Gilded Rust - YiZhan

Chapter 10 - Empty Spaces

The pair climbed the last set of stairs and arrived on the top floor. Mr. Xiao showed him the light switch he'd mentioned and flipped another one, filling the small space with white light. He guided Yibo along the stairs into a small L-shaped, carpeted open space. Although the modern decor contrasted with the rest of the house, the old scent lingered. By a window—which, according to Yibo's calculation, must have aligned with the second-floor landing window—stood a mini-fridge and a compact chair and table.

"You can use these when you don't feel like going all the way to the kitchen," Mr. Xiao said before crossing the space and stopping in front of a series of glass panels. Strangely, the curtains appeared to be on the outside.

"The year my parents moved out—or maybe the following one—an electrical fire broke out on this floor. They contained and extinguished it quickly enough, but my brother decided to take the opportunity to turn the old servants' quarters into guest rooms instead."

Liveliness had returned to the man's voice as though he preferred this floor above all others.

"In fact, I used to sleep here often even though I've always had a room on the second floor, but my parents insisted I stop after Amelia's birth." He scratched his head nervously. "They thought it improper."

Yibo blinked. Was he imagining things, or was his boss fidgety all of a sudden?

"This behind me is the solarium," he continued, changing the subject abruptly.

Yibo could have sworn the man's ears reddened. Was he regretting mentioning his old sleeping arrangements? Had he not behaved so strangely, Yibo would've soon forgotten his words, but now, his curiosity had been awoken. Not because the ins and outs of his boss's life interested him but because he needed to understand why this information had been shared at all. Was it relevant?

"Aside from me and the occasional staff member, nobody ever uses it, so please enjoy it whenever you feel like it. I'd take you inside, but you won't be able to see much at this time of day."

Yibo nodded. An awkward silence followed, during which Mr. Xiao wrung his hand. He continued.

"Well," he said, unclasping his hands. "Let me show you your room."

Mr. Xiao walked to a door across the solarium, opened it, turned on the light, and stepped inside, Yibo in tow.

"This is all yours. It's not much, but I hope it's acceptable," he said after setting Yibo's bag on the carpet.

At a loss for words, Yibo glanced around the room that spanned at least the size of Caihong and his aunt's rooms combined. Below a window, flanked by two charcoal bedside tables, stood the biggest bed Yibo had ever seen. A single look at the fluffy white bedding was enough to conclude that it would be comfortable. The space also included a dresser, a work desk, and an armoire, all in matching colours. Had the room included a small cooking area, Yibo would have been happy to rent such a space to live on his own.

"Thank you," he said, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. "It's great!"

Mr. Xiao smiled warmly, all traces of his previous embarrassment gone.

"I'm glad you like it, but you haven't seen all of it yet," he said.

The man walked past the foot of the bed and opened a door on the left.

"This is your ensuite."

Yibo blinked. An ensuite. His own bathroom. Without waiting for an invitation, he stepped inside and turned on the light. Decorated in the same grayscale as the room, the ensuite included a glass shower, a vanity with a sink, and a toilet equipped with a bidet. White fluffy towels hung on a bar by the door. This place looked like a luxurious hotel suite.