I saw him pacing back and forth, unable to control the unsettling feeling that welled up inside me...
Has Jing Yuan changed so drastically?
He's still the same as before, working properly, speaking appropriately, never crossing boundaries, but now the only difference is he doesn't spend his free time with me, doesn't take me out, and doesn't share stories or do little things with me... this makes me incredibly unhappy...
I feel it's too "normal."
So normal... it's as if we were never close.
This is clearly what I wanted most, so why is it now... making me feel so disappointed?
That afternoon.
I sat in my room, staring at my phone, but not a single word registered in my mind.
After a while, I angrily threw it aside.
"...how annoying."
I muttered.
He's clearly just a housekeeper.
There's no need to pay so much attention to him.
But
I sat up abruptly.
My gaze lingered on the teddy bear at the head of the bed.
Silence for a few seconds.
Then I suddenly stood up.
"Never mind."
I went downstairs.
Just then I saw Jing Yuan in the living room, seemingly looking at some papers.
I guessed it was some miscellaneous papers, or maybe a newspaper or something.
He stood straight, his eyes focused, his demeanor as cold as ever.
I stood on the stairs looking down.
My steps suddenly halted.
…I suddenly found it difficult to speak.
"…"
I frowned.
Annoyed with myself.
Then I still went down.
Hearing the sound, Jing Yuan looked up.
His gaze lingered on me for a second.
Then he nodded slightly:
"Young Master."
His voice was calm.
Nothing else.
That very attitude… made me even more uncomfortable.
I walked over and stood in front of him.
Silence.
No words.
Jing Yuan didn't ask either.
Just waited.
"…Jing Yuan."
I called.
"Yes."
"…are you free these days?"
After asking, I realized the question was pointless.
The butler was always busy.
Jing Yuan looked at me and replied briefly:
"It depends on the young master's affairs."
I paused for a moment.
Then I continued, my voice somewhat strained:
"…are you going out this afternoon?"
The atmosphere was silent for a moment.
Jing Yuan didn't answer immediately.
His gaze was on me, a little deeper than usual, as if he were considering something.
"…where does the young master wish to go?"
He finally asked again.
I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling inexplicably… a little more at ease.
"Anywhere is fine."
I turned away, trying to sound normal:
"I'm bored at home."
Kình Uyên was silent for a few seconds.
Then he softly replied:
"Okay."
Just one word.
Without much emotion.
But enough.
Afternoon.
The car was ready.
I stepped outside, glancing at Kình Uyên.
He was as neat and serious as ever, nothing had changed.
I pursed my lips slightly.
"...here."
Kình Uyên looked at me.
I held out the teddy bear.
"This...you didn't accept it last time."
I spoke a little faster than usual.
"Take it now."
The atmosphere suddenly slowed.
Kình Uyên looked at the bear in my hand.
Then he looked up at me.
His eyes subtly changed, almost imperceptible if one wasn't paying attention.
He didn't accept it immediately.
Neither did he refuse.
I just asked,
"Young master… do you want me to accept it?"
I frowned, feeling a little flustered, and stammered,
"No… why would I give it to you?"
This time, Jing Yuan didn't dodge.
He reached out and took the teddy bear.
"Thank you, young master."
His voice was still calm.
But for some reason… it wasn't as distant as before.
I looked at him for a second.
Then turned away. For some reason, I felt like I would blush if I looked at his face…
"…let's go."
But I didn't know…
As soon as I turned away,
Jing Yuan gently tightened his grip on the teddy bear.
His gaze darkened.
It was unclear what he was thinking.