Mysterious Man

Raina pressed her fingers to her forehead and said, “Yeah, I got it.”

Briar said, “I’ve already sent you the auction info. So… see you tomorrow. Good night.”

Raina replied, “Yeah, good night.”

After hanging up, Raina opened the files Briar sent and went through them one by one. She couldn’t help but be impressed — no wonder this auction was run by the Medica Society. Every single herb here was top quality, rare and priceless. These weren’t just things that could kill or heal bones and flesh, they could literally save a life.

Her eyes landed on the last page — the rare Eclipse Vine.

---

In Estravia, there was a grand private mansion.

The place was unbelievably luxurious, dripping with wealth — gold pillars, agate decorations, even the floor was laid with white marble, sparkling under the lights.

In the courtyard, bathed in moonlight, a tall figure stood silently, eyes fixed on a newly planted patch of fresh vegetable seedlings.

The seedlings were just starting to sprout little green shoots that glowed faintly in the moonlight.

The man had just watered the plants, carefully pulling out weeds and tossing them casually into a golden trash bin. He looked satisfied with the little garden patch, wiped his slender fingers slowly, then settled down in a nearby chair.

Moonlight stretched his shadow long across the ground as he stared at it for a while. Then, footsteps approached, and he lowered his brows, putting on his usual thin, elegant gold-rimmed glasses.

“Young master, everything is arranged and confirmed. She will definitely come tomorrow night,” the visitor said respectfully.

The man drummed his fingers on the armrest absentmindedly. Though he said nothing else, the visitor could tell he was in a good mood.

The visitor hesitated but asked, “But if you want to see her so badly, why not just go…”

Before he could finish, the man shot a cold glare his way and said sharply, “What I do is none of your business.”

“But, but…”

The man snorted, “There’s no ‘but.’ I do whatever I want. And don’t think I don’t know you went and snitched to the old man again. Tell him to mind his own business.”

“…”

The visitor dropped his eyes and said, “Yes, Young master.”

After getting the answer he wanted, the visitor left. The man seemed even happier — even the seedlings looked cuter to him now.

He sat in the courtyard for a while, then softly said, “Raina, you’re finally… back. Do you like the welcome gift? Hehe.”

He spoke as if he could almost see the person he longed for, his gaze warm and eager.

“Raina, this time, I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Never.”

“Sorry.”

As if the word wasn’t enough, he silently repeated it in his heart, feeling a sharp ache mixed with warmth in his chest.

“Raina…”

---

Raina had a terrible nightmare.

The air was thick with the smell of blood, corpses everywhere, and bloody hands clawing out of black soil, desperately grabbing at her, screaming incoherently—

“Why didn’t you save us… why…”

“You promised you wouldn’t abandon us. Why didn’t you help?”

“We’re all dead. All dead, hahahaha…”

“You lied to us. You couldn’t save us. If you couldn’t, why give us hope in the first place…”

“Raina, what have you done? You’re disgusting! Get lost!”

---

Raina woke up with a start, cold sweat on her forehead, gasping for air. After a few deep breaths, she wiped the sweat away, staring blankly.

She’d had that nightmare again.

Leaning against her headboard, her heart pounding, she sat for a while before getting up to wash up.

Splashing cold water on her face, she seemed to finally clear her mind. Leaning on the sink, she slowly looked up at the mirror. Reflected back was a pale but stunning face.

Instinctively, Raina touched her cheek. This was where once a dozen twisted, ugly scars had crisscrossed like centipedes. Though healed now, sometimes they still ached faintly.

After staring for a long moment, she let out a quiet breath, turned away from the mirror, finished washing, and changed into some loose, comfortable clothes before heading downstairs.

---

Downstairs in the living room, Leif and Gale were already sitting at the table waiting for her.

Used to relying only on herself, it had been a long time since she woke up to someone else — to the feeling of home.

Leif put down the newspaper as she came down and said, “Miss Carrington, good morning.”

Raina nodded, “Mr. Vexley, morning.”

“Come eat breakfast,” he invited.

She smiled, “Okay.”

Breakfast was simple, as usual.

But today, instead of plain bread and the usual small dishes, there was a bowl of clear soup dumplings, accompanied by a side of spicy chili oil.

A dozen snow-white dumplings floated gently in the broth, their delicate skins glistening, sprinkled with chopped green onions — bright, fresh, and fragrant.

Raina blinked in surprise. Dumplings weren’t exactly a typical Western breakfast, and hardly anyone made them by hand at home.

Did Leif… make these himself?

Gale eagerly peeled a boiled egg, placed it on a plate, and pushed it over to Raina.

She smiled, eyes curved warmly, “Thanks, Gale.”

Only after she responded did Gale obediently sit up straight, pick up his little spoon, and politely start eating his dumplings.

Raina stared for a while, not moving.

Leif softly asked, “Don’t like it? I can make you something else.”

She shook her head, picking up her spoon with a smile, “No, it’s just been so long since I’ve had this kind of food that I didn’t quite react at first.”

Pausing, she glanced down at the dumplings and said, “I do like it. I used to really love eating dumplings.”

She picked one up and put it in her mouth. The familiar flavor filled her mouth. She chewed firmly, feeling a little flutter deep in her chest.

She hadn’t expected Leif’s cooking to be this good — it tasted so authentic.

It was just a dumpling, but after so many years, tasting that flavor again felt like stepping into a different world.

***