Leon Chen stepped in front of Sienna Tang, shielding her from the aggressive men in black.
However, as the black-suited men approached, they suddenly bowed low, speaking in unison, "Good day, Miss!"
"Miss?"
Leon turned to look at Sienna, only to see her formerly bashful expression now filled with astonishment.
A car pulled up nearby, and the window rolled down to reveal a stern-faced man and a beautiful, mature woman who stepped out. The woman's features bore a resemblance to Sienna.
"Mom…" Sienna whispered.
Leon relaxed his defensive stance, realizing these were Sienna's family members. The stern man must be her father.
"Sienna, who is this?" her mother asked, her gentle eyes landing on Leon.
Sienna hesitated for a moment before answering woodenly, "A friend."
"Hmph." The man in the car snorted coldly.
Sienna's mother gave a knowing look at their clasped hands. Sienna's ears turned red. She was still holding Leon's hand.
"Do friends kiss like lovers on the street?" her mother's words made both of them wish they could disappear into the ground.
Sienna shot Leon a fierce glare.
Leon smiled awkwardly, "Hello, ma'am."
Sienna's mother nodded kindly. She seemed to be a gentle woman.
The presence of several bodyguards, two stunning women, and a luxury car quickly drew the attention of passersby. Sienna's mother invited them, "Let's talk in the car."
Once inside the spacious car, Leon felt uncomfortable under the sharp gaze of Sienna's father. It felt as if those piercing eyes could see right through him.
"What brings you to Xijing?" Sienna asked, puzzled.
Her father, Samuel Tang, was a stern man with chiseled features. Even his voice was as hard as stone. "Have you encountered any trouble recently?"
"No."
"Really?" Samuel Tang's tone grew heavier as he glanced at Leon.
Leon shook his head.
"Honey, don't be so stern in front of Sienna's friend," Sienna's mother chided gently, smiling at Leon. "Don't mind him; it's just his nature."
"Mom!" Sienna called out.
Her mother spoke seriously, "We saw on the news that several members of the exploration team you were part of had accidents… Your father and I were very worried about you."
"I'm fine now."
"That's good."
After a while, Sienna furrowed her brow and asked, "Where are we going now?"
"Your father's business friend invited him for tea."
"Since we're in the car, let's go meet your Uncle Lu."
The car drove into a villa complex and stopped. After getting out, Leon saw another car following them, with more bodyguards quickly taking positions.
"Why the bodyguards? Is there trouble?" Sienna asked, puzzled.
"Don't worry about us," her mother reassured her with a smile. "We were going to get them for you."
"I don't need them," Sienna shook her head.
"But isn't your bodyguard a bit too scholarly?" her mother commented softly.
Sienna blushed, muttering, "Leon makes me feel safer than your bodyguards."
Leon felt awkward with Sienna's family. He didn't know this Uncle Lu and felt it was inappropriate to go in. He was contemplating staying outside with the bodyguards when his watch suddenly lit up.
An ability nearby? Leon scanned the surrounding villas.
"Hey, what are you looking at? Come on in," Sienna called, waving her fingers.
"I don't think it's appropriate," Leon hesitated.
"It's fine," Sienna insisted, pulling Leon into the villa.
The interior was surprising. All the curtains were drawn, making the house dimly lit, like stepping back in time with candles for illumination.
What, is the owner too poor to afford proper lighting?
"At last, I get to see My bro Tang," a middle-aged man came from another door, shaking Samuel Tang's hand enthusiastically as they were led to the living room by a maid.
Samuel Tang's stern face softened with a smile.
After sitting down, the maid brought tea.
"It's been a long time. Sienna is getting more beautiful every day. When will she become my daughter-in-law? Haha," Uncle Lu praised Sienna.
"Please don't joke, Uncle Lu. I've always seen Robin Lu as a brother."
"Having a daughter-in-law like you would be a blessing for the Lu family. I'm not joking," Uncle Lu seemed determined to play matchmaker.
Sienna felt awkward. Uncle Lu was a crucial business partner and an old family friend. Though her relationship with her father was strained, she didn't want to cause him trouble.
"Let the children handle their own affairs. We shouldn't interfere," Sienna's mother intervened to break the tension.
Uncle Lu laughed heartily and nodded in agreement.
Daniel Lu then noticed Leon, looking puzzled at Samuel Tang, "Who is this young man?"
"Hello, I'm Sienna's assistant," Leon introduced himself with a smile, which made him seem very sincere.
Daniel Lu's expression softened, thinking Leon was probably just an assistant.
Samuel Tang then asked in a serious tone, "Why are all the curtains drawn? Wouldn't it be better if it was brighter?"
Daniel Lu looked helpless. "It's because of my good-for-nothing son."
"What's wrong with Robin?" Samuel Tang asked.
"I don't know. For the past few weeks, he's been afraid of light. Seeing it makes him uncomfortable, so we had to keep the curtains closed."
"What did the doctor say?"
"They said it's some kind of photosensitivity… Exposure to sunlight is dangerous."
"Can't it be cured?"
"I've invited the most authoritative experts from Europe, but he resists treatment…" Uncle Lu then turned to Sienna. "Sienna, could you help persuade him?"
"I… I'll try."
"Haha, he'll listen to you for sure. Bring the young master down!" Uncle Lu ordered the maid.
Sienna knew she shouldn't have come. Every meeting was about pairing her with that shut-in. She glanced at Leon, who was still staring at his watch, feeling annoyed. Doesn't he care that I'm being set up?
"Your watch is cool, but do you have to stare at it?" Sienna snapped.
Leon shook his head, his frown deepening.
The indicator on his watch turned from green to yellow to red, quickly reaching the top! An ability user nearby???
"Sienna, my dear sister, I've missed you so much…"
A chilling wind blew through the house, and a raspy, excited voice echoed outside.
"Why does it suddenly feel so cold?" Sienna shivered.
Leon fixed his gaze on the door as a young man appeared. In the dim candlelight, his skin was pale, almost sickly white, but his eyes were bright. He looked frail at first glance.
Sienna forced a smile and extended her hand.
Robin Lu excitedly rubbed his hands together, which made Leon feel embarrassed. This guy is too awkward.
"Robin, I heard you're unwell? You should see a doctor," Sienna said after shaking his hand.
Robin's eyes sparkled as he stared at Sienna, making everyone uncomfortable. Even Samuel Tang frowned.
Daniel Lu noticed his son's boldness and scolded him, "Sienna is concerned about you."
"Ah," Robin Lu snapped out of it, his smile arrogant. "To hell with those doctors. They're just lowly scammers. I'm not sick…"
He grabbed Sienna's hand excitedly. "Really, believe me!"
Sienna quickly withdrew her hand.
"Uncle Tang, I want to propose to Sienna. I want her to marry me! I'll bring her the greatest happiness in the world! Those lowly beings can all die." Robin ranted, gesticulating wildly.
Everyone was shocked. Their first thought was that this guy wasn't just photosensitive, but insane.
Samuel Tang shook his head. He had considered the match, but not anymore.
Daniel Lu angrily ordered, "Robin, go back to your room! You're scaring Sienna."
Robin was stunned and quickly apologized.
Sienna forced a smile.
Suddenly, a maid at the end of the hallway pulled back a corner of the curtain, letting in a sliver of light.
Robin's eyes turned red, and he rushed over, yelling, "Who told you to open the curtain?" Before anyone could react, he started beating the maid.
"Sorry, young master. I was just trying to clean…" the maid tried to explain but was slapped, crying out in pain.
"Who told you to do it!" Robin continued to hit and kick her.
Everyone was stunned. Sienna, enraged, rushed forward and used her grappling skills to pull Robin away. "Are you crazy? Do you want to kill her?"
"Sorry, I upset Sienna," Robin backed down.
"Take her to the hospital," Leon said, looking at the bleeding maid with disdain for Robin.
"Leon, carry her to the car," Sienna instructed.
Seeing Sienna and Leon talking closely, Robin pushed Leon, shouting, "Get away from Sienna, you lowly scum! You're not worthy!"
"Enough!" Sienna said coldly, "Robin, I won't allow you to insult my friend! Until you're well, we don't need to meet again…"
She turned and left with Leon.
Sienna's parents apologized and left as well.
Outside, they could still hear Robin's hoarse, piercing screams, making the atmosphere very unsettling.
Sienna's mother sighed, "What happened to this poor kid?"
"Hmph."
"I don't think it's just photosensitivity. He's been cooped up too long and gone mad," Sienna's mood was thoroughly ruined.
Leon glanced back at the house, then at his watch.
No doubt, an ability was parasitizing Robin. His constant talk of lowly beings… did he think he had evolved?
"Leon, are you okay?" Sienna asked, seeing him lost in thought.
"Sorry you had to see such a disgraceful scene," Sienna's mother apologized.
Leon quickly said it was nothing, understanding that patients could be violent. If he suddenly couldn't go out in the sun, he might go crazy too. He thought Robin's mental state wasn't that bad.
They smiled wryly.