Chapter 20: Finding a Teacher
He didn't want to admit it, but she was right. Just like he was powerless against the system, Currently, He was also powerless against the world that had always looked down on him, if he were to leave now... he'd only be succumbing himself to more frustrations and suffering.
After a long moment of consideration, he sighed. "Fine. I'll do it... I'll become your protege. But don't think for a second that I trust you."
The lady who was non other than Li Fei smiled, the intensity in her eyes softening slightly. "I'd only see you as a fool if you did. Trust isn't required, Only commitment is."
With that, she pushed the door which should still be locked, open, and began walking away, her voice echoing down the hallway. "Try getting some more rest if you could, as for your friend, you have no reason to worry. Due to the lighter injuries she sustained, I had some medical personnel treat her before escorting her home."
"....Thank you." Lin Mu for the first time in awhile, gave a polite bow as he watched her go, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. He didn't know what he had just signed up for, but one thing was clear, his life would never be the same.
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For awhile later.....
Lin Mu stared blankly at the lavish room around him, The luxurious design worlds apart from the modest space he used to call home. The soft silk sheets of the bed he sat on were far greater than the worn mattress he had grown accustomed to. Everything in this manor felt surreal, as though it were a dream he might wake from at any moment.
He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a deep sigh. How did my life change so much in just a few days?, he wondered, his thoughts drifting back to the events that had brought him here.
The blood-red desert of the Broken Star Dimension flashed in his mind, the endless expanse of sand and the battles he had fought there. It felt like a different lifetime altogether, though only days had passed since then.
Shaking his head, Lin Mu rose from the bed and paced the room. His body still bore faint aches from his earlier struggles, but his mind was far more restless. He couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't belong here, in this place of wealth and influence. The thought of heading back to his home tugged at him, a desire for familiarity amidst the chaos of his new reality.
But then, his steps faltered as another thought struck him. Would this new Big Sister or jiejie, as he now unconsciously referred to her now, let him leave so easily?.
From their brief interactions, Lin Mu could tell she wasn't someone who gave up control lightly. She had taken him under her wing for reasons he couldn't yet fully grasp.
" Maybe I'll just sneak out..." he mumbled to himself, a forced smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The plan wasn't exactly foolproof, but it was better than nothing.
Taking a deep breath, he walked toward the door, his hand hesitating on the polished wooden surface. Just as he was about to push it open, a soft knock interrupted his movements.
The door creaked open, and a maid stepped inside. Dressed in a crisp uniform, with her chestnut hair styled into cute pigtails, which complimented her pretty amber eyes and peachy lips. she carried herself with an air of professionalism that made Lin Mu feel slightly self-conscious.
"Sir, the mistress has instructed me to escort you home." she said, her tone neutral and devoid of emotion.
Lin Mu blinked in surprise. "She… wants me to leave?"
The maid nodded once, not elaborating further. Lin Mu's skepticism flared. After all his internal deliberation about escaping, he hadn't expected to be shown the door so easily.
Still, he decided not to argue. He followed the maid as she led him through the sprawling manor, his eyes darting to the ornate decor and priceless artifacts that lined the halls.
The skepticism lingered in his chest as they approached the front gates. "Just what on earth is she playing at....." Lin Mu was on guard yet he still couldn't come to a clear conclusion as to why she'd do this. Before he knew it, the gates opened, and the maid gestured for him to step outside.
Waiting by the curb was a sleek black BMW, its surface gleaming under the sunlight. Lin Mu hesitated. "You're… really letting me go?" he asked, glancing at the maid.
She said nothing, merely opening the car door for him.
Feeling a mix of relief and unease, Lin Mu slid into the back seat. The maid joined him in the driver's seat, starting the engine without a word. The hum of the car filled the silence as they began the drive back to his neighborhood.
Lin Mu attempted to make small talk during the ride, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Umm...I didn't quite get your name earlier, mines Lin Mu, so what's yours?."
The maid didn't respond.
"...." Lin Mu's lips twitched a bit at the cold response. He decided to just lean back against his seat in the end. " I'll take that silence into consideration..., but do you at least know where your going?." When he saw her driving down streets he'd never seen before.
Again, no answer. The maid's stoic expression didn't waver, and Lin Mu eventually gave up trying to coax a response out of her. The silence became oddly comforting as the cityscape blurred past the windows.
When they finally arrived at his neighborhood, the sight of the luxury car pulling into the street caused a stir among the neighbors. Heads turned, eyes widened, and whispers broke out as people gawked at the expensive vehicle.
" Not this again....." Lin Mu groaned inwardly, alr
eady dreading the questions and gossip that would surely follow.