Chapter 37: The Self-Cultivation of a Canary (2)

“Huh?” The young girl blinked innocently. “This is my phone.”

“Why are you here?” The witch sneered, “You have no right to choose. Hand it over.”

Ling Qiong scratched her chin, thought for a few seconds, and handed over the phone.

“You’ll live here from now on. There’s nothing for you today. Don’t leave your room unless necessary.”

With that, the witch swept away, slamming the door behind her.

Ling Qiong calmly reached into her pocket and pulled out another phone.

Who doesn’t have two phones these days!

...

Ling Qiong found the light switch in the room, but no matter how long she pressed it, the brightness didn’t change.

It was about the brightness of a 5-watt bulb—very dim.

The curtains were even more peculiar; behind them was a wall, not a window.

“...”

Is this really a place for people to live?

Is selling oneself really so miserable?

Fortunately, everything else in the room was of good quality, except for the dim light and lack of windows.

She felt as if she’d entered a strange side quest.

Well, since she was here, she might as well settle in...

Better get some sleep first.

Just in case she had to fight monsters later!

...

Ling Qiong woke up around eleven at night. She touched her rumbling stomach, her little face wrinkling.

“They don’t even provide dinner...”

That’s just outrageous!

Ling Qiong opened the door and stepped out. The corridor outside was pitch black, no lights at all. She took out her phone for illumination.

The corridor in this villa was unusually long, with many twists and turns.

Ling Qiong walked for ages and soon realized she'd gotten lost.

Who designed this place?

Ling Qiong cursed under her breath as she searched for the way.

Just as she was about to give up and log out of this nightmare, she spotted someone ahead. Above his head, golden, dazzling letters glowed: Shen Handeng.

Ling Qiong: “...”

Alright, this was the target character she was looking for.

The person standing at the end wore white pajamas, barefoot on the carpet, facing the direction of the curtains, quietly standing there, lost in thought.

If not for those glowing golden letters above his head, it would actually be a little frightening.

It was not much different from running into a ghost in white in the corridor late at night.

Ling Qiong looked around, cautiously moving closer.

As the distance closed, Ling Qiong could see Shen Handeng’s face clearly.

It was a face somewhere between a youth and a young man, mature yet retaining a hint of boyish innocence.

Ling Qiong swallowed, her eyes beginning to shine.

She was ready.

She was ready once again!

“Shen... young master?” Ling Qiong called softly.

Shen Handeng turned his head, his dark eyes falling on her, devoid of emotion, cold and indifferent.

“I’m new here,” Ling Qiong introduced herself obediently, “L... Ye Qingtang.”

---

Shen Handeng said nothing. His eyes, dark as ink, deep and unfathomable.

Ling Qiong: “...”

Shen Handeng: “...”

The atmosphere was a bit awkward.

The golden letters above Shen Handeng’s head began to fade, disappearing completely in less than ten seconds.

Suddenly, darkness enveloped them. Ling Qiong had to brighten her phone screen.

The person who had just been standing before her was now several meters away.

“???”

He’s a ghost, isn’t he?

Ling Qiong hesitated, then followed him. “Do you know how to get downstairs?”

Shen Handeng didn’t respond, continuing ahead.

“...”

Mute?

No, that witch never said her young master was mute.

Shen Handeng turned two corners, then suddenly raised his hand to point in a direction.

Ling Qiong looked where he pointed, and Shen Handeng turned to leave.

Ling Qiong grabbed his wrist and whispered, “This place feels strange. Come downstairs with me.”

Shen Handeng jerked his wrist free with a strong reaction. “Don’t touch me!”

His voice was pleasant, but rather fierce.

So he wasn’t mute...

“Sorry, I’m just a bit scared. I didn’t know you had this habit,” Ling Qiong apologized sincerely, her voice soft.

Shen Handeng rubbed his wrist, falling silent again.

“I only arrived today. I’m not familiar with the place, but I’m really hungry. Can’t you come with me downstairs?”

The faint light of the phone screen perhaps reflected the hope and softness in the young girl’s gaze.

In such an environment, it made her look especially pitiful.

Shen Handeng rubbed his wrist, staring at her for nearly a minute.

He then walked in the direction he’d pointed.

Ling Qiong’s lips curled into a smile, and she immediately followed.

...

Shen Handeng led Ling Qiong to the kitchen, standing at the doorway as she entered. He parted his lips slightly.

“You won’t find anything to eat.”

Ling Qiong: “Huh?”

Shen Handeng lowered his head, his fingers rubbing his wrist, offering no further explanation.

Ling Qiong scratched her head, continuing to search the kitchen.

There was no cooked food anywhere.

But in the freezer, she found some ingredients.

Holding them up, she turned to show off to Shen Handeng. “Isn’t this food?”

Shen Handeng: “It’s raw.”

Ling Qiong: “I can cook it, can’t I?”

“...”

Ling Qiong’s eyes flickered. “You don’t know how to cook?”

Shen Handeng turned away.

“No worries, you’re the young master. You don’t need to cook for yourself.” Ling Qiong comforted him thoughtfully. “Back then, I lived a life where clothes and meals came to me without lifting a finger. Ah...”

---

The young girl sighed deeply.

Shen Handeng either didn’t hear her mumbling or chose not to respond.

Ling Qiong tried to turn on the lights, but nothing happened after multiple attempts.

“...”

What kind of cursed place is this!

Not even a working light!

“Help me hold the phone for lighting, will you?” Ling Qiong decided to enlist the young master’s help.

He leaned against the kitchen door, and when he heard Ling Qiong’s request, he gave no reaction.

“...”

Never mind.

He is, after all, a young master.

Papa will manage on her own!

Ling Qiong looked for a spot to place her phone, but before she found one, a hand reached out beside her.

Ling Qiong followed the hand to its owner.

The young master looked at her coldly, saying nothing.

Ling Qiong’s lips curved as she handed him the phone, careful not to touch him.

“You really are a good person.”

He stepped back two paces, directing the phone’s light at the counter, gaze shifting elsewhere.

...

Ling Qiong pan-fried steak and cod, plating them onto two dishes.

They didn’t look as nice as those from outside, but the aroma was wonderful.

“Care for some?” Ling Qiong handed Shen Handeng a knife and fork.

He didn’t take them, his gaze resting on the plate.

“Trust me, it’s delicious.” Ling Qiong promoted herself, full of confidence. “It may not look great, but the taste is definitely professional grade.”

Shen Handeng shook his head.

...

Since he refused to eat, Ling Qiong had to finish it herself. After all, she hadn’t had dinner.

Late-night snack and dinner combined.

Ling Qiong ate at the dining table outside. Shen Handeng stood at first, but perhaps tired from standing, eventually sat across from her.

Initially, Shen Handeng didn’t look at her, but later his gaze fell on her.

Ling Qiong glanced at him; he immediately looked away.

She kept eating, and he glanced back.

Ling Qiong looked at him again, and he quickly averted his gaze.

After several rounds, Ling Qiong pushed the untouched plate toward him, her voice soft and gentle: “I can’t finish it. Help me eat it, it’s a shame to waste.”

Shen Handeng pressed his lips together, rather reserved. “Alright.”

He ate elegantly, cutting each piece of steak to almost identical sizes.

He truly was a young master.

Ling Qiong finished the last piece in her plate, resting her chin in her hands as she watched the man opposite her.

Shen Handeng seemed accustomed to being observed; Ling Qiong’s gaze didn’t affect him at all.