"Actually, we ca here to et you but Mrs. Zhuo said you were sick and resting in your room so..."
A gentle gust of wind blew past his face, bringing a mixed smile on his lips. "Did she say that now?"
"Yes. But your brother ntioned that you love tending to gardens and that there was a second garden here, so Mingshen and I were just strolling along the main one..." she scratched her chin.
He glanced at Mingshen, who didn’t let out any particular expression. But his gaze didn’t look so friendly either.
Jia said, "It’s quite difficult to make out that wall door. I never expected such a beautiful garden and a farmhouse would be on this side."
"It’s not a farmhouse. I live here."
Jia’s eyes blinked once. She took a look around and wasn’t sure how to respond.
Live separately from the main mansion?
"My health makes it difficult to live with everybody," he smiled without much concern.
Jia couldn’t help but frown.
"I am sorry but it’s not a contagious condition, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have co to the charity event and at Zenith’s private club. Which ans you can go outside. So why do you live here away from your family?"
Zhuo Syaoran’s gaze t her with an unhurried sentint.
Jia suddenly realized she might have crossed a line. "I am sorry if that was too intrusive..."
Though his frail body appeared weak and fragile, the serene smile on his lips was instilled with a strength of its own.
"I don’t often get guests. It’s really a pleasure to et Inspector Song and Dr. Yang. Would you like to join for so tea?" he asked with a twinkling, expectant gaze.
"S-Sure," she wasn’t sure why she stuttered there.
As soon as Zhuo Syaoran made his request, a figure appeared out of nowhere and stood behind his wheelchair.
Jia’s eyes slightly widened. "Miss. Cui, right?"
She gave her a stare but didn’t utter or nod anything in response.
"Please excuse her. My aide is a little stiff with social interactions."
"Ah, no, no. No problem."
Cui Shin wheeled his wheelchair, which was a cue for Jia and Mingshen to follow them. They reached a minute dining area in the garden, specifically made for tea and snack breaks.
Zhuo Syaoran smiled. "It feels boring to always have tea inside. The wind feels nice here."
She smiled in return, feeling the cool breeze on her cheeks. "True indeed."
Jia and Mingshen took chairs on one side of the small tea table while Zhuo Syaoran was on the other side. Cui Shin remained standing.
"You should also join us for so tea, Shin."
"I am fine," she plainly said.
He expressed his faint disappointnt but didn’t insist further.
He placed three tea cups, one in front of Jia, another in front of Mingshen and the last for himself. Cui Shin went away for a mont and returned with a trolley, containing many small jars neatly lined upon it.
Zhuo Syaoran looked at each one of them and finally picked one with a satisfied smile.
"The day feels perfect for so chamomile tea."
Jia studied the wide array of tea leaves on that trolley which made her wonder just how much of a tea person he was. The trolley also held a portable stove on which he set the water to boil in a kettle. Until it ca to a boil, he placed a few teaspoons of fresh and fragrant chamomile flowers inside a glazed porcelain teapot, printed with an intricate golden floral pattern.
"It’s pretty..." she whispered.
"It’s quite an antique piece."
As he poured the hot water in the teapot infused with the chamomile flowers, he let it steep for five minutes. The fresh fragrance nudged Jia’s nostrils and brought a pleasant smile to her lips.
"It’s so fragrant."
Mingshen gave no reaction.
"I am sure you will like the taste too," he said as he strained the hot tea into each of the cups.
Blowing so air over it, Jia took a sip. Her gaze brightened. "It is indeed delicious. It’s perfect. Tastes so fresh."
Zhuo Syaoran bowed. "Thank you. I am glad you like it."
He moved his gaze to Mingshen, who hadn’t yet touched his cup.
"Won’t you drink a sip, Dr. Yang?"
Mingshen’s black eyes bore into him as if one misstep from him would bring forth a storm. He felt Jia’s eye contact that passionately urged him to not reject the tea.
Mingshen shrugged and lazily took a sip but refused to comnt.
"Is it to your taste, Dr. Yang?"
"Tea is tea."
Jia let out a cough. "Worry not. He likes it."
Zhuo Syaoran didn’t take any offense. "Well, if he isn’t digging his precious scalpel into my body, then I know I am safe. At least, I didn’t disappoint him with my tea brewing skills."
Mingshen’s eyes narrowed.
Jia slightly choked on her tea.
His reputation...
As she took another sip of her tea, she fixed her gaze at Zhuo Syaoran and contemplated. She strongly guessed an internal family tension within the family.
Mrs. Zhuo had lit up upon seeing Zhuo Zihan, but when I asked about the elder brother, the couple...oddly looked uncomfortable.
"What else did Zihan say?"
Her stupor broke. "Sorry? Oh, your brother. We didn’t talk for long. He simply ntioned that you like gardening, but you don’t look after the main garden."
"I see," Zhuo Syaoran calmly took a sip of his own tea. "I thought he might have shown you the way here. I see him less and less these days."
Jia had tons of questions about this second secret garden and a separate villa where only the elder brother lived.
Zhuo Zihan resided in the main mansion with his parents while Zhuo Syaoran lived here all alone and detached?
Well, okay his aide is there but still...
Zhuo Syaoran sensed nurous questions in her eyes. His lips faintly curved into a smile as he asked, "How about we start with your reason for wanting to et ?"
Oh yes!
Jia inwardly bit her tongue. The mystery surrounding Zhuo Syaoran was so intriguing that she temporarily forgot her original mission.
She quickly unlocked her phone and looked back at him.
"I ca here to ask you sothing very important. It’s about the charity event night."
He blinked and tilted his head. "Oh? What about it?"
"Do you rember I was chasing after sobody during the event and you crashed your wheelchair into that person?"
"Of course. Your chase was the highlight of the evening," he lightly chuckled.
Her brow twitched.
Did I unintentionally beco famous?
Jia asked, filling all her hope into her next question.
"That person’s mask had slipped off partially when you crashed. Do you, by any chance...rember what that person looked like?"
"You seem to be praying very hard for a positive answer from my side," he comnted.
"Because you are the only person who can help . You are an important witness if you happened to see her face. I can finally get permission to find her."
"Why do police officers need permission to track down a suspect?" He asked with interest.
"Because her case is different with her coming from Huayuan."
Zhuo Syaoran stared at her unblinkingly.
"That’s interesting indeed..."
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