Morning in the Sheng mansion was never peaceful.
It only looked peaceful.
Today was worse.
Zian walked into the dining hall half-awake, her hair slightly messy, her steps slow, her expression completely unbothered as she dropped into her seat like someone who had absolutely no responsibilities in life.
If anyone talks to me before I eat, I might actually start a war.
Sterling burst out laughing.
Like—actually laughing.
Loud.
Huo Lou turned sharply.
"What's wrong with you?!"
He waved his hand. "Nothing—nothing—just remembered something funny."
Zian looked at him.
He looks like he laughs at his own jokes.
He stopped laughing immediately.
Fiang Sheng, sitting across from her, lowered his gaze slightly to hide it—but the corner of his lips moved.
Barely.
Zian picked up her spoon.
Food. Peace. Silence. That's all I ask.
"Zian," Huo Lou started.
Zian froze.
…She chose violence.
Sterling choked again.
Huo Lou slammed her hand on the table. "WHY do you keep thinking like that?!"
Zian blinked slowly.
"What?" she said calmly.
Inside—
Because you keep talking.
Huo Lou stood up.
"I'm talking normally!"
Zian nodded.
"Yes," she said.
Inside—
That's the problem.
Sterling almost fell off his chair laughing.
Their mother closed her eyes for a second.
Just one second.
Like she was praying for patience.
Fiang Sheng leaned back slightly, watching Zian like she was some kind of… strange entertainment.
Breakfast continued.
Barely.
A servant entered nervously.
"Madam… there's news."
Everyone looked up.
"What is it?" their father asked.
"The city…" the servant hesitated. "There have been… strange incidents."
Zian took a bite of food.
Ah. Here we go.
Fiang Sheng's eyes shifted to her.
"Strange?" Huo Lou asked.
The servant nodded. "People are saying… things are moving on their own. Lights flickering. Shadows… behaving oddly."
Silence.
Sterling frowned.
"That sounds fake."
Zian chewed slowly.
Or not.
Fiang Sheng noticed that.
Her mother spoke calmly. "Rumors spread easily."
Zian swallowed.
"True," she said.
Inside—
But not without reason.
Their father glanced at her.
"You seem interested."
Zian shrugged.
"Better than family drama," she replied.
Inside—
At least ghosts don't talk too much.
Huo Lou: "HEY—"
Sterling: laughing again.
Fiang Sheng: silent… but watching.
Later…
Zian walked through the hallway alone, her hands in her pockets, her steps slow as if she had nothing better to do—which, honestly, she didn't.
Strange incidents…
She tilted her head slightly.
This world is getting interesting.
She turned a corner—
And almost walked straight into someone.
Jiang Nanshu.
"Oh!" Jiang Nanshu smiled softly. "Sorry, I didn't see you."
Zian stared at her.
You saw me.
Jiang Nanshu's smile stiffened for a fraction of a second.
"I was just leaving," she said gently.
Zian didn't move.
"Then go," she replied.
Inside—
Why are you still here?
Jiang Nanshu: smile still on, soul slightly tired.
"You don't seem to like me," she said.
Zian blinked.
"I don't know you," she replied.
Inside—
And I don't want to.
Jiang Nanshu's fingers tightened slightly.
"But I want to understand you," she said softly.
Zian tilted her head.
"Why?" she asked.
Inside—
Do I look like a puzzle?
Jiang Nanshu didn't answer immediately.
Because honestly—
That was a good question.
Later that afternoon…
Zian sat outside in the garden, staring at absolutely nothing, completely relaxed.
Peace at last.
A bird landed nearby.
She looked at it.
At least you don't talk.
The bird flew away.
"…Rude."
Suddenly—
Sterling appeared.
He dropped into the seat next to her.
"You're weird," he said.
Zian didn't look at him.
"I know," she replied.
Inside—
And proud.
He smirked.
"But it's funny," he added.
Zian glanced at him.
"Then laugh quietly," she said.
Inside—
Preferably far away.
He laughed again.
From a distance—
Fiang Sheng watched them.
Not interfering.
Not approaching.
Just observing.
Because one thing was becoming very clear—
This girl—
Was not predictable.
That night…
Zian lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Strange incidents… shadow movements…
Her eyes slowly sharpened.
Let's see if it's real.
A small smile appeared.
Not soft.
Not warm.
Excited.
Finally something interesting.