As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the verdant leaves, they cast a gentle glow on the roof tiles of Wangshu Inn. The windowpanes were still beaded with dew, carrying the cool breath of the late night. Someone had already appeared early at the front desk – Mei, with a radiant expression, sitting at the counter and chatting with Verr Goldet.
- Mei (with a sly grin): Hehe, ma'am, can I ask you something?
- Verr Goldet (raising an eyebrow): Hmm! What is it?
- Mei: What’s your secret to having such a beautiful face and smooth, white skin?
- Mei (with a dramatic sigh): Ugh, I’ve only been here for a moment and you’ve already stolen my heart!
Verr Goldet heard this and smiled faintly, tapping Mei's forehead, as if she had already guessed the young woman’s intentions.
- Verr Goldet: Just tell me what you need, no need for such formalities.
- Mei: You’re right, I can’t hide anything from your keen senses.
- Mei: Ma'am, could you tell me which room those two distinguished guests are in?
Hearing this, Verr Goldet knitted her brows, thinking for a moment before speaking, her voice lower than usual.
- Verr Goldet: Distinguished guests? Do you mean Diluc and Elzer?
- Mei (her eyes lighting up, nodding repeatedly): Right, right, exactly them.
A soft sigh escaped Verr Goldet. She pulled out the notebook tucked away in a stack of books, her eyes scanning each line.
- Verr Goldet: They are on the top floor, room number seven.
- Verr Goldet: The two distinguished guests just ordered some dishes. If you want to see them, you can wait for Yanxiao to finish and then bring it up.
- Mei: That's great! Thank you so much, ma'am.
Seeing her happily getting ready to leave, Verr Goldet suddenly called Mei back, her eyes a mix of worry and caution. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke, her voice as faint as a whisper.
- Verr Goldet: Mei, listen. Don't get too involved with them. Those two are not people you should mess with.
In her words, Mei heard the concern Verr Goldet had for her. Mei smiled and reassured the innkeeper.
- Mei: Hehe, don't worry, ma'am. I always have my own boundaries; I won't cause any trouble for the inn.
---
"Outside room seven – Top floor"
Knock knock knock!
The sound of knocking echoed evenly at the door of room number seven.
- Mei: I've come to deliver your breakfast, sirs.
A soft click, and Elzer was the one to open the door. His eyes were filled with surprise when he saw Mei.
- Elzer (smiling, taking the tray of food): Oh, Mei. Good morning.
Diluc, who was sitting inside, also looked up and met Mei's gaze. This time, he didn't remain silent but greeted her.
- Diluc: Good morning.
- Mei (a little surprised): Good morning, Diluc, Elzer.
- Mei (couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.): Did Master Diluc finally get his mouth unsealed?
- Mei (with a serious expression): About the book I mentioned yesterday, please come to the back of the inn at noon. I will tell you the truth about it.
- Elzer (a little flustered but still replying): Alright.
After Mei had left, Diluc looked at the stack of papers on the table, and as he spoke, he asked,
- Diluc: Are you looking forward to it?
Elzer shook his head. A feeling as if something was being squeezed in his chest. He felt nervous, but also somewhat hesitant about receiving the answer from Mei.
- Elzer: I don't know anymore.
---
"Noon – A quiet place behind Wangshu Inn"
The area behind Wangshu Inn was now unusually quiet. The scorching sunlight shone through the bamboo leaves, creating sparkling dots of light on the ground. Only the shrill chirping of cicadas and the rustling of leaves in the wind remained, as if preparing for a significant moment.
Mei carefully hugged the book and walked to the meeting place, where she saw two familiar figures already waiting.
- Mei (thinking to herself): If these two were on a deadline, they would never be late, huh?
Seeing Mei approaching, Diluc spoke, his voice decisive and getting straight to the point.
- Diluc: Since you're here, Miss Mei, let’s get started. There's no need for formalities.
Elzer stood next to him, nodding in agreement, his eyes fixed on the book in Mei's hand with a look of curiosity and tension. Faced with their directness, Mei didn't beat around the bush either.
- Mei: Then I won't stand on ceremony.
With that, she skillfully pulled a matchbox from her pocket and lightly struck a match.
Flick! A tiny flame burst to life and died instantly, not strong enough to light the head of the matchstick.
- Mei (her mouth agape): Huh, what's wrong with this?
Diluc stepped forward, taking the matchbox from Mei's hand. He examined it for a moment, then confirmed.
- Diluc: It's damp.
Hearing that, Mei froze for a moment as if a spell had been cast on her. Memories began to flood back—it was true that she had spilled tea on it while cleaning the room.
- Mei (outwardly calm but inwardly screaming): Holy hell! Why does this always happen when I try to be serious?
Elzer came closer and handed Mei a new box of matches, his eyes full of sympathy.
- Elzer: It's okay, use mine.
- Mei: Haha, you're always so thoughtful.
- Elzer: Are you going to burn it?
- Mei: What else? The secret is in the burning of this book. You said you wanted to destroy it, anyway.
Hearing this, Elzer seemed flustered. He quickly took the book back from Mei.
- Elzer: I do want to destroy it, but...
Mei understood his hesitation. Without a word, she handed the matchbox back to Elzer, her eyes more serious than ever.
- Mei: So you decide. Will you uncover its secret, or continue to let this truth be buried?
Elzer’s face wrinkled. He said nothing, his eyes fixed on the book titled “The Vanity of the Wind.” Countless memories came rushing back: the day his father returned with his ruined reputation, how he nonchalantly mentioned the book, and the sad smile when he told him he shouldn't write anymore. All of it felt like an invisible chain binding him at that moment.
He took a deep breath, clenching the book in his hand. Then, he sighed, as if he had made an incredibly difficult decision.
- Elzer (looking down at the book, his mind in turmoil): At least, if it no longer exists... he probably won't be sad.
With that, he decisively lit the flame, his eyes squeezed shut, and brought it toward the book.
The moment the flickering flame from the match touched the book’s cover, something miraculous happened. Instead of bursting into flames and turning to ash, the book in Elzer’s hand suddenly became radiant. It gently floated into the air, hovering right before his eyes. From the old pages, a golden, sparkling, and warm light began to emanate, as brilliant as a thousand shattered stars.
The words that had been covered in "golden dust" for so long suddenly came to life. They flowed out, swirling around the book, creating a fantastical vortex of text. Each word glowed, shimmering like gold dust, dancing in the air, creating a breathtaking and magnificent scene.
Witnessing this spectacle, Elzer was so stunned that he was speechless. His eyes widened, unable to believe what was happening before him. Meanwhile, Diluc maintained his usual composure, but deep in his eyes, a flicker of intriguing curiosity sparked. As for Mei, despite already knowing the truth, she couldn't help but admire the scene.
- Mei: It's so beautiful, like watching a fantasy anime.
After the words disappeared, “The Vanity of the Wind” took on a completely different form. No longer an old, yellowed book, it was now a brand-new one in Elzer’s hand, with a cover that glittered with golden light, and words written meticulously, clearly, and with great care. On the cover, the cynical name was gone, replaced by a new title full of love and sincerity - “Dear Elzer.”