As he stood before the stone-framed window and looked outside, the wind was crisp and dry.
It was seven in the morning, and Xie De had been up for a while. He gazed at the white mist blanketing the wilderness within his domain, a hunting rifle in his hand and a black horse following behind him.
He raised the rifle, aimed in one direction, and pulled the trigger. A bang startled a flock of birds and beasts.
Anbers's voice came from beside him. "You hit a hare. Honestly, I don't like rabbit meat. And coming out to hunt first thing in the morning-don't you have anything better to do?"
"It's just a pastime. What brings you here so early?" Xie De lowered his rifle and hung it on the horse's back. Dressed in casual clothes with his hair tied up, he looked utterly composed. He was almost used to Anbers appearing out of nowhere by now.
Wearing his usual black robe, Anbers walked beside him and brought up an old subject. "Can I ask about Huan? Honestly, my hospital needs it."
"Then you'd better change the subject."
"I knew it." Anbers shrugged. "Fine, we have nothing left to talk about. Every rejection of yours wounds me deeply."
Xie De gave an unconcerned chuckle. Holding the horse's reins, he walked with Anbers through the seemingly endless fields.
Anbers asked, "Aren't you going to pick up that dead rabbit?"
"Someone will."
"Good. I may not like rabbit meat, but there has to be a rabbit at the party. It's a tradition."
Xie De asked in confusion, "What party?"
Anbers said matter-of-factly, "It's March twenty-first, old friend. Wei Yunmo started preparing ten days ago. He's going to give you the coolest puppet in the hospital. That was a reward I gave him. Oh,