A woman in a black leather jacket walked slowly toward the light. Her soft hair, tucked behind her ears, seemed to catch a hazy white glow. She had beautiful peach blossom eyes, their outer corners softly smudged. Her lips were red, her teeth white, and her pupils seemed to hold the light of snow that never fell on Hong Kong Island.
Magnolia trees outside fragmented the sunlight, casting mottled patterns through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and his vision blurred with them.
The woman's appearance made him feel, for a fleeting moment, as if a true savior might have descended upon the world.
So, unconsciously, he took a couple of steps in her direction.
「...」
Backstage at the charity event was mostly populated by staff. Seeing Xu Si arrive, they quickly led her toward the inner hall.
Swiftly, Xu Si stopped at the entrance to the main hall. A faint, sudden breeze brushed her ear. Turning her head slightly, her gaze found only one figure in the crowd: the boy standing by the windowsill.
His clothes weren't exactly clean, but he stood with a straight posture, clearly from a family of good breeding. His features were handsome, with a tiny red mole on the bridge of his nose. A pair of clear eyes met hers, devoid of any panic or fear; he didn't seem like a child anxiously awaiting placement.
She recognized him instantly by his striking appearance. It had to be Pei Zhen.
She had been stunned by his looks in her past life, and because of later events, the memory was deeply ingrained. So, even in this first encounter of her new life, she hadn't forgotten what kind of person this boy would become.
The more dangerous he was, the more determined she became to find a way to neutralize this potential threat.
The moment she stepped into the hall, malicious thoughts swarmed her mind.
Xu Si smiled, her peach blossom eyes curved into crescents, sparkling. She casually scooped up a handful of chocolates and walked over to him. "Hello, I'm Xu Si, the person in charge here. You're Pei Zhen, right?"
Pei Zhen looked at the liquor-filled chocolates that had suddenly appeared in his hand, unsure what to make of it, but offered a polite smile. "Thank you for the chocolates. I am Pei Zhen, and I know of you."
In fact, ever since arriving, Pei Zhen had been gathering information about the charity event. Xu Si's name, as the organizer, was mentioned most frequently; it was hard for him not to know.
The morning sunlight was soft, and the faint, wild fragrance of bluebells drifted on the air.
The boy's smile was truly captivating.
It was a handsomeness Xu Si had never encountered; a single glance made her feel as if she were falling into his gaze.
Her eyes flicked upwards slightly; she hadn't forgotten her true purpose here.
After signaling the staff to lead the others away, she deliberately suppressed all emotion, adopting a gentle demeanor. She pulled over a white chair, sat down gracefully in front of him, and spoke softly,
"Then you should know I'm not some suspicious character. I'm the person responsible for this charity event, and I know you have nowhere to go. The orphanage isn't a good place. I happen to have no family of my own, just a bit of money. I'm willing to sponsor your education and all your living expenses. Would you like to come with me?"
Pei Zhen stood his ground, showing neither surprise nor immediate agreement. He simply smiled at her, his thoughts clear as he asked, "May I ask, what would I need to do for you in return?"
Hmm, a good question indeed, she thought.
Xu Si's fingertips lightly brushed the back of her own hand. She then gestured to another chair, inviting him to sit as well, before she began her gentle persuasion, "You don't need to do anything. Just continue your studies, live the life you want, just like before. Don't worry about a thing. I'll protect you from everything."
After a pause of two or three seconds, she made a decision that would alter the course of her future. "If you absolutely must do something, then your identity will have to change. My father also passed away recently, and many eyes are on me. To make things legitimate, you can't be you; you have to be my family. I had a young nephew who died in childhood. If you come with me, you'll call me 'Little Auntie'—at least, you must call me that in front of others."
Anshi, standing behind her, appeared as calm as still water, but his shoulders trembled imperceptibly.
Even though he'd only known her for a month, the young mistress certainly lived up to her reputation! Who would adopt someone merely three years younger than herself to be her grandnephew? It was absurd! Was this some kind of humiliation?
Probably only Xu Si herself understood her own reasoning. She'd been alone her entire life and was weary of it.
Since she knew the person before her could be a threat, she couldn't possibly allow the situation to repeat itself.
Fifteen years old, she mused. The perfect age for shaping one's worldview. She couldn't kill him. So, she would take him, keep him by her side, and as his elder, teach him gratitude and the importance of repaying kindness. She would burden him with a debt so immense that no matter how illustrious his future became, he would always have to obey her, never daring to cross her.
Now, it all depended on whether Pei Zhen was willing.
Xu Si looked at the red mole on the bridge of the boy's nose, quietly awaiting his answer.
She didn't think Pei Zhen would refuse. This was his best option at the moment, wasn't it?
The sunlight was blindingly brilliant, cutting through the water vapor in the air and seeming to melt onto the light-colored marble floor. Pei Zhen obediently sat before her, clutching the chocolates that were beginning to melt from the warmth of his palm, his eyelashes lowered, obscuring his thoughts.
After a long while, he finally looked up and said softly,
"Alright. Thank you, Little Auntie."
It was a very polite, very formal expression of gratitude, with no hint of reluctance.
As expected, Xu Si thought. Right now, Pei Zhen was just a weak, pitiful creature. But one had to admit, even at this age, he possessed a unique quality that others lacked—an unforgettable presence.
Xu Si smiled again. She stood up from her chair, pulled out a tissue to wipe her hands, and a hint of mist seemed to veil her eyes.
It was clear that this time, her pleasure was genuine.
Taking advantage of her height as she stood, she reached out and gently ran her fingertips through the boy's dark hair. "Azhen, I have a press conference to attend. You wait here for me. After I finish the paperwork, I'll take you away from here."
Pei Zhen paused, sensing her joy, and said again, "Okay, Little Auntie. I'll wait for you."
"Mm, good boy."
Xu Si waved to him, the sleeve of her black leather jacket carrying the scent of cedar.
As she turned, the movement seemed to stir the cool air around her.
The staff waiting outside heard her footsteps and opened the double doors. After a quick assessment of her mood, they quietly recounted the boy's recent ordeal to her.
The corridor was laid with thick, soft carpet. The boys who had thrown paper wads at Pei Zhen were lined up there.
Xu Si saw them as soon as she turned her head.
"Hello, Sister," one of them piped up, and the others followed.
The blatant malice in their eyes from moments before had vanished, replaced by an obsequious obedience. They clearly knew who she was now and watched her with expectant gazes.
Xu Si paused, remembering what the staff had said. Her smile faded, and she regarded them calmly, the used tissue still in her palm.
The next moment, her hand, adorned with an expensive jade bracelet, moved casually. She flicked the crumpled tissue. It landed with a soft THUMP on one of the boys' heads.
Then, Xu Si's clear, gentle voice rang out, unhurried.
"I truly hope you all study hard. Otherwise, what you did today will happen to you countless times in your own future—just like this."
Xu Si's displeasure with the boys was sudden and unexpected.
But everyone understood she was venting her anger on behalf of the boy inside.
No one present dared to utter another word.
The staff naturally understood what needed to be done.
Xu Si handed her purse to Anshi and departed with composure.