Chapter Forty-Five: Calm Within, Even Slightly Amused

This was a strand of hair she had picked up from Lin Qisheng. Xu Nuo’s mind tensed, but her face betrayed nothing. “What nonsense is this? What sort of eyes do you have? Just because you say it’s another man’s hair, it must be another man’s? Are you some kind of clairvoyant?”

“Xu Nuo.” For the first time, Sheng Ming spoke her name with a seriousness that matched his gaze, none of his usual flamboyance to be seen.

The subtle shift in his demeanor made Xu Nuo uncomfortable. “What?”

A trace of confusion flickered in Sheng Ming’s eyes. “Sometimes, I can’t tell if you’re truly pretending to be clueless, or if that’s your nature…”

“But you do like me, don’t you?”

Xu Nuo lowered her head and gave no answer.

He waited a long while, but she showed no intention of replying. Sheng Ming let out a short, amused snort. “Well, it makes sense. I’m so handsome and wealthy—countless people have liked me since I was young. Of course you would too.”

“But you’d better give me an answer soon.” Lightning sparked between his fingers, and the strand of hair was reduced to ashes. Sheng Ming added, “And don’t try anything in the meantime. If you act out of line again, I won’t be so polite.”

“And why do you think it’s another man’s hair?” Xu Nuo retorted with a hint of defiance.

“Your hair is finer, and it carries a unique fragrance. You don’t know? I pay a great deal of attention to you,” Sheng Ming replied.

“Don’t imagine you can provoke me and just walk away.”

As she watched Sheng Ming’s figure recede, Xu Nuo involuntarily let out a breath of relief. It was rare for someone to make her feel pressured, but Sheng Ming managed it.

“Miss Xu.” The old butler appeared behind her without a sound.

Xu Nuo nearly jumped out of her skin. “My god!”

“You mustn’t misunderstand. The young master truly bears you no ill will.” The old butler led her to a seat by the floor-to-ceiling window, where a gentle breeze stirred the white curtains. “To the young master, you are a very special presence.”

“Hmm?” Xu Nuo responded.

The old butler sighed. “He is simply… far too lonely.”

Xu Nuo was thoroughly perplexed. “??”

“When the young master was very small, the master and madam were seldom at home…” The old butler recounted a classic tale of the domineering young heir: Sheng Ming, raised in material abundance but starved of affection. Though he possessed wealth and status that most could never dream of, he remained solitary and hollow. In his spare time from study and work, he grew fond of antiques and art. His tastes set him apart from his peers in their social circle, and he disdained those who preferred boisterous entertainments, dismissing them as shallow upstarts.

In short, Sheng Ming was formidable and privileged, yet lonely—no one could understand his refined interests or resonate with his inner world.

Throughout, the old butler spoke in a gentle, pained tone, painting Sheng Ming as a pitiable, lonely child. When he finished, he looked at Xu Nuo with hope in his eyes.

What reaction was he expecting from her? Xu Nuo wondered. She couldn’t muster the slightest bit of sympathy for Master Sheng—what right did she have to pity a man whose life was so much more fortunate than hers?

Alas, the old butler’s hopes were destined to be dashed. But he seemed unaware, continuing his emotional storytelling, occasionally dabbing at his eyes, heightening the melancholy and presenting Sheng Ming as an unloved waif.

The old butler’s eloquence was impressive. Nearby, even the maids were quietly wiping their tears, swept up in the mood—only Xu Nuo remained unmoved, her heart utterly calm, and even a little amused.