"You all did what?!" Zhang Cheng forgot to maintain his composure. His voice loud and grimace, his finger grips on the sheath of his sword tightens.
The four disciples simultaneously shut their mouth. They were eagerly told Zhang Cheng how they put that arrogant Wu Haoyu in his place for disrespecting and harassing Zhang Cheng every chance he gets. They believed Zhang Cheng would appreciate and understand their intentions, but his reaction was quite the contrary.
"Did he bother you?"
The unclose window pick up the wind from the darken sky, it can explain why the four suddenly feel the air getting cold. Or it's Zhang Cheng, who look at them with cold eyes that's got them a cold foot.
"No...." Afraid to meet his eyes, they look down to the ground. Nevertheless, they didn't feel they were in the wrong. The tallest one, raise his head to speak up. But when met with Zhang Cheng unfeeling and indifferent expression, his overbearing aura and a pair of eyes like deep ocean that threatened to swallow you whole-- he forgot to breath and instantly shut his mouth.
"I only want to say this once," He wait for all of the four to raise their head to send the message across. "Wu Haoyu is my problem to deal with. This will the one and only time I hear something like this happen, I believe you all won't disappoint me twice. I'm not really as kind as people said I am... If people dare to cross my line, I deal with them mercilessly."
Zhang Cheng smiles, maybe to light up the mood. But it gives the opposite effect, the usual calm and cool Zhang Cheng that didn't smile suddenly give a smile that didn't reach his eyes and murderous intent still oozing from his pupil. They were petrified, they didn't dare to move a muscle. "Do you all understand what I mean?" He still smiling, unaware how the four almost shit their pants by it.
"YES! WE UNDERSTAND!" They shout in unison as if sharing the same hive mind.
Zhang Cheng didn't expect them to be so resolute and earnest, so he let them go.
Before he can relax, a sublet scraping sound of the porcelain vase reverberate from the shadow. "Who's there?"
A brown hair boy emerge from the shadow. He wears a pleasant smile on his face. Zhang Cheng relaxed his shoulders and sit down on a chair bedside the window, "Jiang Yuze, where is your curtsey and why didn't you use the front door to enter someone's room?"
Jiang Yuze completely ignore his words and chuckled, "I didn't know you're an expert at threatening someone, those fellow looks like they fear for their life! And that creepy smile of yours, even I couldn't help but feel the chills on my skin."
"My smile?" Zhang Cheng brow lift up, his eyes look up to the right as if remembering the smile as Jiang Yuze describe. He thought of another question, "Why are you here?"
"I just passing by. I want to investigate an old mystery. I doubt I can do anything for it to solve, but it isn't going to solve itself!" Jiang Yuze invited himself to sit opposite to Zhang Cheng.
"What kind of mystery are you talking about," He crossed his hand, expecting something crazy coming out Jiang Yuze mouth.
"'The Great Tomb.' Are you interested?" As expected, he did say something crazier.
Zhang Cheng finger joint slightly, "Do you have a death wish? It is said spiritual energy in that place is in disarray, creating mystical being that play with the minds of people who enter, even an immortal can't resist it's power and ultimately leading to their death." He feel the need to explain the danger in hope he can his point.
"Yes, I know. And yada, yada about death and stuff. I can take a little challenge once in a while. I also can't let my whole family died in vain, do you? If this happens to you, you'll do even worse and jump straight into it because you're actually just an impulsive, hot-headed favor by the heaven like boy!" Zhang Cheng swing his sword to his head; Jiang Yuze is quick-witted and jump out the seat.
Though the sword unsheathed from its scabbard, the impact to his head would made a serious damage to his head. Has a stable landing, he lean his body weight to the drawer in a leisure manner. Jiang Yuze smile, amused at his attempted murder by his best friend, "Wow, you do want to kill me."
"I don't." His voice devoid of emotion other than tiredness. "I do want to hit you to your senses, though."
"That hurts my heart, to think you thought I wasn't sane enough to make a decision for myself. You don't need to worry, honey, I don't plan to go in. I just want to look around." His fingers fiddle with the book pages on top of the drawer.
Not seeing himself be able to convinced him to stay, Zhang Cheng sigh in defeat. "...Don't forget your supplies, I don't think there's many people there selling food. Also pack some protection sigils. Remember next time, we have a door." Zhang Cheng open the door and gesture his hand to welcome the other to leave.
Jiang Yuze didn't protest and take a step outside. "Yes, mother. I'll see you around!"
"Can you--" Zhang Cheng didn't get a chance to say another sentence, Jiang Yuze already disappeared into the shadow. "..." One person. Let him have just one person with basic manners and he can die in peace.
.....
Leaving behind and guarding Wu Haoyu Residence is not as bad of a fate as people paint it out to be. It's his Young Master Wu Haoyu's attitude that people came to associate them with the bad thing Scarlet Blossom Pavilion rumored with. Young Master Wu Haoyu's arrogant and unfriendly because he has no friend and thus didn't know better. It made himself an easy opening, an outlet of anger for those who has grudge on Scarlet Blossom Pavilion yet, too cowardly to be crossed path with them.
It's been years since he had last met the Young Master he serves; nothing happens but occasional money deposit from the main residence in which keep money flooding in the bank until it's too full and about to combust. A couple of brave thieves breaking in, ignorant that none of them here were hired only for cleaning, they're also expert at cleaning dirty peoples. Bao Lin is not one of them though, he's one only that's here to clean normal dirt.
Because he keeps a friendly relationship with all of the servant, they care to not let him die. All of them are so strong, the madame must really care for her son safety to send this many capable servants for him.
Bao Lin is lucky to servant under a beloved son such as Wu Haoyu. Before they part, he remembered his master give him an option to leave or stay. He could guess, his master did that because he notice the place was not safe at all for a weakling like him.
Neither of the option was unbeneficial for him, if he leaves, his master will give money for him to survive and live a happy life till his death. Or he stays, and take care of his residence, serves him for the rest of his life.
By the way his master put emphasis the first option, Bao Lin couldn't help but pick the latter. Subsequently, he has no one and no place to call home, Wu Haoyu was the first to worry about his happiness his whole life and looking within his eye's he can tell that it was not lies. He holds back tears, Bao Lin thinks his master misunderstood his tears for tears of sadness.
It was then he realized what he has long for his whole life, to have someone to miss and cry for him if he's gone. He's indeed very happy. Released his finger around the wooden stick of the broom, he eyed the center of the garden. Atop an aged, withering tree, a solitary green leaf emerges from the cracks. The peculiar hue of green of the leaf remind him of his Young Master's eyes. "I really wonder how my master is doing?"
The broom got pick up from the ground, the hand has a rough pattern and with multiple wound marks, the hand offer the broom back to Bao Lin. "I'm doing just fine. I see you like wasting your time at work." Wu Haoyu grin, his dimples deepen.
Though his voice has changed, the animated obnoxious tone and warmth is still the same. "Young Master!" Bao Lin yelled.
Wu Haoyu try to hide his happiness to see an old face as Bao Lin, he frowns and crossed his arm. But still his expression betrays him with a smile and affectionate stare like a child looking at his favorite person. "You aged a little don't you." In his inner voice however: look at this young boy all grown up!
"Gone meatier and taller, although you had yet reach my height even now. Still look as weak." It's nice to meet you again all healthy! I miss little Bao Lin a lot, but now you had grown up to be a big man! I could just cry. His tone of voice was so jarringly different it could give someone tone-whiplash:
For a second there, Bao Lin could hear Wu Haoyu's internal monologs at odds with each other. He giggles. "Yes, and I'm happy to see you also, Young Master Wu Haoyu."
Wu Haoyu missed the words also in Bao Lin sentence, he smug arrogantly. "Of course you should."
"What brings you here, Young Master?" He takes the baggage from Wu Haoyu's back and walk behind him.
"It's my house. Of course I'm here to rest." Bao Lin only nods his head saying an agreement with a smile. Wu Haoyu continues, "We're here to hunt. The news said there a Monstrous Beast roaming the forest nearby, they're not dangerous because of its small size and low level. It's perfect for the amateurs to have experience in killing."
"Oh," Bao Lin have seen people killed and be killed, he has become used to it. However, if beast were to mention all hairs on his body immediately stand on end. Maybe it's for their sharp teeth and bloodthirsty eye, hungry to kill without mercy made Bao Lin tremble in fear. His hand grips the back of Wu Haoyu's robe. "Are... are Young Master going to fi-fight it?" He stuttered.
"Cowards."
"My apologies, it's just that I'm not good with wild beast." He dejectedly stated.
"Why?"
"I don't remember it, but my parents got eaten by a Demonic Beast." Bao Lin said it casually, with no hint of sorrow in his face.
"..." Wu Haoyu was stunned and stayed frozen for a bit longer than he should.
By Wu Haoyu expression Bao Lin can't just left it there, "As I said, I don't quite remember. After that it was just me. Even after all these years I still can't find a reference of my parent's face and relatives." I don't know how I can I bring myself to be sad for people who is practically a stranger.
Wu Haoyu too lost his parents in a car crash. At an age where he can't remember them, it's quite sad in of itself. "How do you feel?"
"What?" Bao Lin was confused, thinking Wu Haoyu is playing a joke on him. The sun is falling already, the breeze is picking up their thin cloth. "Let's get in, Young Master. " If there's a line that even his Young Master cannot cross is this one, he doesn't want his dead parents to be make fun of. Wu Haoyu didn't move and stare silently at him. "Don't think about it too much, Young Master."
"...I guess you're right." He didn't say anything, the right words didn't come to him. What actually can he say? He's a villain, not a therapist. Bao Lin led him to his room without a word. He didn't know how much he missed his luxurious room until he opens the door to the bright lights illuminated the soft bed.
"Needs my help in anything?" Bao Lin seems to let go of their past conversation, happily serve Wu Haoyu.
Wu Haoyu shakes his head, "Take a rest for the night."
"You don't want me to stand in while you sleep?"
The first night he enters 'Wu Haoyu' body, he's terrified and didn't like to be alone. The night he finds the silent too unbearable, he'll forced Bao Lin to stand beside him as he sleeps. Reminisces about it now, he feels bad forcing Bao Lin to endure sleep just to satisfy his paranoia. "I don't need it now..." He's too embarrassed to admit his past action, but he forces the words out of his mouth, "Thanks." He closes the door.
Bao Lin blink, he didn't just imagine that right? His lips curve to a small smile. The two is still learning to open up and trust each other, this is a win in Bao Lin low standard book. He was ready to go back to his work on weeping the hall.
"Wait," A whisper called Bao Lin. Wu Haoyu take a breath, he's unsure of what to say or is it the right thing, worry hanging on his brows. After contemplating, he looks to Bao Lin in the eyes, "For what it worth, I understand how you feel. And think it's fine to feel that way, no one is blaming you for feeling lost in a different way." His voice's confident and reassuring.
He smiles, it was gentle and giving off a smell of comforting kindness perfectly giving the words he wanted to convey that words cannot. 'I hear you. You're not alone.' What he wanted to convey the most, 'I'm is here for you.' Having said what he wanted to say, "Good night."
The door closes and Bao Lin still stunned for what he had seen froze in place. He blinks as a last way to know he's not imagined it.
.....
[I advocate you stop making unnecessary risk] Clostine reprimanded.
"I didn't get my point deducted, isn't that means that's a pass?" Wu Haoyu leisurely dip his body to the hot pond, leading his back to the stone. "Doesn't it mean, that as long as it was a small character it doesn't matter if I play slightly out of character?" It's like a lightbulb appear on his head.
Clostine shot an arrow to the lightbulb. [No, that's not the case host] "So, what is?"
Also perplexed by the new event, Clostine takes a few minutes analyzing her data, as she does a bunch of text and images was display from her screen. Some can't be interpreted, while others are replaying of Wu Haoyu journey. [It seems after you detached yourself from your former label as "Selfish and Arrogant Brat Background Character", your act will on be associated in your new title that is "The Charming Flirtatious Villain"]
"Hahaha! That title is just somebody finally stated the obvious. I'm very charming. " He trail his finger on the rim of his face as he look on his reflection.
[Don't be smug about it. You know you aren't the entity that are close to the real definition of Charming. The real intended meaning is like a spectators watching a circus animal balancing on a ball. Entertaining and one-of-a-kind, they like to watch from afar.]
"A circus animal?! Clostine you sound so cold hearted. Do you hate me that much?"
[I will add that to my system and be mindful not to stated more than this system should.] Clostine replied was emotionless. [You are the administrator, I will provide you help regardless]
"Even Bao Lin know how to humor me. Clostine is so lame."
[You are not here to make needless attachment. Think more about the mission]
"It's alright, Clostine. I can complete the mission." A towel over his eyes, he's a bit shock seeing Clostine through it. "Hey, I can see you. Cool."
[Take this seriously, Li Jie]
Wu Haoyu take off the towel and quietly glance to Clostine. His gaze fill with conflicted emotion, he curve his lips. "Li Jie... That's right, Li Jie." Clostine couldn't understand much about human emotional, she stated a sound of confusion on the text screen.
Hearing the name that he once own brings him slight joy, and yet a big wave of sorrow because how surprisingly empty it feels for him. He is now 'Wu Haoyu' and 'Li Jie' is gone. "Is there many reasons for me and Clostine, specifically concerned about the mission?"
Annoying Zhang Cheng will cringy flirting will only last him so long as it now starting to lose it effects. He's afraid that he'll have to resort to violence and scheme in order to achieve his goal. Rather than following a mission he can't follow to the end, he will have to reconsider this whole ordeal.
Looking at his wrist he could still feel the warmth of Zhang Cheng's palm. At the moment where he feels Zhang Cheng heat through his finger, so soothing everything seems to stop moving around him and he only focusing on Zhang Cheng kind warmth. He thinks to himself, can he really do this? "I know my goal, it hasn't changed in 7 years, I don't plan to change it now." He clench his hand tight. What he said more or less directed towards himself.
"How about you Clostine? I just want to ask because you feel like you have your own consciousness, an entity of your own and not just Neo's little system."
[If you want to know, than yes, there's important reason why. If the mission is left incomplete reaching the climax of the story, Clostine will deemed a failure and erase accordingly. Since both of us are intertwined by contract with soul and fate, I can assume what's waiting for you will be the same end as mine]
He had prepared for the worst that could happened after signing contract with Neo, dying is part of the scenarios that he imagine. Still, knowing it now he still didn't know how to respond. He click his tongue, his lips curve, like this whole thing is a funny joke. "I'm going to tell Li Ming everything after all this ends."
Walking out of the hot tub, he reach for the towel on the ground and wrap it around his waist. "Fine, then."