"My master said he might come visit you in the following days."

Its been three days since Yu Lang came to the Bai Household but what he told me keeps repeating inside my head causing me sleepless nights.

Even Xiao Yu and Ming Shu noticed how I was not eating well and most of the time, I was staring blankly at the empty wall.

Should I tell my father?

Father is still in the imperial capital and I haven't heard any news from him. He's probably very busy with whatever he is doing as he forgot to even send a word to his beloved daughter.

Should I tell Xiao Yu and Ming Shu?

If I tell them, will they be able to do anything about it? What if they get involved and the Dark Shadow would also come for them?

What should I do then?!

I did tell Housekeeper Zhang to heighten the security around and inside the Bai Household. Though he assured me that the guards were all highly trained and its impossible for anyone to intrude, I still have my doubts.

Impossible?

Then how did that person enter my chambers and left the household without knowing anyone knowing of his presence?

I haven't even solved the mystery of the package that appeared in my room and another problem is already here.

How do I deal with the Dark Shadow?

Though scared, I also felt excitement and curiosity in the possibility of meeting the infamous Dark Shadow.

Comparing the Dark Shadow who Ming Shu told me about and Yu Lang's master, they seem like two different person.

Is it possible that there are two Dark Shadows?

What if they're the same person?

Ahh, why do I keep thinking about that Dark Shadow? I should sleep. If the Dark Shadow comes, I'll just stab him like what Ming Shu did and escape!

I slipped my hand under my pillow and held the dagger which I placed there. I pulled the blanket over my head and closed my eyes.

After some time, I still wasn't able to sleep. I got out of my bed and lit the gas lamp on the table. I picked a poetry book and started reading.

Silence enveloped the entire room except for the sound of flipping pages and my slow breathing.

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

"I'm bothered by some-" I paused when I realized the familiar voice.

Out of instincts, I quickly jumped out of the chair and dashed towards my bed. I grabbed the dagger under my pillow and held it against him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in a serious voice. I was honestly scared and my insides were trembling but I didn't let it show.

"I heard from Yu Lang that you were looking for me." He said nonchalantly as he stared at me, not minding the weapon pointing towards him.

I was indeed looking for you but I didn't expect you to come barging in my room in the middle of the night!

In front of me was the same man whom I met at the marketplace, Yu Lang's master, the Dark Shadow.

Just like how I last saw him, he was wearing an all black outfit with mask covering his lower face. The dim room helped in masking his presence but since my eyes had adjusted to the dark, I can see him clearly.

"How did you get in my chambers? There are guards surrounding the entire household."

He sighed and leisurely walked towards me.

"Don't come closer! I will scream!" My hands begin to tremble as my hold on the dagger tightened.

"Do it then."

Ahh, so brazen.

I wanted to scream but I didn't. Reason? Unknown.

He gripped the dagger by its end and I saw blood drip from his hands.

"Are you crazy?!" My eyes widen as I let go of the dagger.

He wiped the blood-stained dagger on his robe and tossed it into my bed.

"Your hands..." I said in a small voice, still shook about what happened.

"It will heal."

Feeling weak and stupefied, I plopped down on my bed as he stood just inches away from me. I don't even know what to think or do.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Strangely, I found myself calming down.

He doesn't seem that dangerous? Is he?

"Are you the one who left the package in my chambers?" I asked, trying to be brave as I looked into his eyes.

He nodded.

"Why?"

He shrugged.

"Are you the Dark Shadow?"

He nodded again.

So it truly is him.

"Did you come to kill me?"

He didn't answer.

Does silence means yes?

"Do you want to die?" He raised his brows at me.

"No..."

Of course, I don't want to die! I've been avoiding everything that may lead me to the death route and all my effort will be wasted if I die!

"Then I won't kill you."

I was rendered speechless.

So am I supposed to thank him?

This situation is so ridiculous that I want to cry and laugh at the same time. I was worried and anxious for the past days, not able to eat and sleep well, and right now, I was having a 'normal conversation' with the cause of my uneasiness.

I give up. Let's just go back to business and end everything once and for all.

I stood up and opened the small cabinet beside my bed. I took two pouch of money and handed it to him.

"Here's the money to pay my debt."

He didn't take the money, instead he pushed my hand away.

"Is it not enough?" I asked as I took out another pouch.

"I don't need it."

I took another pouch and I can feel my heart breaking.

Ahh, my allowance...

"Here."

He pushed my hands again.

"I don't need it." He repeated.

"Then what do you want?!" I snapped at him. I'm already giving him my allowance for the entire year and he's still not accepting it.

"I'm sure you only spent a few thousand taels for the accessories plus the money you gave the vendor," I tried reasoning out to him, "and this is the only money I have."

"I gave the vendor a million tael." He corrected me.

A million tael?! No wonder I didn't see that vendor when I went back to the marketplace.

But how rich is this guy? Can I ask if I can join their group? They seem like they're making more money than the Emperor himself.

"I'm sorry, I don't have anything that is worth a million tael..." I confessed.

Ahh, I should have taken the banknote Yu Lang was giving me.

"Can I pay you with other things? Maybe a precious stone or the scrolls of Mou-"

"You."

"Me?"

"I want you."

I shouldn't have asked.