The Green Chamber

Rael replied casually, “Oh, okay.”

No sooner had he said that than Leif added, “After you sign, don’t bother coming to pick me up.”

Rael was confused and blurted out, “Huh? You don’t want me to pick you up? Then how are you getting home?”

Leif’s mouth twitched slightly before he said in a low voice, “Don’t worry about that. I have my own plans. Just help Leo handle everything with the Nexon Racing.”

Rael: “???”

Something’s definitely off with Mr. Vexley!

At that moment, Leo got off the bed. His leg was still in a cast and looked badly injured, but now it didn’t seem to hurt at all as he paced back and forth dozens of times in the hospital room, muttering about the details of the Nexon Racing acquisition.

Leif: “...”

Rael: “...”

Wasn’t he just saying his leg hurt so much it might break?

Ha! Men and their lies!

Meanwhile, Raina left Hale Manor and drove to a mall to buy a bunch of gifts, then headed to visit her Teacher and senior brothers.

Half an hour later, her car rolled to a stop before an old yet impeccably preserved wooden archway. Above it hung a polished mahogany plaque, engraved in elegant gilded script: The Green Chamber—a name bestowed by the crown generations ago.

Raina had frequented this place as a child, but after being taken abroad by her uncle five years ago, she hadn’t been back.

Raina sat in the car a moment, then drove through the arch and into the grounds.

Just after entering, someone came out to stop her — the rules here forbade outsiders from driving past the arch into the inner area.

Raina rolled down her window, resting her elbow casually on the door, and smiled, raising an eyebrow. “Senior, long time no see. You’re not seriously trying to kick me out, are you?”

The man blocking her was Senior Briar, who had just been inspecting the junior disciples’ lessons.

Briar wore a white robe, looked scholarly and reserved, with a bright red tear-shaped mole by his right eye and thin-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. Normally stern, but seeing Raina, his face lit up.

His eyes brightened and he grinned, “Raina!”

Raina pushed open the car door and popped open the trunk. “It’s me, Senior Brother, long time no see. I came to visit Teacher, you, and the others. I brought gifts... This one’s for you, the rest are for you to distribute.”

Among the gifts, two boxes were set aside—one for Briar and one for Teacher.

Briar stiffened slightly, nervously eyeing his box. “For me?”

Raina smiled, “Yep. No refusing allowed.”

Briar took the box carefully, fingers gripping the edges like it was something precious.

“By the way, where’s Teacher?” Raina asked.

Briar hurriedly replied, “Grandpa’s in the backyard. Lately he hasn’t seen anyone but me... I’ll take you there.”

Raina gestured toward the gifts. “Never mind, I’ll go myself. You just get these to the others or they’ll nag me later.”

Briar pressed his lips and nodded. “Alright, be careful.”

Raina nodded in thanks and carried the box through the front yard toward the backyard.

...

Backyard.

The moment Raina stepped in, the familiar smell of medicinal herbs hit her.

“Who is it? Who’s outside? Briar? Didn’t I say no one’s allowed in without my permission?” A low, stern voice came from inside.

Raina kept her hands behind her back and walked lightly. Just a few steps in, a thin silver needle suddenly flashed across her vision — shot from inside the house!

A voice inside barked, “Stop!”

Raina smirked, right hand darting out, index and middle fingers pinching together as if casually—and effortlessly—catching the needle midair.

“Long time no see, Teacher. Is this how you greet your disciple now?” she teased, studying the needle’s tip glinting coldly in the sunlight.

A few seconds later, an aged figure appeared before her.

The man had messy silver hair and wore a wrinkled white robe, as if he’d been sitting or crouching lost in thought for a long time, oblivious to his disheveled appearance.

This old man was Elias Hawthorne—the heir of The Green Chamber and Raina’s teacher. A distinguished professor with deep knowledge of both Eastern and Western medicine, from pharmaceuticals to herbal remedies, he had been Raina’s mentor for years.

“Raina! It really is you!!” Elias’s face lit up with surprise, but then he quickly scowled and said huffily, “Hmph! Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come see this old geezer? What a liar!”

Though his words were harsh, his joy was unmistakable.

Raina tossed aside the needle. “I heard from Senior Brother you don’t let anyone in, and you even shoot needles at them... What mysterious research are you hiding back here?”

Elias stroked his silver beard and huffed. “Mind your own business. Come, let me take a good look at you... Hmm, your face is fully healed. Skin even looks better than before…”

He inspected her face carefully, dodging her question.

Raina smiled. “Yeah, all thanks to your secret recipe… Oh, and I brought you a little gift to say hi.”

“You waste money on gifts when you come see your Teacher,” Elias grumbled.

But despite his words, he took the gift happily, playing with it like a treasured toy before setting it aside.

“So, this time you’re back because you found that kid?” Elias’s tone turned serious.

Raina hadn’t wanted to talk about it yet—after five years away, this visit was a surprise even to herself. But some things just couldn’t be avoided.

Raina poured a cup of tea for Elias, then poured one for herself. She didn’t drink it—just held the cup, as if trying to draw a little warmth from it.

After a long moment, she lowered her head and said softly, “Hmm, I have a bit of a lead… But no matter what, I will find him.”

Elias knew well that Raina would never give up on that child.

Even though hope was slim, even if that child might no longer be alive, as long as there was the faintest chance, Raina would keep searching forever.

Elias didn’t have the heart to extinguish her hope. He said gravely, “Hmm, I have also been sending people to search for that child’s whereabouts… But, Raina…”

Raina looked up at him. “Teacher, what are you trying to say?”

Elias sighed. “Some things, you just have to do your best and not force it.”

He knew Raina too well. Though she seemed easygoing on the surface, she was incredibly stubborn. Once she set her mind on something, nothing would change that.

Raina took a sip of tea and smiled, “Not forcing it—that’s because this is what I want to do. No matter the cost, I’m willing to pay. But, Teacher… you know I’ve always wanted to ask you something. Now, can you tell me? Tell me… my mother… did she ever… really love me?”

***