colored Qipao, with slightly flushed cheeks and rose-colored lips parting lightly as if fragrant orchids were between her teeth, Cheng Mo's gently furrowed brows relaxed slightly. A snow hairpin was slanted in her black hair like a waterfall. Feng Yin glanced at Cheng Mo in the mirror and couldn't help but exclaim, "The young lady is truly a natural beauty!"
Cheng Mo Su glanced at her, the smile on her lips gentle and calm. "You little girl are becoming more clever." She played with a string of pale yellow beads on her delicate hand, turning them quietly, as if recalling something, her smile slightly stiffening. "I actually forgot that I was supposed to teach Huang Wei's five-year-old sister to read French today, but I only remembered the plan to listen to a play with her tonight. However, I haven't finished my makeup yet and can't get the book. Fengyin, please ask Liu Wen Tang to bring the French book over."
Fengyin was slightly taken aback; he indeed remembered this matter, but... "But Miss, Liu Shao has been ordered by Steward Liu to return home for a family visit these past few days. He left several days ago and probably won't be back until tonight. The library has been unattended these days."
What should she do? If she went to get it herself, there wouldn't be enough time to return and finish her makeup. Just as she was feeling anxious, she heard steady footsteps approaching, carrying an undeniable chill. Cheng Mo Su suddenly called out to him, "Shaoyi, can you help me get a book from the library?"
He paused slightly in his steps, standing straight in place. "What book?"
"The Phantom of the Opera."
"Translated version or original?"
"Original." Without any further words, he nodded and turned to leave. In just ten minutes, he placed the book in front of her. Cheng Mo Su was slightly surprised; although the books in the library were arranged systematically, it would be difficult to find one in such a short time without being very familiar with their contents. She looked at Shaoyi, whose eyes seemed like cold stars even in daylight, making it hard for anyone to approach him. Cheng Mo Su looked at the book edged with pink trim and smiled lightly. "That was quick."
"Just lucky," Shaoyi replied with a slight nod.
The Ford car weaved through the crowd as usual; Cheng Mo Su's life seemed unchanged. However, the world was quietly shifting; those seemingly wasted moments were not just fleeting clouds.
Teaching Huang Wei's sister to read French was not a difficult task. She stood up and opened the window, a gust of cold wind rushing in. Her bright eyes gazed into the distance; within the Concession Area, lights shone brightly amidst music and dance, while outside it raged with gunfire and life-threatening dangers. The cannon fire ravaged a city, smoke filled the streets, yet these seemed unrelated to ladies like them.
"Miss Cheng, what are you thinking about?" Huang Wei suddenly pounced on Cheng Mo Su while she was lost in thought, startling her.
Cheng Mo Su furrowed her brows and replied, "I was thinking about what's happening outside the Concession Area..."
"What's there to think about?" Huang Wei said while sipping coffee and sitting on the soft velvet pillow. "A few days ago, there was fighting outside the Concession Area. My aunt went to watch it; they said it was particularly interesting, like the artillery had eyes, but it just couldn't hit inside the Concession Area, haha." Cheng Mo's heart tightened; the lives lost under the constant bombardment had become a pastime for these bored ladies... Huang Wei waved her hand in front of her. "Mo Su, you're really distracted today. Is it because my sister is too hard to teach? Or..." She was about to continue when she suddenly burst into laughter. "My brother is here; look."
Cheng Mo looked up. Hang Tai, whom she hadn't seen for a few days, still looked the same, with his slicked-back hair and shiny black leather shoes, walking with his hands in his pockets, exuding an air of arrogance. "Oh, Sister Su has graced us with her presence; my humble abode shines with your arrival."
Cheng Mo smiled and took his hand. "You're still as laid-back as ever."
"Hey, don't mention it." He casually crossed his legs and sat down. "There hasn't been anything serious going on at the station these days. I don't know what's happening up north; it's been a while since we've had any news. The Northeast's General Shangguan hasn't made a public appearance in some time either."
Huang Wei perked up. "I know about General Shangguan; his son is the famous Shangguan Lin." A blush of youthful excitement spread across her face before fading again. "He has fought alongside his father since he was young and is said to be impressive and born to be a leader."
"You talk as if you've seen him," Hang Tai said, tousling his heavily styled hair. "You ladies from the deep boudoir are really bored. Shangguan Lin doesn't like taking photos; not a single picture has been released. He might be a buck-toothed bald guy in real life!"
Huang Wei shot him a glare. "Brother, I think this is just plain jealousy."
"Jealous of him?! My dad is the head of the Ministry of Transportation; his dad is just a wild Northeast king. Why would I be jealous of him!" The two began their usual banter, and Cheng Mo shook her head helplessly, taking a small sip of hot tea while gently tracing the pattern on her teacup.
Impressive and born to be a leader, huh...
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