Chapter 49#

Extra Story 2

『Old He, how do you raise these flowers?』

『Cough, Old He, this bowl of ginseng soup… I’ll drink—I’ll drink it…』

『Old He, please keep an eye on Zai Zai with Sister Fang, yes, don’t tell him I’m on a business trip, that child clings so tightly.』

『Old He, there are some things I just can’t figure out, really…』

『…Old He, am I…』

『…really useless?』

The Little Master was gone.

A-Fang sorted through the clothes in the Little Master’s wardrobe, washing and ironing each one anew. There was also a newly knitted sweater, a pity it wasn’t finished while the Little Master was still here; she’d only completed it last night.

Back then, as she knitted, A-Fang had said.

It’s cold down there; the Little Master, with such a slight frame, absolutely needed to dress warmly.

The eldest and second child helped A-Fang, folding the clothes until they collapsed on the floor, weeping.

Years ago, when A-Fang was finally pregnant, she suddenly got stomach pains and went into labor. The Little Master, a man of important affairs, actually drove back from the company to personally take A-Fang to the hospital.

Neither I nor A-Fang had much education. The eldest and second child’s names were even chosen by the Little Master.

Once the two children grew a bit older, they were always getting into trouble. Which time wasn’t the Little Master covering for them? Back then, A-Fang often told me that the eldest and second would eventually be spoiled rotten by the Little Master. Fortunately, when the Little Master had his own little one, he finally understood the hardships of being a parent. He set some rules and stopped putting the child on a pedestal.

A-Fang often said—

The Little Master… this big kid, he’s a bit oblivious, but he really knows how to care for others. He’s good to everyone.

Yes.

Yes… Little Master, good to everyone.

I’ve worked for the Ren family for most of my life. Seen plenty come and go.

When I was young, I met the Little Master.

The Little Master only reached my chest. He was a real chubby boy. His features weren’t bad, actually, but compared to the other children of the Ren and Wang families, he was a bit less noticeable. Colleagues at the time all said the Little Master looked like no one else in the household.

I first spoke with the Little Master when he was quite a bit older. By then, compared to before, he had lost a lot of weight and was fair and clean. At the time, I was tending the back garden. From a distance, I spotted the Little Master peeking around furtively. Almost a high school graduate, acting like a thief. When he saw me, he quickly walked over, crouched down to look at a cutting, and asked, “Last time I saw… it obviously wouldn’t survive. How… did you manage it?”

The Little Master spoke very gently, quite different from the other young masters of the Ren and Wang families.

I used to often hear people say the Little Master was somewhat aloof, hard to get along with, completely unlike the Cousin Master. Actually, in my opinion, the Cousin Master was harder to please. Maybe it’s like A-Fang says—those who are good-looking and capable tend to be lovable.

Every time the Little Master came to the yard, he was always in a hurry. The yard was only managed by me and A-Fang, a couple. Usually, few people came. Having this student around actually livened things up a bit. The Little Master didn’t talk much. Sometimes he just watched us work; other times he asked us to teach him, getting himself all dirty.

It was then I understood—what those people meant by “not like” wasn’t just about the Little Master’s appearance.

Before A-Fang married me, she worked at a pastry shop and had some skills. Now she gardens with me. With just a few of us in this big yard, she never said anything, but she was often a bit restless inside. After the Little Master started coming regularly, A-Fang perked up considerably. Every few days, she’d insist on making something different for the Little Master to try.

The Little Master was very amiable and well-behaved. But the Old Madam had weathered many storms and had a fiery temper. It was inevitable she looked down on the Little Master’s disposition. In the whole household, there was hardly anyone he could talk to, except the Cousin Master…

Actually, both A-Fang and I understood.

Every time A-Fang made some new pastry, the Little Master would try a bit, then take out a white handkerchief and carefully wrap up a good portion. No need to ask—we knew who it was for.

When the Cousin Master went abroad to study, the Little Master also got into the same university. A-Fang and I took leave from Manager Zhang. A-Fang even prepared three lunch boxes, saying the Little Master could eat them on the plane. Not many people came to see him off. The Old Madam was already in poor health. Quite a few people came from the Wang family. Zhang Ma held the Cousin Master and talked incessantly, then started crying after a while.

A-Fang and I, being servants, didn’t feel comfortable saying much. But the Little Master was an emotional child. He spotted us from afar and ran over, out of breath.

The Little Master was wearing that blue shirt, the one A-Fang and I bought him. I had deliberated for a long time back then. The Little Master lacked nothing; I really didn’t know what to give him. We went around the mall again and again. In the end, it was A-Fang who chose the gift. On the Little Master’s birthday, we held onto this gift for ages, only wrapping it in colored paper. It was indeed a bit shabby.

Fortunately, the Little Master didn’t mind.

“Old He, Sister Fang… why are you here? Hah—”

When the Little Master truly smiled, there was a hint of foolishness. He looked a bit brighter, more like a child than usual.

“Sister Fang, did you prepare all this? Ah, th-thank you. Really, you didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”

“Old He, Sister Fang, why are you staring at me…?”

A-Fang was right. Whatever the Little Master wore, he looked good, he looked good…

Later, the Cousin Master came to call him. A-Fang and I didn’t hold the Little Master back any longer. There were other people around, so we couldn’t get too close to the Little Master.

Everyone from the Wang family was good-looking. The Cousin Master was the most handsome among those children. A-Fang used to say all the time that if she had a child, she’d want one like the Cousin Master—good-looking and highly capable. Later, she stopped mentioning that and instead often had the Little Master on her lips.

The Little Master always got nervous around the Cousin Master. The Cousin Master had beautiful eyes, but his gaze wasn’t kind. He treated the Little Master quite badly.

“What’s that in your hand?”

“Ah, this…”

“Ren Qiri, you can’t bring outside food on a plane. Don’t tell me you don’t even know that basic fact?”

The Little Master fidgeted with his fingers, looking troubled. A-Fang and I both flushed red. In the end, the Little Master forced himself to eat it all outside the airport, saying he absolutely couldn’t waste Sister Fang’s kindness. After the Little Master entered the boarding area, A-Fang and I were outside hailing a taxi when we saw that car drive past from behind.

Or rather, we saw Third Master.

Third Master was sitting in the car. A-Fang and I both worked in the yard, so we’d only seen him from afar a few times. But his appearance was hard to forget.

At that time, we were genuinely surprised. Everyone could see the Old Madam didn’t dote on the Little Master. But we hadn’t realized that Third Master cared for the Little Master, at least a little.

Looking back now, I feel A-Fang and I misjudged things.

A-Fang and I—truly, truly misjudged things. Misjudged things.

I don’t understand.

Little Master, Old He really doesn’t understand either.

Little Master… such a lovable child. How could he, how could he…

The Cousin Master’s wolfish ambition, I saw it clearly. I don’t know if the Little Master owed him something in a past life, but in this life, he let him ruin him so miserably.

Back then, when the Little Master wanted to keep him in the company, A-Fang and I both disapproved. But who could say anything? The Little Master lost his father when he was young. When he got older, his mother went mad and left too. The only person the Little Master was close to was the Cousin Master, only… only that heartless, conscience-lack bastard!

A-Fang and I had seen it countless times—that bastard together with the Madam. But could we say anything? Could we… Every day when the Little Master came back from the company, I could only quickly take off his coat and briefcase, so that the Little Master… wouldn’t be crushed by these things.

I knew the Little Master was suffering greatly.

Later, later… that disgraceful incident happened.

…It was all, all the work of the Cousin Master and Third Master. The Little Master… even when he fell asleep in the study from exhaustion, muttering “Wang Zheng” in his sleep—what was that about? And that “Third Uncle” he mentioned to us, saying he was more important than anything—what intentions did that hold!

“Ren Qiri! It’s your own fault for being useless! You want my dad to lend you money? Pah! Your company is a bottomless pit! If you want to die, go die yourself! Don’t drag me and Zai Zai down until we don’t even have a place to sleep!”

Something this big happened to the company, and A-Fang and I didn’t even know.

The Little Master never told us about these things.

On the morning before the Little Master left, the cosmos flowers in the yard were in full bloom. Little Ancestor, along with the eldest and second child, picked some and put them in a vase in the Little Master’s study. A-Fang said she’d cook a nice dinner that night to help the Little Master regain some spirit.

The Ren Corporation was gone, but at least… there was still this home.

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my tie and sleeves—after all, I was still the butler of this house. When the Little Master came back, I would take his coat and then brew him a good cup of tea.

That day, I waited for a long time.

But no matter what, I couldn’t wait for the Little Master to open the door and say—

Old He, I’m back.

I’m back.

I’m back…

Old He…

For the Little Master’s final journey, A-Fang stayed home to watch over the eldest and second child.

The eldest and second had cried themselves out. Especially the second—the boy held back tears during the day, but in the middle of the night, he would wake with a start, crying out and shouting “Uncle.”

A-Fang said she wouldn’t go. She couldn’t bear to watch, or she’d lose control and curse heaven and earth, making the Little Master leave with worry.

As A-Fang tied my tie for me, she stroked it and said softly, “You old fool… remember? This tie was a gift from the Little Master himself. The Little Master… had an identical one. Now… it’s being used too.”

I looked in the mirror.

『Old He, one tie for you, one for me. Wear them together. Sister Fang will come see—don’t we look like brothers?』

I closed my eyes. It was as if I could still hear the Little Master’s voice.

So close, so close.

The coffin was already sealed.

None of us got to see the Little Master one last time.

That was… that bastard’s decision. Whether it was the fortieth floor or the twentieth floor, no matter what state the Little Master was in, I… I still wanted to see him one more time, touch him one more time.

But the nails were already hammered in. The Little Master was timid; he was afraid of the dark. Was he comfortable in there? Was he comfortable…

That day, many people came. During the condolences, that bastard covered his eyes and walked out. Many followed him out, offering words of concern. Few were truly there to see the Little Master off. It was good that they left.

Little Ancestor clung to the coffin, refusing to let it be buried. The Madam tried to hit him. I had to quickly pull Little Ancestor away, lifting him up to hold him, just like the Little Master used to do.

Such occasions weren’t suitable for children, but Little Ancestor was a strong child. By the time of the burial, he had stopped crying.

That way, the Little Master could leave in peace.

I just never expected the last person to arrive would be Third Master.

Third Master… he looked different.

He was supported as he walked over, then pushed the helpers away, stumbling forward step by step. Little Ancestor suddenly struggled violently in my arms, pointing at Third Master, his voice hoarse as he shouted—

Don’t come near my dad! Go away! Don’t come near my dad—!

You killed my dad!

You and Uncle Wang killed him!

You killed him!!

Everyone gasped. I didn’t stop Little Ancestor from speaking. I watched his bloodless face as he staggered, yet he was determined to come forward.

I said—Third Master, do you want to make the Little Master’s departure unhappy too?

Third Master acted as if he hadn’t heard. He walked to the front. The coffin was already in the grave, covered with the cosmos flowers the Little Master loved.

Third Master stood at the edge.

He stood there for a long time.

When it looked like rain again, a funeral attendant came up and said it was getting late.

One group left, then another.

Slowly, they disappeared.

But suddenly, Third Master went mad. He pushed everyone away, lunged forward, and started digging at the soil with his hands. His voice was hoarse and raspy. I wasn’t standing far; I could hear clearly what Third Master shouted.

Qi Qi—

Qi Qi—

Qi Qi—

That was the Little Master’s childhood nickname.

A long time ago, the Little Master had smiled and told me that the people who called him Qi Qi were all gone now.

“Third Master! Third Master! Please accept my condolences! Ah!”

“Call an ambulance! Hurry! Hurry! Third Master!”

Little Master, do you see?

“Ren Qiri! Hahaha! All of this is mine! Do you see?! Ah—!”

“Ren Qiri, come out! Come out! Come out and look at me! Didn’t you say you loved me?! You bastard! You bastard! Bastard! Bastard!!”

Little Master, do you see?

『Old He, how do you raise these flowers?』

Flowers, ah, you have to raise them with your heart. Little Master, why don’t you try it yourself…

『Cough, Old He, this bowl of ginseng soup… I’ll drink—I’ll drink it…』

Aiyah, Little Master, this is all for your own good. Look, look—you used to have some flesh on you. What state are you in now…

『Old He, please keep an eye on Zai Zai with Sister Fang. Yes, don’t tell him I’m on a business trip, that child clings so tightly.』

Alright, alright… you go on your business trip with peace of mind. Little Ancestor is in the care of me and my wife. Not a single hair will be missing…

『Old He, there are some things I just can’t figure out, really…』

It’s okay, Little Master. If there’s something you can’t figure out, then don’t think about it. Get some rest. Don’t tire yourself out…

『…Old He, am I…』

『…really useless?』

How could that be.

Little Master, how could you be useless…

Little Master, come here, come here. What do these English letters mean?

Little Master, Sister Fang made a new cake. That old fool can’t even taste it. It’s best for the Little Master to try it.

Uncle—! Dad spanked my bottom!

Little Master…

The flowers in the yard are blooming. When will you come back and take a look?

They’ve grown so well, so beautiful.

Little Master, I’ll pick some for you. If you just open your eyes, you’ll be able to see them.

Little Master…

Little Master…