Qi Gai follows Maid Su up the narrow wooden stairs, his footsteps light, and cautious. His head remains lowered, though his thoughts are restless. He does not know where he is being taken, only that ten gold bars have just changed the course of his life.
Maid Su stops in front of a private room.
"Enter first," she says quietly.
Qi Gai hesitates for a breath, then pushes the door open and steps inside.
The scent of tea greets him instantly warm, refined, nothing like the rough smells of the common hall below. His eyes lift despite himself.
Inside, near the window, sits a woman.
She is drinking tea slowly, her posture composed, her movements unhurried. A thin veil conceals her face, yet even through it, her elegance is unmistakable. Sunlight spills across her sleeves, catching on the fine fabric of her clothing.
Qi Gai's breath stalls.
He bows deeply at once. "This humble one greets the lady."
Shen Qingwan studies him in silence.
She had expected a frail, beaten servant.
Instead, she sees a young man with sharp brows and clear eyes, his features striking even beneath wear and exhaustion. Though his clothes are plain, they do nothing to hide his straight posture or well defined frame. His hair is neatly cut despite his circumstances, and there is a quiet dignity about him that does not belong to a beggar.
For a brief moment, Qingwan forgets to speak.
With proper clothes... with proper grooming.
He would not look inferior to any nobelman.
The thought surprises her.
She sets her teacup down.
"I bought you," she says simply, her voice calm and steady, "because you are going to do something for me."
Qi Gai stiffens.
Without hesitation, he drops to one knee, one hand pressed firmly against his chest, his head lowered in solemn respect.
"This lowly one will obey the lady's command," he says. "No matter the task."
The gesture is too formal.
Too practiced.
Qingwan's fingers tighten slightly.
"Stand up," she says, a hint of softness slipping into her tone. "You don't need to kneel."
Qi Gai freezes for half a breath, then rises quickly, clearly unused to such words.
"You will not be ordered like a servant," she continues. "From today onward, you are my personal bodyguard."
The room falls silent.
Qi Gai's eyes widen before he can stop himself.
A bodyguard?
Not a servant. Not a tool. Not a disposable life.
He says nothing but his body stills as though struck by lightning.
Slowly, he bows again, deeper this time.
"This one understands."
He steps to her side and stands there, straight-backed and alert, instinctively taking the position of someone meant to protect.
Shen Qingwan watches him for a moment, then lifts her teacup once more and finishes the last sip. Her expression remains calm, unreadable beneath the veil.
She rises.
"Let's go."
She walks out of the room while Qi Gai follows closely, silent and vigilant, already fulfilling the role he does not yet understand.
Shen Qingwan walks ahead with quiet composure, her veil fluttering gently with each step. Maid Su and Qi Gai follow a short distance behind her.
Su steals glances at her mistress.
Something is different.
Lady Shen's back is straighter than before, her steps surer, her presence heavier as though the gentle fourth lady she has served for years has been replaced by someone calmer, sharper, someone who sees far beyond the present moment. It feels almost as if another soul has taken residence in her lady's body.
Su presses her lips together, saying nothing.
Qi Gai walks silently, his gaze lowered, attentive to every movement around them. He does not ask questions. He does not hesitate. He simply follows.
Soon, the tall gates of the Shen Mansion come into view.
As they enter, Butler Shi a gray haired, dignified, and upright as ever steps forward to greet them. His brows furrow the moment his eyes land on the unfamiliar young man trailing behind.
"Fourth Lady…" he begins, confusion flickering across his face.
Shen Qingwan stops.
"Uncle Shi," she says, her tone gentle and respectful as always, accompanied by a small smile. "Please arrange a bath for him. Bring him clean clothes."
Butler Shi blinks. "This… young man?"
"Yes," Qingwan replies calmly. "His name is Qi Gai. I leave him in your care."
The words are light, yet they carry finality.
Qi Gai steps forward and bows deeply. "Greetings, Butler."
Butler Shi looks between them, clearly surprised, but he does not question her decision. He has served the Shen family his entire life and when it comes to Lady Shen, his trust is absolute.
"As you wish, Fourth Lady."
He gestures for Qi Gai to follow.
As they walk away, Shen Qingwan watches them for a moment, then turns around and walks away with her expression unreadable.