The Lonely Young Master

Wasn't it fun to learn new languages?

Although she had just recently started to find the joy in doing so, Li Yanmei always tried to make sure to learn at least 5 new vocabulary words each day.

Her current focus was on learning Japanese, driven by her desire to watch anime shows and movies without relying on subtitles.

Li Yanmei could bet a hundred cents that a lot of people have the same goal for learning the said language.

There were just too many anime shows and movies that she wanted to watch, but haven't yet found the time to do so.

Her watchlist was already very long, but she was still eagerly asking for recommendations from fellow anime enthusiasts.

After plugging her phone into the charger, Li Yanmei set about tidying her bedroom.

She smoothed the bed sheets with care, folding her cozy blanket neatly and arranging the plump pillows against the headboard.

Taking a moment to admire her handiwork, she couldn't help but appreciate the simple satisfaction of a well-made bed, knowing it would set a positive tone for the day ahead.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Li Yanmei went to the bathroom to begin her morning routine.

As the cool water cascaded over her face, her mind drifted back to the lingering shadows in Xiao Bao's dreamscape.

She knew in her heart that her eyes hadn't played tricks on her.

That shadow in the bamboo hut had been real, and it was dashing towards Xiao Bao!

The memory tugged at her, hinting at an untold story waiting to be unraveled. It stirred a mix of concern and curiosity within her, beckoning her to venture deeper into the mysteries that lay hidden within the dreamscape.

Letting out a heartfelt sigh, Li Yanmei murmured under her breath, "I really need to see Yue again."

It had been almost a week since she first awakened her gift.

If not for the plum blossom-sealed envelope and the regular nightly trip to the dreamscape, she would have thought that her encounter with Yue was nothing but her whimsical fantasy.

Gathering her thoughts, Li Yanmei finished her morning routine and prepared to face the day.

Although the thought of the shadows lurking in the dreamscape filled her with a mix of trepidation and hopelessness, she was fully aware of her incapability to do anything about it.

Instead of wasting her time on worrying about things she obviously couldn't control, she might as well focus her time, energy and effort on the things that she could control—for example, her board exam review.

Thus, Li Yanmei continued grinding on solving civil engineering reference questions for the rest of the day, waiting until midnight came to revisit the dreamscape once again.

Meanwhile...

In the serene expanse of a luxurious villa, nestled thousands of miles away from the Li Family Residence, a child emerged from slumber, adorned in a cozy panda onesie.

As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, he awakened with a surge of youthful energy, ready to embrace the day.

Yet, despite the excitement that coursed through his veins, an elusive sense of unease tugged at his heart.

There was a faint whisper, a nagging feeling in his gut that he had forgotten something of great importance.

A cloud of uncertainty loomed above, casting a subtle shadow on his otherwise cheerful demeanor.

However, the child brushed it aside, determined to focus on the present moment.

With boundless enthusiasm, he jumped out of bed, his tiny feet pitter-pattering across the floor, and dashed through the hallways, propelled by an unseen force.

Descending the spiral staircase in a whirl of motion, he raced towards the heart of the villa – the bustling kitchen.

Anticipation danced in his eyes as he imagined a warm and loving breakfast waiting for him, ready to fuel his adventures.

But as he arrived, his excitement fizzled into disappointment like a candle extinguished by a sudden gust of wind.

The sight before him revealed a lavish spread of mouthwatering delicacies made by the Michelin star chef his father had hired recently.

Yet, amidst the vibrant array of food, a hollow ache settled in the child's chest. The abundance of flavors and textures failed to mend the sadness that lingered within him.

Despite the lavish feast laid out before him, his heart remained heavy, burdened by an unseen weight that he couldn't quite comprehend.

His brows furrowed, and his small shoulders slumped in a momentary defeat. The sumptuous breakfast had lost its appeal, overshadowed by the profound sadness that enveloped him.

It was a sorrow that could not be sated by material indulgence, a yearning for something intangible that eluded his grasp.

As the child's small and solitary figure stood amidst the grandeur of the villa, hidden in a corner, the hearts of the maids, ever watchful and empathetic, silently shattered.

Their eyes filled with unspoken sorrow, witnessing their Young Master's persistent loneliness each time the Sir and the Madam were absent from the breakfast table.

They longed to comfort him, to soothe the ache in his innocent heart, but they knew their efforts would be in vain.

The child yearned for the love and presence of his parents, a longing they couldn't alleviate.

It had been quite some time since the family of three had shared a morning meal together, the lively chatter and warm companionship a distant memory.

In the early years, when the Young Master was but a tender soul of less than five, the Sir and the Madam made it a priority to find moments to be with their beloved son.

Even if one of them was occupied, the other would always be there, a steady presence in the child's life.

Yet, as the Young Master turned six, the dynamic of their family underwent a profound shift.

It seemed as though the once cherished moments were but illusions, fading into the realm of distant dreams.

The loving unity they once shared was now replaced by a profound sense of desolation, leaving behind only the echoes of their shared past.

The maids and butlers, ever attentive to their Young Master's every word, recalled how he used to inquire with innocent curiosity, "Where's mommy and daddy?"

Their hearts would ache in response, striving to find the right words to console him.

But as time wore on, even the child's poignant questions ceased to escape his lips.

The weight of disappointment settled upon his young shoulders, eroding his hope and extinguishing his once fervent inquiries.

Now, in the stillness of the villa, the maids and butlers could only observe their Young Master's silent yearning.

Their hearts overflowed with a mixture of compassion and helplessness, their roles reduced to mere witnesses in a story they couldn't rewrite.

They longed for the day when the family's bonds would rekindle, when the breakfast table would once again be a place of shared laughter and warmth.

But for now, they could only stand as silent guardians, ready to offer solace and support when the time came.