Ever since their last chance encounter, Li Xiang felt as though she were playing Minecraft at night, with monsters spawning everywhere.
That big idiot Shrike seemed to have set his sights on her, always "spawning" in all sorts of inexplicable places.
The harem courtyard had paths leading in every direction, crisscrossing in a tangled network. Over a hundred girls lived there, with people constantly coming and going, so a chance encounter was unlikely to begin with.
Yet Shrike kept running into her every single time.
After enough encounters, Li Xiang was about ready to start cursing.
That afternoon, the sunlight was just right.
Li Xiang carried a small woven bamboo basket, preparing to pick wild greens in the back courtyard.
She had barely taken a few steps outside before she turned her head and spotted Shrike.
With one hand behind his back, he stood at ease, watching the girl approach.
His lips wore their usual careless smile, without a hint of solemnity. If anything, he looked as though he had been waiting there specifically for her.
Before Li Xiang could say anything to excuse herself, Shrike stepped forward first, his gaze falling on the heavy bamboo basket in her hand.
"Let me carry that for you," Shrike offered.
Li Xiang froze briefly, then nodded politely. "Thank you, sir."
She handed the bamboo basket over.
Since he had nothing better to do and had volunteered to work, she might as well put him to use.
Shrike took the bamboo basket, his fingers resting casually on its handle as he walked beside her at an unhurried pace.
Life in the harem continued according to routine, proceeding in an orderly fashion day after day.
The dull, rigid schedule never changed, and the entire secluded palace was lifeless. Only Li Xiang and her companions