Chapter Volume 8, The Beginning NO.8: Pandora’s Box (1/2)

Volume 8, The Beginning NO.8: Pandora’s Box

Translated by TaffyGirl13 (proofread by Trespasserby; C/E edited by J Tao & lucathia)

“Why?”

Ah Ye stood before the shattered French window. He looked down below as the strong winds blowing outside caused his hair to fly all over the place. My first instinct was to take off my windbreaker and put it over his shoulders, but I refrained from doing so, since I knew well that cold of this degree simply couldn’t affect him. Rather, I was the one who needed the jacket at all.

He turned around, asking simply, “Why?” His expression was one of utter loss and helplessness, as though there had not yet been enough time for him to register grief.

I indifferently explained, “It was just to draw you away from Luo Ye. No need to go downstairs. He’ll definitely be dead either way!!”

Ah Ye stared at me with the strangest emotion in his eyes and shook his head with a bitter smile.

Since when did my Ah Ye start holding back his tears? That child had clearly loved to cry before. All it took was for someone around him to be injured, and he would weep and cry out in pain. Yet now, that butler had even been shot at, and Ah Ye is still able to hold back his tears?

“Gē, you still don’t understand. I simply can’t leave. Charles wants to kill you, and he’s so powerful, I can’t leave your side. Forget Luo Ye, even if the adjudication squad was sent to dispatch Melody and the others, there’s no way I could leave you.”

No way… as in “would never,” or “not possible”?

“Gē, why did Charles attack you?” He stared straight at me, as though he believed in that butler even more than he trusted me.

I gave a displeased expression as I replied, “He’s the one who attacked me, yet you’re asking me why?”

Ah Ye opened his mouth, but could not explain. He turned his head away and said, “Charles left. I can’t ask him.”

“In that case, just wait until I find and drag him back here. You can ask him then.”

A look of fear suddenly showed on Ah Ye’s face as he pleaded, “Gē, please don’t bring Charles back. Don’t go searching for him!”

I froze. This had not been part of the plan. Immediately, I feigned anger and shouted, “He dared to raise a hand against me. No matter how you beg, I just have to make him pay!”

“Make him pay?”

Ah Ye’s smile was filled with indescribable pain. It was an expression I had never seen him wear before.

Ah Ye, you’ve only been living outside for a few years, yet you’ve grown up so quickly. Your gēge is starting to feel that he can’t keep up. Could you go a bit more slowly and let Gēge take care of you for a few more years?

“Gē, Charles has already raised a hand against you. The moment I see him, I… I’ll have to kill him. As for payment… if only it could be resolved with a simple punishment.”

I finally saw tears welling up in Ah Ye’s eyes. Although the sight was heart-breaking, it was also slightly relieving.

Not yet. He had not yet grown to the point where he wouldn’t cry anymore.

In the end, I couldn’t suppress the desire to comfort him and said, “You may not even be able to kill that guy in the first place. Did you see how fast he is?”

Ah Ye hesitated for a moment, and his look of agonizing despair finally eased a bit as he nodded and said, “Mm, he was probably the one tailing me before. I felt like something was off the whole time, but I could never find anything. So, turns out it was Charles… Ah!”

“What’s wrong?” I hurriedly asked.

Ah Ye’s face fell as he answered. “Ezart! He must have been helping Charles hide right under my nose.”

His pupils flashed unceasingly. This wasn’t a metaphor; a great many symbols were actually flashing by in an orderly fashion. This phenomenon would happen whenever he switched into “Dark Sun mode.” Every time I saw those eyes, I would always wonder just what kind of world Ah Ye saw through those eyes of his.

Ah Ye would always say that it wasn’t very different, but he had been modified when he was seven years old. Could he really still remember how the world had originally appeared?

Ah Ye took out his phone to make a call. “Ezart, come up right now, I’m on the… Help me, quick, I—”

While I was stunned, Ah Ye had already hung up. From beginning to end, his expression remained calm and unruffled, yet his tone was as urgent as if he were on the brink of death. It was just like before, when he had said “Save me” to fool that butler into turning around.

He looked at me with a cold and detached expression. The tears in his eyes had vanished without a trace.

Now Ezart had also become involved. While this was advantageous for my plans, it also raised the stakes. If something went wrong, Ah Ye would…

Did I bet a bit too much this time?

X, get away from here. I deeply apologize, but please, you must leave immediately. Do not respond to this, and do not trust any other messages. Flee now, and hide someplace where no one can ever find you!

Just as I sent this message out, I immediately prepared to close all my browser windows and leave. However, a new unread message notification suddenly appeared on the screen… Can he not listen to advice even once?

I hesitated for a moment, but was still unable to restrain myself from opening the message.

Where are you?

If this were the only line, perhaps I would not have even dared to reply, afraid that the Sun Emperor or Curtis would intercept the mail. For that matter, it was possible that it had not been written by X at all. However, these three words were followed by a line of fine print: In the past, when you were working as my butler, there was a woman by my side. What was her surname?

Tong. I could not give him my location, since our messages could be monitored. I had to leave within five minutes. What was Miss Tong’s first name?

That young miss… Thinking back to that time, X had been enshrouded in as many secrets as there were stars in the sky. However, the only way to get along with him in a friendly manner was to not investigate his matters. As a result, I could only swallow down his many secrets.

Xiao Ai. You’ve seen the directory log in the cell phone I once gave you, haven’t you? My number is in the log. Call me.

I stared for a moment. The cell phone, an ancient model to begin with, had already been broken when it was sent and had been impossible to turn on. Moreover, it had been left in the metal cabin back in Sunset City.

What could X’s words mean, then? I considered it carefully. While the cell phone had been unable to be powered on, there had been an accessory hanging from it with a phone number and written message: “Please call this number to return this phone if found.”

Although the phone was not currently in my possession, I did indeed remember that phone number. At first, when X had suddenly sent the phone to me, I would curiously flip it around now and again to inspect it. However, since I had been afraid of provoking X’s rage, I had not dared to actually call the number.

Is it possible X wanted me to call that number? After considering this for a moment, I responded with one final message before shutting off the device and standing up to leave.

The cell phone is not in my possession and I cannot check the directory. I must leave. What happened to Miss Tong in the end?

I did not know the answer to the last question. Of course, I did not expect a response from X either.

When I walked out of the internet café, it was only after stepping straight into a puddle that I belatedly discovered it was drizzling. I pulled my windbreaker’s hood up further. I had never considered that this piece of clothing might also function as a raincoat and provide cover from the rain. It was truly an essential piece of clothing for staying hidden. As expected of the young master…

A sharp pain suddenly came from my left shoulder, where a bullet had been embedded. I had not yet had the chance to treat it. Despite having painkillers which numbed the pain, I would still have to find an opportunity to remove the bullet. Otherwise, it would end up impacting any future movements. Fortunately, it was not a silver bullet—a truly rare occurrence, seeing as all of my recent injuries had contained traces of silver.

The young master had not prepared to face me as an enemy… I shook my head.

He had used his words to deceive me into turning around, and had then fired at me without hesitation. The bullet in my shoulder was even still aching faintly. The situation has already come to this. What am I still thinking! If I make the slightest mistake now, I will have no hope of reprieve. I cannot have such hesitation anymore.

Concealing myself in the darkness, I treaded up the walls and moved between buildings. After crossing several streets, and with much difficulty, I eventually found a public telephone booth, something that was truly hard to find in this day and age. It rang over and over, and just as I was starting to think I had mistaken X’s intent, the line finally connected.

“Endelis, where are you?”

It really is X’s voice…

I could not help but furrow my brows as I stated, “X, the phone might be monitored—”

“Shut up with your nonsense. Where are you?”

I fell silent, uncertain of whether or not I should tell X. His troubles were already plenty enough, and the city I was located in was simply too dangerous for him. If I told X, and he actually came over…

X coldly said, “Charles Endelis, if you don’t speak up, don’t think about ever seeing me again!”

“If you do not see me again—that may be for the better.”

I no longer had the protection of the Elysees Family. Based on my previous experiences, I was afraid that I would become X’s greatest weakness. If X truly did end up being captured by the Church because of me, a hundred deaths would not be enough to make up for my responsibility!

I took a deep breath, only then gathering the courage to say, “So long, X—No, it should be farewell.”

“Charles!” X roared in fury, “If you dare actually mean ‘farewell,’ I’ll go to the Church in Daystar City right now and scream your name!”

“…” I was a bit nostalgic as I answered, “It has been a long time since I last heard you call me just ‘Charles’.”

“Charles. Endelis!” X ground each word out individually through his teeth, “Where in the world are you?”

I helplessly replied, “X, what would you do if you knew where I was?”

“Go find you.” I never thought X would be so straightforward.

I chuckled bitterly and shook my head. “This is Daystar City, the city where the Church’s headquarters are located. How could you come here? Moreover, what could you do even if you did?”

“Give you blood and money.”

…These really were things I urgently required. I did not have much cash on me, and I could no longer use a debit card or credit card. However, X could not come to Daystar City under any circumstances. I had to persuade him to give up on the thought.

After speaking for so long, I raised my head to glance outside the telephone booth, deeply terrified that people might be lining up outside. Only then did I discover the force of the rain was actually getting stronger and stronger. The people on the street passed by, one after another, and there was nobody waiting outside the telephone booth.

I suppose that makes sense. These days, who would still be using a telephone booth?

Thinking back to the past, there used to always be people lined up outside telephone booths. Even when it was raining, there were many people who would refuse to leave. Who could say for what or for whom, but they would stubbornly persist in lining up outside in the pouring rain to make a single phone call. But then, cell phones appeared, and the even more advanced smartphones came out immediately afterward. How could something as outdated as telephone booths not be replaced…

“Charles? Where is your hideout?”

“By the ruins at the edge of Daystar City, inside a standalone red building.” As soon as I said this, I suddenly realized that I had actually exposed myself! Why is that? Could it be related to the tranquilizer’s effects?

“Ruins? That place with a lot of abandoned buildings?

“You know of it?” X had come to Daystar City before? This city, where the Church has its headquarters?

“I’ve lived there, in the past.”

I closed the door as I entered the room and walked over to the bed. The person tied to it turned his head to look at me, his expression no longer stupefied, but completely serene.

I placed some clothing down next to him and said, “I apologize for my rudeness, Head Butler Kyle.”

“I’m a secretary!” Head Butler Kyle raised a brow and replied, “How many times must I correct you for you to no longer mistake my title? Charles Endelis, it seems you are not as obedient as your outer appearance indicates.”

I untied the ropes binding his hands and feet.

Head Butler Kyle stared blankly for a moment, then sat up and stared at me suspiciously as he asked, “Are you sure you want to release me?”

“I am right here. Moreover, if I do not release you, how could you change clothes and eat something?”

Head Butler Kyle was currently only wearing a bathrobe. Although the night was not very cold, having him wear such clothing while trussed up was truly too humiliating.

Since there had been no way to confirm what items on his person may have had hidden tracking devices, I could only leave everything in the hotel and grab a bathrobe to clothe him in.

I had even given his teeth a once-over. After all, movies often included plots where transmission devices were hidden in someone’s molars. Fortunately, Head Butler Kyle’s teeth were clearly untouched—I had not wanted to remove any of his teeth on the spot.

Head Butler Kyle unworriedly donned the clothing and ate all the food without asking a single question. Once he cleared every bit of food, he put down the utensils and unflinchingly asked, “Why did you capture me?”

“Head Bu…you should know something.” I omitted his title. There was no longer a need to speak respectfully to anyone, including the young master—no, including Ri Xiang Ye!

Head… Kyle furrowed his brows. He was not wearing his glasses, which was honestly an unfamiliar sight for me. However, I could not complain, as I had been the one to discard his glasses.

“No, I do not know anything regarding this issue.”

I remained unmoved as I said, “You act in the highest position of head butler for the Sun Emperor. How could you not know anything?”

“That highest position is ‘secretary.’ I really don’t know anything.” Kyle massaged his temples, feeling a headache come on as he answered, “What did the Sun Emperor do this time?”

I smiled thinly and answered, “I did not say the matter was caused by the Sun Emperor.”

“If you came to capture me, that means the issue is not about the young master. Only the Sun Emperor would make you think of me, correct? You knew I was staying in this hotel because the young master brought you—”

At this point, Kyle abruptly paused before continuing as if he was speaking to himself, “No, the young master would actually have you return to the protection of the Elysees Family, because he would not want you to wade into these murky waters, which means he would not have helped you hide in Daystar City.”

He raised his head to look at me, asking in a somewhat uncertain tone, “You followed the young master to my location? You actually have a way to tail him?”

“I do. Now it is your turn to answer questions. Why did you lead Briar away?”

Kyle studied me but did not take long to respond. “The Sun Emperor wanted to kill Luo Ye, so he had me lure the enemy away from its territory and deceive the young master into coming out. Those were the orders I received. Anything after that is likely Secretary Bai’s affairs. He has recently been staying at the Sun Emperor’s side. I was assigned elsewhere, so I do not know much.”

He sighed and added, “Since the situation has now come to this, I more or less understand why the Sun Emperor has recently been bringing Secretary Bai around and delaying my transfer back to my original position. I would urge the Sun Emperor too strongly not to interfere with the young master’s matters; however, Secretary Bai would not do so.”

At this point, he met my gaze with utmost sincerity and said, “You must first tell me, what exactly did the Sun Emperor—”

A sound suddenly came from outside the building, as if someone had kicked a metal can. The two of us glanced backwards. When Kyle guessed, “Perhaps it’s a homeless person,” I knocked him unconscious once more.

“Charles Endelis!”

I started. This voice is—

“X?”

I promptly rushed out and spotted him in the hall without too much searching. It truly is X!

I stared in disbelief as the person walked over. He wore a formal suit, which was a rare sight. He even wore a pair of glasses, which made him look like an everyday white-collar worker. To be precise, he seemed to be the kind of white-collar worker Kyle was: one filled with an imposing confidence.

“X, you…” I stuttered in shock and asked one question after another. “You… How were you so fast? Don’t tell me, were you in Daystar City from the start? How could you hide from the Church’s pursuit?”

“Mm.” X’s only answer was a sound of affirmation as he removed his glasses and stowed them in his front pocket with a look of extreme loathing.

“You were actually staying in the city where the Church’s headquarters are!” Completely exasperated, I asked, “What could you have been thinking?”