Shen Yuan secured his bun with his hairpin and looked at the result in the hand mirror. He tried shaking his head left and right and nodded in satisfaction.
When he knew how to do it, wearing a hairpin became easy enough. Well, Ji Zhixuan also taught him the fastest and easiest method to do it. Just a little more length and he could also do it with his hair in reality using any random chopstick.
A knock came from the door followed by a monotonous female voice, "Young Master Shen, this servant is here to deliver your breakfast."
"Come in," Shen Yuan replied.
An expressionless maid entered with the tray of food in hand and systematically arranged the dishes on the table.
After Yang Mo 'resigned', Ji Zhixuan assigned one of his household maids to serve him in exchange. She introduced herself as Maid Lin and nothing more.
If not for the fact androids didn't exist in this world, he would've thought she was one. There was no redundancy in her words or movements and there didn't seem to be any emotions behind her eyes.
She would fit perfectly with Vesper's shadow guards. Though most likely, those 'household maids' already were one.
"Is there any update on Zhou Jingchen?"
"Just yesterday evening, his household servant registered his name for the event. It is highly likely he will attend to look for Young Master Shen today. Should we intercept?"
"No, let him be. I need him there." Shen Yuan started his meal. He had asked Ji Zhixuan to have his people interfere with Zhou Yi's search for him exactly to lead him to this.
"Understood." Maid Lin lowered her head.
Shen Yuan knew well his words would reach Ji Zhixuan's ears, but he had no problem with it. He had no intention to pick Zhou Yi over him.
This time, he would play a different game.
After finishing his breakfast, he washed up for the day and powdered his mark, concealing an additional diamond than usual. He didn't want to deal with too many people today.
With spring as both the season and the theme of the event, the participants were to wear soft, light colors. Not a difficult criterion to fulfill with every clothing shop following the current trends.
Though he wasn't a fan of soft colors, he didn't want to attract unnecessary attention. With that, he opted for a clean white look with a subtle, silver accent from his waist pendant and butterfly hairclip, fixed on one side of his hair.
He grabbed his fan and headed out. Maid Lin escorted him to the palanquin waiting outside.
Maid Lin informed, "Young Master Ji will arrive a little late due to some work. Young Master Ji entrusted this servant to convey to Young Master Shen that records will be taken into account for improper deeds."
"And who will pay for those impending debts?" Shen Yuan asked in amusement.
"Conveying Young Master Ji's words, of course, by those who sow them."
Shen Yuan couldn't help but chuckle, an itch of anticipation in his chest. Last time, he expected Vesper to show a bit of jealousy every time he acted for Zain, but he never did. Maybe because he knew he only wanted to influence his actions.
Would he show his jealous side this time? Just thinking about it excited him.
With a nod of understanding, he settled himself into the palanquin and soon departed. Because the event didn't allow its participants to bring anyone with them, including personal attendants, Maid Lin stayed at the inn. Ji Zhixuan would join later anyway, so there was no need for an extra attendant.
The event was held at a private garden where peach blossom trees bloomed in its peak and showered the vicinity with delicate falling petals. Participants arrived with their most flattering robes in effort and anticipation to find a partner. Especially powerful ones.
Shen Yuan stepped out of the palanquin under curious eyes, wondering which family he came from. Some activators took note to find out more about him while some lost interest when they saw there were only 2 diamonds on his chest.
As he walked to the entrance, they consciously stepped aside, not wanting to unknowingly offend a tiger. He showed his entrée plaque to the coordinator by the gate, and they let him inside after confirming his name was on the list.
Another coordinator welcomed him inside and handed him a piece of wooden carving of a butterfly wing, only one side of it.
"Please hold on to this, Young Master Shen. We will explain its purpose soon."
Shen Yuan accepted it and studied it for a while before placing it inside his outer robe, tucked into his sash. The coordinator wished him an enjoyable time and let him continue further inside to join the other participants.
Under the blooming peach blossom trees, catalysts and activators of both genders became acquainted with one another, their laughter and chatter mingled in the air.
There were a couple of apparent circles centered around particularly attractive figures while on the opposite, those who were less extroverted stood aside with their drinks. There were also those who were there simply to make connections or spread their names around for personal motives, not caring about the gender or sub-gender of the people they approached.
A servant passed Shen Yuan by to offer him a drink, and he grabbed one before going to the nearest bench to wait for the event to officially start. He scanned the marks around him but didn't find any activators with more than 6 diamonds nor a catalyst with more than 3.
Aside from their rarity, those with that high of a spec wouldn't need to go to this kind of event to find a partner in the first place. Others would naturally flock to them.
"I finally found you."
Shen Yuan raised his head and almost couldn't recognize the brown-haired man in front of him. Not only his hair was different, he also wore a porcelain mask over his right eye. Despite the minimal coverage, it successfully suppressed his usual aura.
Zhou Yi took a step closer and lifted a little of his mask. "It's me."
"You're…Sir Zhou." Shen Yuan frowned. "Have you been stalking me?"
"I've been looking for you. Ever since that day." Zhou Yi had no intention to lie. Seeing Shen Yuan getting up to leave, he reacted quickly this time and caught his wrist. "Please, listen to what I have to say. I'm not here to hurt you or bring you any kind of harm."
"You're doing it right now."
"I just don't wish for you to run away. Please."
Shen Yuan glanced at the people watching curiously around them and looked back at Zhou Yi. "Fine. I'll listen. Now can you please let go?"
"Thank you." Zhou Yi complied.
"How did you even find me here?" Shen Yuan rubbed his sore wrist in annoyance. He almost forgot about this monstrous strength of his.
"Since you visited around this time and wanted to pray for…well, good luck, I figured you came for this annual event." Zhou Yi noticed the bruise around Shen Yuan's wrist and felt guilty. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to…"
"Forget it. Just say what you want to say."
"Before that, I wish to give you this." Zhou Yi untied a pouch from his waist and handed it to Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan didn't immediately accept it. "What is this?"
"A special-grade solid concealer. It's waterproof and doesn't wear off easily, much more secure than powder. You can mix the color to match your complexion and even when the mark is activated, its light won't shine through. It can only be erased using a mix of vinegar and lemon."
"…" Shen Yuan stared at the pouch and slowly took it. Inside was a thin metallic case—similar to a makeup palette in the modern world—paired with a flat brush applicator.
"I sincerely don't wish for you to find yourself in another accident. As a guard, I've seen many unfortunate and vicious cases involving catalysts. I understand more than anyone how dangerous it is for you."
After a moment of silence, Shen Yuan turned away. Zhou Yi thought he didn't believe him and wanted to leave again when Shen Yuan opened his mouth. "I'll go try it. Wait here."
Zhou Yi watched him leave and sighed in relief. He sat down on the bench to wait and only then noticed a female activist watching him amidst the crowd. She averted her gaze and chatted with the man next to her as if her eyes merely passed him by, but he knew an observant eye when he saw one.
A spy?
It wasn't the first time for him to be targeted, but how did the other side know who he was? He was certain he wasn't followed on his way here. Even if she knew he was coming and had been waiting here, it didn't explain how she could recognize him in his disguise.
Unless…he wasn't the target.