CHAPTER 553: CONFUCIUS DID NOT SPEAK OF EXTRAORDINARY FEATS, STRENGTH, DISORDER, OR DEITIES.

The villa complex is situated on the mountainside.

By midnight, the hail had turned into thick, feathery snow.

The mountain path was rarely traversed, with only scattered streetlights casting faint glimmers of light.

A slender figure walked along the path, its shadow stretched long under the streetlights.

Occasionally, a car drove by, the drifting snow floating in its headlights like dancing sprites.

Housekeeper Liu, bundled in his coat, stood at the villa entrance, continuously gazing toward the mountain path.

Until the silhouette of a young man gradually came into view.

Housekeeper Liu’s eyes lit up as he grabbed the coat on his arm and approached swiftly.

"Young Master, you’ve finally returned."

He draped the coat over the young man as he spoke.

"Uncle Liu."

The young man’s long eyelashes were coated with a layer of frost, and when he lifted his gaze, his eyes appeared exceptionally clear and bright, as though capable of piercing straight into one’s soul.

Housekeeper Liu’s heart ached: "Why didn’t you call home? I could’ve arranged for a driver to come pick you up."

This villa community had strict security; outside vehicles without registration were required to stop at the foot of the mountain — a trail of at least seven miles to the villa.

In this frigid weather, heavy with snow, how had he managed to walk such a long distance?

The young man’s cheeks were flushed, uncertain if it was from the cold.

He stepped into the villa, a three-story cottage standing elegantly amidst the thick falling snow, glowing with light, exuding warmth and tranquil charm.

It was the kind of warm haven everyone longed for, a place called home.

The young man lowered his gaze and switched into slippers in the foyer.

As he opened the door, a surge of heat greeted him, the stark contrast between cold and warm causing the fine hair on his skin to tremble involuntarily.

Without a word, he walked in.

"You actually remember to come back?"

Helian Yu sat on the sofa, draped in a crimson cashmere shawl, her expression impassive as she stared at the entering young man.

Liu Runxi murmured a goodnight and prepared to head upstairs.

"Stop right there."

The young man halted his steps but did not turn around.

Helian Yu felt her anger boiling over – what had she given birth to?

A temperamental oddball who wouldn’t utter a word even if poked with three sticks.

Helian Yu suppressed her temper, trying to soften her tone: "Tomorrow, accompany Miss Yu to Qingxia Mountain for a trip."

She was already prepared for the boy’s rejection, even crafting preemptive rebuttals, just waiting for him to speak.

"Alright."

Helian Yu thought she must have misheard him.

"What did you say?"

"I said I’ll accompany Miss Yu to Qingxia Mountain tomorrow."

The young man’s voice was calm — so calm it was unsettling.

His unpredictable response caught Helian Yu off guard, rendering the retorts she had prepared unnecessary.

The boy tugged slightly at the corner of his lips, though his gaze was deep, unfathomable.

"Anything else? I’m tired and would like to rest early."

Helian Yu stared at his retreating figure, sensing something was undoubtedly wrong with his swift agreement.

"Liu Runxi, think carefully before you do anything — remember who you are. Acting recklessly will have consequences not just for yourself but for your parents, for the family. You’re grown now, beyond my control, but I hope you never forget the responsibilities you carry. Don’t act impulsively."

The young man ascended the staircase without looking back.

Helian Yu kept her gaze fixed on his disappearing figure at the landing, her expression unreadable.

She pulled out her phone and dialed her assistant.

"He spent the evening with Shen You’an the entire time?"

After a few seconds, the assistant responded: "After the young master dropped Shen You’an home, he went to the criminal investigation department and saw Xiang Chenyu. The two then ate wontons at a roadside stall. Later, Xiang Chenyu took the young master to the mountain’s base before leaving."

"Xiang Chenyu? What did they talk about?"

"Madam, you’re aware of Miss Xiang’s capabilities — no one can eavesdrop on her conversations."

Helian Yu swallowed the words "useless trash" before they left her lips.

"Keep an eye on Xiang Chenyu. I want to know her every move."

After hanging up, Helian Yu glanced toward the second floor.

Her collaboration with Miss Yu couldn’t afford mistakes — so Xixi, your life can only have one path.

~

Liu Runxi switched on the bedroom light.

The sealed air carried faint traces of perfume.

Tequila, with base notes of musk.

Among the people he knew, only one used such rich and potent scents.

The young man lowered his lashes.

The frost melted away, leaving tiny crystalline beads clinging to his eyelashes, trembling precariously.

He opened his backpack, neatly organizing everything inside.

On his desk, only an artbook remained, without a place to go.

The young man walked to the bookshelf and took down a box from the topmost shelf.

The moment he retrieved it, his gaze shifted.

The box had been tampered with.

He opened the lid, inspecting each image inside — they were all accounted for.

Visibly, he let out a breath of relief.