DLMSWSHH Chapter 15

TL: Hua

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Chapter 15: Seeing the Duke Again

Tao naturally didn’t want to believe it, but no matter how many times he rechecked, he couldn’t find a single error.

By then, Zhong Ming had already slipped out of the archives the second the clock hit the hour. He was now taking little Albert for a walk in the garden after lunch.

Overtime was out of the question, not even for a second.

It had rained lightly in the forest that morning, and as Zhong Ming walked through the garden, the soil beneath his feet was soft and damp. He lowered his eyes, looking at his fingertips in a bit of a daze.

To be honest, he had panicked for a split second when he saw those messy accounts. But he had calmed down quickly; his thoughts became crystal clear, and his hands moved almost by instinct.

I seem very used to handling this kind of bookkeeping, Zhong Ming thought. He even felt a vague sense that compared to what he used to handle, this amount of data wasn’t even on the same scale.

Was he an accountant in his past life?

Zhong Ming frowned. If he really had been in finance, he probably died from overwork at his desk.

Lost in thought, he wandered through the garden for a long time until a chilly breeze made him shiver, snapping him back to reality.

He had reached the depths of the garden, where the plains transitioned into a valley. The thick black forest on either side blocked what little sunlight there was, making the light exceptionally dim.

Zhong Ming blinked, subconsciously looking at Albert beside him. He had actually led the child this far! And Albert hadn’t said a word, quietly following him the whole way.

Seeing him look over, Albert raised his head. His pale little face was expressionless, his emerald eyes staring unblinkingly. Zhong Ming’s tone softened as he spoke gently.

“Young Master Albert, are you tired? Are you cold?”

Albert paused for a moment, then shook his head.

Zhong Ming knitted his brows. He felt like the child had been somewhat wilted ever since finishing his lessons. He softened his voice further and asked.

“Then let’s head back, shall we?”

Further ahead was the damp, dark valley, which looked a bit ominous. Albert didn’t speak but gave a silent nod.

Zhong Ming took his hand to lead him back. To get from the valley back to the mansion, they had to cross the entire rose garden. The paths were lined with all sorts of blooming roses, each variety marked with a small wooden nameplate.

As they passed a certain cluster of flowers, Albert suddenly stopped. Tugging on Zhong Ming’s hand, he pointed to a bloom on a branch.

“I want that flower.”

Zhong Ming looked up and saw a few roses that were red with a faint golden shimmer. The nameplate in front of them was written in elegant calligraphy.

[Daydream]

Zhong Ming hesitated.

Fearing that Albert might impulsively pluck it, he quickly leaned down and picked the boy up.

“Young Master, you can look, but please don’t pick it.”

Albert was very light. Zhong Ming held him in the crook of his arm, bringing him closer so the boy could see the rose more clearly.

“?!”

At the same time, Albert’s eyes widened. His hands instinctively pressed against the youth’s warm chest. He watched a strand of dark hair slide down from Zhong Ming’s temple, swaying gently before his eyes.

This was the first time he had ever been in such close physical contact with someone. Albert could smell the faint, clean scent of laundry on the youth.

Zhong Ming held him a bit closer, standing on his tiptoes. “Young Master Albert, can you see it clearly now?”

Hearing this, Albert turned his head to look at the rose just inches away. The petals of the ‘Daydream’ shimmered in the dim valley light, while the warmth from the youth’s embrace radiated continuously.

Albert’s gaze lingered on the rose for only a heartbeat before he looked back down at Zhong Ming.

“Finished looking?”

Zhong Ming figured children were just fickle like that. He stepped back, intending to set Albert down. However, at that moment, the boy suddenly reached out and tightly wrapped his arms around Zhong Ming’s shoulders.

“Young Master?”

Zhong Ming was pulled off balance and stumbled slightly. He looked at him in surprise, only to see Albert staring back with those green eyes.

“Carry me,” the boy said calmly. “I don’t want to get my feet dirty.”

Zhong Ming paused, looking down at Albert’s exquisite little leather shoes; they were indeed stained with a bit of mud. Zhong Ming felt a pang of sympathy. The kid’s sheepskin shoes looked incredibly expensive; it would be a shame to ruin them.

So, he tightened his arms and carried Albert out of the valley.

Albert was extremely quiet. Although he was being carried, his back remained ramrod straight. Sitting in Zhong Ming’s arms, he stared at the youth’s refined profile, his gaze drifting along with the black strands of hair fluttering in the breeze.

A moment later, Zhong Ming suddenly felt a touch of warmth against his neck. He turned his head, watching with slight surprise as Albert softly rested his head in the crook of his shoulder.

The child’s skin was cool yet soft; pressed tightly against his chest, he felt like a small kitten.

Zhong Ming’s footsteps faltered for a beat.

He had to admit, compared to octopuses and spiders, this young master was far more adorable. The coldness on Zhong Ming’s face softened slightly. He tightened his hold on Albert and continued walking out of the valley.

As Zhong Ming emerged from the valley and stepped onto the plains, he immediately spotted a tall, slender figure standing before the flower fields.

Joan stood with her hands clasped elegantly in front of her, her sharp chin slightly tilted. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Zhong Ming approaching with Albert in his arms.

“Xiao Zhong.”

Joan’s gaze lingered meaningfully on the two of them before her eyes crinkled into a smile. She reached out her hand.

“Thank you for your hard work. You can hand the young master over to me.”

“Alright.”

Zhong Ming nodded, intending to pass Albert to the woman. However, the boy’s grip suddenly tightened, clutching Zhong Ming’s neck. A split second later, he slowly released his hold and jumped down from Zhong Ming’s arms on his own, completely ignoring Joan’s outstretched hand.

Zhong Ming watched as the boy walked to Joan’s side with a cold expression, sensing that the relationship between the two had soured. Then again, how many children actually like their teachers?

The young master had to continue his lessons. Zhong Ming gave him a sympathetic look and turned to leave; he still had his own work to finish. Just then, the boy’s cold voice drifted from behind him.

“Come find me again this afternoon.”

His voice was certain. Zhong Ming paused and turned back toward Albert, but before he could speak, Joan took a step forward.

“Young Master,” she said, placing a hand on Albert’s shoulder while glancing at Zhong Ming. “You can’t be so willful. Xiao Zhong has other work to do, doesn’t he?”

Albert’s expression immediately turned dark. Looking at him, Zhong Ming suddenly understood why Albert’s temperament was so volatile. Everyone around this young master, from the rigid and traditional Madam Mary to the seemingly gentle Joan, and even his father, the Duke, was a controlling person who tolerated no dissent.

It was a miracle Albert hadn’t completely lost his mind growing up in such an environment.

“It’s fine,” Zhong Ming said softly. “I have time.”

Joan’s movements stiffened. She slowly raised her head to look at Zhong Ming, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Zhong Ming lowered his gaze, pretending not to notice her disapproval, and left with a brief nod.

–

That afternoon, he continued to help in the archives. Tao seemed somewhat humiliated and angry; he slammed a thick ledger down in front of Zhong Ming, demanding he organize the accounts for the entire quarter. However, when Zhong Ming returned them perfectly organized, not a single penny out of place, the man’s expression grew even more unsightly. He stared gloomily at Zhong Ming’s retreating back until the youth left the room.

Zhong Ming had no time to worry about his superior’s mood. After finishing in the archives, he rushed off without a break to serve Albert dinner. He didn’t know what was wrong with the boy, but Albert threw a tantrum the entire time; Zhong Ming had to coax and persuade him softly for ages before he would take even a single bite.

By the time Albert finished his dinner, the sky had turned pitch black.

Late at night, holding a tray, Zhong Ming appeared once again before the doors of the top-floor study.

This time his hand wasn’t injured, so he carried the tray steadily. On it was black tea and a different snack: dark chocolate cookies. Zhong Ming had seen Madam Mary carry them out of the kitchen himself; they were still radiating heat from the oven at the time.

Zhong Ming had been busy since breakfast without a single drop of water. Though he was good at enduring hunger, he couldn’t help but swallow hard at the sweet, fragrant aroma.

Damned landlords. Damned exploiting class.

Zhong Ming couldn’t help but grit his teeth. Taking a deep breath, he forced his eyes away from the cookies and knocked twice on the wooden door.

“Enter.”

A voice called out from within the study.

Zhong Ming suppressed the slight goosebumps on his arms, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.

The room looked the same as last time. Outside the window facing the door, a bright moon hung high in the night sky. The solid wood chair with red velvet lining was turned away from him, and the emerald on those pale fingers sparkled.

Having learned his lesson, Zhong Ming instinctively slowed his breathing. He walked with great care, checking every step for any strange wrinkles or bumps in the carpet.

Fortunately, nothing strange happened this time. Zhong Ming successfully reached the desk and gently placed the tray down.

After ensuring not a drop of tea had spilled, he lowered his head and respectfully withdrew to the side.

Silence fell over the room.

Zhong Ming stared at his toes, wondering if he should offer a greeting like Madam Mary did. But they weren’t exactly close… Thinking of the motherly, affectionate look Madam Mary usually gave the Duke, Zhong Ming shuddered. He definitely couldn’t pull that off.

Just then, he saw the hand pick up the tea from the tray and vanish behind the back of the chair.

“Did Madam Mary punish you again?”

The voice rang out unexpectedly. Zhong Ming blinked, then whispered, “No.”

The hand reached out again, placing the porcelain cup back on the table with a crisp clink.

Zhong Ming noticed a bit of the tea was gone. His gaze shifted to the left, involuntarily gluing itself to the plate of chocolate cookies.

It is autumn now. Although a fire crackled in the study’s fireplace, the temperature remained low. Zhong Ming could almost see the surface of the cookies hardening in the cold air.

They’ll get cold if they sit there much longer.

What a waste, Zhong Ming thought. His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he realized he had an unusually intense craving for sweets.

“Eat them if you want.”

The voice spoke again, as if it could read his mind.

Zhong Ming was stunned, his breath hitching as his eyes widened. Does this man have eyes in the back of his head?

Then, he saw those pale, slender fingers press against the edge of the plate, sliding the chocolate cookies toward the edge of the desk.

The gesture was unmistakable.

Zhong Ming hesitated, biting his lip and swallowing once more. Ultimately, his appetite momentarily defeated his caution.

He stepped forward, reached out for a cookie, and took a small nibble from the edge.

…Delicious.

The rich, silky flavor of chocolate blended with butter exploded on his tongue. Zhong Ming’s eyes widened in amazement. In his memory, chocolate cookies were cheap-tasting, overly sweet, and hard. These were entirely different.

He couldn’t help but take another.

Then another.

It wasn’t until Zhong Ming reached out and grabbed nothing but air that he suddenly snapped out of it. He looked at the plate, now holding nothing but a few crumbs, and his eyes went wide with shock.

Beside him, those pale fingers had curled at some point, the knuckles tapping rhythmically against the wooden armrest.

The movement was nonchalant.

For the first time, Zhong Ming saw such obvious mockery in a mere hand. He felt his cheeks flush instantly.

“Are they good?”

The voice came from behind the chair. Zhong Ming nodded instinctively, then realized he was standing behind the chair where he couldn’t be seen. A second later, the voice said.

“It seems they are indeed delicious.”

A finger pointed downward. Zhong Ming followed the direction of the gesture and looked down. There, on the carpet, were two prominent cookie crumbs. The dark chocolate was glaringly obvious against the red velvet.

He had dirtied the carpet.

Zhong Ming froze, then instinctively bent down and knelt on the soft, thick carpet, reaching out to pick up the two crumbs.

Because the crumbs had fallen under the desk, barely an inch from the table leg, Zhong Ming had to lean deep to reach them. He didn’t realize that due to his movements, he was now extremely close to the person sitting in the chair.

From a superior’s downward perspective, one would see the youth in his servant uniform kneeling at their feet, his lower back dipped, his clothes tightening against his frame as he moved.

While Zhong Ming wasn’t as brawny or tall as the other menservants, he possessed a graceful build, slim where he should be and supple where it counted.

Zhong Ming was currently preoccupied with reaching the crumbs. The desk blocked his view, preventing him from noticing the gaze cast down upon him.

He successfully retrieved the crumbs and looked down at them.

They’ve been on the floor for less than five seconds. I can still eat them if I blow the dust off.

Zhong Ming thought to himself, instinctively moving his hand toward his mouth.

But just as he raised his hand, something ice-cold suddenly clamped around his wrist.

A deep voice came from directly above him: “What are you doing?”

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