Taking Out The Trash!

“ Thanks for informing me! “ Shun grinned slightly at the butler as he walked away. “ Let’s go see what our guest wants, shall we? “ He smirked.

At the same time, in the drawing room, the special guest who happened to be Lidian Hyster was wandering along the lines:

“ Zhu Ming Yue must have passed out by now, so why isn’t there any news of her death? Also, who was the man who interfered with us? Who is he and what was he after?

Lidian Hyster’s internal thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Shun Song in the drawing room.

“ Hello there, Sir! Sorry to have kept you waiting! “ Shun smirked at him as he approached and took a siege opposite where he was seated.

Looking at Shun whom he had never seen before, Lidian Hyster asked with a frown, “ Who might you be? “

Trying his best to remain composed, Shun retorted, “ I was informed that you were here for a visit. May I know who you came here to see? “ He grinned sarcastically as the question came out of his mouth.

Lidian didn’t answer the question and instead stared at the man in front of him for a few seconds, giving time for the butler to step inside the drawing room.

“ Here you go, Sir Song! “ Thomas Clover addressed Shun respectfully as he gave him his cup of tea. Grinning at him in return, Shun retorted with a light grin, “ Thanks for the coffee, Thomas! “

“ Anything for you, Sir! “

When Thomas turned to leave the drawing room, Indian stopped him with the phrase, “ What about mine? Don’t I deserve a cup of coffee?”

At that moment, instead of the butler, Shun retorted, “ I’m afraid there isn’t enough for the both of us. If you want though, I don’t mind giving you mine. Would you like that, Mr. Guest? “

—-

Offended by Shun treating him like a stranger, Lidian introduced himself as Zhu Ming Yue’s fiance. Thinking that’s all it would take, Lidian smirked and said, “ Now that you know who I am, I order you to bring me to my fiance at once! “

“ Your fiance? How very interesting! “ Shun chuckled sarcastically. Confused by Shun’s behavior, he asked, “ What’s so funny? Why are you laughing? “

“ Oh, excuse me for laughing, Sir Hyster! “ Shun apologetically uttered. “ It’s just that Zhu Ming Yue told me she had broken things off with you, so it’s very intriguing how you’re saying you’re her fiance. Don’t you find that so funny? “

“ What? What did you just say? “

Lidian Hyster was stunned beyond words. He just couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

“ I’m sorry to say but if there’s no longer anything between the two of us, I don’t see why you’re here, Sir Hyster. “

“ What you’re saying cannot be true? Let me see her at once! “ By this time, Lidian started to lose his temper.

Just at that moment, Zhu Zhi Rong appeared in the drawing room. Seeing Lidian, she was elated, however—---------------------

“ Who do you think you are? Do you know who I am? “

—

“ If you don’t want things to get ugly, then bring her to me at once or you’re going to regret it. “

Remaining silent for a moment, Shun uttered, “ Sir Clover, please step away a little! “

Not asking why, Thomas Clover stepped away from the two, just enough for Lidian Hyster to unleash his demonic powers.

There was a great surge of pressure in the air. Just when Lidian thought he had gotten rid of Shun, he was shunned to the core to see that not only had he survived his infused power but was also in one piece, with not even a scratch.

“ How is that possible? How could you overcome my attack as if it was nothing? “ Lidian had a hard time understanding just how Shun could tackle his attack head-on.

It was only when he looked closely that he noticed the thing Shun was holding which happened to be a magic sword. As the sword created a barrier around the estate, Shun smirked at Lidian and asked, “ So, did you have enough or do you wish to give it another go? “

“ How could Lidian lose to that man? This might be nothing but a fluke, I’m sure of it. “ Zhu Zhi Rong thought internally as she looked at Lidian’s Hyster’s pale expression.

As Lidian remained lost and confused, Shun smirked further and uttered, “ I see that you have no more business here. It would be about time that you leave. Zhu Ming Yue is taking a rest and I don’t want your unsightly presence to disturb her. “

“ Unsightly presence? Who are you calling unsightly? “

Not paying attention to his tantrums, Shun released the impact of the barrier he had created outside of the estate. Lidian Hyster was propelled alongside the released impact.

As he was propelled right outside the window, Zhu Zhi Rong ran after him and arrived just in time to see his body lying on the ground with multiple injuries.

“ Lidian, are you alright? “ She asked out of concern for him. Lidian barely had enough energy left to ask, “ Who is that man and what is he doing in your estate? How come he’s this powerful? “

Whereas, Shun Song who was admiring the spectacle from the window uttered, “ Now that I’ve gotten rid of the trash, it’s about time I go see her. “

Shun uttered coldly as he departed from the drawing room. Back to his chambers, he mumbled, “ This is just the beginning. For everything you have put Zhu Ming Yue through, I’ll make sure you pay it tenfold. “

A few days later, in the grand city of Lanpheale, Lidian Hyster and Zhu Zhi Rong were summoned by King Sephree Kair, the ruler of the empire of Lanpheale.

Bowing before the great monarch, Lidian Hyster started with an apology, “ My apologies, Your Majesty for failing in my mission. I was unable to eliminate Zhu Ming Yue. “

Continuing from where he left off, Zhu Zhi Rong said, “ We were so close to finishing her off, but that’s when someone came to her aid. Had he not shown up and saved her from the brink of death, we would have been victorious. “

Smirking after listening to their reports, the great monarch uttered, “ Not only have you failed in your mission, but she’s well enough to take care of level A beasts with essence. “

Hearing what the great monarch had just said, Zhu Zhi Rong and Lidian Hyster were rendered confused and asked, “ What do you mean by that, Your Majesty? “

Retorting to them, he said, “ A few days ago, I sent out an imperial order for that Dhampir to take care of level A beasts that were ravaging the area. I thought for sure she wouldn’t have been able to handle it as she’s not strong enough. “

“ That level A mission would have been the end of her, or so I( thought, but that isn’t what happened. “ The great monarch said in irritation. “ Not only did she neutralize the beasts in question, but she did so in so little time. How do you explain that, huh? “

“ If you left her in such a hindering state that she could barely move, then, how come she was able to fend off those level-A beasts? Care to explain how that’s possible? “

Listening to everything the great monarch had said, Zhu Zhi Rong and Lidian Hyster recalled the moment when they were just about to finish off Zhu Ming Yue, especially her pitiable state.

“ That’s not possible, Your Majesty! Zhu Ming Yue couldn’t have been the one who neutralized those beasts. “ Lidian Hyster uttered assuredly to the great monarch.

“ What he’s saying is true, Your Majesty! “ Zhu Zhi Rong backed him up. “ She couldn’t have been the one behind it. Although that man interfered, we had damaged her enough and nothing would have been able to save her. Believe us, Your Majesty! “ She said confidently.

“ Then, have you seen her dead body with your own eyes? “ The great monarch asked the two who couldn't utter a single thing.

Recalling how none of them could see Zhui Ming Yue as of late, they started to doubt whether she was still alive.

Leaving the palace, Lidian Hyster told Zhu Zhi Rong as they stepped out of the imperial palace, “ Find out what happened to her after that mysterious guy took her away! She must still be inside your estate, so don’t spare any efforts to find her. “

Meanwhile, back at the Zhu Household, Shun who was done sorting out things wondered when Zhu Ming Yue would finally awaken from her long sleep which had lasted for quite some time already.

“ What’s on your mind, Sir Song? “ Thomas Clover, the butler, brought Shun a cup of coffee. Realizing Shun wasn’t on his plate, he asked, “ Are you thinking about Lady Zhu Ming Yue, Sir Song? “

Unable to hide his feelings as they could be seen on his face, he nodded affirmatively to the question. “ A few weeks had gone by already and yet she hadn’t regained consciousness. “

“ Don’t worry, Sir Song! I’m sure she’ll come around soon, so you shouldn’t lose hope. “ The butler uttered simply.

Seated by her side, Shun held Zhu Ming Yue’s hands firmly and mumbled as he drove off to sleep, “ Please wake up! I can’t take it to see you like this. Please wake up soon! “

As if his prayers had been heard, Zhu Ming Yue moved for the first time in weeks but Shun Song was already asleep to notice.

Slightly moving her left hand, she mumbled before anything else, “ Where am I? “

Recalling the last memory she had, her head started to ache terribly, and as she was about to stand, she noticed someone's presence in her room and that someone was firmly holding her right hand.

“ Who is this? “ She mumbled, confused.

Extending her hand toward him, she recalled the man who saved her life the moment she thought her life was over and remembered him as her savior.

“ Simply for the fact that you saved my life, I’ll let you be, but you’ll have some explaining to do once you awaken. “ She mumbled.

Trying to break her right hand free from his grasp, Thomas Clover, the butler arrived there in the nick of time. Seeing Zhu Ming Yue awake, tears rolled down his eyes as he called out to her in happiness.

“ My lady, you’re awake! “

Turning her gaze toward the door, she uttered faintly, “ Thomas, is that you? “

Striding toward her, Zhu Ming Yue was taken aback when without warning, the butler hugged her as the tears continued to roll down.

“ My lady, I’m so glad you’re awake! “ He let his emotions out in front of her. “ I thought it would be the last time I’d be seeing you. Thank Goodness it wasn’t! “

—

“ Thomas, I can’t breathe. “ Zhu Ming Yue uttered finally.

“ I’m so sorry, my lady! I didn’t mean to hug you so tightly. Are you hurt anywhere? “

“ No, I’m alright! “ She grinned faintly.

Turning her gaze back to the sleeping Shun Song, Zhu Ming Yue asked about Shun from her butler who told her everything he had done ever since the moment she was asleep. Not omitting anything relevant, the butler uttered, “ Sir Song has been taking care of you every day without fail. Never had he left your side. He had been truly committed to your well-being until this time. “

Hearing all the details from her butler, she internally thought, “ Why would you save me and do so much for me? Who are you and why did you come to my aide? “

“ I’ll take Sir Song back to his room with your permission. “

The butler took Shun back to his chambers. The following morning when Shun awoke, Thomas was harboring a bright grin on his face as he brought him tea.

Never seeing him this happy, Shun asked the butler the following, “ What’s the reason behind your grinning face today, Sir Clover? “

“ Well, it’s good that you asked, Sir Song. “ He chuckled, rendering Shun confused.

“ My lady has awakened, Sir Song. “ Thomas uttered brightly to Shun who thought he was dreaming and heard the butler wrong.

“ What did you just say just now? “ He asked for confirmation, unable to believe the words that came out of the butler’s mouth.

“ Lady Zhu Ming Yue has regained consciousness. “

Confirming his words to him, Shun then asked all emotional, “ When did it happen? How? “

Seeing as he had numerous questions, Thomas answered simply, “ It happened yesterday. I came to check on her as I normally do and that’s when I saw her awake. “

Narrating to him how it all happened, Shun became emotional and the butler could see just how happy he was to hear Zhu Ming Yue had awoken.

“ Why don’t you finish your tea and go see her? “ Thomas suggested to Shun who said, “ I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Confused by his response, the butler asked, “ Why not? “

Retorting to the question, Shun said, “ She just awoke, so I think we should leave her some space. I’ll see her at a later time. “ He drank the tea the butler had brought right after ending his statement.

Leaving the Zhu Household and heading to take care of some beasts, Zhu Ming Yue was informed of everything that had taken place during her absence. Wondering where her savior was and why he had yet to come to see her, she was informed of his absence at the estate, rendering her with even more questions.

Getting rid of most of the beats in the area, Mia, Shun’s guide, asked him the forwarded question out of sheer curiosity. [ Master, is there a reason why you’re avoiding Zhu Ming Yue? ]

The response she received to her question was, “ I can’t meet her because I wouldn’t know how to face her. “

?

[ I’m afraid to be unable to understand what you mean, Master].

“ How could I face my favorite character? What would I say to her when I see her? I’m way too nervous for this. “ He fanboyed over his favorite character as his eyes twinkled in excitement.

Whereas, back at the estate, a week had passed and Shun had yet to show up at the estate. Wondering when he would be back, an unpleasant person barged inside Zhu Ming Yue’s room uninvited.

“ So it’s true! You’re still alive! “ Zhu Zhi Rong frowned her eyebrows as he saw her half-sister seated on her bed, looking unbothered.

Seeing her half-sister in her presence, Zhu Ming Yue recalled the insightful scene from a few months back and snapped as she confronted her, “ What the hell are you doing in my room, Zhi Rong? “

“ Oh my, you’re still as fiery as ever. “ She responded as sarcasm composed her tone. “ Even though you have been asleep for so long, you’re still as irritable as ever. “

Snapping even more, she shouted, “ Leave my room at once or else—------------- “

Unable to finish her statement, Zhu Zhi Rong confronted her about how her statement was going to end. “ Or what, sister? What will you do if I don’t exit your room, huh? Are you going to hurt me or something? “

“ If so, I’d like to see you try. “ She smirked in irritation.

Whereas, Shun who had returned to the estate, at last, sensed a pressure in the air. Feeling a concentrated amount of magic ready to be unleashed, he rushed to where the pressure was coming from.

Back in Zhu Ming Yue’s room, Zhu Zhi Rong said out of all the hatred she could muster, “ I couldn’t end you last time due to that man who saved you in the nick of time but don’t make the same mistake of thinking the same miracle is going to repeat itself this time around. This time, I’ll certainly end you and this is a promise. You won’t escape my wrath.”

Zhu Ming Yue who had regained consciousness not so long ago didn’t have enough power in her to counter her half-sister’s attack. Not only that but she had yet to recover completely.

Unable to stand on her two feet, she was just about to lose her balance as the concentrated amount of magic was about to reach her. It was at that time that Shun appeared out of nowhere and shielded her with a barrier, taking her aback for the second time in a row.

“ Not again! “ Zhu Zhi Rong shouted in irritation.

As the shield around them dissipated, Shun turned around in anger. “ You, how dare you attack her? “

Glaring at her, Zhu Zhi Rong felt the shivers going down her spine as she ran off of the room without wasting an instant.

Facing Zhu Ming Yue at last, he asked with worry deepened in his gaze, “ Are you alright? You’re not hurt, are you? “

—

Meeting his gaze, Zhu Ming Yue asked instead of responding, “ Why? Why save me? Why not let me die? “

—

Gazing at her, Shun grinned faintly and uttered, “ Why should you be the one to die? Why should you be the one to suffer? “

?

Confused over his words, Shun added further, “ I’m sorry, Zhu Ming Yue. You’ve suffered and endured so much in your life and none of those unpleasant things should have happened. Had I been there from the start, I would never have allowed anything to befall you. I’m so sorry for being late. “

Looking as confused as ever, Shun helped Zhu Ming Yue back on her bed. When he turned to leave, she uttered out of the blue, “ Thomas told me about the offer he made you and I refuse to comply with it. “

Hearing those words, Shun stopped. Without facing Zhu Ming Yue’s gaze, he asked, “ May I know the reason why you object to it? “

Retorting to his question, she uttered faintly, “ I don’t understand why you would risk so much for me when I’m not even worth it. You shouldn’t sacrifice yourself for my sake. I’m grateful to you for saving me, but I can’t accept any further help from you. For all you did for me and the estate, I’ll fully compensate you for it, so—------------- “

“ I don’t need your compensation, Zhu Ming Yue. “ He forwarded sternly. “ Also, all I did until now wasn’t for you. It was for my own benefit, so don’t feel sorry for me. As far as Sir Clover’s proposal is concerned, you don’t have to feel obligated to do anything. “

“ I won’t ever oblige you to do anything you don’t want. Just take this wedding as nothing but a business contract. “

Saying all he had to say, Shun walked out of the room and shut the door behind him, leaving Zhu Ming Yue to interrogate herself over Shun’s truest intentions.

Two days after that conversation, Shun was summoned to Zhu Ming Yue’s room along with her butler, Thomas.

“ Here are the terms of the contract I drafted. Read it and if there happens to be something you want out of this deal, then let me know! “ She forwarded, sternly.

Reading the clauses Zhu Ming Yue had set, Shun simply grinned and within a second, he signed it, stunning her in the process.

“ You signed it? Won’t you add anything? “ She asked, surprised.

“ No, I’m very satisfied with the clauses, although there’s something I’d like if that’s alright. “ He grinned slightly.

“ Sure. What would you like? “

Moments later, Shun was drafted in a uniform and a hat. Gazing at himself in the mirror, he mumbled, “ It’s not that bad. The uniform suits me perfectly. “

“ What would you ask something like that to her? You could have requested anything else, so why? “ Thomas, the butler asked from behind him.

Rewinding to hours earlier, Zhu Ming Yue asked Shun what it was he wanted and his response to her question was, “ If it’s alright with you and Sir Clover, I’d like it very much if you’d allow me to prepare your meals myself. Allow me the honor of being your personal chef! “

!