Breaking the deadlock

On the spacious street, an elderly figure, white-haired and venerable, cradled a large paper bag. Within it lay baguettes and fresh parsley, alongside a hefty bottle of milk. Evidently, she had just returned from the market, her pace unhurried and tranquil as she strolled along. Her inconspicuous footfalls harmonized with the street's serenity, amplifying its sense of peacefulness.

Beneath the apartment building's facade stood two figures, a man and a woman.

The man, tall and elegantly proportioned, donned a black suit paired with a white shirt. With a mere few strokes, his attire outlined an air of icy poise and sophistication. The arc of his brow, as if a sword unsheathed, and his sharply defined features were accentuated by a pair of black-framed glasses. A demeanor of reserved seriousness added a touch of enigmatic allure, enough to give one pause.

The woman, petite in stature, reached only up to the man's chest. Clad in a sky-blue blouse and a deep gray skirt, she exuded a modest and refined aura that wasn't overly imposing. Unexpectedly, a pair of black flats adorned her feet, foregoing the sharpness of high heels for an approachable ease. A faint and genial smile graced her face, akin to basking in the warmth of spring breezes.

Turning her gaze, the woman spotted the figure who had halted his stride – Renly. She waved in a gentle, graceful manner, "Long time no see, Renly."

Renly withdrew the cigarette held at his lips, his gaze shifting toward the man standing beside the woman. A subtle quirk of his eyebrow followed suit. Matthew, on the other hand, raised his hands in a gesture of innocence, shoulders shrugging in a display of his guiltlessness.

Standing by, the woman's elegance remained unwavering, as if she hadn't perceived the exchange of glances between Renly and Matthew. She spoke with warmth, "London has seen rain again these past two days, the weather isn't so favorable. Today, the sun finally made a brief appearance. They say the day after tomorrow will be clear as well, such rare occurrences. Autumn in London always leaves one nostalgic, wouldn't you agree?"

This elegant woman before them was named Elf Hall, Renly's other sister and the eldest child in the Hall family, a year older than Arthur, aged twenty-eight this year.

Elf was a legend within the Hall family. She upheld her own dreams while yielding to the family's expectations, becoming a surgeon. Though she remained the "unconventional presence" in the eyes of the elders, and the "unsuitable marriage material" in high society, at the very least, her professional image as a surgeon had gained sufficient recognition.

Moreover, when compared to Edith and Renly, Elf was undoubtedly a role model in the eyes of George and Elizabeth.

However, if asked to evaluate Elf from Renly's perspective, he would say: she's another Elizabeth Hall.

The filming of "Like Crazy" had spanned four days already, if one included the day he had arrived. He had been in London for a total of five days, and yet there was no news from George and Elizabeth. Arthur was also nowhere to be found, as if he hadn't returned to London at all.

Even upon their reunion, Elf's demeanor aligned exactly with Renly's recollection, as if no change had transpired whatsoever.

Navigating with graceful steps, their interactions were balanced, mild, and tactful. The opening dialogue casually mentioned the weather, as if the two had met just yesterday. There was no trace of unfamiliarity, no deliberate touch on sensitive topics like actors or returning home. Everything was perfectly poised, yet Renly found himself unable to resist responding.

"The beauty of Edinburgh in this season is truly captivating. You should consider vacationing there," Renly replied with a smile. He walked forward, once again placing the cigarette between his lips. He extended the cigarette box in his hand towards Elf, who lowered her gaze to examine the brand before shaking her head.

This slight gesture prompted an unbidden grin from Renly. It all felt so familiar, as though he had never left.

"Are you planning a holiday in Edinburgh?" Elf said with a smile. "I thought you might want to stay in London. Edith will be back next week, you know, during the liveliest time of the year."

London Fashion Week. As a top-tier fashion photographer, Edith would undoubtedly be extremely busy. To be precise, the upcoming month would be extraordinarily hectic.

Renly shrugged, not intending to answer. However, Elf was unperturbed, continuing, "How long are you staying in London this time? Our encounters have been too infrequent. Let's have a proper conversation over dinner one of these days. How about it? Is your trip going well? Are you satisfied with everything?"

The journey seemed as if he had merely taken a long trip to New York, rather than embarking on a venture that challenged an actor's dream.

"Very well, everything is going smoothly," Renly didn't burst the bubble of this lie. "I visited New York, then spent some time in Los Angeles. At the very least, the weather is better than London's."

"Of course, of course," Elf nodded gently, her expression still warm. It was as though she was performing a meticulous surgical procedure, requiring steady emotions without much fluctuation. "After returning to London, have you seen any theater performances worth recommending? You always have a unique perspective on drama. The West End of London seems to be bustling again."

Facing such a question, Renly almost laughed aloud. However, his years of self-discipline held him back. "No, I haven't had the chance to visit the West End lately. I don't know if Matthew told you, but I've been quite occupied with work."

"Oh, work," Elf lifted her chin, the graceful line of her fair neck resembling that of a swan, flawless and elegant. "Yes, Matthew did mention it to me." Renly and Matthew exchanged a glance, both their eyes carrying a hint of sardonic amusement. "However, I've just daringly purchased something from the Sonachi Antique Shop—a red terracotta bull crafted in the 5th century. I've been engrossed in its appreciation, to the point of forgetting about this detail."

"You know, work has become overly demanding. I hardly have any leisure activities left. I must find something to unwind. I used to enjoy reading, but nowadays it seems even books can't ease my mood. I do wish to catch some theater in the West End, but there's no appealing choice. Are you certain you have no recommendations?"

Elf's commonplace conversation, delivered with her distinct gentleness and tone, unfolded at a steady pace. The topic circled around Renly before artfully veering away, ultimately looping back to her. After this exchange, nothing substantial had been revealed.

This feeling of orchestrated conversation was truly something he hadn't experienced in a while.

"Sorry, I really don't have any recommendations," Renly's resolute response brought a look of understanding to Elf's face. She wasn't disappointed, simply nodding lightly. "Actually, I must return to work now. My colleagues are waiting for me. Would you like to join? If you're willing, my colleagues won't mind."

Renly knew that Elf would decline.

"No need, it would be impolite," Elf politely shook her head. "I must return to the hospital. The lunch break is ending, and I still have rounds to make in the afternoon." Elf lifted her gaze to meet Renly's eyes, offering a smile. "Are you continuing your travels?"

"Yes," Renly affirmed with a smile.

"In that case, I wish you a pleasant journey," Elf said in a customary tone, as though they were strangers meeting in a social setting. Afterward, she nodded briefly and turned to leave.

Watching Elf's departing figure, Matthew spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness. He softly explained, "She forced me to do this. She called the office, and I pretended not to be there. Then she sent a bouquet of flowers to the office, along with a heartfelt greeting letter." At the thought of the contents of that greeting letter, Matthew shivered involuntarily. "Shortly after, she called again."

Renly patted Matthew's shoulder and offered a smile. "You better get back to work. Elf is waiting for you to hail a taxi for her." A true lady wouldn't flag down a taxi herself; a gentleman had to assist.

Rolling his eyes, Matthew displayed an expression of both indignation and helplessness. It didn't quite align with his aloof demeanor. He then gave Renly a hug and turned to catch up with Elf's departing steps.

Renly knew that Matthew couldn't refuse Elf. She left him no room or space to decline. Even if Matthew continued to evade, Elf had ways to achieve her goals.

Elf's appearance today, in reality, represented the Hall family's greetings. She stood in for George and Elizabeth, seeking to observe Renly's current state. In comparison, Elf was the most suitable choice.

The relationship between Renly and Elf was neither intimate nor hostile. Elf was a typical lone wolf, neither particularly close nor distant from anyone in the family. She adeptly maneuvered between relationships, seemingly an outsider, meticulously maintaining the façade of harmony in a family that had long fractured.

Even when George and Elizabeth had considered divorce, it was Elf who mediated between them. Not because she feared their separation, but because she dreaded a divorce becoming scandalous in high society, subsequently tarnishing the family's reputation.

That was Elf.

So, Elf's task today was to make an appearance, offer greetings. She wasn't being intentional. "Greetings" were her ultimate goal. Once the task was completed, she would naturally retreat. She wouldn't involve herself in this quagmire, wouldn't defend George and Elizabeth, nor would she advocate for Renly. As long as Renly didn't do anything to damage the family's reputation, she would remain detached.

This was a step to break the deadlock, but also a step to maintain the status quo.

Renly believed that after Elf's departure, he could enjoy some peace for a while. They wouldn't come knocking on his door to disturb him again.

He had anticipated this situation, even Elf's appearance and the content of their conversation didn't stray from expectations. However, when things unfolded, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps, after returning to London, the state of his performance had indeed been influenced. He wasn't as composed and indifferent as he had imagined.

Suddenly, Renly found himself missing Edith and Arthur. At least they were full of life.