2.3 bubbles

Wouldn't I want her to come? Leo felt that this statement should be correct. He should want Elena to come. Until two days ago he couldn't think himself to be away from Elena and ultimately this household. When he came here, Master Aldo told him that he should serve them well or he would have no choice but to let him go. When he started serving Elena, she cared for him a lot and he sometimes would show his vulnerable sides to her.

When Elena said that she would leave him it meant more that Leo should leave the Xalvadore house. That was the thought he couldn't bare. He felt like he should stay in this house, like he was here for a purpose and would do anything to stay. No matter what Elder sister said, he did it, not only to repay her for the kindness she showed, but also to keep staying in this house. Previously when Elena was away from him because of anger he would feel guilty and overtaken by it, he would be shaken up.

Right now though, he didn't care about Elena or whether or not she was with him. His heart was not unsettled at the thought. He looked at Xavi and shook his head firmly indicating that it was okay to go alone. He didn't know why Xavi knew that he had become a little attached to Elena but he didn't try to find out.

Shu XinYi looked at Leo weirdly. In the original story Leo should be atleast somewhat baffled at the thought of being away from Elena but right now he could see no fear in his eyes. It had been less than two days, since he entered the world and the protagonist who is going through a mental feat is already showing signs of recovery? "Snow what is this, why does he look okay? I mean I am happy but isn't this a bit unscientific."

"Master, I don't know the reason but even on the very first day when you told him to hide those two sets he really did hide them and didn't even tell Elena."

"Huh? He didn't? shouldn't he run to Elena and give her the sets so she could be happy with him and not leave him??"

"Master, Since we entered the worlds I felt like something was amiss. Before we entered I checked the active human source codes in the world and there were 3 of them. But after entering there was only 1 which is Elena. I thought I read incorrectly but it seems that something really is wrong."

"What do you mean? The other 2 humans, who are they and what seems wrong?"

"Master, You replaced a human source code since your bearing was higher for this cannon fodder than the original human here. That human was put to sleep until you leave this world. The second human should be Leo but now he is an unidentifiable source code. According to the original story Leo should not only rely on Elena by this point in time, but also be infatuated with her. As you can see it is neither of those situations which makes me believe that, Although this Leo also faced what the original Leo faced, he had different reactions than the original. Which could only mean that the Leo who completed the original world should be different, than the one here."

"What? This can happen? So he is an imposter. But then even if this unidentifiable being is taking over this role, then why Leo? He would have to face all that and suffer a lot, and it seems like he believes himself to be Leo so then why this role? In the previous world too an unidentifiable being sent us those code lines and now here another unidentifiable being becomes an imposter. Could they be the same being?"

"It is possible Master, My system has not detected any dangers around you so I atleast know that whoever they are. They are not harmful."

Shu XinYi looked intently at the charming face of Leo. He maybe an imposter but he lived through all those horrible times, so then why are you here? who are you? Are you ... him?

He looked at Leo's pheonix eyes that looked exactly like LiFeng's no matter how he looked. But if Leo is LiFeng then Who is LiFeng? Whatever may be the case, He couldn't be sure just from the same eyes. He still didn't know whoever this being was, was he trustable? Although he questioned himself, Shu XinYi knew from deep inside his heart that he would trust LiFeng and even Leo. This Leo. He already trusts him that's why he told him about his plans for city X.

Shu XinYi was still reluctant to believe that LiFeng had a consciousness outside of that world and that he would follow him here and even helping him make the world disruption easier. It was a far fetched idea, but only Shu XinYi knew how much and how desperately he wished for LiFeng to exist outside of just that world.

He thought about something and looked at him asking in a firm tone like he wouldn't accept any lies "You .. Why did you rub my ear before?"

"I don't know. I looked at your ear and thought that if I rub your ear you will feel more at ease. I am sorry for my weird behavior, Brother Xavier. Don't get angry okay." Leo honestly answered.

"You are you LiFeng?" Shu XinYi asked with stern little eyes.

"Huh LiFeng? who is LiFeng, you also said his name in your dream. Who is he? If he is hurting you then tell me I will deal with him." Leo was getting annoyed by that name.

What is this? This doofus has amnesia or something? This is surely LiFeng, touching his ear to comfort him, only LiFeng will have such kind of manners. "Leave LiFeng. You .. don't hurt yourself from now on okay. Just cry until you feel okay then fix the problem. I will talk to father about going tomorrow and take those two sets with you .. Actually just come down and eat with us. You can talk to father about your idea directly. I agree with you so I am sure father won't refuse." Shu XinYi would't take no for an answer.

They walked down to the dinner table together and Shu XinYi indicated for him to sit. First mother had a weird expression on her face but she didn't say anything since Aldo too didn't say anything. Elena looked at Leo for him to give her an answer about what was happening but Leo only shrugged looking at her. Shu XinYi sat down to eat and said "Miss Lisa, Can you brew herbal tea for Leo? Izzi go to the court yard with Miss Lisa and help her harvest mature herbs okay."

"Yes, Yes brother Xavi ofcourse I will." She seemed really happy to be able to spend time with Miss Lisa. Isabel liked plants and trees and had a lot of knowledge about different kinds of herbs and spices. She would know what to make to make for Leo. Both Elena and First Mother's faces were baffled. Too similar. Shu XinYi thought.

Shu XinYi told father that he and Leo had something to talk about with him. All the extra people understood and left the dining hall tactically. Shu XinYi and Leo told father about their idea of opening a proper shop to retail their own products. Father knew that it was a time taking process but if this project was complete they could have a settled market in City X, which was also a trade hub. So he allowed them to take on the City X project themselves. He would provide the amount of money needed because he really wanted to see his son make his own decisions.

Shu XinYi let Leo rest for the night and went to Albert, the house butler, to inquire about Miss Lisa. Although he had no problem with Isabel loving Miss Lisa, but he had to make sure that Miss Lisa was not bad news. Whether or not her love was reciprocated, he couldn't control but he still had to look after her safety.

Miss Lisa was a runaway second generation. She didn't want to be forced to marry by her parents, so she left her house and traveled to this city. She had told Master Aldo about her past and that she was well versed with cooking and looking after the house. It had been 4 years since she had started working here. Shu XinYi could tell that she was firm noble Lady. Hmm? She seems trustworthy but he will still inquire her properly about her intentions if she does show any.

Early next morning he prepared himself for the journey to city X. Their carrier had already been filled with the necessary items. Although they didn't have to worry about bandits using the trade route controlled by Mr.Morris's family, They still had the necessary trained guards.

Before leaving, he had a little talk with Miss Lisa saying that she should take care of Isabel and look after her well being. Miss Lisa only politely agreed with a smile. Shu XinYi was a little intimidated by Miss Lisa but not threatened. He said good bye to everyone in the house because he would be going for several days.

Elena had just woken up when she saw Leo was packing to go somewhere. She looked in the courtyard to see a fleat ready to depart. She didn't know anything about this, neither did Leo tell her. Leo always told her everything happening in the house that she didn't know of. Leo was also always scared of leaving her, but now he was leaving without telling her anything about the situation and it seemed that he was leaving for days. Were they going to City X, then why go personally? Why not just send the fleat like they always do? Is brother Xavier planning something?

No, She has to know everything. Obviously brother Xavi would mess up the situation like usual so I should use this opportunity to go with them. When Shu XinYi entered the world Xavi wasn't fully matured although he carried that aura. His decisions were not very experienced of course. So Elena had always believed that she could do better than him and that she was the rightful heir of the family.

She took Leo to a corner asking in a polite magnetic voice "Leo what is going on? Is brother Xavier going to City X tell me."

"Yes Elder sister Elena. We will be going to City X. Brother Xavi invited me to go with him." Leo had nothing to hide.

"What about me? Will you be okay without me? Don't worry I will talk to father right now okay?" Elena said in a caring manner.

Leo looked at her and nodded, if Elder sister wanted to come and father allowed her then he doesn't have a problem. Elena smiled satisfied, she asked father to go for the purpose of tourism. She used this excuse many times. Father gave her responsibility to Xavi and allowed her to pack. Shu XinYi wasn't worried for her following. He went to say good bye to Isabel telling her to be careful.

The journey to the city was a peaceful one. They didn't face any difficulties on the route. When the fleat finally reached the city. They entered the city through third pass and went to the warehouse they had rented through Mr.Morris. The inventory was settled so Shu XinYi went to the hotel his father had suggested, with Elena and Leo. They had already booked two rooms for their stay since only Xavi and Leo were going. Now that Elena had joined them they had to naturally book a new room.

Shu XinYi didn't rest for the day since the sun was at its seams. He took out his notebook to confirm some stuff. The notebook had many details of many different kinds of people, all of which Xavi had learned about from his father or otherwise. Shu XinYi went to the commerce district to check the jewelry market. The products sold here were not of the same quality as the ones they had brought. Shu XinYi asked around for the best sellers and visited their shops. After looking at the products and rates, he thought that the products they brought, really would become famous here.

Shu XinYi thought of something and went back to the hotel to discuss with Leo. At this time Leo had also visited some men in the city to find information about the market rent and rates for land and shops. When he saw that an old man wanted to sell his food shop because he was facing loss in that shop and wanted money to enter a new market. The people with perspective would know that even though this shop was away from the main market district, it was in a very advantageous position if use correctly. He told the old man to wait for him tomorrow.

He went back to the hotel to find Xavi in his room. As soon as he entered the room and closed the door, both of them said "Let's buy a shop." Both of them weren't surprised since it was very logical.

"The market district doesn't have anything of as much value as our products. We have to first settle our shop here then we can personally present our products to different households. It will not be good if our designs are leaked before we can settle in the market with our name." Shu XinYi.

"Yes, I was thinking the same. I have asked around the city and found three good locations. Two of them have very high rent rates and they are not willing to sell the shop. The third one is outside the Market district in district B. The owner is an old man who is willing to sell the shop a little higher than the market rate." Leo

"District B? It is on the route to district C and the west city gate. Isn't it perfect for us. District C is a residential area for many noble men. This is good we should go tomorrow to finalize the ownership transfer." Shu XinYi

"There is one problem though, The shop is a restaurant. So we have to rebuilt it. The construction will take atleast 1 and a half month so we will have to extend our stay." Leo

"That's no problem I will send a letter to father in a week. In the meantime we should present the silk and perfumes we have brought so after the shop is hopefully built, the customer flow can start." Shu XinYi

"Hmm. Have you had lunch?" Leo

"No I was just roaming the market. You?" Shu XinYi

"I saw a tavern near the the hotel. It sells the best fruit wine in the city and the food is good too? Want to go with me?"

Shu XinYi narrowed his eyes looking at Leo. Is he really LiFeng? "I don't like fruit wine let's go somewhere else." he said in rebellious tone.

"You don't? I thought you should like fruit wine." Leo said looking a bit dazed.

"Well I don't, Infact I don't like fruits at all." Shu XinYi was still trying to deny the coincidences.

"What? You don't uh.." Leo started scratching his head looking lost. "I kinda bought some peaches and apricots for you. Don't worry I will just give them to the street kids."

"pfft hahaha" Shu XinYi couldn't hold his laughter. Leo was LiFeng. He could tell his heart could tell. Only LiFeng was the one who could make him laugh and know him this well. He looked at Leo and said "Let's go to the tavern. Let's see what this best fruit wine in the city tastes like." He walked to the door and motioned Leo to lead the way.

Leo was feeling giddy. Xavi really did look like a bunny. When he laughed his cheeks turn red and a cute little dimple forms on his right cheek. This was the first time he had seen Xavi laugh. It really was a beautiful sight. He didn't know why he laughed but it seemed like he was very happy and the reason seemed to be him. He felt bubbles inside his mind and the image of Xavi laughing was printed in his mind.

He led the way to the tavern and Shu XinYi had a nice fulfilling lunch. He didn't drink a lot but the wine really was brewed well. They returned home with some food for Elena and then went to do their own things for the day.