Please don't make such jokes.

"....Later on, we'll conspire,

As we dream by the fire,

To face unafraid, the plans that we've made,

Walking in a winter wonderland...."

-Winter Wonderland lyrics.

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Mr.Hay arrived to show them their rooms, "Madam has instructed me to give you Ms.Dian's room to stay. You may temporarily live in the guest room and move over to the lady's room after I have finished arranging it."

Bell looked him up and down. The Mr.Hay she knew was a polite, spick and span old man, the Hay in front of her right now was a polite, spick and span young man. In other words, there was not much change between his older and younger self. Old Hay always remained good old Hay, but the person who had changed significantly was her grandfather. His younger version was considerably different from his older version, he even had a fish allergy as an addition.

She wanted old Hay to confirm the claim, "Does Leon Wen have a fish allergy?"

"Young Master Wen is allergic to salmon, cod, tuna, and carp, halibut, trout, fish stock, fish sauce, fish oil." said Mr.Hay "If there is anything else the young miss likes to know if it is within my liberties to divulge such information I shall do so willingly."

The same old fast and formal speech, thought Bell. When she was a young girl she used to imitate old Hay and make her grandpa laugh. She had been awfully missing it all for the past few years, old Hay's speech, her grandfather's loud laughter...but now, here was an extraordinary chance to hear them all again...

"It's alright Mr.Hay, I'll let you know if I need something," she said.

He gave her a light bow before leaving.

Bell moved into the guest room where a maid was already arranging her bath.She took a hot shower before changing into the clothes that Mrs.Wen had arranged for her...To produce such clothes at such short notice, undoubtedly they must have belonged to her Grandpa's sister...

The window of the guest room overlooked the courtyard and Bell stood there for some time watching the snow. She had to let it sink in that all this was real, this house was real, the people were real, the snow falling in front of her was real...

Leon Wen had suddenly made his appearance in the courtyard, he seemed to be receiving a guest, a middle aged man. They seemed to be discussing a serious matter. Leon suddenly looked in her direction. Bell smiled and waved at him. He did not smile back but there was a certain warmth forming in his chest as he looked at her.

"Who is that?" asked his middle-aged guest.

"That is the person I talked to you about, the girl appeared from nowhere, she even knows the matters about Coldburrow and has boldly claimed to be my family," said Leon.

"I know that you are very cautious and won't trust a soul, but since she already knows something about you I suggest that you keep her within eyesight. Then again she might be a pro-democracy agent for all we know. But what happened back there was a close call Agent Leon, I would have arrived here only to attend your funeral."

Leon nodded. Yes that was a close call, he had had a brush with death, he had thought that this time he was done for real.But then she had appeared out of nowhere, as if fallen from the sky, and fearless in the face of danger...back in Coldburrow too she had shown some strong conviction, it would be better if she did not belong to the enemy faction."So you were saying Coldburrow was indeed the first choice of the higher-ups?" asked Leon.

"Yes, Coldburrow is saved for now but Hiacity took the brunt, they have killed hundreds of civilians.It will be all over the newspapers tomorrow."

Leon Wen sighed. They couldn't save people after all. "We avoided the tragedy in Coldburrow but then the people of Hiacity were killed. Wen Bell would be disappointed."

"Who is Wen Bell? "

"That girl you just saw."

"She seems to have gotten close to you already..."

"Please don't make such jokes."

"Once you find out more about her, if she is pro-democracy let her join us, if she is a spy, then I'll send you two of our boys to take her in, she might have information."

Leon nodded, he doubted that though. But he would remain vigilant, he had yet to figure out who she was.

The other agent adjusted his cap and prepared to leave, "I cannot stay here for long. Need to be on the move. What are your future plans Leon Wen?"

Leon Wen looked at him somewhat surprised at his question.

"You have already finished your studies...we need to plant someone in Hiacity, someone capable, someone the military might recruit." said the agent.

"What should I do?" asked Leon

"Get married."

"What?"

"Find a sensible patriotic girl, someone who can keep her mouth shut, a smart quiet one, marry her and settle in Hiacity, we'll arrange a job for you in the government, close enough for them to take notice of you and recruit you, far enough to not make them suspect your identity."

Leon Wen did not say anything. He walked some distance with him to his car before bidding him goodbye.

"I'll wait for your wedding card," said the agent smiling, before driving away.