I didn’t asked the reason behind the light kiss he put on me, so does he didn’t said anything, but exuded the most satisfactory smile ever. He pulled me in his embrace as he patted my head. I pondered on every romance novels I have read, about how your heart skipped whenever you with the person you love. I do not understand the reason behind the palpitation. Even now, I do not experience what those characters experienced. Was it because it was not love for me and him?

I do not know. However, my heart was most at ease. The calmest I have ever felt. Sense of comfort that made me forget every trouble, every miscellaneous burden overloading my shoulders. He made me perceived the world and everything in it so small that with him by my side, I could do anything and overcome any obstacle in my way. As I leaned on his chest, his heartbeat synchronized with mine. I dare to say, that was the most melodious music I had ever listened.

“You said, you were renting your current place, right?” he whispered to my ear.

“Yeah. Now that you remind me, I have to renew my contract. It’s due next month.”

“Don’t renew it… Come live at my place.”

His declaration stupefied me a little, but it was within expectation. Unable to retain my amusement, I said with a little chuckled, “was it the privileged that come from being a maid for you?”

“If that’s what you preferred to believe, so be it.”

“So, it wasn’t?”

He didn’t said anything and only keep staring. Was it because he himself do not understand his heart and acted on impulse? Or he does knew what’s in his heart but he could not find the word to say. If he didn’t knew the answer, then how could I? I am not a mind reader. It still a long way to go for both him and I.

“I’ll have someone to pack your things over. We’ll depart to my house tomorrow. That okay with you?”

“Sure.”

That was my answer. I didn’t probe into the meaning of his word, or his act. Simply because I do not see the reason to. Somehow, I felt the meaning behind was due to the significance of my existence that gradually grew on him. Logically speaking, that might be true, even if I am not completely sure. I am still learning, that is for sure.

Even when I was brought to his house, our routine hardly changed. He still cook for me, and I would do nothing, but observed him while he was around. Sometimes, he would come to me when I was reading, and we would chatted until the sun went to sleep. He said that was all I have to do, so that was all I do. Like I said, I was astonished with how quickly I adapted to this comfortable and laid back life.

There would be time when he had to go for business trip and I ought to be all alone in the big mansion. I could never get used to the silence, so, I would let my feet lead me outside. I found a busy and bustling morning market not far from the neighborhood. The noise was familiar to my ears, and unexpectedly quite pleasant to hear. Sometimes, the granny and aunts would have small talk with me, and I would occasionally help them selling the vegetables, fruits, fresh meats and seafood. They even gave me some as I refused to accept any payment for my help.

There also days, when I would just stroll about the streets, taking in the scenery into my memory. Hoping that the beautiful view could stay with me. It was comforting. As I walk by the lake, I saw a woman crouching by the shoreline. Her shoulders was trembling as her hair fluttered with the current of the wind.

“I think it’s going to rain,” I said, casually sat beside her.

She look up at the sky, then turned to face my side with her bloated eyes. With her stifling voices as she held back from her cry, she replied, “which eyes of yours see that it’s going to rain?”

“Am I wrong? A granny that I knew said it’s going to rain. I would remind you not to underestimate an older person’s vision. They tend to be right most of time. And… your tear duct might dried up if you keep pouring the water.”

She shifted around, wiping her face with her sleeves. “What do you know?! Don’t bother with me!”

“Wouldn’t it be heartless of me if I were to leave you alone when I am already involved?”

“Since when did you get involved with me?”

“Just now. We’re talking with each other. So… we are already involved with each other.”

Her look of disgust as she shuddered made me laughed. Sighing, she said, “what a day to be involved with a weirdo. You. You’re not trying to scam me, don’t you?”

“Eh~ What do you have for me to even think about scamming you?”

“Rude. I tell you now. If you’re trying to befriend me because I was their biological daughter, you’ve made a mistake. They don’t even care about me. They only took me in because they need someone to become their scapegoat.”

“I think you misunderstood something here.”

“What?”

“I don’t know whose daughter you were, but you sure have it rough.”

She stared at me with a puzzling look. “Em… Why did you came here for?”

“You just… look like you need some company.”

“Do I look like I need your sympathy?”

“No. You just look lonely.”

The pout on her face almost made me burst out laugh, but I held back. Good job holding back, me! “You know… I’m a stranger,” I quipped, pointing a finger toward my face.

“I know.”

“So… if you had anything on your mind, I don’t mind listening. You don’t have to worry about it too. We might not see each other again after this.”

She was bewildered at first. However, after some moment of silence, she spoke, “could you lend your ears for a bit?”

“Sure,” I nodded.

It was similar to everything I have heard so far. Seem like the information from the system was accurate. Growing up in the orphanage, with no support and no family affection, then suddenly reunited with her biological family. Her brief expectation was ruined instantly when she learned the reason why they brought her back. Engagement to a good-for-nothing young master. Because her step sister do not want to proceed with the engagement, she became the scapegoat and carry the responsibility instead.

“But I don’t want to marry someone I didn’t love,” she said as she hold back her tears.

“If you don’t want to, then you don’t have to.”

“It’s not easy.”

“It is easy. Try to ask yourself, was it worth to sacrifice yourself for people who don’t even care about you?”

“I…”

“As an orphan, I don’t really understand filial piety. It doesn’t concerned someone parent-less like me, but it also made me see clearly who truly care about me.”

“…”

“Well. I have to go back now. There’s someone waiting for me. Oh! Almost forgot. Hey. The person who care for you might not come to you now, but if you keep loving yourself, that person will surely find their way toward you. That’s all I have to say. Take care.”

[Host, I thought you said you won’t be involved with Su Qing Ran. So, why?]

“Which eyes of yours that see I’m getting involved with her?”

[Host… such double standard. I never knew you had this personality.]