Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

I curled up on the living room sofa, wiping away my tears with the back of my hand, sniffling softly, feeling like the most pitiful person in the world.

Just as I was immersed in my own little world of sadness, a colorful bouquet of flowers, exuding a rich fragrance, suddenly appeared in my downcast line of sight, as if by magic.

Flowers of all shapes and sizes, unlike anything I'd ever seen before, were carefully combined to form an incredibly beautiful bouquet, with glistening water droplets clinging to their delicate petals.

This sudden moment of beauty captured my entire attention, allowing me to temporarily escape from my self-pity.

"Whoa... Achoo!" Before I could even finish my instinctive exclamation, I was interrupted by a sudden, loud sneeze.

The rich floral fragrance filled my nostrils, making me rub my itchy nose.

Almost the instant I sneezed, the beautiful bouquet of flowers in front of me was quickly moved behind me by Uncle Elhesen, who had been standing next to me and whom I had been deliberately ignoring, with such speed that it left only a blur.

He frowned slightly, looked down at me, and asked in a calm tone, "Do you have a history of pollen allergies?"

"No, no!" I quickly shook my head, my eyes still following the vibrant color he had hidden behind his back, afraid that he would take the flower back.

After I finished speaking confidently, he looked at me scrutinizingly for two seconds, as if to make sure I had no other adverse reactions, before handing the bouquet back to me.

My face immediately brightened, and a delighted smile bloomed on my face. The grievances I had just felt were instantly forgotten. I didn't care where the beautiful bouquet had "conjured" from; I just reached out my hands and carefully took it, holding it in my arms as if it were some rare treasure.

“Shouldn’t you say something to me after receiving a gift?” He stood in front of me, as if reminding me to follow a set set of social etiquette rules.

These words immediately stirred up a little rebellious feelings in me. But then I thought, I should thank people when I receive gifts, and I am a very polite child.

So, holding the flowers, I lowered my head slightly and mumbled reluctantly, "Th-thank you."

This insincere and dry thank you is my silent protest against this "bad uncle".

"Thank whom?" He seemed dissatisfied with my perfunctory answer and continued to press, his emerald green eyes carrying an unyielding insistence that refused to be evaded.

"Th-thank you, Elhesen..." I whispered, almost instinctively adding "uncle" at the end. However, before I could say it, he suddenly reached out his hand, making a gesture as if to take the bouquet from my arms!

I was so frightened that I swallowed the last two words back immediately, and at the same time, I tightly hugged the bouquet to my chest, using my whole body to block it, as if I was afraid that he would really snatch it away.

Seeing my reaction, he subtly withdrew his arm. He then glanced at the wall clock and announced in his characteristically emotionless tone, "I'll take you out in ten minutes. You can get ready now."

"Going out?" I froze, my arms tightening slightly as I held the bouquet, a strong sense of unease rising within me. "Where are you going? What are you doing...?"

Are they going to sell me? Or take me to some even more terrifying place? All sorts of terrible speculations instantly filled my mind.

“Make full use of your wild imagination and guess.” A barely perceptible, slightly mocking smile played on his lips. Then, he added in a flat tone, “You have nine minutes to waste.”

"Ah... nine minutes left!" I panicked and didn't care about guessing his intentions anymore.

Going out! This is the first time I've been allowed to "go out" since arriving in this strange place! Although I'm scared, I also have a faint curiosity about the outside world.

I quickly and gently placed my beloved bouquet on the low table next to me, turned around and rushed back to the bedroom, frantically searching for an "outer outfit".

*

Walking on the bustling, exotic streets, I followed behind Elhesen's tall figure like his little tail.

His pace didn't seem fast, and his stride frequency was quite steady, but I still had to jog to keep up, and soon I started to pant slightly.

His legs are so long! One step he takes is equivalent to two of my steps! Is that reasonable?

Is this the normal leg length ratio that humans should have? I stared at his long, shapely legs encased in slim-fitting trousers, my heart filled with a sense of unbalanced accusation.

I understand! He must have done it on purpose! He wanted to torture me this way, just to see me exhausted and miserable!

Bad guy! He really is a bad uncle!

Hmph! I'm not leaving! I'm not leaving!

Having made up my mind, I quickly found a bench by the roadside and plopped down, pretending to rest, while he walked ahead without turning back. I was secretly planning: when he reached his destination and turned around, he'd realize I was gone. Then I could take advantage of the situation…

I grinned, about to give a smug smile to this "brilliant" idea, when the figure sitting next to me made my smile freeze instantly, and my heart skipped a beat.

When did he... when did he sit down next to me? How did he notice so quickly that I hadn't followed, and how did he manage to sit down next to me so quietly?

"Do I have words on my face?" He seemed to notice my resentful gaze, shifted his eyes from the book he had somehow taken out of his hand, turned his head to look at me, and spoke in a flat tone.

"Yes, yes..." I was caught red-handed, and my heart skipped a beat. My tongue even got tied in knots, and I subconsciously made up a story, "There is... there is the word 'handsome'."

I regretted it as soon as I said it; that flattery was way too awkward!

After listening to me, he showed no expression, but simply snapped the book shut.

Oh no! Was what I said too... too insincere, and had the opposite effect?

Is he angry? I nervously shrank back.

"Did I walk too fast?" he unexpectedly asked another question, seemingly unconcerned about my clumsy compliment.

"Mmm." I nodded blankly and honestly admitted it.

I really can't keep up.

“You don’t need to deliberately follow my pace.” He looked at me and said, his tone seemingly a little gentler than usual: “If you have any objections to my approach, you can tell me directly.” I don’t know if it was just my imagination, but there seemed to be a little bit of…softness in his eyes when he looked at me?

"If I tell you, will you change?" I asked cautiously, worried that he might think I was being difficult and would turn around and cause me trouble.

"No change." He answered decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

That was close! I knew it! I knew he wasn't the kind of well-meaning person who would listen to others' opinions!

Thankfully, I didn't foolishly make demands directly!

"But I will make appropriate adjustments based on the actual situation," he added casually as I secretly rejoiced.

Hmph, I'm not falling for that!

This is definitely a trap. They give me hope first, then reject me after I bring it up, making me even more upset!

Hehe... I won't fall for that! I thought to myself smugly.

"Were you... trying to get separated from me on purpose?" He suddenly changed the subject, looking me straight in the eye, and asked a question that sent chills down my spine.

"Hehe... How could that be?" I chuckled dryly, a cold sweat instantly breaking out on my back. I quickly defended myself: "Besides, didn't you say that even if I escaped, I would be caught soon? So why would I waste my energy running away?"

I tried my best to make my expression look incredibly sincere.

“You’d better not have even considered it.” His gaze lingered on my face for a few seconds, as if trying to find a flaw, before slowly moving away: “Otherwise… in the end, it will be your and my time that is wasted.”

"Hehe, you're right..." I agreed, but couldn't help but mutter to myself.

...Unless everything you said before was a lie. Now it seems that possibility isn't out of the question.

"Have you rested well?" he asked instead of continuing the dangerous topic.

"No." I immediately shook my head.

I'm not a rechargeable machine, how can I possibly rest well in just a short while?

We should try to delay as long as possible.

"Then continue to rest." Upon hearing this, he reopened the pages of his book, his posture relaxed, clearly indicating that he intended to wage a protracted battle with me.

Damn it! If I had a cell phone, a computer, and a game console right now, I could definitely outlast him! Let's see who gets impatient first! I thought angrily to myself, but could only helplessly watch the people coming and going on the street and feel the slow passage of time.