Zhao Shi greeted Spark and Yuna with a nod as they entered the kitchen. It was rare for them to return so early from their usual evening activities.
"Young master returned quite early today?" Zhao Shi remarked, noting their unexpected appearance.
"Oh, I got bored just sitting around drinking," Spark replied, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "And that old storyteller wasn't there."
"Isn't that because you're always scolding him?" Yuna teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Spark crossed his arms defensively. "How's that my fault? His stories are crappy."
Watching their familiar banter, Zhao Shi couldn't help but chuckle. But sensing something was off, he asked, "Is something wrong?"
Yuna sighed and explained, "The old storyteller decided to leave. He's probably gone somewhere far away to escape young master's critiques."
"Hmph!" Spark grumbled, clearly unhappy with the situation.
"I too had quite an encounter today." Said Zhao Shi, his eyes downcast.
"Did you run into trouble?" Spark asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Not quite,"
"Then? What troubled you?" Spark asked again.
Zhao Shi took a deep breath and recounted everything he had witnessed while following the shabby man. He described the gang's brutal collection methods and the beating of the shabby man. He also detailed the touching scene in the dilapidated hut, where the man had lovingly cared for his sick wife.
After Zhao Shi finished recounting his encounter with the gang and the shabby man's troubles, Yuna's face was a mix of concern and irritation. She took a moment to process the information before speaking.
"So, why didn't you help them?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of frustration.
Zhao Shi hesitated before replying, "I didn't want to implicate young master. If the situation escalated beyond the gang to involve any political figures, it could bring unwanted trouble to the young master."
Gangs like these thrived in almost every city, Zhao Shi had seen such groups frequently during his travels, their shadows stretching across towns and states. Hidden from the law, they perpetrated their crimes, often with the secret backing of powerful political figures.
As Spark's butler, Zhao Shi knew that any misstep on his part could reflect poorly on Spark and potentially drag him into a web of complications.
Yuna's expression softened as she grasped Zhao Shi's explanation.
"I appreciate your caution," Yuna repeated gently, her frustration melting into a more understanding tone. "But we can't just stand by and do nothing while people suffer. There has to be a way to help them without drawing too much attention to ourselves."
"Isn't that correct, young master?" she asked.
"Ah, I'm getting sleepy, let's talk about this tomorrow." he declared, pushing his chair back and standing up. But as he tried to leave, he felt a gentle but firm tug on his clothes. Yuna had grasped the fabric, preventing his retreat.
"Hey Yuna, would you mind letting go of my clothes?" he asked, not turning around.
He knew what was coming, that's why he had made a feeble attempt to escape and was keen to avoid whatever scheme Yuna had in mind. The exasperation in his voice was clear.
"Those poor people," Yuna said, her eyes glistening with a mix of sadness and determination.
"Don't you find them pitiful, young master?" Her voice was soft yet persuasive, and the earnestness in her expression was hard to ignore.
"Don't look at me with those eyes," Spark muttered, doing his best to avoid her gaze.
…
In the dark of the night, three figures appeared in the shadowy confines of an alleyway, their faces hidden behind grotesque masks.
The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the walls as they moved silently, each step echoing in the quiet night. The city's usual nighttime buzz seemed to fade away, leaving only the faint rustle of their cloaks and the soft murmur of their hushed voices.
"Why did I end up here?" Spark lamented, his voice muffled behind his mask.
"Because, young master," Yuna replied with a hint of amusement in her voice, "sometimes, even reluctant heroes must answer the call."