Chương 141: Morning of Maple Leaf Snow
In the early morning, the entire world is enveloped in a cool, refreshing hue, as sunlight gently pierces through the delicate mist, casting a soft glow upon all earthly things.
The humid summer breeze sweeps softly through the city streets, slipping in through the slightly ajar windows of the houses, caressing everything within the room before quietly departing.
In the east, resplendent dawn colors emerge, and the sun, gently rising, casts its warm golden rays over the towering city walls, bestowing a faint golden sheen upon the streets. A hazy vapor rises between the city's alleys, mingling with the wisps of smoke drifting from the rooftops, creating a gossamer-like mist that permeates the air.
The maple leaf snow, having slumbered through the night, gradually awakens.
Within a mansion in the noble district known as "White Sand Pavilion," a light remains lit in one of the rooms.
Xiao Mu Yu, with an icy expression, glances out at the sky where the first light of dawn begins to show. Indifferently, he extinguishes the flickering candle that has danced upon his desk throughout the night in the cool morning breeze.
He slowly returns the last scroll of documents to the desk, brushing his forehead coldly, remaining silent.
Beside him lies a small mountain of documents stacked high enough to reach an adult's height, while a small white fox, no larger than a fist, rests atop the scroll, fast asleep. A translucent liquid oozes from its slightly open mouth, dampening the papers beneath.
("Tsk tsk tsk... You truly are diligent, human boy, haha... To have read through so many documents in just one night. What's the matter? Are you that anxious about that rude barbarian? Ha ha ha... I say, you shouldn't concern yourself with him!")
("What if he dies? It would be best if he did! His wife is so beautiful; once he is gone, you can make your move... A widow, how delightful...")
Silently stroking the soft, shiny fur of the sleeping fox, Xiao Mu Yu ignores the demon's usual idle chatter, his gaze coldly fixed on the void before him.
Outside, the sky gradually lightens, and warm sunlight gently filters in.
His pitch-black eyes...
Slowly close.
He sits quietly in the chair, contemplating, allowing the cool morning sunlight to stream through the wide-open window and warm him.
Time in the room seems to come to a standstill.
After an indeterminate period, as if sensing something, the little fox wags its tail, sleepily opens its eyes, and rises. The little creature, with its dreamy gaze, lets out a few soft "wuji... wuji..." sounds before lightly hopping onto Xiao Mu Yu's shoulder.
Gently tapping Xiao Mu Yu's cheek with its nose, the fox curls up on his shoulder, finding a comfortable position to drift back to sleep.
("Oh? The little one's sensing ability is still impressive, isn't it? It can even tell you're about to leave? Hehe... After all, it is a Moon Demon Fox; though not fully grown, it shows great potential. You've found a treasure, human boy... Hahaha...")
Ignoring the demon's mockery, Xiao Mu Yu coldly rises, draping the gray cloak hanging on a nearby rack over his shoulders. He then pushes open the large door and steps into the cool, golden sunlight of the morning.
Standing at the entrance for a few seconds, Xiao Mu Yu slightly raises his head to orient himself before turning towards the mansion's main gate.
At the entrance, he encounters Aishi, who has just returned from purchasing fresh ingredients.
In the gentle morning sunlight, the soft-haired woman with moonlit silver locks shimmers, exuding an enchanting glow. Her graceful figure, reminiscent of ripe summer fruit, radiates an alluring aura, and the gentle smile upon her lips possesses a calming power that stirs the heart.
Though now married, her beauty has not diminished; rather, like exquisite red wine, it has deepened and become even more captivating with the passage of time.
In the cool morning breeze, this beautiful woman returns from the morning market like an ordinary housewife, delicately carrying a small bag of fresh vegetables in her slender, white hands. Aishi walks back to her home with a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Upon seeing Xiao Mu Yu at the door, Aishi's lips curve into a warm smile. "Mu Yu, good morning."
"Ah... Good morning." Xiao Mu Yu nods expressionlessly, acknowledging her greeting.
"Hehe..." Aishi's smile remains undiminished by his cold demeanor. She gazes at him tenderly, unfazed by his indifference, and gently asks, "Are you heading out this early? Would you like to sample Aishi's cooking?"
Lifting the ingredients in her hand slightly, Aishi's voice is warm and inviting. Her gentle smile and graceful demeanor easily evoke fondness, even from the most rebellious of children, who would feel no animosity towards her soothing tone.
"No, I have some matters to attend to," Xiao Mu Yu replies after a moment of silence, finally shaking his head slowly. "Perhaps next time."
"Hehe... Very well then," Aishi responds to his refusal without a hint of disappointment, still smiling warmly. Her gentle smile seems to embrace all the world's wonders. "I'll just have to let you taste Aishi's cooking next time."
Xiao Mu Yu nods expressionlessly and turns towards the commoner district.
Watching his retreating figure, Aishi suddenly waves her hand and calls out, "Mu Yu."
Her gentle voice, if scattered amongst the bustling market, might be lost in the noise, but fortunately, it is still morning.
On this street in the noble district, the nearby nobles do not need to rise early, leaving the streets quiet and calm, devoid of the clamor of the commoner market. Thus, her soft voice drifts unobstructed through the streets lined with snow maple trees.
Xiao Mu Yu turns to face the woman who is waving at him from the mansion's entrance, and he asks, expressionless, "Aishi... Is there something else?"
"Well... Mu Yu, remember to come back for dinner tonight," Aishi replies, noticing his gaze. She waves the ingredients in her hand cheerfully. "You left in such a rush yesterday that I didn't have the chance to properly entertain you. Tonight, I'll prepare a delicious feast just for you."
In her gentle voice, Aishi's warm smile reflects in Xiao Mu Yu's cold eyes. "So... you must come back tonight."
At that moment, the sun rises to a height that aligns with the city walls, casting soft golden sunlight upon Aishi, enveloping her in a gentle glow.
Under the warm golden light, a cool breeze stirs her silver hair, and the purple wind chimes beneath the mansion's eaves chime sweetly.
Bathed in the morning's golden sunlight, Aishi's tender smile is as beautiful as the most exquisite scenery in the world.
Xiao Mu Yu stands impassively at a distance, the sun not yet high enough to illuminate his standing place, so the gentle light graces Aishi while neglecting him.
Thus, in the cool morning breeze, the golden sunlight and the pale gray shadows draw a line of division between light and dark on the street before them.
In the world embraced by the golden sunlight, the gentle woman offers a soft smile to the silent man shrouded in shadow.
Yet, in the shadow untouched by sunlight, the cold man remains silently observant, his piercing and desolate gaze fixed on the woman before him, revealing a hint of warmth, before... slowly closing his eyes. Without casting another glance at the smiling woman, Xiao Mu Yu merely nods indifferently, turning away to step into the enveloping darkness behind him, leaving only a cold silhouette for the gentle woman bathed in sunlight. The gray cloak billows slightly as he turns, an aura of despair and chill swirling around him.
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