Everyone followed the grey-haired man’s gaze toward Shen Qingshu, as if they were seeing this long-time colleague in a completely new light.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

It wasn’t because of anything the grey-haired man had done; his mere presence and the undeniable pressure he exuded were enough to weigh down the air.

Even though he carried himself with extreme politeness, restraint, and respect, the more he did so, the more he felt like a predatory beast in human skin, his sharp edges and lethal blades hidden where no one could see them.

It was just a feeling, but if he wanted to, he could likely claim everyone’s head before their next blink.

An Ability User?

No, it didn’t seem like it…

Lin Han found himself unable to discern the nature of the grey-haired man’s power.

Yet, truth be told, rather than being intimidated by the man’s terrifying aura, an inappropriate thought popped into Lin Han’s head—

Living every day in a home as imposing as an ancient fortress, waking up in a bed hundreds of square meters in size and covered in rose petals, a romance between the household’s maid and butler would practically be a long-distance relationship…

All sorts of eccentric thoughts occupied the minds of Lin Han and the others in the room.

Gu Xinglan, who had read her fair share of web novels, had even begun drafting a multi-million-word drama in her head for Shen Qingshu:

The calmest person in the room was actually Shen Qingshu herself.

She set down the book in her hand, her expression unchanged, and spoke to break the heavy silence in the room:

“It’s just an invitation. I thought it would be sent by mail; I didn’t expect you to come in person, Uncle Bai.”

The grey-haired man known as Uncle Bai bowed slightly. When facing Shen Qingshu, that sense of oppression from earlier vanished without a trace.

“Since it was a direct request from you, Miss, the household did not dare be negligent.”

Shen Qingshu’s brow furrowed slightly.

“…I have no intention of maintaining any connection with that family.”

“I know that you are working at SAVE now, Miss. I just happened to be in X City, so I stopped by on my way.”

Uncle Bai’s voice was low but gentle, carrying a sense of composure that seemed to come from years of training.

As he spoke, he walked up to Shen Qingshu, pulled a black envelope from his pocket, and presented it with both hands.

The edges of the envelope were embossed with fine gold patterns, and a silver tree with spreading branches was printed in the center.

Having done this, Uncle Bai’s gaze fell back on Shen Qingshu. He studied her quietly for a moment, and then his eyes grew slightly moist as his expression became quite sentimental.

“It has been a long time since I last saw you, Miss… Seeing you looking just as you always have, I am sincerely happy.”

Shen Qingshu said softly, “I am sorry for that.”

Uncle Bai immediately shook his head. “You don’t need to apologize, Miss. I am by no means questioning your decision.”

He paused, then spoke as if he couldn’t help himself, “It’s just… you could come back home to visit once in a while, Miss. The Head of the Family, Madam, and the Second Young Lady actually all miss you very much, just as I do.”

“…Miss me?”

Shen Qingshu suddenly chuckled, but her eyes held no warmth.

“Uncle Bai, are you serious?”

“I…”

Without waiting for him to finish, Shen Qingshu spoke decisively.

“There is no need to tell a lie that can be exposed so easily. You and I both know what the situation in that house is really like.”

“…”

A faint, imperceptible flicker of sadness passed through Uncle Bai’s eyes. Then, he lowered his head slightly and said in a heavy voice:

“I understand.”

The atmosphere turned somewhat subtle.

Even the most oblivious person could tell that the relationship between Shen Qingshu and her so-called “family” was clearly not as simple as an ordinary falling out.

Consequently, for a moment, no one other than Shen Qingshu and Uncle Bai made a sound.

Those studying the lightbulbs found that they were quite bright today, and those staring at the ceiling thought the hotel’s ceiling looked remarkably white… In any case, everyone found something to do and appeared quite busy.

Yet, every ear was pricked up, listening intently for fear of missing some scandalous secret of the elite.

It couldn’t be helped; the innate urge to gossip was simply too difficult to suppress.

“Uncle Bai, you said just now that you were happy to see me looking the same as always.”

Shen Qingshu looked at Uncle Bai and asked in return:

“But Uncle Bai, do you think that my current self is truly the same as I’ve always been?”

Uncle Bai appeared somewhat hesitant and remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he let out a soft sigh.

“Miss does indeed look to be in a much better mood now than when you were at home.”

Gu Xinglan had been watching this “reunion between a runaway young lady and her butler” scene—straight out of a prime-time TV drama—with great interest, but hearing this, she almost lost her composure.

In all of Team 7, the person Gu Xinglan understood the least was Shen Qingshu.

In a better mood?

How could he tell?

She couldn’t help but look at Shen Qingshu, only to see that same beautiful face that was as expressionless as a block of ice.

Gu Xinglan grumbled silently to herself.

“Then does Uncle Bai know why I’m in a better mood now than before?” Shen Qingshu asked again.

Uncle Bai deliberated for a moment before answering:

“Because Miss is working at SAVE?”

“No.”

Shen Qingshu shook her head.

“Because compared to that home, there are finally people here whom I can trust wholeheartedly. Uncle Bai, can you understand that?”

Hearing these words, Uncle Bai finally shifted his gaze away from Shen Qingshu.

His gaze swept slowly across the room, and everyone his eyes passed over seemed to grow somewhat uneasy.

This intimidating gaze finally came to a steady rest on Lin Han.

Lin Han: “……?”

He was just enjoying the show as a bystander; why look at him all of a sudden? Was this some kind of joke?

However, seeing that the man had no intention of looking away, Lin Han felt his scalp prickle slightly. He stepped forward anyway and extended his hand.

“Lin Han. SAVE Intelligence Processing Division, Team 7. I’m currently Qingshu’s Team Leader.”

Uncle Bai looked at him. His gaze seemed natural, yet it carried an invisible weight that pressed down on Lin Han.

But Lin Han didn’t shy away, simply meeting his eyes quietly.

After a moment, Uncle Bai finally nodded. His wrinkled face relaxed slightly as he said with a touch of emotion:

“I know you. Miss mentioned you on the phone.”

Mentioned me?

What for?

Feeling puzzled, Lin Han turned to look at Shen Qingshu.

Shen Qingshu, however, had already lowered her head to read again, her slender fingers tracing gently across the page.

…He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt as though she was avoiding his gaze.

Uncle Bai reached out and shook Lin Han’s hand, bowing slightly at the same time.

“During the time Miss is working at SAVE, I’ll have to trouble you to—”

He stopped mid-sentence. His mouth hung open like a fish out of water, but no more words came out for the longest time.

Lin Han looked puzzled.

Then, he saw Uncle Bai tilt his head back, take a deep breath, and blink his eyes hard.

Lin Han suddenly had a bad feeling…

Uncle Bai looked back at him, forcing a smile, his eyes trembling.

“Sorry, I lost my composure.”

“Ah, it’s fine…” Lin Han said cautiously.

Uncle Bai seemed to be forcibly suppressing some surging emotion.

“One more time. What I wanted to say was, I’ll have to trouble you to look after Miss…”

Before he could finish, Uncle Bai stopped once again, his lips trembling.

The next second, two streams of clear tears flowed from the corners of his eyes, tracing a perfect arc just like in an anime.

“I’ll have to… waah… trouble you to take care of her…”