Good Bye
Chapter 6: Good Bye.
Li Mei and Li Wei soon came out of the room and Li Mei dragged her brother to explore the house. The Li family, known for their wealth and power for generations, had experienced luxury in various forms, but the hidden art within these walls surpassed anything they had ever encountered. Marble pillars adorned with intricate craftsmanship stood proudly, while delicate wooden sculptures of mythical creatures were showcased in glass cabinets, each one a testament to the artist's skill. Paintings adorned the walls, depicting different cultures, places, and techniques, each canvas pulsating with a tapestry of emotions.
Li Mei's eyes widened in awe as she absorbed the captivating beauty of the paintings. Amongst the exquisite collection, she noticed some showpieces made of resin and paint that seemed to possess an otherworldly quality, as if the artist behind them held a secret knowledge of magic.
Li Mei raised her eyebrows and fell into deep thoughts as she looked around the house. 'Big sis seems to be insanely rich. Each of these paintings sold in an auction would win a bid of at least few tens of billions. How come no one ever knew about Big sis?'.
Caught up in her excitement, Li Mei reached for her mobile phone, intending to capture a few snapshots to share later. However, before she could click a single picture, her phone was swiftly taken from her grasp. She turned to find her brother, Li Wei, looking at her with pursed lips, a stern expression on his face.
"Gege, what are you doing?" Li Mei asked, her irritation evident in her voice.
Li Wei raised an eyebrow, mirroring her question. "I could ask you the same thing. What were you thinking?"
Li Mei's initial excitement faded as guilt washed over her. She realized that her actions were inappropriate, especially considering Ling Yue's personality. She knew that Ling Yue would not appreciate her taking photos without permission.
"Sorry, I won't do it again," Li Mei mumbled, her shoulders drooping in remorse. Li Wei's stern gaze softened, and he returned her phone to her. Li Mei carefully pocketed it, and went back into her Dora-the-explorer mode. She resumed her exploration, but Li Wei remained fixated on the paintings hung on the wall.
The raw emotions conveyed in those artworks were soul stirring and needless to say Li Wei was affected too. While Li Mei had been lost in the sheer beauty of the paintings, he had already deduced the identity of the artist. Not a single piece bore the name of its creator, yet it became increasingly clear to Li Wei that Ling Yue herself was the gifted painter behind them all.
Since Ling Yue didn't stop them from going anywhere Li Mei dragged Li Wei into every room. Though Li Wei was reluctant to enter the rooms, wary of intruding Ling Yue's privacy, his curiosity took the best of him and he ended up accompanying Li Mei.
To their surprise, when they entered the master bedroom, it was not Ling Yue's personal sanctuary but a haven for her pets. Three large beds with vibrant canopies adorned the room, exuding a sense of regality fit for beloved companions. Even their own bedrooms back at home were not as beautiful as the bedroom owned by these lucky pets. Li Mei was taken aback, never having witnessed pets living with such opulence. Just who is the master of the house?
While Li Mei was looking at the pet's master bedroom Li Wei silently slipped into the adjoining rooms. The next two rooms to the master bedroom were similar and seemed like guest rooms, though he doubted if these rooms were ever been used. Soon he entered the last room in the corridor. This room too was similar to previous rooms and he would have mistaken it for another guest room if not for the damp towel hung on a chair, left there to dry. He looked at the room for some time and moved to next one which happened to be the library.
The sight before Li Wei momentarily rendered him speechless. This was no ordinary library—it was a vast expanse of knowledge. As he browsed through the book-filled shelves, he discovered an extensive range of subjects: history, geography, science, literature, philosophy, mythology, politics, economics, psychology, religion, spirituality, biographies, cooking, short stories, and novels of every genre imaginable. While Li Wei possessed his own personal library at home, it paled in comparison to the breadth and depth of Ling Yue's collection. He found himself drawn to this enigmatic girl, unsure of what emotions to make of his growing intrigue.
Lost in thought, Li Wei gazed out of the library window, his eyes surveying the now-calm landscape. The rain had ceased, signaling that it was time for them to part ways.
The library had a circular staircase leading to second floor. He looked at the stair case. Similar to other items in this house, even this staircase was a piece of art. The railing of the staircase started of with sculpturing similar to thick iron chains which gradually turned into flower buds and then finally into fully bloomed sunflowers.
Expecting that Ling Yue would be upstairs, he made his way upstairs and as expected he found her, gracefully turning the pages of a book with her slender fingers. Behind her stood a grand black piano, adding an air of allure to the already mesmerizing scene.
"Ling Yue," Li Wei softly called out, his voice tinged with longing. Ling Yue raised her emerald eyes from the book, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of his gaze. Confusion flickered across her face as she wondered about the reason behind his intense attention.
"Mr. Li?" Ling Yue responded, her voice betraying a hint of surprise, swiftly masking the impact his presence had on her. Years of cultivating a cold and indifferent facade were not easily undone.
"The rain has ceased, and my sister and I must take our leave," Li Wei informed her, his words laced with a tinge of reluctance. If fate allowed, their paths would cross again, but for now, they had to return to their own world.
"Hmm..Let me see you to gate" She gracefully rose from her seat, placing the book back on the shelf before joining Li Wei by the stairs. They both descended the stairs together and found Li Mei playing with the sweeping robots in the hall.
"MeiMei, it's time to go," Li Wei gently reminded his sister. Having anticipated this moment, Li Mei nodded understandingly, standing beside her brother as they expressed their gratitude to Ling Yue once again.
"Big sis, here's my number. If you ever visit City G, let's meet up," Li Mei offered, handing Ling Yue a piece of paper with her contact information. Ling Yue accepted it silently, not uttering a word, but her acceptance alone brought a glimmer of happiness to Li Mei's eyes.
Ling Yue accompanied them to the gate, where BaoBao, one of Ling Yue's protective pets, eagerly approached Li Wei, showering him with affection. Ling Yue observed the bond between BaoBao and Li Wei, wondering at the inexplicable connection they seemed to share. BaoBao's protectiveness was a reflection of Ling Yue's own desire to keep those she cared about safe. It was one of the reasons she had reached out to help the Li siblings, though another reason resided within herself.
"Goodbye, Big sis," Li Mei waved enthusiastically as they passed through the gate. Ling Yue responded with a small smile, a genuine expression that spoke volumes. Li Mei had come to understand that Ling Yue was not one to feign smiles or sugarcoat her words. If she smiled, it meant her smile was sincere.
"Good Bye Ling Yue, I hope to meet you again." Just like Ling Yue's smile, Li Wei's words carried a genuine sentiment. He truly wished for another encounter, but for now, they had to return. With a final farewell to BaoBao, they disappeared into surrounding woods.
Ling Yue remained at the gate, her gaze fixed on their retreating figures. Her heart felt restless, a sensation that unnerved her due to its lack of rational explanation. These two individuals were strangers to her, yet she found herself attached to them in an indescribable manner. Taking a deep breath to steady her racing heart, she savored the lingering scent of wet earth before stepping back into her house.