Bab 408: Chapter 408: It Seems You Have Some Misunderstandings About Me
"Sigh!"
Lin Fan wasn't saddened by the old steward's death. Without emotional attachment, it was hard to feel grief. His only regret was that the steward, knowing his frail health, hadn't taken better care of himself. Why push himself so hard when rest would have been better?
The servants carried the old steward's body away.
"Repair the door properly tomorrow," Lin Fan instructed.
"Yes, sir."
The servants dared not say anything else, much less inquire about the specifics. These were dangerous times.
For Lin Fan, even a broken door wasn't a problem. He could sleep just fine without one.
Han Yan watched over her sleeping sister with affection. Hearing the commotion outside, she remained alert. There had definitely been a struggle. The jade pendants needed to open the treasure vault were now gathered. Someone, driven by greed, had surely made a move to seize the treasure.
She hadn't slept all night, fearing something might happen, and needing to stay vigilant.
The servants huddled together for comfort.
"Waaah… I'm scared."
"Me too."
"Even the old steward, who served for decades, met a tragic end. What about us?"
"Let's run away. Otherwise, we'll surely die."
Terror gripped the servants. In their minds, Lin Fan was a demonic, ruthless figure. None knew when their own demise might come.
Morning arrived.
Lin Fan woke up early. Never sleeping in was his secret to maintaining his handsomeness. The slight sounds he made upon waking brought a flurry of maids rushing in to attend to his washing and dressing, serving him meticulously.
"You don't need to wake up so early. You all have dark circles. Get a good night's sleep," Lin Fan remarked, noticing the dark circles under the maids' eyes, a clear sign of sleep deprivation.
He had no idea that the maids weren't waking up early, but rather hadn't slept much at all. They'd snatch brief moments of rest, only to be startled awake, devoting themselves entirely to his service, terrified that he might wake to find them asleep and unattended.
Thud!
"Master, spare us! We won't do it again!"
The maids' faces paled. They had interpreted Lin Fan's words as a euphemism for "you'll never have to wake up again," meaning they'd be sleeping in their coffins.
Lin Fan wondered if they were mentally ill. He wished Director Hao were here to examine them. Mental problems were a serious matter.
They were truly pitiful.
So young, yet suffering from mental illness. Their lives would undoubtedly be affected.
He decided that when he had the chance, he would learn from Director Hao how to treat mental illnesses.
After washing and dressing, he sent someone to invite Han Yan and her sister for breakfast. Han Yan initially wanted to avoid eating with Lin Fan, but in their current situation, constant avoidance might provoke him. She warned her sister not to touch her chopsticks until she was sure it was safe.
In the dining hall, maids served exquisite dishes and stood by to attend to them.
"Have you eaten?" Lin Fan asked the maids.
The maids exchanged glances, unsure of his meaning. He had never asked them this before. "Yes, Master, we have eaten."
Lin Fan smiled. "Good. Skipping breakfast is bad for the stomach."
Everyone found the master's behavior strange and unsettling. It was as if no one knew what might happen next, just like the old steward's death the previous night. No one knew what had transpired, but his death was a stark reality.
They filled in the blanks themselves, concluding that their master was cruel and merciless, having brutally murdered the old steward who had served him for decades, acting solely on his whims.
Just then, a black-armored guard rushed in and knelt on one knee. "Reporting to Master, three servants attempted to escape last night. We have apprehended them."
The guard knew his master's habits. He expected a dismissive wave of the hand, allowing him to deal with the matter as he saw fit. The three escaped servants were as good as dead.
However, unexpectedly…
Lin Fan set down his chopsticks and asked, "Escaped? Bring them here."
"Yes, sir." The guard was stunned but retreated to carry out the order.
The maids knew something was about to happen. The escapees would surely be executed, and with the master personally handling the matter, their deaths would be gruesome.
Soon, the guard escorted the three trembling servants into the room. They knelt immediately, their faces ashen, sweat dripping, and their hands and feet icy cold.
"Master, spare us!"
"We won't do it again!"
They desperately wanted to live. They had fled to save their lives, but unfortunately, they were caught. Their luck had run out. They had glimpsed hope, only to have it shattered.
They bore injuries from the capture and subsequent beating, the pain unbearable.
Lin Fan rose and approached them.
Han Yan covered her sister's eyes, shielding her from the bloody scene she anticipated. But Han Xiaoxiao wriggled free, her wide eyes fixed on the scene.
The kneeling servants kept their heads lowered. Seeing a pair of feet stop before them, their hearts leaped into their throats. They dared not breathe, consumed by fear.
Lin Fan crouched down, placing a hand on one servant's shoulder. He spoke softly, "If you want to leave, just tell me. Running away is dangerous, isn't it?"
His tone was gentle, but to the servants, his words sounded like a demonic whisper, a sinister promise of death disguised as an offer.
The three servants trembled uncontrollably.
Lin Fan stood up and addressed the guard. "Take them and treat their injuries. Make sure they recover fully. If they wish to leave, give them some silver."
The guard was bewildered.
"Master, do you mean what you say, or is there a hidden meaning?"
Heavens! This was a difficult question. He needed to understand the true intent behind his master's words, but their meaning seemed complex. Was it literal or the opposite? His mind couldn't grasp it.
"I mean what I say," Lin Fan stated.
"Yes, sir! Understood."
The guard led the three servants away, their pleas for mercy echoing behind them, like those facing imminent doom.
Lin Fan watched them go, shaking his head in resignation. It seemed there was a considerable misunderstanding.
But it was alright.
He had time. In the dream world, time was the one thing he had in abundance. A patient had once told him that time could change everything.
Wise words.
Han Yan was convinced that Lin Fan was still the same terrifying individual. His words didn't match his true intentions. Those three servants were doomed.
At the estate's pharmacy, the three servants had given up hope.
"The master has ordered that you be healed," the guard announced, then turned to them. "You heard his words. Once you've recovered, you can choose to stay or leave."
One of the servants, intending to leave, started to speak but was stopped by his companions.
"We wish to stay."
The guard nodded and left.
The servant who had been about to speak was quietly admonished, "Don't be foolish. The master is in a good mood and offered us a chance. Do you think you could have left alive if you had said you wanted to go?"
The servant considered these words, a chill running down his spine. He realized his companion was right.
It seemed that was indeed the case.
He felt immensely grateful for the master's good mood. Otherwise, they would be dead.
Several days later, everyone in the estate learned that the three escaped servants were still alive. This shocked them all. In their minds, this was an improbable event.
A group of maids gathered, gossiping as women do.
"Have you noticed that the master is different lately?"
"I've noticed it too."
"Take those three, for example. They ran away in the night. In the past, they would have been killed horribly. I saw them yesterday, and I was stunned. I couldn't believe they were still alive."
"And that's not the strangest part. Do you remember how the master used to cultivate all the time? But lately, he hasn't cultivated at all. He's always strolling around. He even had people make chairs and place them all over the estate. I've never seen anything like it."
"Shh! Stop talking. Talking about the master behind his back… if someone hears, you know what will happen."
The maids covered their mouths, afraid to continue.
The most tormented person these past few days was Han Yan.
She hadn't slept for days.
Night was dangerous.
She had to be constantly wary of Lin Fan, waking at the slightest sound.
By the flower pond, Han Xiaoxiao watched the fish, occasionally tossing in food, clapping her hands with delight as they ate.
Han Yan sat nearby, leaning against a pillar with her eyes closed.
The prolonged sleep deprivation was taking its toll. She felt an overwhelming urge to sleep everywhere. Seeing that this area was empty and relatively safe, she let her guard down and closed her eyes for a moment.
Her body was protesting, demanding rest. Even her strong will couldn't overcome the physical need. Her nerves were overriding her mind.
Gradually, sleep enveloped her.
Han Xiaoxiao, knowing her sister was tired, didn't disturb her.
Suddenly, she saw a figure in the distance. Startled, she looked up and saw Lin Fan approaching, a smile on his face. To a child, his smile was warm and comforting, like the sun.
Lin Fan waved to Han Xiaoxiao. "Come and play."
Han Xiaoxiao had always been told by her sister that he was a bad person, someone to avoid. But she couldn't reconcile such a warm smile with evil.
She thought for a moment, as if wanting to prove something, and to reassure her sister.
She walked towards Lin Fan.
"Hello," Lin Fan greeted her with a smile.
Han Xiaoxiao, though still a little afraid, mustered her courage and replied, "Hello."
Lin Fan crouched down, looking at the ground. Curious, Han Xiaoxiao crouched beside him and asked, "What are you looking at?"
Lin Fan pointed to a small mound of sand. "Watching ants move."
"It's very interesting."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
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