Tanghulu Thief

Li Xue tiptoed outside the manor, her steps light and careful, before breaking into a sprint toward the bustling marketplace. The air was filled with the chatter of women bargaining loudly, the cheerful laughter of children running around, and the faint rustle of kites soaring in the sky.

Everything seemed perfectly normal. A small smile tugged at Li Xue's lips as she soaked in the vibrant atmosphere, her eyes darting around in search of Li Yanyu. However, as her gaze swept across the stalls, she froze.

"Tanghulu." The word escaped her lips softly, her eyes sparkling with delight. She could almost hear the skewers of candied fruit calling out to her, tempting her to take a bite. Who could resist such an invitation? Entranced, Li Xue made her way to the stall, as if pulled by an invisible thread.

"Boss, how much for one?" she asked, her voice light with anticipation.

The stall owner glanced at her briefly before breaking into a friendly grin. "Ten copper coins each," he said. "But for a fine young lady like you, I'll let you have one for five!"

Li Xue beamed at the offer and reached into her bag. She never got paid for working in the Chen manor; all her money came from Li Yanyu, who was like a mother to her. She dug through her small pouch only to find three lonely copper coins.

"Shit, I must've spent it all," she muttered under her breath, her expression turning sheepish. Holding out the coins, she smiled apologetically. "Boss, I only have three coins. Will that do?"

The stall owner looked at the coins, then scoffed. "No more discounts. Five coins or nothing."

Li Xue's smile faltered, and her bright eyes dimmed. She looked at him pitifully, her purple eyes shimmering as if tears were about to spill. Yet, the shopkeeper's heart remained unmoved.

"Please!" she begged softly, her voice trembling.

"Kid, get lost," the shopkeeper said with a huff, turning away to avoid her gaze. For a moment, he heard nothing but silence.

"KID?" he called, suspicion creeping into his voice.

When he turned back, his eyes widened in shock. "KID?! THIEF!" he roared, spotting Li Xue sprinting away with not one but two tanghulu skewers in her hands. "Catch her!"

Li Xue's heart pounded as she ran like the wind, her feet barely touching the ground. She darted through the crowd, her grip tight on the tanghulu, as if her life depended on it. She could hear the angry stall owner shouting behind her.

Just as she rounded a corner, her shoulder collided with something—or someone. Li Xue stumbled back, clutching the tanghulu tightly. She blinked up in shock, her gaze landing on a man dressed in flowing white robes. His long black hair cascaded like a waterfall down his back, and his sharp, otherworldly features seemed to glow in the sunlight.

It was Chen Yi. He looked like an immortal who had descended to the mortal realm, his expression calm and unreadable.

Li Xue's cheeks turned crimson as she stammered, "Y-Young Master…"

Chen Yi's cold eyes flickered briefly to the stolen tanghulu in her hands. Without a word, he reached into his sleeve, took out a few coins, and tossed them to the stall owner, who had just caught up.

"She's with me," Chen Yi said flatly, his voice steady and firm.

The stall owner grumbled but pocketed the coins, shooting Li Xue a glare before walking off.

Li Xue stood frozen, staring up at Chen Yi, her face still flushed. She clutched the tanghulu tighter, unsure if she was more embarrassed or grateful.

Chen Yi's cold gaze lingered on Li Xue for a moment before he spoke. "You work in our manor, don't you?" His tone was calm but carried an undertone of authority. "Li Xue?"

Li Xue's eyes widened in shock, sparkling with a mixture of surprise and awe. He remembered her name? THE Chen Yi, the untouchable young master of the manor, knew who she was? This was an honor she never thought she'd experience.

"Um, y-yes, Young Master," she stammered, her cheeks flushed.

Chen Yi's expression darkened slightly as his gaze shifted back to the stolen tanghulu in her hands. "Does our family not pay you enough?" he asked, his voice tinged with irritation. "Is that why you resort to stealing?"

Li Xue's heart sank. How could she possibly explain? How could she tell him the bitter truth—that she wasn't paid at all? That she wasn't a servant with a wage but merely a slave bound to the manor?

"This…" Li Xue opened her mouth, her lips trembling as she tried to speak. But the words wouldn't come. He wouldn't believe her, she thought. No one ever did. The humiliation of admitting the truth kept her silent.

Chen Yi's piercing eyes stayed on her, waiting for an explanation. When none came, his gaze turned colder. "Stealing is beneath you," he said sharply. "If you're struggling, ask for help. Don't lower yourself like this again."

Li Xue lowered her head, her fingers tightening around the tanghulu. She bit her lip to stop herself from speaking, from defending herself. What could she say?

Chen Yi studied her for a moment longer before turning away. "Go back to the manor," he ordered, his tone final. With that, he walked off, leaving Li Xue standing there, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions.

"The reason I steal is because…" Li Xue's voice wavered, watching Chen Yi turn away. Panic swelled in her chest. If he thought poorly of her, what would she do? She couldn't bear it. Taking a deep breath, she shouted, "It's because I am a slave, not a maid!"

Chen Yi halted mid-step. The air seemed to grow still as he slowly turned around, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. Li Xue's heart pounded as she stood frozen under his gaze, unsure if she had made a mistake by speaking the truth.

For a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, to her surprise, the corners of his lips curved up ever so slightly into the faintest of smiles. It wasn't warm—it was sharp, calculated, and almost… amused.

"You'll do," he said simply, his voice low and enigmatic. Without offering any further explanation, he turned and disappeared into the dimming streets, his white robes vanishing into the shadows.

Li Xue stood rooted in place, her mind racing. What did he mean by that? Was it an insult? A promise? A warning? She clutched the tanghulu tightly, her thoughts swirling like a storm.

"Ah!" She let out a sound, helplessly.