Whispers in the Winter Wind

A while later, Jingliu and Yasushi found themselves relocated by Yinhaie's decisive actions. She swiftly summoned additional assistance from their network, effortlessly orchestrating the relocation and tidying up. Thanks to the Yang family's considerable influence and resources, it all transpired seamlessly. They ended up in a nearby parking lot, left to their own devices.

Yasushi averted his gaze from Jingliu, cloaked in a shroud of shame. Yinhaie, too, refrained from direct scrutiny, though earlier, her glance conveyed a nuanced understanding, devoid of judgment. It was a silent acknowledgment coupled with concern, yet she respected his privacy, refraining from prying. For that, Yasushi felt a profound gratitude.

Meanwhile, Jingliu remained enfolded in his embrace, unwilling to disengage. Her own motives eluded her, shrouded in uncertainty.

"...let's head home. The day's winding down, and—"

"No," Jingliu interjected, her grip on him tightening as blood still trickled from Yasushi's knuckles. "...come with us to my place. We can tend to your wounds there."

"I'm not sure if that's—"

"It's alright, young man. Or should I call you Yasushi Futakao?" A man's voice interrupted, drawing both Yasushi and Jingliu's attention.

"Father..." Jingliu murmured, her gaze fixed on the older man, yet she didn't release her hold on Yasushi.

The older man, with snow-white hair like Jingliu's but brown eyes, possessed a kind countenance and appeared sprightly for his age and occupation. Clad in a navy-blue suit, he approached them.

"Jingliu, I arrived home a few minutes ago after Yinhaie called me. I came straight here and got the gist of what happened. Rest assured, I'll handle this," he assured her, then turned to Yasushi with a warm smile. "Your parents and I are quite close. Come, how about we discuss this over some tea?"

+-+

They arrived at Jingliu's residence in her father's luxurious car, a vehicle that struck Yasushi as notably expensive. Their surroundings nestled within the city's wealthiest enclave, a gated community where opulence knew no bounds. To Yasushi's astonishment, they owned the grandest residence in this elite neighborhood.

Once inside, Yasushi was ushered into one of their infirmary rooms within the vast estate. A staff member attended to his injured knuckles, while Jingliu stood beside him, Yinhaie by their side.

"Is this causing you pain, Sir Yasushi?" inquired the woman as she diligently tended to him.

"...no, I'm alright," Yasushi responded stoically, enduring the sting of alcohol-soaked cotton swabbing across his knuckles, remnants of skin missing from his earlier altercation with Haruto.

The nurse's swift ministrations left Yasushi's hands shrouded in bandages, a stark contrast to their usual state. Jingliu's gaze lingered on him, her curiosity palpable yet unspoken. Yinhaie's voice broke the silence, pulling Jingliu's attention away from the bandaged hands and back to the present moment.

"We should head to the dining area, Lady Jingliu. Your mother will be home soon, given your father's presence," Yinhaie suggested, rising from her seat. Jingliu's mind seemed elsewhere, lost in the intricacies of Yasushi's injuries.

After a moment's pause, Yinhaie gently tapped Jingliu's shoulder, bringing her back to reality. Startled, Jingliu blinked and refocused. "Ah... Yes, of course. Let's go. Yasushi, you're coming with us," she directed, her tone a mixture of command and concern.

Yasushi nodded, his expression troubled, a silent storm brewing behind his eyes. They made their way to the dining area, each step echoing the unspoken questions lingering in the air.

Jingliu's voice was a hesitant whisper, breaking the silence like a fragile thread. "You're... good at punching," she mumbled, her eyes flickering to Yasushi's bandaged hands.

Yasushi's response was equally subdued yet sincere. "You're fast," he replied, his gaze meeting hers briefly before drifting away.

Yinhaie observed this brief exchange with a mixture of confusion and intrigue. She couldn't help but wonder if this awkward banter was their way of bridging the gap between them, navigating the uncharted waters of their relationship.

'Is... is that their way of trying to speak to one another during an awkward phase?' Yinhaie pondered silently, her eyes fixed on the duo who had fallen into a contemplative silence.

The arrival at the dining room marked the end of the awkwardness, the vast space swallowing up their unspoken words. The room was grand, almost three rooms merged into one by its sheer size. High ceilings stretched above them, adorned with magnificent chandeliers that cast a soft glow over everything.

The table itself was a masterpiece, crafted from expensive and sturdy wood, surrounded by tasteful decorations that whispered of opulence. For Yasushi, it felt like stepping into a world he didn't quite belong to, a feeling accentuated by the unfamiliarity of it all.

"Ah, welcome, welcome. Please, take a seat, Yasushi," Jingliu's father greeted warmly, his voice carrying a sense of hospitality that invited compliance. They all settled around the grand table, each finding their designated place. Jingliu's father occupied the head of the table, with Jingliu to his left and Yinhaie standing nearby against the wall.

Yasushi hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to position himself in this intricate familial scene. Sensing the need to be within earshot of potential inquiries, he chose a seat beside Jingliu. Her father acknowledged this with a smile, a silent acknowledgment that didn't escape Jingliu's notice.

As customary, they expressed gratitude for the meal before them, a silent ritual preceding their consumption of the carefully prepared dishes. The air around them thickened with an almost palpable silence, as if the vast room itself held its breath in anticipation.

After several minutes of quiet dining, Jingliu's father broke the silence with a measured tone, drawing attention back to the realm of conversation. "I'm Liang Yang, Jingliu's father," he introduced himself, his gaze shifting briefly to his daughter. "Your mother's flight has been delayed; there's been an incident. She won't be returning until late tonight," he informed Jingliu, who absorbed this news with a silent nod, her eyes betraying a hint of concern.

He turned his gaze to Yasushi, his expression thoughtful yet forthcoming. "You must be wondering about my earlier words. Our connection runs deep, stemming from collaborative efforts between your parents, Xinyi Cheng's parents, and myself. We've toiled together on myriad projects over the years, albeit primarily Xinyi's father and I initially. However, when your parents joined our ranks, our collaboration expanded exponentially."

Yasushi absorbed this information silently, his mind processing the intricate web of professional alliances that wove through his parents' lives. Their work remained a mystery to him, a realm of conversations and engagements with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This mystery often materialized in the form of peculiar artifacts or exotic cuisines brought home by his parents from their global interactions.

Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, Liang Yang's voice interrupted, injecting a note of curiosity into the conversation. "Is your curiosity about their absence during the holidays?" he queried, catching Yasushi off guard momentarily. After a moment's pause, Yasushi nodded in affirmation, silently acknowledging the unspoken question.

"It's a matter of confidentiality, yet I can assure you, it's a venture of monumental proportions, poised to reshape our world. This is why their presence at home is currently unfeasible," Liang Yang divulged, his words tinged with an air of secrecy and anticipation. Despite the constraints, his elevated status afforded him some flexibility, albeit temporary, as he disclosed, "I have some leeway, but my departure is imminent come morning."

Yasushi listened intently, his curiosity piqued by the cryptic nature of the revelation. Nodding in understanding, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation.

A chuckle escaped Liang Yang's lips, interrupting the gravity of their conversation. "Your father, earlier, remarked, 'He should have given them a thrashing! My son's a muscle-bound badass, after all!'" Liang Yang recounted, amusement evident in his tone. Yasushi's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips as he shook his head in response.

Liang Yang's smile carried a warmth that invited Yasushi to linger a bit longer. "Stay the night, Yasushi. I have more to discuss with you," he proposed, his eyes conveying a sense of genuine interest. With a slight turn towards Yinhaie, he instructed, "Show him to his room after dinner, will you?"

An unspoken agreement passed between Liang Yang and Yinhaie, a silent communication borne of familiarity. The maid responded with a nod, her smile echoing Liang Yang's warmth as she acknowledged the task.

As the evening progressed, Yasushi and Liang delved into a range of topics, their conversation spanning both the profound and the mundane. Through their exchange, they began to unravel the layers of familiarity and understanding between them.

Meanwhile, Jingliu remained mostly silent, her presence a quiet observer amidst the lively discourse unfolding between her father and Yasushi. She absorbed their words with a thoughtful gaze.

+-+

Later that night, after being led to his room by Yinhaie following the dinner conversation with Liang Yang, Yasushi found himself engaged in a lengthy discussion with Jingliu's father. The hours slipped away unnoticed as they exchanged thoughts and stories, the night embracing their shared dialogue.

As Yasushi made his way back through the quiet corridors to his assigned room, he noticed Jingliu's figure leaning against the wall adjacent to his door. Intrigued by her presence, he approached her with a gentle inquiry, "Jingliu, is everything alright?"

Jingliu's eyes met his, her gaze thoughtful and searching. After a moment's silence, she spoke softly, "I'd like to have a conversation with you, if you're willing." Her words hung in the air, inviting Yasushi into a private exchange of thoughts and emotions.

Yasushi nodded in acknowledgment and entered the generously proportioned room, Jingliu trailing behind him. They settled onto the expansive bed, its size bordering on extravagant, surpassing even the standards of a king-size bed. Yasushi marveled at the sheer scale of the room, feeling as though his entire living space had been magnified and merged into one grand chamber.

With a quiet intensity, Jingliu's gaze locked onto Yasushi's, her crimson eyes shimmering in the moonlit serenity of the room. A pregnant pause hung between them before she broke the silence with a probing question, her voice carrying a gentle curiosity, "Where did you learn how to fight?"

Yasushi met her gaze briefly before turning his attention upward, contemplating the question against the canvas of the ceiling. Exhaling softly, he began to recount his journey, opting for brevity while skimming over certain details. "It's a tale with layers, but I'll condense it for you," he started, gauging Jingliu's silent consent to omit certain intricacies from his narrative.