The old iron gate was closed, and a gentle breeze stirred.
A patch of greenery swayed and blended in Xu Shiyue's vision as she stared intently at the plant that had once housed a young girl.
A few days ago, Luo Ji sneaked into the Lu family home and seized the opportunity to pass on the news that she was working as a gardener in the Lu family garden.
Xu Shiyue touched the embossed surface of the note, finding it hard to believe. She took advantage of the morning when she was taking care of the roses to arrange a meeting with Luo Ji.
But before the two could even exchange a single word, the door was carefully pushed open again.
The person who came in was none other than Lu Shizhen, whom Xu Shiyue remembered as someone who never got up early.
Just as the two were worried that this might be an ambush set by Lu Shizhen, they saw that this Miss Lu was actually turning over the soil of a plant herself.
Because she had lost her sight, Xu Shiyue could hear the girl's whispered words more clearly than Luo Ji, and she understood the man's neurotic mutterings better than Luo Ji.
The plant that Lu Shizhen personally tended was quietly moved from her room, or rather, replaced without her knowledge.
The ultimate goal was simply to convince her that the medicine this person gave her was non-toxic and that she could safely undergo treatment.
No one can understand the thought process of a madman, but Xu Shiyue could never convince herself to continue explaining Lu Shizhen's series of behaviors as unpredictable.
She could treat the two instances of dealing with the servants who spoke rudely to her as if the servants were continuing to put on a friendly act in front of her.
But muttering to herself in private, she couldn't come up with an answer based on her past experiences.
A small frown appeared between the girl's calm brows; she really didn't understand why this person was going to such great lengths.
If Lu Shizhen really wanted me to receive treatment, she could have done what her second uncle did after discovering that I refused: simply tie me up and have someone watch over me every day to make sure I got the injections and took the medicine.
Thinking of this, a hint of contemptuous sarcasm flashed between Xu Shiyue's brows.
Her drooping wrist twitched unconsciously. The circulating air in the greenhouse bypassed her raised wrist, gently pressing down on the slight coolness, just like that night in the bathroom when I held her hand with extra restraint.
The withered green plants stood out starkly against the vibrant surroundings, their somber presence causing Xu Shiyue's gaze to momentarily pause.
She stared at the plant not far away, her calm and indifferent eyes gradually becoming clouded with an ambiguous emotion.
This is the first time since she lost her sight that someone has been willing to respect her wishes and try to help her.
But this person was Lu Shizhen.
...
“Miss, I’ve been looking for you ever since the mission failed. That madman did it so flawlessly. We wasted a lot of time and kept you waiting. It was really our poor planning. I’m so sorry.”
Luo Ji's voice interrupted Xu Shiyue's thoughts. She quietly came back to her senses, gently shook her head, and comforted herself, "I've come out of that place. We've achieved our goal. There's nothing to apologize for."
Xu Shiyue was tricked into coming here by Lu Shizhen because things went wrong when Luo Ji planned to take her away from the ward.
Xu Shiyue walked out of the hospital alone when no one came to pick her up. Whether it was bad luck or good fortune, the car that almost hit her was carrying Lu Shizhen.
Despite Xu Shiyue's words, Luo Ji still looked guilty.
She looked at Xu Shiyue, whom she had finally reunited with, her dark face scrunched up with concern: "Miss, how have you been lately? Has this madman been giving you trouble? Have you been bullied?"
They had a bad time and suffered difficulties and bullying.
But the truth was already in her throat, and Xu Shiyue hesitated for a moment before letting it out.
It's not all bad, because Lu Shizhen has installed handrails in almost every corner of the house, so Xu Shiyue can reach out and touch them no matter where she stands.
The most recent time she was in trouble was a few days ago when she was asked to pick roses, and afterwards, she was always there to protect her from all the bullying she suffered.
If an unpredictable personality means a person will fluctuate between good and bad, then she has been showing her good side for far too long now.
Perhaps wanting to reassure Luo Ji, Xu Shiyue gently shook her head: "No, I'm fine."
“But I see you’ve lost weight, Miss.” Luo Ji frowned, her voice filled with resentment and concern. “This place is really not a good place to stay. I’ve been with you for so many years, and I’ve never seen anyone who insists on roses blooming in autumn. We should get away from such a madman as soon as possible.”
Luo Ji's words were full of disgust for Lu Shizhen, but Xu Shiyue remained calm.
She didn't continue the conversation about "leaving," but instead asked, "Are they all looking for me?"
“Yes, your eldest and second uncles are looking for you everywhere.” Luo Ji nodded, then reassured Xu Shiyue, “However, we have destroyed everything that could provide clues, including the traces we found of you. It should be even harder for those people to find you here now.”
“And, Miss…” Luo Ji answered crisply, but hesitated for a moment before finishing the sentence.
She looked at Xu Shiyue, who was slightly shorter than her, and said with difficulty, "We found out that the matter concerning Miss's family was done by your second uncle, Xu Shouxian."
Compared to the pain of being bullied and hurt by the servants, it was Luo Ji's words that Xu Shiyue could not bear.
Xu Shiyue was not unaware of who the ultimate beneficiary was when a gas explosion occurred at home and her parents died unexpectedly.
She was like a rose still blooming in the garden in autumn, manipulated by fate and others, yet powerless to resist.
Thick clouds hung above the greenhouse, and Xu Shiyue's voice deepened along with the sunlight that had been withdrawn: "What else is mine on Dad's side?"
“Xu Shouxian’s takeover speed is very fast. He has become the actual controller of many major companies such as real estate and shopping malls. All we have left is a small technology company that was just established this year and is still worth mentioning,” Luo Ji replied.
Although Xu Shiyue is not yet an adult, her father would talk to her about business matters when he was in the mood, and she gradually learned a lot from his words.
The girl gave a cold laugh and concluded in a flat tone, "So all he's missing is a legitimate reason."
"Hmm." Luo Ji nodded with difficulty, then comforted her, "But Miss, don't be discouraged. I have received so much help from the master over the years, and I will definitely not let the master and his wife die with regrets, nor will I be able to prevent the family business that the master has worked so hard to build from being taken over by villains. Even if I have to risk my life, I will definitely help Miss avenge her!"
Luo Ji's voice was exceptionally firm and resolute, but Xu Shiyue's expression was not as calm as it had been just now.
Sunlight pierced through a gap in the clouds, revealing a barely perceptible hint of rejection on the girl's face.
Another life lost.
She doesn't like hearing that word.
Living with nothing in your hands feels like a burden.
Let alone talk of revenge.
In the silence, Xu Shiyue said calmly, "No rush."
Xu Shiyue's intention to postpone it was obvious, and Luo Ji heard it clearly.
Like a piece of burning coal thrown into cold water, her face was full of confusion: "Miss..."
Xu Shiyue didn't give her a chance to continue, turning around and interrupting, "Assistant Luo, I can't stay out for too long, I'll go back first."
The wind gently pushed the clouds further and further away from the greenhouse, and the sunlight, like a drawn curtain, rose again from Luo Ji's sight.
The girl's light purple cotton skirt swayed amidst the surrounding greenery, and her cautious steps slowed the process of the skirt brushing against the green leaves.
Luo Ji watched Xu Shiyue's departing figure, opened his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to continue talking to her.
She thought it was really too cruel to make a child who was not even eighteen years old accept and bear all of this.
But the perpetrators are still at large, and she will have to take responsibility sooner or later.
The carefree days always fly by, and the National Day holiday was over in the blink of an eye. Lu Shizhen also began her campus life in this world.
"Can you hear me?" Lu Shizhen sat in her seat in class, lightly tapping the earphone hidden under her long hair.
Classes are always noisy in the morning, even at elite girls' high schools.
People gathered in small groups were either copying homework or sharing travel photos from the National Day holiday.
Amidst the commotion, Lu Shizhen heard a cool reply: "Hmm."
It was Xu Shiyue's voice.
Although Xu Shiyue had taken a leave of absence from school at the beginning of this semester due to her blindness, Lu Shizhen saw the Braille textbook purchase records in the original owner's orange software and knew that Xu Shiyue had not only taught herself Braille, but also did not want to fall behind in her studies, so she made a request to the hypocritical original owner.
Adhering to the principle of serving the female lead in everything, Lu Shizhen unleashed her financial power.
She had Aunt Sun get the best radio communication equipment available, intending to secretly synchronize the class content with Xu Shiyue.
Perhaps because I've been doing a good deed these past few days, the system's frequent deductions have slowed down considerably.
Xu Shiyue accepted her suggestion.
Sunlight streamed through the window onto Lu Shizhen's desk, causing her naturally crossed legs to sway back and forth.
She looked at the mini radio placed behind the book, a sense of accomplishment and pride appearing on her face.
If point deductions are slowing down, how far away can point additions be?
Just as Lu Shizhen was happily imagining the scene of her gaining points, a commotion suddenly broke out at the door.
As if something valuable had been brought in, the girl arrogantly commanded, "Be careful, you can't afford to pay for it if you break it!"
The girl sitting in the back row looked on with curiosity: "Chenchen, did you bring that really expensive cello from home?"
"Hmm." The girl nodded, her head held high. "I'm the principal now, so of course I need a violin like this."
"Wow……"
"I heard that this piano was specially airlifted from Italy by Chenchen's father, and there are only five of them in the world."
"Such a fine instrument must cost seven figures, right?"
...
Such a grand entrance easily attracted the attention and discussion of the whole class, and the girl's upturned lips clearly enjoyed the praise at this moment.
Lu Shizhen rested her chin on her hand, looking at the somewhat familiar-looking violin case. She couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly, wondering to herself, "Who is she?"
Xiao Qiu reacted exceptionally quickly, accessing the information of Lu Shizhen's classmates and saying, "Sun Chenchen, her family is in the equipment business, they've made a fortune in the last two years, and like Xu Shiyue, she's a member of the school symphony orchestra, and also plays the cello."
"Oh." Lu Shizhen nodded, instantly understanding why this person had brought the cello to the classroom in such a grand manner.
She had no interest in such things to begin with, and would never flatter someone, so she disdainfully looked away.
But as soon as the blank workbook was opened, before even a single word was written, a name that Lu Shizhen knew all too well rang out amidst the boasting and flattery at the door.
"Now that Xu Shiyue is gone, Chenchen, you've become the chief?" a girl asked curiously.
This question was on Sun Chenchen's mind. She laughed dismissively and said, "Even if she were me, I should be the top student! She only started practicing piano in elementary school, while I started at the age of three. I have far more talent and experience than her."
"Judging from her usual pretentious attitude, she's probably afraid of making a scene at school, so she's simply dropping out."
Before Sun Chenchen could get any agreement from those around her, a sneer rang out: "You started learning piano at three, how come you're being suppressed for two years by someone who only started learning piano in elementary school?"
Lu Shizhen remained seated in her chair, her raised arm supporting her slightly tilted head.
Her smooth, dark hair cascaded down her side, giving it a rich, dark, and cold feel in the sunlight.
Realizing who was speaking, the previously lively class suddenly fell silent.
Sun Chenchen, having failed to show off, was instead speechless and immediately shouted angrily, "Lu Shizhen, what nonsense are you spouting here when you can't even hold a bow?"
"Xu Shiyue is just not good enough. Her fingering is wrong, and her bow-holding gesture is wrong too. During the art festival rehearsals last semester, she played a wrong syllable several times!"
"Did she make a mistake during the actual performance?" Lu Shizhen asked lightly, propping her chin up with her hand.
“Then…” Sun Chenchen was speechless after Lu Shizhen’s words, and said in a fit of anger, “That’s just because she’s lucky! My teacher told me that she doesn’t have any talent to begin with, she’s just being promoted.”
"I wonder if her family has heard the saying, 'Those who are unworthy of their position will surely suffer misfortune.' She deserves it; all the school's best resources have been poured into her, and she's dominated the top spot for so many matches. This is just the karmic retribution for her terrible skills..."
Once the switch to evil is turned on, it becomes uncontrollable.
Sun Chenchen's words became increasingly harsh, the malice born of jealousy piling up and seeping through the headphones as if a vast darkness was surging towards Xu Shiyue, who was thousands of miles away.
At that moment, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.
The sunlight streaming through the window was not gentle, engulfing the girl in a blinding white world, while the slight vibrations of her headphones pressed against her ear bones.
Xu Shiyue's ears seemed to have been covered.
Like a butterfly flitting across her vision, in the silent vastness, she heard the most familiar yet most unfamiliar voice she had heard in recent days: "Don't listen to this idiot's nonsense, the violin you play is the best in the world!"
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