The rain intensified at midnight.
The indoors became even more comfortable.
Xu Si lounged in the living room with the flames until well past twelve. Butler Ge came in midway, carrying neatly arranged smokeless charcoal to add to the fireplace, sending sparks scattering, dazzling with vitality.
Not until her eyelids grew heavy did she stand and return to her room.
On the way, she passed by Pei Zhen's room and paused for a moment. Hearing no sound, she went to sleep, reassured.
All the doors in the Xu Mansion were made of solid, heavy wood; the intricate, hand-carved designs attested to the craftsman's dedication.
In the room at the far left of the second floor, the light was bright and tranquil. A new, soft bed was made up with a satin four-piece set. Next to the single wardrobe stood a large desk, upon which a watch and various books were laid out; a uniform was also neatly folded and placed there.
It was clear that the person who lived here cherished cleanliness.
Everything was methodically arranged.
From a black bag, Pei Zhen took out a box of pills, removed one, and swallowed it without a change in expression. He then rolled up his sleeve, revealing a dense rash that appeared ferocious against his pale skin, like some severe illness.
Butler Ge knocked and entered, bringing him the half-cup of honey-flower tea forgotten in the living room. His voice was kind and amiable, "Young Master, will you be having this tea?"
It had seemed he quite liked it just moments ago.
He merely smiled gently, accepting the tea with both hands. "Yes, I will. Thank you, Butler Ge."
After the butler left, he took out another white pill and swallowed it, then drank all the tea in the cup.
It was nothing; the tea was indeed delicious.
He had intended to mention his allergy to honey. But at that moment, he felt that taking two pills was a small price to pay to do justice to the tea. It was quite alright.
He didn't want to see disappointment in the woman's beautiful peach-blossom eyes because the tea was left unfinished. Even more, he didn't want to be abandoned.
Once the itching on his arm subsided, Pei Zhen reached out and fiddled with a few chocolates he often used to eat, now placed by the bedside.
His gaze was gentle, lost in memories of the past.
The rain at night also subsided somewhat, with only the occasional rustling of leaves.
「The next morning.」
Xu Si was awakened by the sound of water splashing. An iron bucket had rolled over a dozen times, then landed with a BANG on the garden's stone path, making a considerable noise—dull and piercing.
Xu Si quickly opened her bright eyes. Her face was pale, and her hands subconsciously clutched the corner of the blanket, twisting the soft silk into a spiral.
She scanned her surroundings. Realizing it wasn't a gunshot, her grave expression finally eased considerably.
Throwing back the thin blanket, she stepped barefoot onto the plush carpet. From the walk-in closet, she selected a rather mature and simple dress to change into, draped a shawl over her shoulders, and put on fashionable earrings and other accessories. Her gaze skipped past those hideously ugly lipsticks. Rubbing the corners of her eyes, she decided to go out without any makeup.
Butler Ge happened to be standing on the landing. Seeing her open the door, he stepped aside and explained, "Miss, the new maid lacked the strength and overturned the bucket while watering the flowers. She has already been reassigned to other duties."
As expected of a veteran butler; he had even noticed such a minor detail as his employer's recent sensitivity to loud, sudden noises.
Everyone in the Xu Mansion performed their tasks with extra caution.
Xu Si hadn't been startled like this in a long time. The sudden scare didn't overly perturb her.
"It's alright, Butler Ge. Please make me a cup of coffee, thank you."
She had important matters to attend to today.
Her paternal uncle from overseas was returning.
Although she didn't know what time he would arrive, she had to receive him properly.
After breakfast, she specifically instructed Butler Ge to remain at the Xu Mansion that afternoon and arrange for the driver to pick up Pei Zhen.
The words had barely left her mouth when she heard a servant knock and announce from the doorway, "Miss, your relatives have arrived."
Xu Si paused. She picked up the exquisite, tiny telescope from her father's collection on the cabinet, adjusted its angle before her eyes, and through the open window, she gazed towards a distant, ornate metal railing.
Outside the gate indeed stood three middle-aged men and a woman of small stature.
Two of the men were her second and third paternal uncles, and the woman was her second aunt—Second Uncle's wife.
The remaining man was a stranger Xu Si didn't recognize.
Their faces were alight with excitement. They were dressed respectably, carrying long, wooden briefcases, and sported fashionable foreign attire, yet the winter wind had left their hair disheveled. Fallen leaves, as if sightless, swirled and tumbled around their feet with the wind. It created an uncanny impression that they hadn't come for a visit but rather to freeload.
Only Xu Si knew they were actually here to fleece her.
After leisurely finishing her coffee, Xu Si changed her shoes and walked out into the main courtyard.
As she neared the main gate, she heard low voices conversing; the woman's voice held a coquettish tone.
"Husband, isn't your niece coming yet? This wind will make me ill."
The middle-aged man addressed was holding a tobacco pipe. He tapped it, and the smoke was immediately carried away by the wind. His voice was hoarse, "My niece just lost her father. She must have been too grief-stricken to sleep last night. It's understandable if she isn't up yet..."
The next second, a clear voice interrupted them.
"Uncles, Aunt."
Xu Si gathered her shawl around her, standing in their midst, her smile like a blooming flower.
The group collectively paused. Her second uncle, Xu Zhiqiang, tapped out his pipe and removed it from his lips, being the first to offer a smile. "Asi, it's you, isn't it? You've grown into such a beautiful and poised young woman! But one thing hasn't changed—you're still as lovely as ever."
"Second Uncle, you're the one who's changed so much; I almost didn't recognize you."
Xu Si offered a faint smile, though her eyes held little joy.
"Asi, let me introduce you," Xu Zhiqiang said, gesturing towards the other middle-aged man. "This is my college classmate. He works at Ronghua News Industry. He heard I was back from overseas and came especially to catch up with me."
Xu Si inclined her head, her expression calm as she noted the man's old-fashioned camera. Her voice was light as she said, "Hello."
Ill-intentioned visitors.
Bringing a journalist along? Were they afraid she'd send them away?
It wasn't like this in her previous life at all.
Could this be a change brought about by her rebirth?
After some conventional pleasantries, Xu Si led them into the main courtyard, though not into the house itself.
From the corner of her eye, Xu Si noticed that despite her second aunt's simple makeup, the anticipation and longing in the woman's eyes were unmistakable.
The Xu Family was truly extravagant.
A five-story villa in a prime location, and in the expansive courtyards, three gardeners were visibly at work.
This was a level of luxury unattainable even for America's middle class.
No wonder the Xu Family was reputed to be one of the foremost powerful families on Hong Kong Island.
Once they were seated, Butler Ge appeared with a tea tray, thoughtfully pouring tea for each guest.
Xu Zhiqiang took a symbolic sip of tea. He didn't immediately bring up the matter of staying but instead, with a congenial air, began to explain the purpose of their return.
"My dear niece, some things can't be clearly conveyed in emails. Now that we're face to face, I must address them. I've lived abroad for many years. As I've gotten older, I've naturally found myself missing home. After several years of consideration, I've finally decided to return and establish myself here. Your third uncle feels the same way, of course. But please rest assured, we both have our own means and would never expect you, a junior, to provide for us."
"As for me, your third uncle and I are planning to open a hotel, modeled after the five-star establishments in America. We've also secured our own accommodation, having bought a house not far from here. This way, we can support each other and won't impose on your life."
"We won't be a burden. However, as your relatives, we hope you'll feel you can rely on your uncles. We want you to know that even though your father is gone, you are not without people who care for you deeply."
His posture was perfectly composed, his tone mild, and his speech amiable, conveying the utmost respect an elder could show to a junior.
Xu Si offered a faint smile, her fingertips once again beginning to tap unconsciously on the armrest of her chair, a steady, repetitive beat.
But inwardly, she felt a sense of calm.
This speech hadn't changed; it was exactly the same as in her previous life.