Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wen Xinya embarked on her learning journey and had all the lessons scheduled very quickly. In the morning, she had zither class. In the afternoon, it was calligraphy class with two hours of Chinese chess, and then she used the remaining time for reading. In the evening she went through the courses of Secondary Three. Her schedule was packed and accomplishing, and she felt herself growing every day. This, to her, was the feeling of being able to control her future by grasping every learning opportunity in her own hands. She became obsessed and more committed over time.
Wen Xinya sat under the viburnum tree, looking at the chess manual and feeling the comfortable light breeze. Sunlight shone through the branches of viburnum flowers on her, like moving pieces of glowing elves dancing on her body.
The scene reminded her of an idiom: A peaceful life and a healthy body were the best you could have.
“Xinya!” Grampy called for her in a low voice.
Wen Xinya looked up, still in a daze. “What is it, Grampy?”
Old Master Mo introduced someone to her. “This is Si Yiyan. He is my guest and will be staying at my bungalow for a short period of time. He was my apprentice for a few years before, so he can be considered half a student of mine.”
It was then that Wen Xinya noticed a handsome and delicate young man standing beside Grampy. He was around 20-year-old and had a well-built figure, with an estimated height of 1.83 meters. He had thick, long eyebrows extended towards his sideburns, with a pair of gimlet eyes that commanded passion, making people feel uncomfortable with direct eye-contact. His thin lips were firm and distinct, which made him possess a unique, enchanting charisma.
What a handsome, enchanting young man full of pride and charisma!
Wen Xinya’s pupils contracted. She tried looking away while stretching out her hand, “Mr. Si, nice to meet you. I am Wen Xinya. Looking forward to your guidance in the future.”
Though that was what she said, Wen Xinya wished to keep a distance from him. She sensed danger from this man, who seemed to have a powerful, mysterious charm. This was a strange feeling beyond her control, and it could lead her to a very different path. She didn’t like this feeling.
Si Yiyan, she tried hard to recall from her memory in her previous life. She was quite certain that this name wasn’t a part of her previous life’s memory. She had decided to avoid contact with anyone who was new and uncertain to her.
Si Yiyan displayed a flirtatious smile on his face and shook Wen Xinya’s hand. “Nice to meet you too, Miss Wen my lady. It’s my honor to finally meet you in person.”
She wore a light pink dress. There were branches of blossomed peach flowers on her dress and it matched her perfectly, bringing out the beauty and charm in her.
Wen Xinya frowned. She felt that the words “Miss Wen my lady” that came out from his mouth sounded additionally flirtatious. Could she have heard wrongly? He sounded as if he knew her.
“Xinya, Yiyan has a great talent for calligraphy and Chinese chess. If you need guidance you can approach him.” Old Master Mo frowned while looking at the two of them conversing. It was as if he was totally out of the picture.
Wen Xinya nodded. “I will do so, Grampy!”
Si Yiyan sensed the neglection towards him. There was coldness in his eyes.
Wen Xinya took a quick glance at Si Yiyan from the corner of her eyes. His thick eyebrows showed power, and his thin lips had the strength and sharpness of a razor. Just by standing there quietly, he conveyed an irresistible power of influence from his posture.
Wen Xinya thought to herself, such a powerful character whom she had only met once this lifetime. Is he really a student of Grampy?
This character seemed to command some power of influence in some areas. Why did he choose to stay over at Grampy’s place? What could be his motive?
Old Master Mo could sense Wen Xinya was on guard against Si Yiyan, thus he quickly added, “Xinya, tomorrow I will go to the Southern City for a seminar and will stay there for seven days. When I am not around, you must continue to work hard. I will check your homework when I return.”
Wen Xinya went up to Grampy and held his arms. “You want to go to the Southern City for a seminar? Why haven’t I heard you mention it before? You will be away for a week, I will definitely miss you.”
Old Master Mo was so distracted by her that he almost forgot Si Yiyan was right beside him. “Previously I was worried that if I went away no one would be around to guide you along on your homework. But now that Yiyan is here, I am glad he can help by guiding you.”
Wen Xinya looked at Si Yiyan with displeasure and said, “Grampy, you are putting my care into an outsider’s hands. What could be better if you were to guide me yourself?”
The displeased look she gave him made Si Yiyan feel uncomfortable. He could also sense that she was trying to keep a distance from him. “This seminar at Southern City is an important event. All the participants are highly-respected influential figures in the literary world. These people are usually very busy and seldom attend such events. Therefore, Old Master naturally wouldn’t want to miss such a significance seminar,” he said.
Old Master Mo continued with a smile, “Yiyan is right. It is extremely difficult to gather those old men in one event. I have no excuse not to turn up. You be good and stay at home. I’ll be bringing presents for you when I return.”
Wen Xinya was unhappy and annoyed that Grampy spoke up for an outsider and treated her like a little girl.
Looking at Wen Xinya’s miserable face, Si Yiyan said with a smile, “Don’t worry, I will be here to accompany you. You won’t feel lonely.”
These words just didn’t feel right to Wen Xinya. They sounded weird and flirty. She peeped at Grampy to see his reaction, but he acted as if he didn’t hear any of these. It couldn’t be her ears that were playing out on her. “Uncle, the word ‘lonely’ doesn’t suit me,” she said.
“Are you calling me ‘Uncle’, hmm?” Si Yiyan squinted his eyes were filled with a chill.
The word “hmm” was full of twists and turns. It seemed to contain hidden meanings of danger and uncertainty.
“Is there anyone here who matches the description of ‘Uncle’?” Wen Xinya looked left and right, without looking at Si Yiyan. She recalled she had used this tone to speak to Wen Yuya earlier in Jo-ramst at Pearl Mall. At that time she had very much wanted to strangle Wen Yuya and see her struggle in her own hands.
Wen Xinya was quick-witted and responded quickly to his remarks, showing her intelligence and flexibility. This made Si Yiyan raised his chest, feeling contented. “Do not deny, I knew you were calling me,” he said.
Wen Xinya laughed. “It’s good that you’ve acknowledged it. Remember to maintain this good practice!”
Wen Xinya acted calmly, though she had a sense of guilt in her. “I haven’t finished reading Grampy’s chess manual. Please continue your chat while I make a move,” she said.
She immediately left after finishing her sentence.
“She is a mischievous child and likes to joke around. Please do not take it to heart!” Old Master Mo laughed. He thought of the scene earlier where Wen Xinya stood with Si Yiyan, she instantly became a small little girl. Si Yiyan did look like an ‘Uncle’ to her.
Si Yiyan looked at Wen Xinya’s diminishing shadow. She was as brilliant and enchanting as the viburnum tree. He had a good feeling about her.
She appeared to be calm and rational, but she also displayed some mild characteristics of the internal wild and reckless character developed from her gangster life in the past. This Missus Wen seemed to be able to manage such conflicting behaviors well. He suspected Missus Wen would be able to conceal those bad characteristics well as time went by. This young lady indeed was unique in her own way.
