In the Hong residence, there was a single pavilion where Hong Chun liked to unwind and write. If she felt her quarters were too stuffy, she'd go out there.

Today was one of those days.

This pavilion wasn't anything special like those described in novels. There was no large pond surrounding it or colorful flowers to enjoy the view. But it provided cool shade and relaxation.

If it was the usual, Hong Chun would have a clear mind while idly writing down anything that came to her mind.

Looking into the distance, thoughts started bothering her.

How did she get here?

Sometimes, Hong Chun couldn't help asking this question.

All she remembered was living her life away from the hustle and bustle of urban life in M country. She found interacting with people outside the online world tiring.

So living in the province was her best choice. But even if she was supposed to be in a rural area, she had fast internet and her stream of income was unimpeded.

How come one day, she was born here out of nowhere?

Or was it really nowhere? Maybe she died?

That was the most possible explanation. Considering that the couple who spawned her was among the top of the list of most wanted criminals...

That pair's enemies weren't limited to the government. Whether it was the police or people from the underworld too, for them to find her was a jackpot.

Shaking her head, she steered her mind away from those thoughts.

She sighed but wasn't sure if there were regrets.

As she was about to grind some ink, a person arrived, holding snacks.

Hong Chun looked up to see Si Hai putting the tray on the table.

Wanting to strike a conversation, she asked, "Faring well?"

There was a small smile in Si Hai's face as he nodded.

"Lady needs some help?" The young man gestured to the inkstone.

As always, she had no qualms when people offered to make her life easier. "Sure."

For a while, the atmosphere was harmonious. The lady was focused on her task and the young man silently admired her work.

Hong Chun admitted that Si Hai's appearance was something she didn't expect. After staying here for a few weeks, his gaunt face and scrawny body were becoming a little fuller.

His face was innocently sweet and charming, making any woman with maternal instincts instantly love him.

When the two of them were side by side, one could see that he was well-mannered and could even be said to be better than her when it came to natural grace.

If Hong Chun thought in terms of novel characters, Si Hai would be perfect as a cute little Shou.

But of course, it would be a disaster if she played as his Gong.

This line of thought got her smiling.

"Some days, my family will eat out here... Father and I will play Go while teaching Xiao Ting. Mother will either paint or join in the game."

Her nonchalant voice wasn't something to be surprised about, it was what Si Hai observed in these couple of days he was here.

This Miss Hong wasn't anything dainty or exquisite like how ordinary people imagined misses from official's residences were.

"The Lady's family seems fun and caring for each other."

Meeting young master Hong a few times also let him see the similarities of the siblings. Most of the time, they seemed unaware of their higher status than most people.

It was true that their father was a fifth-ranked official and was rarely ever present in court.

But how many scholars failed the civil service exams? The census said that only eighth of those who took the Local Exam passed. From that number, only around half would carry on to the Provincial Exam.

By the time of the Court Exam, only a few hundred would remain as real passers. They would then be designated all around the empire. The lower your score, the further your post was.

Among the little number assigned to work in Hanjing, those who could advance to the fifth rank at the age of forty were far in between.

Having this kind of unassuming nature coupled with the family's affectionate ties was a miracle in itself.

"You think so?"

Si Hai gingerly nodded.

Hong Chun smiled and looked at her calligraphy. "Then why target my family this early?"

Her question was met with silence.

She looked up at him in inquiry, looking like she was just asking for something as normal as the weather.

"My lady?"

"Si Hai has been serving me snacks since you came here... It's only been a few weeks but now my heart flutters each time I see you."

The young man took a step back as his whole face and ears were tinged red.

"M-miss, one shouldn't be saying those things so casually!"

If someone saw them, they would probably say that it was Hong Chun who was bullying the young man.

"What? That's how I honestly feel. Isn't that what Si Hai wants?"

If it was possible, the young man's cheeks became even redder.

But Hong Chun wasn't done. She reached out her hand and very lightly, caressed the back of his hand.

"If I fall in love with Si Hai, can he carry the weight of this overbearing heart?"

Hong Chun kept a small smile. On one hand, she looked shy. On another, she seemed apathetic.

Si Hai watched her intently as she went back to her seat, albeit with a blush on his cheeks.

He thought that the miss was tired of teasing him so he could breathe again.

As though she didn't do anything extraordinary, Hong Chun raised a hand to get some pastry. She seemed to be in slow motion when she took a bite.

Si Hai unconsciously swallowed as she took a sip of tea after.

Wiping her lips with a handkerchief, she thoughtfully muttered. "...Maybe it's something with the snacks?"

Her lashes fluttered as she glanced at Si Hai.

This fleeting eye contact made his skull go numb. The rosy color on his face vanished.

Hong Chun cupped her chin with her hand, not really looking at him but still knowing the growing turbulence inside him.

From the image of a young man experiencing the bliss of youthful love, he turned into an unstable person with unknown madness in his eyes.

"You knew...?" it was more of a statement than a question.

She only shrugged and went back to her calligraphy.

Si Hai couldn't find words but he had so many questions. He took a few steps toward her.

Her sudden answer made him stop his approach.

"How will I know what kind of things you put in there? I'm only a pampered lady of the boudoir."

He tried to laugh but couldn't. "You..!" made me give myself away... again!

The first time was when she asked for his name when they met.

She would always provoke him with a few words and it would make his reaction more honest than what he wanted it to be.

It was true Si Hai put bits of love drugs on Hong Chun's snacks. But it was too little as he wanted the girl to slowly fall in love with him.

People would surely question it if Miss Hong who was known for being unconcerned suddenly fell for someone she only met.

He was biding his time, waiting for the potion to work. And he was confident of the recipe that came from the master of his previous sect.

His plans were smoothly rolling as he watched Hong Chun receive these small gifts happily. She always consumed the pastries and the tea he would serve.

So the biggest question in his mind right now was how this person learned.

Meanwhile, Hong Chun zoned out again, ignoring the person on her side who could very well dispose of her at any moment.

In her mind, she was cursing anything and everything but she was helpless about the situation. Her guess was right. She had to resolve this early on or it was game over.

How to get out of this situation?

"If you found me out, don't you think that I can simply hold your brother hostage to get what I want?" Si Hai threatened with a grim face.

Hong Chun droopily waved her brush at him as her mind was elsewhere. "Yeah sure."

Si Hai was flabbergasted. "You don't believe me?"

The girl didn't answer so he thought his assumptions were true.

To him, Miss Hong only saw him as someone she picked up on the streets. And anything he did were only petty tricks to get her attention. His blood boiled at his own thoughts.

A naïve woman dared to look at him like that!

But that naïve woman suddenly looked up at him.

I can force my way out, she thought.

"What if I tell you that I know what you're after and that you won't get it even if you use my family?"

Frozen stiff, Si Hai forgot all thoughts of pretending to be in love with this person.