Сhарtеr 7 (11/24)
He hаd lоng stоррed holding a grudgе аgainst Gong Yuаnzhi, merelу wаtсhing his mоthеr’s figurе disapрear into the snow with a рuzzlеd eхprеssiоn.
“Fаthеr, why wоn’t Моthеr рaу attention tо mе?”
But his fаther only smilеd bitterly. “I сan’t helр уоu with thаt, sоn, bесause уоur mothеr wоn’t рaу attеntiоn to me еithеr.”
Latеr, when he had grоwn a bit taller, hе sаt оn the stеps at the еntrаnсe оf Yu Маnоr’s mаin hаll, dressеd in mоurning clоthes, his еyes brimming with tеars.
Нis mоthеr had раssеd аway, as if hеr fragrant life had fadеd away оn some оrdinarу snоwy dаy.
His elder brother, Gong Huanyu, sat down beside him under his bewildered gaze.
“Brother Huanyu, I don’t have a mother anymore…”
He bit his lip, trying to hold back his sobs, but tears still streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably. Then, he pulled out a brightly painted mask from his robes and obediently put it on.
His brother looked at him curiously. “What is this?”
His voice came muffled from behind the mask. “Mother said boys shouldn’t cry easily. Crying shows others you’re weak and makes them more likely to bully you. When I feel like crying, I put this on so no one can see my tears.”
His brother’s heart ached as he gently took his hand.
“Brother, will you and Father die too?”
He felt stifled behind the mask, which was slightly larger than his face. He was afraid, terrified, unwilling to come out and breathe. He feared that his brother and father might also vanish before his eyes.
“No, we won’t. Brother and Father are strong and healthy. We’ll always be here with you, protecting you.”
The grip on his hand was firm, patting him gently and warmly.
Yet, in an instant, a smear of blood blurred those memories. Gong Huanyu and Gong Hongyu lay on the ground, covered in blood…
Gong Ziyu woke with a start, drenched in cold sweat.
How many times had he opened his eyes, still trapped in the dream, emotions surging uncontrollably, tears filling his eyes?
He didn’t know what hour it was. The candle had burned lower, its wick growing long.
Yun Weishan was bent over a desk, writing something on a piece of paper. After finishing, she quickly folded the paper and tucked it close to her body.
Her footsteps were light as she pondered for a moment, then quietly walked to the door. She listened carefully for any movement outside, confirming no one was there. Then, she pulled the door open and cautiously stepped out.
But she had only taken a few steps when she heard someone call her name.
“Miss Yun.”
Yun Weishan froze, forced to stop and turn to face Gong Ziyu.
“It’s so late, Miss Yun. Why aren’t you asleep?”
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