Sounds of firecrackers and cheerful commotion could be heard from behind the tall estate walls. Bright red lanturns hung from every possible location, lighting up the courtyard in the night. Its brightness comparable to the sunshine during the day.
Today was the New Years and FeiNan has already sent JunQing home to accompany his mother, they had both agreed to meet at his house so they could enjoy the festivities together.
"Wishing Host a Happy New Year, but please do not forget your mission."
"Do I look like someone who would forget System??"
"..would Host like an honest answer?"
"...no.."
FeiNan muttered as his fixed his same white mask securely onto his face. His plan was to meet his Second Younger Sister before going out.
With an evil glint he made his way to the second sibling's courtyard and tried his best to find her.
Not long after, he saw her sitting in a pavilion drinking tea alone, it painted a beautiful picture and one would be hesistant to disturb it.
FeiNan's heart would probably soften at the sight of this, but he knew the ugly nature underbeneath this picturesque facade.
He quickly made his way there, concealing the malice within his eyes.
"Second Younger Sister greetings."
Shocked by the sudden voice and maybe a little guilt, she quickly stood up and curtsied towards FeiNan.
"F-first Older Brother, what brings you here?"
Clearly more than a little nervous, FeiNan sneered in his heart,
"Little Sister not going to enjoy the festivities?"
"I do not feel well..."
"Well you can also stay and take care of Concubine Yu...I heard she has also not been feeling too good."
Who would feel good after being poisoned by the young and charming Second Young Mistress after all.
FeiNan turned his back around, hurrumping in his heart but amicably saying,
"Well I'm leaving to enjoy the festivities, be sure to take some time off too."
"Little sister.....remembers."
She tilted her head up, murderous intent flashes through her eyes as she stared a hole through FeiNan's body. As if berating herself for not being able to kill him right then and there.
FeiNan on the other hand was being happily praised by his system,
"Since she knows how you look like with the mask, the mission won't be compromised!! Host is smart!!"
"You know System, some missions require me to kill some concubines but because of that smart little girl I don't have to do anything!!"
The system buzzed twice and ceased talking, but FeiNan was too preoccupied with his small victory.
His nose grew longer and longer as he made his way to the market place. Gawking and gazing at the newly hung up decorations and the various performances specially created for this occasion.
Arriving at the same dingy door, but now with a hint of happiness within, FeiNan stepped in and gleefully said,
"JunQing!!"
The boy wiping the small side table quickly turned toward FeiNan,
"NanFei.You're here."
The woman who was having a shallow sleep awoke at the sound of that, she feebly said,
"NanFei, let me see you.."
He quickly knelt beside her and supported her hands, letting them entwine with her fingers.
"NanFei..we seen each other for the last few months, now a New Year is starting, I'm very happy that I have met you before my life ends.."
"N-no don't say that..."
The system said that you will be healed tomorrow, tomorrow everything will be fine...
Her hands found new strength and gripped his fingers tightly, a flicker of hope in her unfocused eyes as she coughed,
"Please take care of JunQing for me when I'm gone."
Both NanFei and JunQing were shocked by this sudden sentence.
They each grasped her hands, their eyes demanding an explanation from her,
She said nothing, only heaving afew times before patting the back of their hands.
FeiNan choked back tears and croaked,
"Tommorrow...tommorrow."
In the last life he lost his mother due to an illness, he could not stop time from taking her. In this life....he was determined to help this woman...no his mother...
He whispered,
"System do you really not have a solution for her illness now?"
"Replying Host, system must adhere to the plotline, this woman is a key starting point of the Protaganist and Female Lead's relationship."
Using her fingers to flick the tears away, she said,
"Go have fun with JunQing, I'll be here waiting.."
There were slight voices of disapproval coming from both the boys, but her slight smile and small pats gradually ushered them out the door.
"We'll be back soon. Please crush this if anything happens."
He placed a small bead next to her, a red shiny bead, it serves as an alarm system that would immediately notify FeiNan.
They shuffled out the room, not forgetting to check back worriedly at the lady, earning a slight chuckle and wave of a hand at them, urging them to quickly go out.
Now walking towards the marketplace, JunQing could not help but ever so often sneak a glance at the part of the face exposed by the mask, like the nose, which was slightly red due to the intense rubbing it was subjected to.
Noticing how FeiNan had traces of tears, JunQing quickly took out a small handkerchief and stopped the young man in his tracks.
"JunQing?"
Soundlessly, he lightly wipes the tear streaks, the red glow from the lanterns lighting up the vicinity.
FeiNan was not used to this sudden contact, and he quickly tugged the handkerchief away, turning around and slightly lifting up his mask to wipe his entire face.
With the sudden loss of intimacy, JunQing's fist clenched and unclenched, looking at the back of the person that he knows yet does not know.
His hand reached out, fingers spreading apart wanting to tug the mask away.
Suddenly the FeiNan's shoulders tensed up,
"We have to go back!"
He whipped back towards JunQing with bloodshot eyes, the earrings he wore were now pulsating red, buzzing violently as the intensity of the light increased.
They rushed back towards the house, only to find the front door smashed opened, some flimsy wood panels and splinters hung from the hinges.
JunQing pulled the frantic FeiNan back and went forward himself, taking a step into the raided area.
The calming moonlight from before suddenly transformed into something more sinister, as it filters through the windows, casting shadows onto the floors.
Right infront of them was a man clad head to toe in black, leaving only a slit for his eyes to peek out. The dagger in his hands dripped with blood as he stared at the body beneath him.
Since the lady crushed something within her palms when she saw him enter, he simply chopped her hand off.
But it seems like he was too late, as now two young men have arrived to the scene.
He cranked his head up, glancing coldly at the both of them, settling his eyes on the stunned FeiNan.
A White mask...
Author's Note:
Exams exams~~