Early Morning.
Li Wei woke up with an uneasy feeling. The sun had only begun to stretch itself over the Xing estate when he stirred. The morning was silent in his room dim-lit with dawn. Slowly, he sat up, tried to comb his hair with his hand, and took in a deep breath. No particular reason for all this early rising-he had not been to work for days, not since Miss Mei made him formally her personal assistant. However, something in him did not allow him the peace of rest.
He needed to move. To do something useful.
He quietly stepped out onto the now-still-with-sleep courtyard, collecting pieces of paper scattered by the wind, brushing leaves from the path of the garden, adjusting the disarranged chairs, and checking odd corners of the storage shelves. In short, any task which volition has caused him into work, he did it.
His sleeves were rolled up, and sweat was almost drenching his forehead, but his movements were effortless when he worked. A simple kind of grace existed in all his diligence.
Two young servants stopped beside the open arching shade of an arch and started watching him.
"If it were me," he said, grinning as he nudged his friend, "I would have had that far change the everyone-else-gives orders before I even started moving out there."
The other laughed. "He's something else, huh? Even with how close Miss Mei treats him, he's still out here sweeping leaves."
Li Wei paid absolutely no attention to them or actually, maybe he did not care himself. Just relieved that Ying was safe now, away from that cruel household, and that he wouldn't have to worry over mistreatment of her anymore. With that thought, he was peaceful.
Now it was only a matter of keeping everything even. Perhaps--just perhaps--those days might turn gentle enough that his mother would finally recover. That's what's important now.
Ying surfaced in the East Wing with Miss Mei wrapped under soft coverings of sheets. She slowly blinked her green eyes as the realization of confusion immediately dawned upon her as to where she was. It would take her looking around this very elegant bedroom to remind herself that she had spent the previous night with Miss Mei in her room.
Last night had been a blur.
Groggy, she washed her face and finger-combed her hair in hopes of looking presentable. She went to the lounge, but Miss Mei was out.
Curiosity piqued, she padded to the dressing room and peeked through the skewed-open door.
Miss Mei was before the big mirror, brushing her hair with the gentle strokes of a well-trained hand and draping her robe around her shoulders like clouds made of silk.
Ying clapped softly. "May I come in, Miss?"
Miss Mei turned, mischievously smiling. "Yeah, come help me with something."
Ying walked in with a cheerful expression and got herself engaged with the hair, then the jewelry, and a few touch-ups of makeup. It felt important, like something thoughtful, not exactly a job in that sense.
Well, her new job as Miss Mei's personal assistant had officially started.
Elsewhere, Sebastian had already risen, getting into a shower. Steam mingled with the scent of imported cologne in his chamber.
Now dressed, he stood beside the tall mirror. The shirt was crisp white, sleeves slightly rolled, teamed up with a navy waistcoat and a subtle silver chain at his pocket. Following this was a coat tailored in the dark, Western style, with sharp shoulders and bronze buttons, and then loosely tied on his collar was a silk cravat, a more or less roguelike charm.
He looked, unmistakably, like a nobleman—or one avoiding being classified within that catch.
He ran his fingers through his wavy brown hair and strode out to ring for a maid.
"Could you get a message to Miss Mei?" he asked politely. "Just tell her I would like to see her."
The maid looked stunned, quite impressed, and went a little pink before she nodded and sped off.
Sebastian strolled through the inner courtyard, quite impatiently waiting for his denouement as he watched morning bloom. His presence was accessible, almost charismatic-naked good looking.
Of course, Li Wei hadn't even noticed him so far. He sat scrubbing his hands with a cloth near the back garden, his eyes wandering off into nothingness. He was not really tired, but more unsure.
Miss Mei took the stairs a little while later, a graceful rustle of robes signifying her presence enough to brighten up the air around.
With an easy smile; Sebastian spotted her and walked over.
"How was your night, boy?" she teased lightly.
He gave a bow and said, "Wonderful. Waking up to see my princess in front of me? What more could I want?"
Miss Mei giggled. "You have always been full of flattery." Then, she added, "Will you escort me to town today? Perhaps a restaurant?"
He answered, "Of course, that would be lovely."
Together they walked past the flower beds to the gate. Their footsteps were light, their conversation flowing effortlessly.
Li Wei looked up as the carriage passed. His heart sank.
And who is this guy,
the stranger from last night?
Sebastian waited until a girl was within earshot before he helped Miss Mei into the carriage. She laughed at something he said.
A twist of jealousy tightened in Li Wei's chest. Not hatred-but something almost as strong. Helplessness. The feeling of being supplanted.
And yet…what did he expect? He was a servant, after all.
He shook it off. "You're a poor boy, Li Wei," he murmured to himself. "Don't dream beyond your place."
Still, it stung.
He went to his room and took a cold shower. He dressed and lay on the bed. No duties today awaited him; the newcomer had taken over his job already.
A knock came.
He opened the door.
Ying was standing there, arms crossed, with a silly pout. "You didn't even come to sing me a lullaby last night."
He laughed. "You're sixteen now. No more lullabies."
She stepped inside and sat on the edge of the bed. "So what are you busy with?"
Li Wei smiled faintly. "Right now? Having a conversation... with you."
She giggled. "Well, let me tell you everything. Miss Mei is so nice-I helped her get dressed and everything. And guess what?" Her eyes sparkled.
"Guess what?" he repeated, amused.
"I am her personal assistant now!"
Li Wei paused. "That's... great. Really great."
She beamed. "I never thought it would be this happy."
Li Wei nodded. "You know what? We should visit Mom today."
Ying's eyes lit up. "Yes! I've missed her."
He stood. "Let's go."
Without asking for permission, they just walked out of the manor, and Li Wei requested a meal package from the kitchen-rice, steamed buns, and herbal soup.
In The Clinic
In the clinic, the mother looked brighter than she did before. Her cheeks were almost renewed with color; the moment she saw Ying, she smiled.
"My girl," she whispered, moist-eyed. "You look so... well."
Joy, laughter, and even tears: those were the visitations; then returning to the manor, it was truly with a light heart.
In the courtyard, Ying insisted she stay again at her brother's house.
Li Wei raised a brow. "Go back to Miss Mei. What if she fires you?"
"Okay okay!" she laughed and stood to leave.
The door behind her softly closed.
Li Wei stared after her, his smile lingering.
For now, he would be able to rest. Even if the light of the world had changed, it still could be done.
...Just then, he heard a call ,like the one used for gatherings. Curious, he got up to see what was happening.... What's happening??