As both Jiang Yulin and Li Longwei stepped outside, a low rumble echoed from Su Fengxi's stomach, and a wave of embarrassment washed over her, flushing her cheeks a soft red.
Hunger gnawed at her insides, and she contemplated the idea of finding something to eat. Determined to move, Su Fengxi swung her legs over the side of the bed, but her body trembled slightly with the effort. Before she could gain her balance, she lost her footing and fell to the floor with a soft thud.
She bit her lip to stifle a whimper. The pain was minimal, but a reminder of her recent frailty. *Why am I still so weak?* she thought inwardly, trying to muster her resolve. Gritting her teeth, she braced herself against the bed, managing to stand upright again after a moment's struggle.
Sighing deeply, Su Fengxi acknowledged her situation. *This shouldn't be so hard; a toddler could walk fine* she mused, but her circumstances were different she was still recovering.
A sudden knock on the door startled her from her thoughts, pulling her back to reality. She turned towards the entrance just as a man in his fifties appeared. Dressed sharply in a traditional butler's outfit, he greeted her with a polite smile, his demeanor poised and professional.
"Miss Su Fengxi I am Butler Simon" he announced, bowing slightly. "The Master has invited you for lunch."
Surprise flickered across Sufei's face, and she stammered, "I… I'm coming," her voice hurried with a hint of anxiety.
Butler Simon smiled warmly, his dark eyes assessing her but revealing no judgment. "Please, Miss Su Fengxi take your time. Be comfortable."
Watching her startled reaction, he noted the fragility about her; she seemed less poised and more vulnerable than he expected.
With a slight nod, Su Fengxi watched as the butler exited her room, adjusting his spectacles thoughtfully as he pondered silently. *There's nothing particularly remarkable about her. I wonder what makes the Master show her such kindness* he thought.
In the grand dining room, a striking contrast to Su Fengxi 's modest room, Li Longwei sat regally even while clad in a simple V-shaped sweatshirt.
His presence radiated an undeniable nobility, resembling that of a king among commoners. He swirled his soup thoughtfully, unaware of the commotion just beyond the heavy doors.
As Su Fengxi stepped into the dining room, she gasped, her eyes widening at the sheer luxury surrounding her. The dining space was a stunning display of French elegance, designed by a renowned architect with exquisite taste.
A vast dining table stretched out in front of her, surrounded by ornate chairs that hinted at countless lavish meals held in this very room.
Finding a chair beside Li Longwei, Su Fengxi settled in, her gaze wandering over the layout of the table and then returning to the man who continued to eat quietly, enveloped in his own thoughts.
Moments later, a neatly dressed middle-aged maid approached, gracefully setting a variety of dishes in front of Su Fengxi .As the rich aroma of the food wafted toward her, her appetite surged, overriding her earlier reservations.
She stared at the vibrant tomato soup that captivated her senses with its spicy fragrance.
Tentatively, Su Fengxi picked up the bowl, her hands steadying as she took her first sip. The warmth of the soup enveloped her tongue, the spicy flavor igniting a happiness she hadn't felt .
After awakening from her coma, this was the first true meal she was indulging in, and it filled her with joy, even if her face betrayed none of it.
Li Longwei noticed her eating habits; they were distinct from those of an average person. She wasn't eating sloppily, but rather with a grace that matched the refined atmosphere.
Having attended numerous family gatherings and royal summits, he recognized the nuances of dining etiquette, and her style intrigued him.
Their lunch passed in silence, the absence of conversation heavy in the air. Su Fengxi maintained her composure outwardly, yet inside, she faced a swirl of embarrassment for not expressing her gratitude to such a generous benefactor.
Once their meal concluded, Li Longwei wiped his hands and mouth with a napkin, standing up without so much as a backward glance. The weight of his presence lingered in the room, leaving Su Fengxi feeling an inexplicable heaviness in her heart. *How could I not thank him properly? What kind of monster am I?* she berated herself silently, irritation mixing with guilt.
Determined to rectify her oversight, she hastily finished her lunch and resolved to thank him properly later. As she returned to her room, a maid appeared at her door, greeting her with a hint of formality. "Miss Su Fengxi ,I come with clothes," she announced respectfully.
Sufei nodded, watching as several other maids entered the room, their arms filled with an impressive array of bags.
Stunned, she observed the multitude and felt a wave of disbelief wash over her. *What have I done to deserve such kindness?* she wondered as she sat quietly, unsure how to respond.
A few moments later, she found herself alone amidst the colorful packages. Sighing, she began to explore each dress more closely. They all seemed to shimmer with quality, hinting at the wealth of the man who had sent them. Among the garments, Su Fengxi discovered a few simple yet elegant floral dresses that immediately caught her eye.
She swiftly selected one a delicate opal blue floral dress that felt just right against her skin. Once dressed, she admired how it complimented her figure, giving her an air of elegance and simplicity.
With newfound confidence, Su Fengxi stepped out of her room and ventured into the expansive mansion. The halls bustled with servants bustling to and fro, attending to their various tasks. The mansion felt almost like a maze, its spaciousness overwhelming. While several staff members glanced in her direction, an unspoken understanding lingered in the air .
some saw her as a guest, while others regarded her with the subtle shades of reverence reserved for someone of importance.
Su Fengxi had been searching for the head butler, Simon Dan, her heart beating with a mix of hope and uncertainty. He was the key to unraveling the mystery of her master's whereabouts, and perhaps, to uncovering glimpses of her own obscured past. The prospect felt daunting, yet she couldn't allow the chance to slip by unnoticed.
Simon Dan, a man of poise and meticulousness, was tending to the garden when a maid approached him, delivering the news of Su Fengxi's search. Intrigued, he decided to step inside the sprawling mansion.
As he entered the grand hall, Su Fengxi stood captivated before a magnificent painting. The vibrant colors seemed to come alive, but her attention was drawn elsewhere. With a sudden turn, her gaze met that of the head butler.
Simon Dan offered her a gentle smile, breaking the tension in the air. "Miss Su Fengxi do you have an affinity for soldiers?" he inquired, his voice warm yet tinged with a hint of curiosity.
Startled by the unexpected question, Su Fengxi hesitated. She didn't harbor any hatred for the soldiers portrayed. Instead, a wave of emotion washed over her as she reflected on their noble portrayal in the painting. "They are heroic spirits," she responded with a soft smile. "How could anyone not hold them in high regard?"
The head butler was taken aback by her passionate words. Her eyes sparkled with an intensity that suggested a deeper connection to the subject than he had anticipated. Adjusting his spectacles with a calculated grace, he replied politely, "Miss Su Fengxi, was it Master you wished to inquire about?"
Her brows furrowed slightly as she scratched her eyebrow, revealing a mix of sincerity and shyness. "I just wanted to thank him," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Noticing her genuine yet awkward demeanor, Simon Dan offered a low murmur of understanding. "I see," he said quietly. "I'm afraid you'll need to wait a little longer."
"Huh?" Su Fengxi 's mind raced, confusion swirling as she sought clarity.
"He is on business trip," the butler explained, his smile warm yet cautious.
"Alright," she managed to reply, nodding slowly. Though she offered him a smile in return, an unsettling awkwardness brewed within her.
Just then, a maid approached Simon Dan, speaking to him in hushed tones. Su Fengxi couldn't catch the details of their conversation, but the seriousness etched across the butler's face revealed a sudden shift in atmosphere.
After a brief exchange, Simon Dan excused himself, leaving with the maid, and Su Fengxi found herself standing alone in the vast hall. The silence enveloped her, amplifying her feelings of disorientation. If only a fragment of her memory would return, she mused, trying desperately to dredge up any remnants of her past. Yet her mind felt like a blank canvas.
With heavy footsteps, Su Fengxi retreated to her room and sank onto the bed, the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon her. No memory. No thoughts. No sense of her own identity. Only the stark present surrounded by unfamiliar faces. "Who am I?" she wondered, grappling with the suffocating silence of her own mind.
Frustrated, she sighed, feeling the exhaustion of her relentless quest for self. The burden of an unknown past dragged her into a hazy realm of sleep, where dreams eluded her grasp.