Memories (6)

Yun Shen leaned back against the wide chair, his hands folded over his abdomen, his face devoid of any surprise. He listened to me quietly until I finished, and then, the corners of his mouth slowly curled into a knowing, slightly playful arc. He knew me too well; he knew I wouldn't just make a vague request for "protection."

He waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing away trivial details, and asked directly, "Alright, stop beating around the bush. Tell me, which two from the Twelve Black Beasts have you set your sights on?"

I had no intention of being modest. Since he had granted me this authority, I naturally had to choose the most suitable candidates. The twelve codenames flashed through my mind, each shadow possessing distinct abilities and personalities. Protecting young girls personally required immense responsibility, keen observation, sufficient patience, and combat power that was absolutely reliable at critical moments. At the same time, it would be best if they could also handle the nuances of daily care.

"They are young girls, after all; their bodyguards naturally need to be chosen with more consideration." Meeting my father's gaze, I clearly stated the names I had already decided upon. "I want Mao Rabbit—Faust, and Wei Sheep—Don Quixote."

The study fell silent for a moment. The daylight from outside the window filtered through the sheer curtains, casting blurred spots of light onto the polished floor. My father's folded fingers tapped gently against the back of his hand, as if he were evaluating the considerations behind my choice.

Faust, the logistics and intelligence coordination expert among the Twelve Black Beasts with the codename "Mao Rabbit," was the capable woman I had just spoken to on the phone. She was meticulous in her thinking, efficient in her actions, and possessed a vast information network and the ability to mobilize resources. She excelled at preventive planning and crisis management, capable of avoiding most risks in advance. Having her in charge of overall security planning, information screening, and daily scheduling could not be more secure.

Moreover, her extremely rational personality, which focused on every detail, might help compensate for certain "norms" that the two little girls might lack due to their past experiences.

Don Quixote, codenamed "Wei Sheep," was reliable in a different sense. She possessed a near-stubborn sense of responsibility and a protective instinct; her personality was gentle yet incredibly resilient. Her frontline combat ability was among the best of the Black Beasts, and she was particularly skilled at close-range protection and emergency response.

More importantly, she possessed a rare, reassuring "maternal" radiance (though she herself might not admit it), and she had an instinctive dedication to caring for and protecting the young. Having her provide personal, close-proximity protection would not only allow her to handle sudden dangers but also provide the two insecure children with stable emotional support.

One to command the board and strategize; the other to guard closely, never leaving their side. Rationality and warmth, prevention and response—they complemented each other perfectly.

My father remained silent for a few seconds, his experienced eyes watching me. Finally, that playful smile deepened, transforming into a sigh that was a mixture of approval and a faint sense of sentimentality.

"Mao Rabbit and Wei Sheep... you certainly know how to pick." He nodded, his tone impossible to distinguish between praise or a mere statement of fact. "One can calculate all potential dangers to the third decimal point, while the other treats any threat attempting to approach as a windmill to charge at... they are indeed the most suitable combination for looking after little children. Especially Wei Sheep; she will probably spoil those two little girls you picked up to the heavens."

He paused, his fingers tapping on the desk: "I will notify them. As for Mao Rabbit, her other ongoing tasks will be handed over and reprioritized. Wei Sheep... she should be very happy to accept this mission."

Yun Shen put his glasses back on, his gaze falling back onto his documents, and he waved his hand, signaling that I could leave. "Go and confirm the details with Mao Rabbit. As for Wei Sheep, she should take the initiative to contact you tomorrow."

I nodded slightly and turned to leave the study. The door closed softly behind me.

Walking through the quiet corridor, I felt no sense of relief; instead, the responsibility on my shoulders felt even clearer. But at least, in terms of bodyguards, I had made the optimal choice for the current situation. With Faust's "brain" and Don Quixote's "sword and shield," the safety of those two little white fluff-balls should be guaranteed to the greatest extent.

When I returned to the living room, Yi Jiang had already finished eating and was sitting obediently on the sofa, while the little one, Yi Xuan, was sleeping on her sister's lap.

I thought for a moment and took a lollipop—no, two lollipops—out of my pocket. They say the crying child gets the milk, but shouldn't a good girl like Yi Jiang, who doesn't cry or make a fuss, also be worthy of being cherished?

One for each; it was only fair.

"Is this a gift for me and Yi Xuan?"

Yi Jiang asked in a soft voice, afraid of waking her sister.

I had the maid gently carry Yi Xuan to the guest bedroom to sleep, then said to Yi Jiang: If you want to go keep your sister company while she sleeps, go ahead.

But remember, brush your teeth after eating the lollipop, or you'll get cavities.

Yi Jiang looked at Yun Lan in amazement. It was the first time someone had given her food, and even brought the two of them into a home. Although it seemed they were brought back to be maids, that didn't stop Yi Jiang from being moved.

She could have endured the darkness if she had never seen the light.

"Don't let your imagination run wild. I didn't bring you back to be maids; it's purely because I'm kind. Get some rest early; tomorrow I'll take you out to buy new clothes."

Yi Jiang was stunned. She had assumed they were brought back to be maids, not expecting that he was just teasing them.

Then what would happen to them in the future? She took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in her heart, and planted a light, fleeting kiss on the boy's cheek.

The next second, Yun Lan recoiled as if burned, his pupils shrinking. His face was filled with shock and bewilderment, while his earlobes uncontrollably flushed a faint red.

"??! Yi Jiang, what are you doing?" His voice rose involuntarily, carrying a lingering daze and a trace of imperceptible panic. What was wrong with this little girl? Why did she suddenly... kiss him?

He raised his hand, his fingertips subconsciously brushing the spot that had just been touched, where a faint, damp, and strange sensation seemed to linger.

At his question, Yi Jiang seemed to wake up from the desperate act for which she had mustered all her courage. She looked up, her small, clean face instantly soaked with surging tears. Her eyes were red, and large, heavy teardrops fell without warning, sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto her new collar, blooming into dark spots.

She bit her lower lip, trying to suppress her sobbing, which only made her thin shoulders tremble even more violently. She looked at Yun Lan through tear-blurred eyes; in that gaze, there was fear, the despair of burning one's bridges, and a heartbreaking plea.

"Ah, Brother..." she sobbed, her voice intermittent, like a leaf drifting in the cold wind. "I-I'm sorry... I, I have nothing to give you, Brother..." She grew more frantic as she spoke, her tears flowing even harder. "But Brother is so good to us... giving us clothes to wear, food to eat, and even... even remembering the buns we like..."

She took a deep breath, and with all her might, she said what was, in her displaced and wandering understanding of the world, her most precious and final "bargaining chip":

"Yi Jiang doesn't know how else to repay you, Brother... Yi Jiang is willing to give herself to you, only begging... only begging you not to despise us, not to drive us away, not to abandon us..."