The servant gracefully bent her knees and offered a deep bow as the pair passed by.
"Greetings, honorable guest," she said, her voice respectful and measured.
However, when her gaze shifted to the woman beside him, her words faltered for a brief moment.
"And greetings... young lady."
The couple paid no heed to the servant as they continued forward, leaving the servant to straighten up and watch their backs disappear into the corridor.
By now, Yang Huo had passed several servants and guards along the way. The contrast only further reinforced his suspicion that the Su family had indeed abandoned that part of the residence.
Yet, as he pondered about this, his attention returned to the woman walking ahead of him.
She seemed utterly absorbed in the scenery, as though seeing it anew.
'She hadn't said a single word since then...'
Yang Huo couldn't even muster a dry laugh at this. He had genuinely expected her to strike up a conversation the moment they were alone. But jokes on him. She didn't even spare him a glance.
It felt like he had been… forgotten?
As they walked alone through the dimly lit corridor, surrounded by beautiful flora, only the sound of their footsteps accompanied them.
Yang Huo shook his head slowly. No. This wouldn't do.
"I almost forgot to ask," he broke the silence and said casually, "where were you just now?"
He waited.
Two seconds passed.
Then four.
Then eight.
She didn't slow down. Didn't turn. Didn't even twitch.
Yang Huo stared at the back of her head, momentarily at a loss.
Was he being ignored? Or did her mind drifted to some other plane of existence?
Just a moment ago, she had been so emotional upon seeing him. Yet now, she walked ahead as though they were complete strangers.
But looking at her more closely, Yang Huo realized something was clearly occupying her attention—so much so that she hadn't even noticed being called.
'This....'
Yang Huo didn't know what it was, but if she remained like this, agreeing to let her guide him would amount to nothing more than wasted risk.
That wouldn't do.
So… even if done forcefully, he needed to somehow test the waters now.
Especially on the dynamics of their relationship.
With that in mind, he reached out and lightly tapped her shoulder.
As she turned to face him, Yang Huo softened his expression, the edge in his gaze easing as he leaned in.
"You seem to be quite distracted..."
He stopped just within her intimate space—close, but not invasive. Close enough for their breaths to brush faintly. For most maidens, such proximity was subtle enough to create a slight fluster.
"What are you thinking?" His voice lowered, gentle—almost enchanting.
But for her, such techniques seemed to amount to nothing more than empty tricks.
She met his gaze with calm, clear eyes—unaffected by the closeness, unmoved by the warmth between them.
She smiled, almost perfunctorily.
"It's nothing," she said.
Yet for the briefest moment, something else surfaced in her eyes.
Not love.
Not fear.
Not happiness.
And then it was gone—gone before he could identify it.
The young woman looked away and resumed walking.
Hmm....
That definitely piqued his curiosity.
But before Yang Huo could probe further, her expression suddenly changed, as though nothing before had ever happened. Her face brightened, and without warning, she darted forward.
Yang Huo's eyes trailed her as she goes into the room—
'Wait, isn't that my room?'
He quickened his pace, unable to believe the situation.
'Did that darn owl seriously forget to close the door before leaving?'
Finding her standing with her arms tucked behind her back, surveying the room with evident curiosity. walking left and right and even spinning around as if she were in a museum. Yang Huo felt compelled to stop her.
"Do you need something?" he asked, halting her exploration.
She turned toward him, curiosity still lingering in her eyes. "Why don't I see any of your things here?"
The question caught him off guard. Was she dead serious right now?
But she.... didn't seem to be lying.
"Of.... course," he replied slowly. "I only arrived this evening."
Realization dawned on her face. "Aah—so you've only been here for a day? That makes sense." she exclaimed.
As her words faded, the room gradually fell quiet.
After a moment of awkward silence, with neither of them speaking, she smiled sheepishly, cleared her throat, and slipped out.
"Anyway, I'm going back now… b-bye bye!" she stuttered, already in motion as she disappeared down the corridor.
Yang Huo was left momentarily perplexed.
Shaking his head, Yang Huo wasn't quite sure how to react.
'It... seemed it will take a long while to figure her out.'
Amused despite himself, he let out a small chuckle and moved to close the door.
But just as it was about to shut, an arm suddenly blocked it.
Yang Huo slid it open again, only to find her standing there once more.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Her expression remained solemn as she extended her hand toward him, palm open—clearly asking for something.
A strange sense of familiarity stirred—
"My necklace," she said heavily. "Give it back."
Obviously, Yang Huo didn't understand what she—wait. Necklace?
"....The keepsake?"
"Yes. My mother's keepsake." She furrowed her brows. "Don't tell me you forgot."
"I know you're the one who's been holding onto it all this time."
In that instant, Yang Huo's thoughts kicked into overdrive.
The revelation caught him off guard, but dwelling on it wouldn't help. What mattered was handling the situation properly.
In the blink of an eye, Yang Huo seamlessly slipped into the persona of the original Yang Huo he had been envisioning.
A sly grin curved his lips as he leaned casually against the doorframe, exuding an air of casual confidence.
"You already know the answer, don't you?"
The young woman, Su Meiying, narrowed her eyes. "So you won't give it back?"
Yang Huo merely smiled—and said nothing.
A heavy atmosphere descended, punctuated only by the intense stare-down between this couple.
As the tension mounted, nearing suffocation, Su Meiying broke the gaze, exhaling a quiet, resigned sigh.
Disappointment flickered across her face, but she seemed to accept it.
"Then at least… keep it safe," she said softly. "You know how important it is to me."
But once again, Yang Huo said nothing. He simply observe—
Suddenly, Su Meiying produced a strikingly familiar white pill and shoved it into her mouth, biting down hard. Far too hard. The movement was rough, almost violent, and her eyes—especially her eyes—were unmistakably menacing.
After that violent display, she turned and left without another word.
"....."
Yang Huo's eye twitched.
'Was that.... a threat???'