Chapter 55: Hello

Chapter 55 Hello

The rain had been falling since the middle of the night, and by morning it showed no intention of stopping.

Umbrella in hand, Karen walked to the gate of Number 128, pushed it open, and by the time he reached the porch, the door was opened from within.

Madam Molly stood inside:

"Young Master."

Karen shook the bag in his hand and asked:

"Has Alfred arrived yet?"

"Not yet, but he should be here soon."

"Mm."

Karen entered the house; the first floor was completely empty.

"Young Master, please go up to the second floor."

Karen walked up to the second floor, where the master bedroom had been furnished with quite a few pieces and swept clean.

Setting the bag on a cabinet, Karen walked over to a chair beside the French window and sat down.

"Your coffee, Young Master."

Madam Molly placed a cup of coffee before Karen, offering an apologetic smile at the same time:

"There is no refrigerator in the house, so there is no ice water."

"It's fine."

Karen lifted the coffee and touched it to his lips.

During his student days and the entrepreneurial struggles of his past life, he had mistakenly believed he could never live without coffee, but once his income grew comfortable enough to pursue a higher standard of living—such as trying varieties recommended by coffee-loving friends and clients—he finally realized:

It turned out what he was accustomed to was not coffee, but Nescafe.

Madam Molly carefully sat down in the chair opposite Karen.

She wore a skirt that fell past her knees and seemed entirely impervious to the cold; on her feet were not those classic red high heels, but a pair of indoor cotton slippers, her legs pressed together in a highly constrained posture.

Karen turned his head to look at the road outside the French window.

In his mind rose the memory of riding in the hearse past this very house at 128 Mink Street; back then, Uncle Mason had seen his first love, while he himself had seen Madam Molly's red high heels, radiating a seductive yet eerie aura.

Her toes had been slipped into the heels, gently rocking them back and forth.

Who could have imagined that the Madam Molly of today would suddenly become so "well-behaved"?

Deep down, he felt a faint sense of regret.

"Do you like this house very much?" Karen asked.

"Yes, Young Master. In fact, this used to be my home."

"Oh, is that so."

Madam Molly smiled faintly: "In the past, my husband, my son, and I lived here. Later, because of a car accident during a family trip, my husband and son unfortunately perished. I myself... was actually dead too, but due to some special reasons, I did not die completely.

Later, Alfred arrived. He helped stabilize my condition, and at my entreaty, he helped settle me back into my home."

"Did you and Alfred know each other before?"

"Yes, I had helped him once, and he owed me a favor, though at the time I only thought he was an ordinary man. However, Alfred truly is a good person; he can be a bit eccentric at times, but he keeps his promises.

You should know, he could have lived very comfortably on his own in Luo Jia City, and there was no need to bring along a burden like me. Because of me, he takes on a great deal of extra risk."

"Mm, and what about this house?"

"After my family met with disaster, our estate was inherited by my husband's nephew. He sold this place, and the buyer used it as a rental property."

"Did you not resent that?" Karen asked.

"No, I wanted this house to have life. I liked blending into the lives of the tenants; it gave me immense solace.

Even though I looked quite terrifying.

But they rarely ever saw me.

Especially when some tenants had smaller children playing alone on the bed, I would stay by their side to watch over them."

"Jeff..."

"I only wanted to scare him away because he broke in to steal while the family was out, but I didn't expect to scare him straight to death. Before I could dispose of the body, it was discovered by the tenants, and the mistress of the house sought out Mr. Mason to help handle the corpse."

Karen nodded. So for a long period, Madam Molly had existed as something akin to a "household deity," protecting the gate and securing the residence.

"And what about now, this house?"

"Alfred rented it to serve as my true residence. After all, now that I possess a complete body, it is impossible to live with tenants anymore. Furthermore, I need to commute to work every day, so I need a place to settle down near your home, Young Master.

Sometimes when we are busy late into the night, Alfred sleeps here too."

So, this house was essentially the staff dormitory for the Inmeles family?

"Why not just buy it?"

Karen did not know exactly how wealthy Alfred was, but he knew the man was incredibly rich.

Buying a townhouse on Mink Street should not pose any problem at all.

"Because..." Madam Molly phrased her thoughts carefully, "Because Alfred meant that if we only rent it, the house can still be rented to others after we leave. If we buy it, once we are gone, the house will become completely empty.

I do not want this house to become deserted and cold."

"Leave?"

Karen drew out a cigarette and lit it.

Madam Molly said with great caution: "Young Master, are you not preparing to go to Wien?"

Karen remained silent.

Madam Molly maintained her seated posture, motionless.

Some matters could be hidden from the family, but they could not be hidden from Alfred.

In the eyes of his uncle, aunt, and cousin, his courtship with the girl named Eunice was for the sake of marrying her into the family later, but Alfred had seen through it clearly—it was for marrying into theirs.

Karen suddenly laughed.

He suddenly understood the old allusion of the "chicken rib"—something of little value but hard to discard.

Subordinates who were too clever did indeed make things quite awkward for a "Young Master" like himself.

"Mm, yes, that is a possibility," Karen said.

Madam Molly let out a long sigh of relief and said: "So, Young Master will take the two of us along, right?"

"Do you two want to accompany me?" Karen asked.

"Alfred said that the reason the Master agreed to take the two of us in as shop hands was precisely to prepare for when you go to Wien in the future, Young Master."

Karen silently continued to smoke his cigarette.

Just then, Alfred arrived, carrying a gas cylinder on one hand and a massive cooking pot strapped to his back.

Walking into the courtyard, he caught sight of Karen and Ms. Molly sitting behind the second-floor French windows, and waved with exuberant enthusiasm:

"Young Master, I have arrived!"

Karen silently flicked away his cigarette ash.

Alfred, who remained blissfully unaware that his goal of ascending onto the murals had suddenly drifted further out of reach,

carried the gas cylinder swiftly up the stairs and arrived at the master bedroom.

"I will go wash the pot, and the vegetables too." Ms. Molly, seemingly realizing she had just misspoken, stood up at that moment and took the initiative to do the chores.

"Just washing the pot is fine, I already washed the vegetables before bringing them, and the meatballs do not need washing."

"Very well, Young Master, I will go wash the pot thoroughly, and the tableware as well."

Alfred pulled out a handkerchief, wiping the raindrops from his forehead, and inquired with curiosity:

"Young Master, how exactly does one eat this hotpot? I can hardly wait any longer."

Karen replied: "In a moment, I will fry the soup base a bit, and then we can boil the ingredients and eat. We cook and ladle them out as we go. I also brought along three pairs of the silver chopsticks you gifted me."

"That sounds quite delightful. Let me think, what should I boil and eat first in a moment?"

"There is something I recommend boiling first. It is very tender, takes only a moment to cook, and tastes incredibly savory."

"What is it?"

"Your tongue."

"..." Alfred.

...

After finishing the hotpot, Ms. Molly stayed behind to tidy up, while Karen and Alfred made their way to the entryway.

Opening the door, Alfred held up the umbrella.

Karen walked in front, while Alfred held the umbrella, following half a pace behind.

The rain still showed no intention of ceasing; the rainwater on the street gurgled down into the sewer.

Upon returning home, Alfred folded the umbrella on the first floor, while Karen headed up toward the third floor.

"Why does the atmosphere at noon today feel a bit strange?"

Alfred looked out at the curtain of rain with a hint of bewilderment.

...

Karen took a bath and changed into a slightly more formal outfit. As he adjusted his cuffs and collar before the mirror, Purr sat on the adjacent washbasin.

"I feel it would be more appropriate for me to wait at the bride's house," Purr said, "or perhaps the bride should carry me to the groom's house."

"Unlucky," Karen said.

"Unlucky?"

"Strictly speaking, what is the difference between Eunice holding you and holding a funerary portrait?"

Purr's lips twitched upon hearing this.

Having finished dressing, Karen walked downstairs.

"Young Master, let me drive." Alfred eagerly slipped into the driver's seat and started the car, while Karen sat in the back.

Today was a holiday for the Inmeles household. Not only were the workers excused from coming in, but the Uncle, Aunt, and Auntie had also taken the three children to the amusement park; even though it had been raining since morning, it had not dampened their enthusiasm for the excursion.

Because yesterday, Dis had personally spoken the word.

This differed from what Karen had originally imagined; Dis wished to await Eunice's formal visit in a quiet environment, and for this, he did not hesitate to dismiss the rest of the family.

While driving, Alfred occasionally glanced at his young master through the rearview mirror. Seeing that the young master kept his eyes narrowed with no inclination to speak, he followed suit and maintained silence.

Finally,

the car came to a halt in front of Eunice's house.

"What time is it?" Karen asked.

Although he had received several wristwatches, he had still not formed the habit of wearing one.

"Five minutes to three."

Karen nodded.

Alfred opened the car door first, raising the umbrella to shield his young master as he stepped out.

At that moment, at the entrance of Eunice's house, there appeared a maid nearly fifty years of age. Standing in the small pavilion within the courtyard, her gaze fixed entirely upon Alfred.

During his previous visits to Eunice's house, Karen had never seen her.

"She is likely a family bodyguard of sorts, which is hardly surprising. After all, it is indeed somewhat perilous for a mother alone to bring her daughter back to their hometown to visit relatives.

Furthermore, Young Master, she has likely discovered my identity and is on guard against me."

Karen reached out to push open the courtyard gate and stepped inside. In the courtyard, the maid raised a black umbrella, walked over, and extended her hand to block Alfred.

Alfred, in turn, looked toward Karen.

From beginning to end, the old maid did not cast a single proper glance at Karen.

Karen took a few steps forward on his own,

leaving the shelter of Alfred's umbrella as the raindrops began to pelt against him.

Alfred's eyes instantly flared with a crimson glow. The old maid's body trembled immediately; staggering backward in haste, she dropped her umbrella and began to pray:

"My merciful Lord, please send down the light of wisdom to dispel the haze within my heart..."

Alfred caught up to Karen with the umbrella, continuing to shield him.

Before the entryway, Karen rang the doorbell.

Hurried footsteps echoed from inside the house, and the door opened to reveal Madame Jenny standing there in evening attire.

"Hello, Madame, I have come to take Eunice to my house for dinner."

"Yes, yes, I know. Wait just a moment, I will brew a cup of tea for you. Eunice will be ready shortly, and we shall go together then."

We?

Karen's expression remained tranquil as he replied with a smile:

"Very well, no rush. I have arrived early."

"Arriving early is good." Madame Jenny took the initiative to clasp Karen's hand, patting the back of it gently in a manner purely characteristic of an elder. "Boys are always a bit more impatient, which is also a display of respect, is it not?

You have done well, truly well.

Come, come in and have some tea first. I have specially prepared my specialty pastries for you."

As she spoke, Madame Jenny seemed to spot the old maid still praying in the courtyard. Her brow furrowed slightly, yet she said nothing, continuing instead to warmly invite Karen inside.

Alfred, meanwhile, folded his umbrella outside the house and stood silently by the door, handily closing it behind them.

The old maid, having finished her prayers and cleansed herself of the succubus eye's influence, intended to enter the house, but Alfred raised his umbrella to block her path.

The old maid looked upon Alfred with a measure of dread;

It was only natural.

After all, while Alfred appeared utterly humble before Karen and equally submissive before Dis, one was a Lord Evil God, and the other was... Dis.

Furthermore, on the level of aberrant demons, Alfred had long earned the right to exist in peaceful coexistence, and could even shelter a trouble-loving lady like Molly.

The old maidservant spoke up:

"This is my master's home."

Alfred glanced at her:

"In the future, it will be your son-in-law's home."

"You..."

Within Alfred's gaze, a crimson gleam rippled once more.

The old maidservant was forced to retreat into the pavilion in the courtyard. She did not dare clash with the man before her again; she knew clearly that this was an aberrant demon she could not handle.

Inside the house,

Karen was bearing the brunt of Madam Jenny's enthusiasm.

Though Madam Jenny was constantly trying to restrain herself, her excessive warmth still made Karen feel a bit uncomfortable. She felt like an entirely different person compared to the noble lady from their first meeting, who had held a cigarette in one hand and a clenched fist in the other while warning him.

Fortunately, Eunice came downstairs.

She wore a black formal gown, paired with appropriate jewelry, appearing very reserved and elegant.

Karen took the opportunity to stand up, walked over, and extended his hand.

Eunice glanced at her mother, then placed her hand in Karen's.

The two walked out of the house.

Outside, Alfred handed an umbrella to his young master. Karen took the umbrella and walked down with Eunice.

Immediately after, Alfred produced the black umbrella the old maidservant had used earlier, opened it, and said to Madam Jenny:

"Madam, please."

"Mm."

The old maidservant braved the rain, stepping out of the pavilion.

Madam Jenny cast a glance at her, saying coldly: "Watch the house."

"Yes, Madam."

Alfred was still the driver, with Karen sitting in the passenger seat.

Eunice and Madam Jenny sat in the rear.

Because it was raining outside, the car windows could not be opened, so the atmosphere inside the vehicle depended entirely on the passengers themselves to cultivate; otherwise, the stagnant air would quickly transform into a stagnant mood.

"Karen, is your family all at home?" Madam Jenny asked.

"My apologies."

Karen turned his body, looking toward the back, addressing Eunice primarily:

"The rest of the family went out today due to some matters. It was not an intentional slight, but rather Grandfather's instructions. Grandfather wishes to see you alone."

"It's fine, I understand," Eunice replied with a smile.

Beside her, when Madam Jenny heard that "Grandfather" was home alone, the smile on her face suddenly grew somewhat heavy.

Driving the car, Alfred smiled and said:

"Madam, Miss, please do not worry. Master Dis is an exceptionally gentle person. Wherever he is, it is as if a spring breeze sweeps through, granting you warmth and geniality."

Alfred spoke words that even he himself did not believe.

The car arrived at No. 13 Mink Street.

Karen held the umbrella, ushering Eunice inside. Eunice lifted the hem of her formal dress to prevent it from splashing with water. Upon reaching the living room, she turned around before Karen with a hint of nervousness:

"Karen, help me see if anything is improper."

"It's fine, don't worry. Grandfather doesn't care about these things."

"Karen, help me see if anything is improper as well," Madam Jenny said.

Karen really wanted to remind her that the one here to meet the elder today was not her, but her daughter;

yet he held back and said nothing.

"Young Master, I will be downstairs. Call me if you need anything." Alfred formed a fist with his right hand, pressing it against the left side of his chest. "To protect the great Inmeles is my duty."

Having added this dramatic touch to elevate the prestige of the Inmeles family, Alfred

stood straight as a rod at the living room entrance, his gaze fixed outside like a sentinel on guard.

"Grandfather is on the third floor. Let's go up," Karen said to Eunice.

"Alright."

Though the woman and her elder had arrived, and it seemed somewhat inappropriate for him, as the sole elder remaining at home, not to come down and greet them actively, he was Dis, so Karen felt this was only natural.

Upon reaching the third floor, Karen was about to knock on the study door.

But at that moment, Madam Jenny anticipated him: "I feel that, according to etiquette, it should be me who meets your grandfather first. What do you think?"

Karen froze for a moment, but still nodded: "Alright, Madam."

Directly after, Karen turned to look at Eunice: "I feel you are a bit nervous. Would you like a glass of ice water to calm down?"

"Yes."

Karen led Eunice back down to the second floor.

Madam Jenny took several deep breaths in succession outside the study door.

Finally,

as if gathering all her courage, she reached out and knocked gently on the door.

"Enter."

Madam Jenny swallowed hard, opened the study door, and stepped inside.

Within the room,

Dis, dressed in a black suit, sat behind the desk. His gaze was calm, yet it brought a pressure as heavy as a mountain;

perched upon Dis's shoulder sat a black cat of elegant posture, sizing up the newcomer with a somewhat playful, scrutinizing gaze;

Madam Jenny walked forward,

but under the gaze of this man and cat, she felt as though every single step she took was exceedingly difficult.

Dis spoke:

"Hello."

In the next instant,

Madam Jenny prostrated herself, kneeling down. After kneeling, she seemed to feel a sudden wave of relief, as if she had finally found the proper place that originally belonged to her. She responded in a trembling voice:

"Greetings," he murmured, his voice laced with a quiet, unexpected warmth.