Chirp chirp
“Hiss—so annoying…”
The clear bird songs were loudest at noon; their chattering irritated the nerves of every passerby.
Wang Huaiyu, using the noisy calls, propped up her groggy forehead with one hand and complained under her breath.
The weather in Xiang’an town was clearly sunny, but for the past few days, Wang Huaiyu’s heart had felt increasingly oppressed and uncomfortable. ‘I really don’t know what’s wrong…’
‘Lately, I’ve been feeling a constant ominous premonition, but it hasn’t rained these past few days?’
‘Maybe it’s because I haven’t slept well these days…’
She lifted her head and looked at the corner of the desk where the ceramic lamp had long gone out.
At this moment, the sunlight outside was the only source of light in the dim study.
Wang Huaiyu then lowered her head to look at the documents on the desk, already crumpled from being pressed by her. She couldn’t help frowning, feeling as if she were in a different world.
“…Sigh, I’m not done yet, how did I fall asleep again?”
For the past two days, aside from washing up, Wang Huaiyu hadn’t left this room even for meals. When the lamp went out, she changed it; when the brush ran out of ink, she ground ink while continuing to study and handle work.
It could be said that this feeling really felt like being in prison to her.
Looking at the mountain of work piled in front of her, Wang Huaiyu only felt a sense of dizziness.
Work, family matters, intrusions from outsiders…
These things should not have been handled by a young lady like her.
But every time she recalled her old father who still lay in bed, constantly claiming to be ill, Wang Huaiyu had to muster up her energy.
Working day and night was already overextending herself, especially since she was currently pregnant.
A haggard and ugly complexion hung on her face, which had once been her pride.
Recently, the stewards had started whispering gossip that was spreading outside…
Hong Fang still hadn’t been found, and no one could share the burden…
‘Father’s words… sigh.’
She shook her head, picked up the brush that had fallen to the side, and stared at the documents, but felt she couldn’t focus at all.
Wang Huaiyu simply put down the brush and called out towards the door:
“Someone! Is anyone there?”
After calling for a while, a servant finally pushed open the door from outside, bowing apologetically with a somewhat fearful expression.
“You-Young Lady! This servant came late! P-Please forgive me.”
Xiao Hua lowered her head, her tone clearly fearful.
“This servant was just summoned by Young Master Liu Shan for questioning. I returned as soon as it ended. I couldn’t come immediately, please forgive me, Young Lady…”
Normally, after the morning period, the servants would already be at their respective posts, going about their routines.
Unless something happened, Xiao Hua, who should have been waiting outside, would not be delayed when the mistress needed her.
But this kind of thing had still happened. If it had been the Wang Huaiyu of the past, a reprimand would naturally be unavoidable.
But now she only felt physically and mentally exhausted. Her originally somewhat weak voice now seemed even more feeble.
“It’s alright… Xiao Hua, go get me a basin of hot water to wash up.”
Wang Huaiyu rubbed her temples, forcing herself to muster a bit of energy.
“Also, later change the lamp next to me; it’s not enough.”
“Young Lady… ” Xiao Hua looked up, worriedly gazing at Wang Huaiyu. “Why don’t you sleep some more? I see you’ve been so tired lately, busy until the light was still on late at night…”
“…Don’t worry about me. Just do your own job properly.”
Wang Huaiyu interrupted her, but her voice was soft without any intimidation.
Perhaps because someone finally cared about her, Wang Huaiyu spoke harsh words, but her tone was so gentle.
“But Young Lady, you still…”
“Aunt! Are you alright!?”
Before Xiao Hua could finish, she was interrupted by a voice from outside the door.
Wang Huaiyu frowned, but before she could speak, the door was pushed open.
A handsome young man in splendid clothes burst in from outside, shouting:
“Aunt! How are you?”
Xiao Hua looked at this flamboyant young man, words on the tip of her tongue but unable to speak. She could only swallow her saliva and stand there dumbly.
“Liu Shan, why are you here? Didn’t I tell you to stay put recently…”
“But I heard from the servants that you haven’t been eating or sleeping well lately, so I came to care for you, Aunt.”
‘This… well, I’ll take it as the child’s filial piety…’
As Wang Huaiyu was thinking this while holding her forehead, Liu Shan walked directly behind her and reached out to rub her shoulders.
“Aunt has been working hard these past few days. If Grandpa hadn’t fallen ill, you wouldn’t be so tired…”
Wang Huaiyu, who had initially felt a bit gratified, immediately darkened her face upon hearing him mention her father.
She raised her hand and brushed off the hand on her shoulder, her expression unpleasant.
But Wang Huaiyu did not directly scold Liu Shan. Instead, she turned to look at the silent Xiao Hua and said coldly:
“Xiao Hua, stop standing around here. Go prepare hot water and change the lamp, understand?”
“Ah? Yes!”
Xiao Hua quickly realized that the young lady intended to dismiss her.
She hurried over to the desk, picked up the empty oil lamp, and backed away.
Only after the sound of the door closing did Wang Huaiyu’s cold expression finally crack.
She turned her head, frowned at Liu Shan, and said coldly:
“I told you, things have been unsettled lately. Wait until I handle everything before you stay properly in your courtyard.”
“Why won’t you listen?”
“What’s the big deal? I’m just worried about you, Aunt.”
Liu Shan rubbed his wrists, unconcerned by Wang Huaiyu’s change in tone or her resistance. Smiling, he walked around to face her.
“Besides, since Grandpa and that freeloader aren’t here, who better to share your burden than me?”
“You! You’re getting more and more disrespectful!”
“Even if Hong Fang really is a freeloader, you can’t talk about him like that. Why don’t you understand!?”
Wang Huaiyu poked her finger at Liu Shan’s chest, enunciating each word.
“You’re not much better yourself. What right do you have to criticize others? Don’t forget how much kindness you’ve received from the Wang family!”
With that, she withdrew her gaze and looked at the desk.
“Share the burden?” Wang Huaiyu sneered. “If it weren’t for your stunt that night, maybe my father wouldn’t have fainted from anger!”
“Originally, Hong Fang disappearing on the wedding night was just a loss of face… But now? Father is knocked unconscious from anger, and those who have long coveted our Wang family are beginning to show their fangs.”
“How dare you mention sharing the burden with me!?”
Perhaps it was the irritability from days of overwork, or the accumulated grievances and exhaustion, but at this moment, she exploded all at once.
***
After speaking, Wang Huaiyu seemed drained of strength. She collapsed back into her chair, her chest heaving.
Liu Shan, as if stunned, stood frozen in place.
After a long moment, he took a deep breath, his voice trembling.
“I… I was just afraid that you would be embarrassed alone at the wedding, so I…”
“I didn’t think it would turn out like this…”
After speaking, he flopped down onto another chair in the room, his legs together. With his handsome and pitiful face, it was hard not to feel sympathy.
But Wang Huaiyu didn’t fall for it this time. Perhaps she was used to his usual antics, or perhaps she had been worn down by work, leaving no room for extra emotions. She sat in her seat, silent.
Sunlight streamed through the window, but there was no warmth—only a long line stretching between the two of them.
***
Time passed little by little, and the faint sobbing in the room gradually stopped.
“Sigh. It’s also my fault for spoiling you too much in the past…”
Wang Huaiyu broke the silence first.
She stared blankly at her fingernails, her pupils unfocused.
Liu Shan opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a knock came at the study door.
The visitor pushed the door open—it was Xiao Hua returning. She glanced at Liu Shan sitting in the chair, hesitating to speak.
“What is it?”
Seeing her like this, Wang Huaiyu frowned. “If you have something to say, say it. What’s with all the hesitation?”
Xiao Hua glanced at Liu Shan, bit her lip, leaned close to Wang Huaiyu’s ear, and lowered her voice:
“That… the Second Master sent someone…”
“Stop. Don’t say anymore.” Wang Huaiyu raised a hand and rubbed her brow. “I’m already annoyed. That worthless fellow is here to cause trouble again. Does he think the Wang family is some kind of joke?”
“Tell that person outside to wait. I’ll see them when I’m in a better mood!”
“Hurry up! Go!”
“Yes, Young Lady…”
Xiao Hua shrank her neck and retreated.
Wang Huaiyu sat down, then turned to look at Liu Shan beside her.
‘Sigh… Was I too harsh?’
‘I can’t help it. I’ve been too tired lately, and I lost control of my temper…’
She looked at Liu Shan with a complex expression, a trace of guilt rising in her heart.
‘Brother Wu, how should I teach this child properly…’
“Go back, Liu Shan. I don’t want to see you right now.”
“Can’t you understand!? Get out, Liu Shan!”
Wang Huaiyu glared and snapped.