This night.
Xiang Wan did not sleep very well and was wide awake by six in the morning.
Outside the window, the sky had gradually begun to brighten, with only the last layer of the night's veil remaining – it would soon welcome complete daylight.
She got up, walked to the window, and fully opened the curtains, only then noticing that at some point a "protective net" had been installed on her room's floor-to-ceiling window – probably after her mother's fall from this very place... a case of closing the barn door after the horse had bolted.
Through the rather unattractive protective net, she saw the shimmering faint light scattered in the courtyard below, as well as the man who was almost hidden within the dim light.
The man was dressed in a light gray lounging suit, sitting alone on a wicker chair with his back towards Xiang Wan, relaxed in posture, his long legs crossed, with the cigarette in his fingers flickering on and off in the morning breeze, as though he were savoring the peace before dawn.
Unintentionally, as he tilted his head back in fatigue, the man caught sight of the pale face behind the second-floor window.
At the moment of eye contact, Xiang Wan felt the embarrassment of a voyeur being caught, stepping back a small step barefooted, but she quickly regained her composure, reminding herself in her heart that this was her home, and she had no reason to feel guilty!
By now, the light was gradually growing brighter, outlining the man's features clearly – he was like a deity born at dawn, sacred, dazzling, and solemn, untouchable.
The two of them looked at each other across the twilight, time appearing to stand still for a moment.
There are many captivating things in the world, but most of them are dangerous.
The next moment, the Zuo Xingyun in Xiang Wan's eyes had turned into a deadly plant that lured people to their death, with an extremely beautiful exterior that bewitched the mind, enticing one to gladly offer their life as its nourishment...
She didn't shy away when caught "peeping," but now she couldn't bring herself to stand there any longer, feeling as if one more second of eye contact would cause something terrible to happen.
She decisively pulled the curtains shut as if nothing had happened, gently touched 'Nianniian', who was sound asleep at the edge of the bed, and left the room to go downstairs.
The old butler of the Xiang family, Uncle Yuan, hadn't been replaced; he was now in the first-floor hall, directing the servants to clean, showing the same dedication as when he served the Xiang family, except now, there was a new master.
Seeing this scene, Xiang Wan felt uncomfortable inside, even feeling a sense of betrayal...
She was inclined to think that someone who had worked in her family for decades, who seamlessly continued to serve the person who had caused the death of his former employer, was somewhat unprincipled. If Zuo Xingyun kept Mama Zhang around to take care of her, then Uncle Yuan's retention clearly didn't have a justifiable reason – it seemed more likely he had been bribed long ago...
She even wickedly wondered whether Uncle Yuan had been involved in her father's death...?
"Miss."
Uncle Yuan's voice interrupted Xiang Wan's thoughts.
Xiang Wan was somewhat perturbed, her lips moved, but she couldn't bring herself to make the accusation.
As astute as Uncle Yuan, who had read faces for decades, it seemed unlikely he wouldn't perceive Xiang Wan's inner thoughts: "Miss, I know I probably shouldn't appear here anymore, and like those former servants of the Xiang family, I should've been dismissed and replaced... But I'm nearly fifty years old now, and I have a family depending on me; we need to survive.
If I leave here, I might not find another suitable job. You may not understand the importance of providing for a family now, but you will when you're older. I can assure you, whatever the cause of the master's death, I had no involvement."
Xiang Wan felt guilty at being so easily seen through, noticing the candor in Uncle Yuan's eyes: "Sorry..."
Suddenly, a figure entering the hall interrupted their conversation.
Uncle Yuan greeted the newcomer with utmost respect: "Second Young Master."
"Mm."
The man responded indifferently, his gaze sweeping casually over Xiang Wan's face before he headed straight for the staircase.
Xiang Wan stiffened her expression, ignoring Zuo Xingyun and addressed Uncle Yuan: "Uncle Yuan, please arrange for someone to take me to school later. The college entrance exams are soon, and I cannot afford to slip up."
With such a significant change at home, all their wealth seized, attending school was her only way out.
She didn't know when she would become homeless, her mother was still lying in the hospital, and the future looked like an abyss; she had to plan for her own future – being sad and negative was completely wrong now.
Uncle Yuan looked towards Zuo Xingyun with a bit of difficulty.
Noticing Uncle Yuan's hesitation, Xiang Wan was displeased and fired at the man: "What? You're barely ten years older than me, why act like a father figure? Although you called my dad 'brother' for a few years and I begrudgingly called you 'little uncle' for just as long, that's all in the past. Can't you show some discernment?"
"?" Having just stepped onto the staircase, Zuo Xingyun came to a halt, turning his face slightly, his cool eyebrows raised: 'I haven't said anything yet.'
Xiang Wan: "..."
The awkward silence lasted only two seconds before Zuo Xingyun instructed Uncle Yuan: "If she wants to go, let her go. Later, give her my phone number."
Finally, he said lightly to Xiang Wan: "Remember to call me when you can't help crying."