Bab 123: Prologue
Yasushi exhaled heavily, his weariness evident in the droop of his shoulders. The private jet hummed softly, a cocoon of modern luxury against the hustle of their departure. He, Jingliu, Yinhaie, and Layena had finally settled in, the flurry of last-minute preparations behind them.
The sleek aircraft was poised for takeoff, bound for China. Despite the close proximity between Japan and China, the journey would stretch to approximately four and a half hours. This granted them a precious window to rest and recuperate before immersing themselves in their upcoming schedule.
Another deep sigh escaped Yasushi as Yinhaie and Layena, moving with practiced ease, distributed tea and a selection of snacks. The aroma of the tea mingled with the faint scent of pastries, creating a subtle comfort amid the anticipation of travel. Yasushi glanced at Jingliu, seeking confirmation. "Four hours, right? So we're looking at a lengthy journey. We should be arriving around… eleven at night?"
Jingliu nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, that's the expected arrival time. However, my family will be picking us up from the airport, and the drive to my hometown will add another two hours. So, realistically, we won't reach our destination until around midnight or one in the morning, depending on the traffic. It's likely we'll head straight to bed after that."
Yasushi nodded, a weary sigh escaping his lips. "That's fine. I'm definitely looking forward to some sleep," he said, his words accompanied by a slow sip of coffee and a bite of his biscuit. The gentle crunch of the biscuit and the warmth of the coffee seemed to momentarily ease the travel fatigue settling in his bones.
Minutes ticked by as the jet gradually ascended into the sky, leaving the familiar landscapes of Japan behind. The plane's engines rumbled steadily, a constant hum that marked their departure from the known and their journey towards the unknown.
An hour into the flight, Yasushi finally rose from his seat. He had been engrossed in his phone, catching up on messages in the group chat he shared with his friends. While many of them reveled in the early days of their summer break, Furuya appeared preoccupied, still debating over what items to pack. Yasushi's thoughts drifted as he made his way to the bathroom, his footsteps muffled by the plush carpeting of the jet.
Upon exiting the small lavatory, Yasushi was met with an unexpected sight. Layena stood in front of him, her gaze fixed on him with an intensity that bordered on unnerving. Yasushi blinked, a frown tugging at his brow. "Uh, can I help you?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
Layena's expression remained unchanged as she delivered her message. "Lady Jingliu is looking for you in your bedroom." Her gaze lingered on him for a few seconds longer before she gave a small nod and turned away, leaving Yasushi in a state of bemusement. The encounter, brief yet enigmatic, only added to his mounting curiosity and confusion.
'What was that about?' Yasushi wondered, his curiosity piqued but not enough to chase after answers immediately. He decided to focus on the present and headed towards the quarters he shared with Jingliu.
Upon reaching their shared cabin, he found Jingliu propped up on their bed, engrossed in a book. The soft light of the reading lamp cast a warm glow over her, highlighting the delicate curve of her profile. She looked up as he entered, a smile spreading across her face. With a gentle tap on the space beside her, she invited him to join her. Yasushi, shedding his shoes with a swift kick, settled down next to her, his curiosity still simmering beneath the surface.
"What's up?" Yasushi asked, glancing at Jingliu with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Layena mentioned you wanted to see me?"
Jingliu tilted her head, her brows knitting together in mild confusion. "No, I didn't… What exactly did she do before that?"
Yasushi frowned, the confusion clear on his face as he recounted the encounter. He described how Layena had stood there, seemingly waiting for something, and then relayed the message about Jingliu wanting to see him. Jingliu sighed softly, her gaze shifting as she placed her book aside. She nestled closer to Yasushi, her presence a comforting weight against him.
"I think I understand why she acted like that," Jingliu said after a moment, her voice low and contemplative. "I had actually forgotten about it until now, but it makes sense in hindsight. Yinhaie may have had a similar reaction, come to think of it." Her explanation was vague, leaving some details unspoken, but it was clear she had pieced together the reason behind Layena's unusual behavior.
Yasushi nodded, settling into the bed as he waited for Jingliu to continue. She took a moment, her gaze distant as she gathered her thoughts. Finally, she met his eyes again, her expression a mix of reluctance and resignation. "I wasn't exactly well-regarded in my hometown," she began slowly. "Many people avoided me, and some even held a grudge against me, despite my trying to keep to myself. I suspect that the animosity still lingers."
Yasushi's brow furrowed, and he cut in before she could elaborate further. "Some trouble, then? If we run into anyone from there, they might cause problems for us, or even try to make things difficult for me simply because I'm with you?"
Jingliu nodded, acknowledging his concern. "Yes, that's a possibility. But there's more to it. It's not just about the local attitude. A few years ago, we had to dismiss a maid from our household. She didn't take it well. She's been harboring a grudge ever since and managed to rally some people to her cause. Even though we threatened her with legal action for defamation, she didn't relent. My parents decided against taking drastic measures to ruin her life, considering she was still quite young and her future was at stake."
"Were her accusations 'serious' in any meaningful way?" Yasushi pressed, seeking clarity on the matter.
Jingliu considered his question, her eyes drifting to the side as she gathered her thoughts. "No, not in a way that would be life-altering. Most of what she said were baseless claims of me being abusive and other harsh remarks. None of it was severe enough to have a profound impact on my life. Still, I won't deny that it stung at the time. Looking back, I realize it did hurt more than I initially let on, but with my attitude back then, I chose to ignore it. I don't have any recent updates on her, but perhaps Layena might have some insights."
Jingliu closed her eyes, the weight of the past momentarily resting on her shoulders as she pondered the situation. Yasushi, seeing her contemplation, suggested, "Let's discuss it with her later. For now, I'd like to get some rest." He settled back onto the bed, drawing Jingliu with him, his arm encircling her in a gentle embrace.
Jingliu exhaled softly, a small huff of resignation escaping her lips, but she nestled into his hold. Yielding to the moment, she chose to set aside the discussion for now, allowing herself to relax in the warmth and comfort of his embrace.
+-+
Four hours later, the jet touched down on Chinese soil. The city's sprawling airport, a bustling hub of activity, was two hours away from Jingliu's hometown of Mengyinhu. They disembarked swiftly, moving through the terminal with purpose before stepping out into the night air. There, waiting for them with a polished sheen, was a large limousine. A few curious glances were cast their way, but Yasushi and the others chose to disregard them as they climbed into the vehicle.
The driver, a middle-aged man with an air of quiet efficiency, greeted them through the rearview mirror. "Welcome back to China, Lady Jingliu, Yinhaie, Layena, and, of course, the new Lord Yasushi. I'll be taking you to our residence."
"Thank you, Heinz. We'll be in your care," Jingliu responded, her voice carrying a note of familiarity that caught Yasushi off guard.
He was taken aback by the name Heinz, an unexpected touch that hinted at a diverse staff employed by her family. He had assumed their staff would be local, yet this name suggested a broader international presence. Yasushi's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden realization.
'Wait, Chinese? How am I understanding this?' he wondered, his eyes widening in a mixture of shock and confusion. He had been so engrossed in the moment that the shift in language had initially escaped his notice. The unexpected comprehension left him momentarily disoriented, adding another layer of intrigue to the journey ahead.
Choosing to embrace this newfound ability — or power — Yasushi responded in flawless Chinese, "Thank you, Heinz. I'm looking forward to this summer break."
Heinz's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but a genuine smile spread across his face. "Your Chinese is very fluent. When did you start learning?" he inquired as he engaged the car's engine and maneuvered the limousine away from the airport.
Yasushi's lips curled in a subtle grin. "Oh, quite a long time ago. I've picked up at least seven languages," he replied with a casual air. He was aware that his statement was far from accurate — more a hopeful fabrication than a fact.
The reality was that he had no recollection of learning Chinese. The notion that he might have gained some kind of universal linguistic ability during his reincarnation seemed absurd, but the evidence before him was undeniable. The ability to understand and speak Chinese was tangible proof of something extraordinary.
The idea of having such an innate skill felt outlandish, but Yasushi couldn't ignore the reality of his situation. He resolved to test this apparent new capability further, recognizing that this discovery could be as momentous as it was bewildering.
"I see, that's a relief. We've been trying to learn English or Japanese to make communication simpler, but if you know Chinese, it'll be easier for all of us. I hope you enjoy your stay here," Heinz replied, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Yasushi nodded, catching sight of his companions from the corner of his eye. Jingliu, Yinhaie, and Layena all wore expressions of confusion, their eyes silently urging him to explain. He gave a slight shrug, indicating he would elaborate later. For now, he let the moment pass, and his friends seemed to accept his unspoken promise.
As the limousine smoothly navigated the roads leading away from the airport, the conversation shifted. They began discussing their plans for the break, the excitement of exploring new places mingling with the comfort of familiar companionship. Jingliu spoke of her hometown, painting vivid pictures of its landscapes and traditions. Yinhaie and Layena chimed in with their own anticipations, the car filled with a lively exchange of ideas and hopes for the days ahead.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Haruki_Murakami
Haruki_Murakami "Sūdi hay thikchha bhāgya le bāndai chha" - Nepali proverb
"Even a small blade of grass is tied by destiny."
Meaning: Everyone’s life is governed by fate.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone