Uncle Jia could sense that his young master was in a good mood. He had been serving as Ji Yuzhe's personal butler for a long time, so he knew the signs very well. Ji Yuzhe was a man of few words, and only a couple of people could truly understand him. From Ji Yuzhe's young age, Uncle Jia had been by his side, observing the boy grow into the mysterious man he was today.
As Ji Yuzhe settled into his favorite armchair by the massive window, Uncle Jia discreetly poured him a cup of fragrant tea, knowing it was his young master's preferred way to unwind after a long day.
"Thank you, Uncle," Ji Yuzhe said in a low and gravelly voice. He sipped the tea, savoring the warmth that spread through him.
"You seem pleased today, young master," Uncle Jia remarked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
A slight smile appeared on Ji Yuzhe's lips.
"Suyin, she has changed," he said, unaware of the longing expression he had on his handsome face.
"Something must have happened," Uncle Jia agreed, "I heard that her wedding to Ji Hanjun was delayed for a few months. Maybe that has something to do with it? Do you think she already knew your brother was cheating on her?"
Ji Yuzhe's jaw slightly clenched at the mention of his younger brother. Despite their family relation, the two men had an unspoken tension, especially regarding matters of the heart. Ji Hanjun probably courted Feng Suyin, knowing she was the one in Ji Yuzhe's heart. Ji Hanjun must have known Ji Yuzhe's feelings for Feng Suyin and used them as an advantage against him.
Ji Yuzhe's gaze turned distant, lost in his thoughts. He had watched Feng Suyin from afar, admiring her in silence. Despite their differences, he couldn't deny the pull he felt towards her. She was someone he wanted for so long but didn't dare to claim for himself.
Uncle Jia noticed the turmoil in Ji Yuzhe's eyes and decided to tread carefully. He was curious whether his young master would finally make a move to claim Feng Suyin for himself or continue watching and protecting her from afar.
"Perhaps this delay is a blessing in disguise, young master. It may allow Miss Feng to see things clearly and make the right choice for herself."
Ji Yuzhe nodded slowly, acknowledging his old butler's wisdom. He noticed Feng Suyin's sudden change during their recent interactions, but he knew very well that it wasn't easy for someone to have a change of heart overnight. He wondered if Feng Suyin would uphold her words and break ties with his younger brother.
Still, he refused to think she would eventually grow fond of him. Feng Suyin wasn't an impulsive person. He knew she wouldn't deliberately do things that her family would disapprove. Yet, a flicker of hope ignited within Ji Yuzhe's heart. A glimmer of possibility that he had long kept suppressed.
Uncle Jia observed the subtle shift in his young master's demeanor and knew a storm of emotions raged within him. He had seen Ji Yuzhe face countless challenges with unwavering composure, but matters of the heart were always a different battlefield altogether.
Ji Yuzhe had loved Feng Suyin for many years but had never had the chance to tell her. He had buried his feelings deep inside, afraid of the consequences of revealing them. Now, with the uncertainty of her impending marriage hanging in the air, his heart dared to dream of a different future despite his mind's insistence that he shouldn't.
"Will you accept Dr. Zhang's offer for apprenticeship?" Uncle Jia asked, implying the consequence of his young master's surgery.
Since the accident that caused him to lose his vision, Ji Yuzhe spent most of his time at home, nursing a drink in hand as he sat by the window, his thoughts lingering on Feng Suyin and the myriad of emotions that tangled within him. Despite his initial reluctance to accept Dr. Zhang's offer, he knew it might be his only chance to regain his sight and see the world anew.
"Since I already agree, there's no need to regret a decision once it is made," Ji Yuzhe replied, his voice tinged with resolve. Despite the turmoil in his heart regarding Feng Suyin, he knew his medical condition was his top priority.
He wouldn't be able to protect Feng Suyin if he didn't get better. Others wouldn't understand why he would throw everything for Feng Suyin's sake, but Ji Yuzhe was willing to bear any burden for the woman he loved. He sipped his tea, the warmth soothing his frayed nerves as he contemplated his future. The image of Feng Suyin's face lingered in his mind, her eyes filled with an unspoken sadness he longed to erase.
He might not be able to see her expression clearly, but her voice alone held a myriad of emotions that he had learned to decipher over the years. Ji Yuzhe knew that Feng Suyin was a strong woman who faced her challenges head-on with grace and determination. He admired her for that, even if it meant she would never be his.
For Feng Suyin to break off her engagement to Ji Hanjun and defy the Feng family, something must have happened for her to react this way. If his brother hurt her, he wouldn't let Ji Hanjun get away with it. He knew how to play the same as anyone, and since Feng Suyin had decided to part with his brother, there was no reason Ji Yuzhe needed to hold back anymore.
As Uncle Jia cleared away the tea set, Ji Yuzhe sat in silence, lost in his thoughts. The ticking of the clock seemed to echo the steady beat of his heart. Regaining his sight was the first step towards a future where he could finally be with Feng Suyin. If Dr. Zhang could restore his vision, then perhaps there was a chance for him to win her heart.
Lost in his reverie, Ji Yuzhe barely noticed Uncle Jia quietly excusing himself from the room, leaving his young master to wrestle with his conflicting emotions in solitude. His thoughts drifted back to Feng Suyin. He wondered what she was doing at that very moment, whether she was contemplating her future with Ji Hanjun or if she, too, was wrestling with her emotions.