Butler Ge raised his eyebrows subtly, his kind eyes observing the traffic ahead. He mulled over the thought for a long time before gently shaking his head. "No, Miss. Among your acquaintances, there isn't anyone who resembles him."
Then, he added with an apologetic smile, "Perhaps it's because I've always been at the Xu Mansion, and you've had a tough time, Miss, with not many people going out of their way to visit. So, I'm not familiar with your social circle outside. If Mr. Pei finds this question very important, maybe he could ask you directly?"
"It's not that important. Thank you, Butler Ge."
Pei Zhen tilted his head slightly, his puzzled gaze mingling with the faint morning light, blurring with the persistent chill of winter—pale like dew yet intense as the blazing sun.
He remembered their meeting yesterday; the way his aunt looked at him wasn't purely simple, at times even quite complex. As if she was looking through him at someone else. There's no kindness without reason in this world. Although his aunt was very kind, perhaps it was because of someone who resembled him that she'd taken the trouble to save him. What kind of existence did that person hold in his aunt's heart?
Pei Zhen pondered for a while, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on the increasingly distinct Imperial Private Academy in the distance.
No matter who it was for. Whatever his aunt hoped he would do, he just needed to be obedient. After all, when he was abandoned by the whole world, only she had approached him like a deity.
The black car stopped. He picked up the black patent leather schoolbag beside him, bid farewell to Butler Ge, and walked slowly toward the school gate, seemingly unaffected by his recent conjectures.
Butler Ge watched his figure disappear with a smile before driving the luxury car away. He had received the news yesterday and wondered why Miss Xu had suddenly adopted an orphan, but after seeing the boy, he no longer found it strange. At such a young age, despite having faced great adversity, he remained remarkably calm and composed. He was a promising young man; if he concentrated on his studies, his future would surely be bright. Moreover, he was attending the school Miss Xu herself had once attended.
Imperial Private Academy on Hong Kong Island.
This could be said to be the best academy in the whole harbor, leading in both teaching quality and fees. It was recognized as the most expensive academy, and its principal claimed all students could enter prestigious universities for further study. Hence, the majority of students here were heirs to well-known business empires.
And indeed, Pei Zhen was obedient.
On the first day of classes, he maintained friendly relations with his classmates. Although everyone had learned about his current situation by the end of the morning, they were still willing to interact with him warmly.
He had a pair of extremely beautiful eyes. When he smiled while answering questions from classmates, many adolescent girls couldn't help blushing. The boys, too, were happy to befriend a popular classmate.
On Hong Kong Island, it is legally stipulated that teachers are not allowed to have private contact with parents.
After investigating the youth's past, Butler Ge took time out at noon to visit the school again, inquiring about his learning situation from the teachers before returning to the Xu Mansion to report to Xu Si.
"Miss, Mr. Pei is performing very well at school, and he's interacting with his classmates quite easily," he said.
The winter in Hong Kong had glaring sunlight, yet warmth from heaters filled every corner.
Xu Si sat on the spacious leather sofa, wearing just a jacket. Her slender fingers clasped a cup of bitter coffee, her face pale in the light, her figure slender. Her demeanor was neither gentle nor as serene and amiable as it had been in front of the young boy.
Hearing Butler Ge's words, she relaxed slightly. This was what she had expected. Capable people are capable from a young age. Without certain methods, the future Pei Zhen wouldn't have been able to firmly control the vast and dangerous Triad Society.
Butler Ge stood respectfully to the side, his brow relaxing as he said, "I also inquired about Mr. Pei's previous education. He didn't receive a traditional education; he was always taught by high-level private tutors from abroad. I thought he might have trouble adapting to classes with other students, but it turns out his entrance exam scores were good, and he integrated into the class quite quickly. His adaptability is especially outstanding; no wonder you like him, Miss."
"Hmm, he is indeed."
Xu Si smiled, a conversation inexplicably flowing through her mind. She had casually told the young man last night that she hoped he would get along well with his classmates, to which the young man had replied he would.
Was he genuinely sociable, or was he trying so hard because of her request? Xu Si didn't know.
She picked up the classic, old-fashioned men's wallet from the desk. It contained some business cards and bank cards left by her father, each holding six or seven figures. Thinking of the young man's old shirt and shoes that didn't match his demeanor, she looked up at the butler and said, "After school this afternoon, pick him up and take him to the nearby mall. I'm going to buy him some things as a reward. Also, this wallet is too tacky; you can get rid of it."
"Understood."
Butler Ge, wearing white gloves, took the cards out of the men's wallet and locked all the remaining miscellaneous items in a room on the third floor.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that the Xu father and daughter had a very poor relationship. Though living under the same roof, their emotional connection was thin.
When Mr. Xu passed away, Xu Si didn't shed a single tear, much less preserve Mr. Xu's belongings properly.
「It was five o'clock in the afternoon.」
The giant clock at the top of the Imperial Private Academy chimed with a melodic, mechanical sound as the twilight deepened, tinged with a growing chill.
Outside the arched gates, a line of luxury cars, rarely seen by ordinary people, was parked. Young men and women in fashionable attire laughed as they stepped onto the curbs, then leaned out of their cars to wave goodbye to their classmates. The scene created a stark contrast with the modest residential buildings tens of kilometers away.
Separated only by a winding city river, it was as if the two areas were deliberately partitioned into different eras.
Butler Ge waited for half an hour, but Pei Zhen still hadn't come out.
He looked at his digital watch and said to Xu Si in the back seat, "Miss, I'll go in and take a look."
Xu Si nodded, her expression somewhat inscrutable.
In a narrow corridor.
Tree shadows and flowering shrubs blocked most of the light. The air was damp and cold, and fallen leaves carpeted the ground. Few people came this way unless they had a specific reason.
Butler Ge searched the school. Upon coming out, he heard a commotion in the corridor and quickened his pace. Ahead, beneath a Phoenix Tree, he saw a group of people harassing a handsome young man.
The young man was leaning against the rugged tree trunk, dirt smudging his collar. His features were exceptionally striking. With lowered eyes, he gripped one of the aggressor's hands, remaining silent.
"You dare grab my hand? The Xu Family is almost finished! Go ask that Young Miss of yours if she dares to confront my family now that her father is dead, you Street Rat!"
The leader, a young master with eye-catching red hair, had an arrogant, wicked smirk on his delicate face as he lightly tapped the boy's cheek.
It wasn't painful, but it was deeply insulting.
"You just obediently atone for your Xu family's 'sister's' sins. Damn it, last month she had my older cousin beaten while pinned on a coffin! You think I've forgotten? Do you admit your mistake? Speak up!"
One of the boys holding Pei Zhen down jeered, "Most importantly, stay away from Cheng Keli, you hear me?"
The young man still didn't speak.
"Fuck, are you serious? This is Hong Kong Island! You dare to ignore me?" The young master chuckled, exasperated, then hefted the golf club in his hand. He swung. The boy tilted his head, and the curved side of the club barely grazed his ear, a bright red welt quickly forming.
The young man's brow furrowed, his jaw muscles tensed, and his slender fingers clenched into fists. But in that moment, all he could think of were Butler Ge's words: Miss is in a difficult situation.