"When the heavy makeup is ready, the grand performance begins. On stage, joy and sorrow are all sung by me alone. Graceful as floating clouds adorned with rainbow silks, by the end of the curtain, frost has dyed my temples. My painting is like a picture, my body as light as gauze. The splendor on stage belies the heartbreak I tell off-stage. Countless years of full sleeves carrying lingering fragrance..."
The melodious and lingering singing carried a hint of melancholy as it came from her lips.
Although there was no musical accompaniment, her clear and sweet voice, tinged with a hint of world-weariness, captivated everyone instantly.
Everyone in the room, including Li Mohan, who had just stepped in from outside the door, was stunned.
Looking at Ye Huohuo's appearance, she seemed to be only eighteen or nineteen years old. Yet, she sang with such profound emotion, as if a woman with countless emotional experiences was lamenting her reluctance and helplessness for past affections.
Ye Huohuo showed no embarrassment or panic. Her expression was focused. While singing, her eyes were fixed on the mynah bird flying in the air.
The mynah bird, which had been flying around wildly, gradually stabilized. It slowed its wingbeats, no longer flitting about like a headless fly. It slowly flew towards Ye Huohuo and finally landed on the railing.
Tilting its head to listen to the moving song, its eyes seemed to mist over with tears.
"Qianying!" The mynah bird opened its beak and called out a name, then lowered its head.
What astonished everyone was that although it was just a mynah bird, a mere bird, they could somehow sense its sorrow, as if it were a person filled with grief.
Ye Huohuo slowly stopped singing and raised her hand to stroke its head. "Senior Brother, it's alright now!"
Her eyes were filled with heartache, pity, and some indescribable complex emotions.
"I, I lost control again just now?!" The mynah bird tilted its head, looking at the still swaying chandelier and the black feathers falling on the ground. It lowered its head, like a child who had made a mistake.
"It's okay, I'm here!" Ye Huohuo reached out, lifted the mynah bird, and placed it on her shoulder.
Turning to look at the Li family members, she saw them all staring at her with wide eyes, as if she were some strange creature.
Old Master Li's reading glasses were about to slide off his nose.
Li Mochen leaned against the railing, his mouth agape.
Li Mochen stood at his door, still holding a toothbrush, his mouth full of foam. Apparently, he had been brushing his teeth when he heard her sing, and had run out mid-brush to listen, remaining frozen thereafter.
Li Mohen, who had already dressed, was about to leave but stopped in his tracks, captivated by the song. He hadn't recovered his senses until it ended.
The most composed was Li Mohan. His expression was calm; he didn't appear as immersed as the others. However, his posture, with one foot in the doorway and the other out, betrayed him.
Even Uncle Zhong, the butler, and Sister Mei listened as if in a trance.
"Well, I apologize for disturbing you all. My Senior Brother didn't mean to; he must have been startled and lost control. I'll clean up right away!" Ye Huohuo said, bending down to pick up the feathers on the floor.
After picking up the ones upstairs, she prepared to go downstairs for the ones there.
"No, no, we can't have Miss Ye doing the cleaning! I'll do it!" Sister Mei was the first to react, quickly taking Ye Huohuo's hand. "As expected of the one the eldest young master fancies. Not only is she beautiful, but she sings so well. I almost cried listening.
It reminded me of my first love. If not for what happened later, we would have had several children by now!"
Sister Mei wiped the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand.
This left Ye Huohuo unsure whether to raise or lower her hands.
"Alright, Huohuo, tidy up quickly and come down for breakfast. You have to get your marriage certificate with Mo Han later! Soon, you'll be the legitimate eldest granddaughter-in-law of our Li family!" Old Master Li beckoned to Ye Huohuo with a smile.
Ye Huohuo's face flushed at the old man's words. She managed an awkward smile and glanced at Li Mohan, who was walking in.
Seeing him dressed in sportswear, with a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, dampening a few strands of hair, it seemed he had just returned from his morning workout.
Without his usual formal attire, Li Mohan looked years younger, resembling a university student in his early twenties.
However, such a handsome young man on a university campus would surely make all the girls scream and faint.
The thought of university made Ye Huohuo clench her fists. Not having attended university was her deepest regret. Most girls her age were spending their most precious youth on university campuses.
But what about her? She had been struggling on the brink of death every day.
A flicker of pain flashed across her face, but it was caught by Li Mohan, who happened to look up at her. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his eyes darkened.
At the breakfast table, it was a rare occasion for the entire Li family to be present. Li Mohen had intended to go to work without breakfast, but he was glared back by the old man and obediently sat down to eat.
Ye Huohuo looked at the sumptuous breakfast, unable to articulate her feelings. Ever since she came down the mountain to train, affected by the malevolent energy, she had been living rough day after day.
Many times, she didn't even have a place to stay, sleeping under overpasses or in abandoned buildings. Meals were scarce, often not knowing where the next would come from, making her no different from a beggar.
But now, she had a big house to live in, a soft bed to sleep on, and a warm breakfast. She secretly pinched her thigh under the table.
It hurt!
This was not a dream!
"Huohuo, eat more. Don't be a stranger. From now on, these are all your family. Although you are their eldest sister-in-law, you are the youngest. If you need anything in the future, you can ask any of them.
If you have any worries, come to Grandpa. In Hai City, there's nothing our Li family can't handle, understand?" Old Master Li spoke. The four Li brothers exchanged glances, remaining silent and focusing on their breakfast, implicitly agreeing.
Those protected by the four Li brothers in Hai City could truly command the elements.
Ye Huohuo looked at the usually stern but now incredibly kind old man, feeling a warmth in her heart.
Although her Master and Senior Siblings were very good to her, they rarely stayed in the temple, mostly traveling. She was lucky to see them a few times a year.
Having a family meal like this, with such a strong sense of belonging, was almost unheard of.
"Thank you, Grandpa Li. Everyone has been very kind to me!" Ye Huohuo's voice was a little choked, and her eyes felt a bit moist.
Li Yuan nodded with emotion. "Huohuo saved my old life just after arriving. I may be old, but my eyes are sharp. Huohuo is a good child. Mo Han, you must take good care of her from now on. Master Xuanjizi once said this girl had a fate with our Li family, and it seems to be true."
After his感慨, the old man's gaze fell on the mynah bird standing in a decorative frame in the corner.
"That, what's going on with your Senior Brother...?"
"Yeah, right, and why does it stop flying erratically when you sing?" Li Mochen, having gone through hardship with Ye Huohuo, spoke more casually.
"Also, you should sing at my company! I can make you the next superstar idol. Your voice is truly amazing and so distinctive; many celebrities don't sing as well as you!
Did you study this professionally before? How can you sing with such profound emotion? It truly captivates the listener from the first note..."
"Enough, you should mind your own business first! You don't need to worry about her affairs!" Before Ye Huohuo could say anything, Li Mohan interrupted him with a cold face.
Li Mochen pouted unhappily, but he dared not disobey his eldest brother. He could only lower his head and bite into his baozi, venting his dissatisfaction.
Ye Huohuo and Li Mohan sat on either side of Old Master Li, facing each other directly. She looked up at Li Mohan, meeting his gaze.
Her heart inexplicably fluttered. His gaze was not threatening, yet it made Ye Huohuo inexplicably nervous. Whenever she saw him looking at her, her heart would race, like a deer darting about.
To ease the awkwardness and to allow her Senior Brother to stay with the Li family, after much hesitation, she finally explained his situation.
"That mynah bird is my Senior Brother, named Nie Ming. He was originally Master's most beloved disciple. Master was preparing to pass on his mantle to him after a hundred years.
But ten years ago, an accident occurred..."