“Phew~” the boy sighed as he closed the door behind him. Li Chyou did not seem to be in a good mood. She stayed rooted in the same spot after they ran away. So, he had to lead her by the hand back to Clan premises. She stayed still like a robot even after they reached home. He had to undress her, redress her in-home clothes, and then lay her down on her bed.

Throughout that entire process, she only subconsciously let herself be undressed and then dressed and never made any deliberate movements as though her battery had run out. Even as he laid her down, her eyes remained hollow. When he left, he saw her staring straight at the ceiling.

The boy shook his head and started walking. He frantically scratched his neck. It felt as though there was something stuck in his throat. He did not like this feeling.

The one thing she needed right now is time which she, unfortunately, does not have a lot of. The Inter-clan Tournament is three and a half weeks away. If she doesn’t buck up, she might lose this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

The boy walked out of the Patriarch’s house and looked around. Nearby, he saw a big tree. He passed by it many times before but now its shade looked particularly inviting. Giving in to his desires, he approached the tree and lay down next to its base. The shade was cooling and comfortable.

As he enjoyed the shade, he heard a teasing voice, “Slacking off, are we?”

Without opening his eyes, the boy replied, “Slacking off implies I have work to do, which I don’t. Isn’t that right, Butler Yu?”

“Hmm…” Butler Yu hummed a response, “Well, I guess you’re right.” He then paused and said, “Are you satisfied?”

“Not one bit,” the boy replied without hesitation. “But this has nothing to do with my satisfaction.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he shook his head, “A butler can only be good at his job when he feels satisfaction from doing it.”

“It’s not wrong to say that but it’s not my job I’m dissatisfied with, it’s my methods.”

“Then could you have taken any other approach?”

“I could’ve,” the boy opened his eyes and stared at Butler Yu, “but none of those could solve the problem at its roots.”

“Why not think about it from the beginning?” Butler Yu persuaded, “Maybe the answer will surprise you!”

“Haah~” the boy sighed and relented, “fine, I’ll think about it.” He had no intention of doing so.

“You should trust the Young Miss a bit more,” Butler Yu left him with a piece of advice and left.

The boy sat up and watched him leave. He scratched his neck; there was still something stuck in his throat.

The next day, the boy went to Li Chyou’s room and knocked; even after 10 minutes, there was no response. He tried to open the door but it was locked shut. Unable to do anything, he yelled out, “Young Miss, it’s me! Is everything alright in there!?”

No response.

He sighed and left her door. He was right. Indeed, all she needed now was time. And he was going to give it to her; about three days including today.

He scratched his neck with a bit more force. He felt heartless but he could do nothing but console himself that it’s all for her good. Yet the consolation didn’t remove that weight in his heart.

He went to the kitchen, took a bit of everything that was to be served on breakfast, and put it on a tray before setting it down in front of her door. He knocked again, “Young Miss, I’ve put breakfast and water here. If you need anything, you need only ask!”

He left afterward. He did the same for lunch and dinner. He didn’t see the empty trays so he thought the servants must’ve taken them. Though she was a cultivator and could live without food and drinks much longer than an ordinary mortal like him, he still felt the need to deliver her food.

The next day, he again knocked on her door and yelled, “Young Miss, may I come in?” Again, he got no response. And again, he left her door. He brought her food three times that day as well.

The weight became heavier. He scratched his neck frantically. He really did not like this feeling.

The day after tomorrow, he knocked again, “Young Miss, you’ve been in there for 2 days! Is everything alright?”

Once again, there was no response. This time, he did not leave immediately and instead said, “Young Miss, if there’s anything I’ll be right here.” He put her breakfast down and sat down beside her door.

The servants that would often pass by would shoot him pitying glances. He remained indifferent to them; if pity could solve this problem, then he’d like all the pity he can get.

Li Chyou didn’t touch her food yet when he left for lunch, he saw the empty tray in front of her door. He sighed; she seemed to be avoiding him. The weight on his heart lessened. This was good; he deserved this.

That day, she would only touch her food when he was not around. So, he made an effort to leave earlier, so she could eat at the right time.

The Next Day

The boy just like the previous days got up, tidied himself, and went to Li Chyou’s room. But this time, he also made a detour to the washroom inside the Patriarch’s house. Standing in front of her door, he inhaled deeply and then exhaled. Hopefully, this works!

He knocked on the door, “Young Miss, it’s been 3 days! I’m coming in!” Without letting her respond, he bashed the door with his shoulder. At times like these, he was really thankful for Cultivation and spiritual energy. Just by coursing Qi through his body for a few weeks, his muscles and bones became much stronger than before; strong enough to bash open this now flimsy wooden door.

Bang! Crash!

He barged in as the doors swung open, hitting the walls behind and causing sound. He wanted to say something but the sight in front really had him tongue-tied. The curtains were drawn and the room was darkened. Except for the light coming from the doorway, the room was essentially pitch-black.

With the help of the faint light, he saw her room. It was as though it was frozen in time. Nothing was moved from the three days ago. If there wasn’t a faint layer of dust on everything, he really would’ve thought that time was frozen here.

Looking a bit further, he saw Li Chyou. She leaned on the headboard of the bed, looking off into space. She was still in the same dress he left her in. He knew she refused to leave her room for these three days but to think she didn’t change her clothes nor take baths…

At least, I’m not the one in charge of cleaning the rooms. He wanted to sigh, he really wanted to. But he held it in and went near her. He somewhat anticipated this but reality always had a different weight which you need to personally experience to feel.

“Young Miss, are you okay?” he asked from the side of her body. In response, she just slowly turned her head towards him and looked at him blankly.

“It’s been three days you’ve been holed up in your room,” the boy kept talking, “I don’t think that’s very good!” The boy shook his head. He still wasn’t getting a response.

Exhaling deeply, he reached under Li Chyou and lifted her. Once again, he’d like to thank spiritual energy for giving him the strength to do these troublesome tasks. He lifted her in a princess carry and got off the bed.

He looked at the arms that were around his neck. At least she’s not given up on life. With Li Chyou in his arms, the boy left the room and went towards the washroom.

On his way, the people passing by looked like their eyes were about to pop out as they looked at him. The boy grabbed a nearby stupefied maid and beckoned her, “Oi! Do you hear me?” The maid seemed to have been broken out of her stupor from his voice.

“Ah?”

“Do me a favor and go to the Young Miss’s room. Bring a dress from the closet to the washroom, one with bright colors,” the boy looked at the slow maid and let out a shout, “Now!”

That seemed to have scared her. “Y-Yes!” stuttering, she let out a reply and scurried off. He looked at the running maid before turning around and continuing on his way. After a bit of walking, he made his way into the washroom. Throughout this, Li Chyou had not made a single sound but just simply clung onto him and let herself be carried.

Once in the washroom, he let her down on her feet and clawed inside his pockets before taking out his blindfold. Putting it on, he swiftly took her clothes off. The water was already drawn from when he came here before.

He led her to the pool-like tub and placed her inside, soaking her body with water.

Knock! Knock!

There was a series of knocks on the washroom door. He knew it was the maid. “Come in,” he yelled.

Immediately, the maid from here entered and placed a turquoise-colored dress on the paper dressing screen that was used as a hanger for clothes. “I’ve brought the Y-Young Miss’s dress!”

“Yes, thank you,” the boy nodded. The maid bowed to Li Chyou who still sat unmoving in the tub and left. The boy took some soap from the nearby table and smeared it on his hands before lifting his face towards Li Chyou.

My words are what matters the most now!