Ending Days (2)

"I didn't expect them to hold an event like this," Yasushi muttered, his gaze fixed on the sprawling pool, teeming with people — staff from Jingliu's household. The sight was both surprising and intriguing, a rare spectacle for someone like him.

Only a few days remained before he would return to Japan with Jingliu, Yinhaie, and another maid he had been considering. The prospect of the journey excited him, though the thought of facing Ginsukimura's harsh climate dampened his enthusiasm.

"Well, we do have events like this each season. It's only fair to let the staff unwind and enjoy themselves. It's one of the many reasons people are drawn to work for the Yang family — generous benefits, excellent insurance, comfortable living conditions, and so on," Heinz explained, standing beside Yasushi with a calm demeanor.

"That's true! Those perks are exactly why I ended up here. Did I ever mention how Anfeng and Master Liang Yang personally recruited me?" Cormac chimed in, his voice steady. His appearance had improved significantly since recovering from his injuries, showing just how well he had been cared for.

"No, that's new to me. Are you Irish, Cormac?" Yasushi asked, casting a curious glance in his direction.

"Yes, I am!" Cormac responded with a burst of enthusiasm, his words crisp in English as he struck a dramatic pose.

Yasushi let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head in amusement. "I've encountered a few Irish people before. They tend to be quite friendly. Where abouts did you live in Ireland?" he asked, his question causing Cormac's face to brighten noticeably.

"Where abouts." It was a phrase frequently used by both the English and the Irish. As someone who had been English in a previous life, Yasushi was familiar with these nuances. He had never harbored any dislike for the Irish, considering how he had managed to make his way up on his own.

"Waterford! It's quite far from here, but that's where I was born and raised until Anfeng and Master Liang Yang came along and recruited me. I was surprised to see a Chinese businessman in Waterford of all places!" Cormac exclaimed, his excitement evident in his animated tone.

"Waterford, huh? Isn't there a well-known institution there?" Yasushi asked, showing clear interest in the subject. They continued their lively conversation for a good while, exchanging stories and laughs until eventually, Cormac and Heinz took their leave, leaving Yasushi alone with his thoughts.

Before long, Anfeng made her way over to him, casually slinging her arm around his shoulder and bringing her face close to his with a playful grin. "What are you doing all by yourself over here, huh, Young Master?" she teased, her tone light and mischievous.

"Young Master." It was a title he still hadn't grown accustomed to. A few of the staff had started using it recently, and he wasn't quite sure how he felt about it. Someday, he might be called "Master," but that seemed like a distant reality. For now, even being addressed as "Young Master" felt strange to him. The word "Lord" was another term that hadn't fully settled in his mind, something he still found himself adjusting to.

"Just taking it easy," Yasushi replied, leaning back slightly. "I've already spent quite a bit of time at the river lately, so getting in the water right now isn't exactly what I'm in the mood for." Anfeng laughed at his response, reaching up to pat his head in a familiar, affectionate gesture.

"Is that so?" Anfeng said with a mischievous smile. "Well, I won't fault you for it, but you should know that this kind of relaxation won't last forever. There's a big cleanup afterward, so I'd recommend making the most of today. If you want more privacy, you can always come back by yourself or with Lady Jingliu," she added, her grin widening.

Yasushi shook his head with a sigh, not entirely sure how to respond to her light-hearted advice. Before he could gather his thoughts, Anfeng pressed on with another question. "So, have you made your decision about who you're taking with you?"

As Yasushi started to answer, Anfeng interrupted him with a wink. "Just so you're aware, if you pick me, I'm more than happy to take care of you in more ways than one, if you catch my drift," she said, her tone playful.

Yasushi blinked, momentarily stunned by her words. He cleared his throat, trying to process what she had just said. "W-what?" he stammered, stepping back slightly from her.

"You know," Anfeng continued, unabashed, "like intimate things? Doing the tango, bumping uglies. And if you're interested in something more, I can do all sorts of things — lick the ice cream, give the glock-glock-5000, eat the banana, and—"

"Enough!" Yasushi cut her off sharply, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I get it!" He sighed deeply, trying to regain his composure. "I know who I want to take with me, but please give me a day before we leave."

Anfeng's laughter echoed as she patted Yasushi on the back once more before heading off. Yasushi had been caught off guard by her playful behavior, though he speculated that she might be eager to leave China and explore Japan. It seemed that many of the staff had grown accustomed to staying in one place, and he wondered if Anfeng, in particular, harbored a desire for new experiences.

Eventually, Yinhaie came over and asked, "Aren't you joining us?"

Yasushi sighed, his gaze drifting skyward as he responded, "Does Anfeng seem unhappy here?" The question seemed to take Yinhaie by surprise. She paused for a few moments, clearly considering his words before shaking her head.

"I don't think so. Why did you get that impression?" Yinhaie asked, her curiosity piqued by his unusual query.

"I'm not sure," Yasushi admitted with a shrug. "It's just a feeling I had, you know? Sometimes you get a sense about things, a kind of gut instinct about situations and people." He continued to watch the sky, lost in thought as he tried to articulate the vague intuition that had prompted his question.

"Well, over the past year, I've noticed that your intuition tends to be quite accurate, though it's not always spot-on," Yinhaie said, reflecting on the instances where Yasushi had made correct or incorrect predictions. "What would you do if it turns out that she's not happy here? She's the current Head Maid and carries a significant amount of responsibility."

Yasushi met her gaze and gave a thoughtful nod. "That's true. Relocating her would indeed be quite troublesome for everyone involved, given how many people depend on her. But there must be others who could take on the role, right? Though, it would definitely be wise to let everyone know ahead of time," he said, turning his attention back to the pool. "Don't worry, I have a plan in mind. I'll make sure to share it with you before we leave."

Yinhaie nodded in agreement before suddenly grabbing Yasushi's wrist and pulling him towards the water. Without giving him much time to protest, she plunged him into the pool, insisting that he needed to enjoy some fun for the day. Yasushi laughed at her sudden playful action, letting himself be swept along. He swam after her, heading towards the spot where Yunxue and Jingliu were gathered, ready to join in the festivities and unwind a bit.

+-+

Yasushi leaned back against a sturdy pole, taken aback by the way the staff festivities had continued far beyond his expectations. He had anticipated a brief affair, but the celebration was still going strong. He opened his eyes and glanced to his left, where a large stage was set up. People were taking turns performing, creating what felt like an impromptu concert.

Not everyone was involved, but with such a diverse crowd, the turnout was impressive. Yasushi estimated that around seventy-eight groups or individuals had participated, and they were now on their eighteenth act, performing a cover of a well-known song. The variety and enthusiasm on display were captivating.

Jingliu approached him, holding a small cup out to him. Yasushi looked at the cup and noticed it contained a modest portion of food. "Thank you," he said, taking the cup from her and then returning his attention to the lively performances on stage.

"Are you enjoying yourself so far?" Jingliu asked, maneuvering herself in front of him. She tilted her head and leaned it gently against his chest, her touch warm and reassuring.

"I am enjoying it, but I'm curious about how long these festivities will continue," Yasushi said, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "Does it all end tonight, or will it stretch into tomorrow? We had a substantial breakfast this morning, followed by a lively event at the swimming pool in the afternoon. After a brief break for everyone to rest and prepare, we now have this concert. And I should mention that the staff didn't just keep it to themselves; they invited the entire town, so the crowd has grown beyond just the staff," he added, noting the extensive scope of the event.

Jingliu listened attentively, a smile forming on her lips as she heard his observations. She looked up at him with a playful glint in her eyes and said, "You've summed it up quite well, though I have to say, you don't seem overly excited about it."

"Oh, I am excited," Yasushi assured her. "It's just that the thought of returning to Japan soon, with school starting again, is making me a bit anxious. The workload is about to increase significantly, with all the studying for entrance exams and everything else that comes with it," he explained. As he spoke, he reached out and gently squeezed her cheeks, a gesture of affection and reassurance.

Jingliu laughed softly and nodded in agreement. She had to admit that her enjoyment of the event wasn't quite as high as she had hoped, given that they would soon be leaving. Nevertheless, there was an undercurrent of anticipation for the future, as it signaled their imminent graduation and the transition to college.

"But we have plenty to look forward to," she said with a touch of optimism. "Once we graduate high school, we'll gain a lot more independence. It's something to be excited about."

Yasushi raised an eyebrow and responded, "Don't we already have a fair amount of independence? We live in our own home, manage our finances with Yinhaie's assistance, and the only major change will be that we'll get to choose our own clothes when we start college in Ginsukimura." His observations made Jingliu huff playfully, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Moreover," Yasushi continued, "after we finish college, we'll gain even more independence. Whatever career paths we choose, we should probably aim for something practical. You've already got a clear idea of what you want to do, but I'm still figuring it out. There are several jobs that pique my interest, including the option you mentioned about joining you and our parents."

As Yasushi and Jingliu continued their conversation about their future, their attention was intermittently drawn to the stage where various participants performed. The lively discussions about their forthcoming independence and career choices momentarily took a backseat as their interest was captured by the performances unfolding before them.

Then, to their astonishment, Heinz, along with several others, stepped onto the stage and began to perform a piece of classical Chinese music. The sight of the distinguished butler, who had always been so composed and reserved, engaging in such an unexpected performance caught them off guard.

"That's… unexpected," Yasushi murmured, his eyes widening as Heinz began to sing, the rich tones of his voice adding a new element of surprise.

Jingliu leaned closer, her gaze fixed on the stage. "I knew Heinz liked to sing occasionally, but I didn't realize he had such a remarkable talent for it," she said, her tone a mix of admiration and surprise as they listened to the older butler's impressive vocal performance.

As the performance reached its peak, a spectacular display of fireworks exploded in the sky, taking the form of majestic eastern dragons. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, their excitement and enjoyment evident. Yasushi watched the extravagant display, a part of him reflecting on how grandiose the whole event had become. Despite his initial thoughts on the over-the-top nature of the celebration, he couldn't help but be swept up in the infectious joy of the moment, setting aside his reservations as he joined in the collective enthusiasm.

Jingliu's suggestion came as a surprise to Yasushi, who had been engrossed in watching the performances. "Why don't you give it a try? There's no need to sign up; anyone can just step up and perform," she proposed with a grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Me? Sing? You're joking, right?" Yasushi responded, shaking his head with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. "I'm hopeless when it comes to singing. I couldn't carry a tune if it came with a handle."

Jingliu persisted, her enthusiasm unshaken. "It's all in good fun. Surely there's at least one song you feel somewhat confident about?"

Yasushi hesitated, then admitted, "Well, there is one, but honestly, my own assessment of my performances is less than flattering. I wouldn't want to be the one to spoil the night with my off-key attempts." He gave her a rueful smile, clearly unsure.

Jingliu, undeterred, continued to press him. "Come on, you can't be that bad. It's just for fun. Besides, no one's judging too harshly."

Despite her encouragement, Yasushi remained reluctant. Then an idea struck him. "How about this: let's make a deal. If we're back here next summer and this event is happening again, I'll participate. But for now, let's keep my singing out of the spotlight," he suggested, a hopeful note in his voice as he offered a compromise.

Jingliu mulled over Yasushi's suggestion for a brief moment before nodding in agreement. "Alright, that seems fair enough. I'll definitely take part with Yunxue and Yinhaie next year. Let's make it an event to remember," she said, her face lighting up with a broad grin.

"Sounds like a plan," Yasushi responded with a smile, feeling relieved by the compromise.

They spent the rest of the evening enjoying the diverse array of performances that continued on stage. As the night progressed and the final act drew to a close, it was clear that Heinz, along with another staff member, had delivered a particularly memorable performance. Their rendition was met with enthusiastic applause and praise from the crowd.

When the event finally wrapped up, everyone pitched in to help with the cleanup. The town's residents, who had been invited to join in the festivities, expressed their appreciation for the enjoyable experience they had been given. The shared effort to tidy up was accompanied by a sense of satisfaction from the successful evening, leaving everyone in high spirits as they concluded the night's activities.