13 Mink Street

It started raining during the latter half of the night, and by morning, there was no sign of it letting up.

Holding an umbrella, Karon walked to the door of 128 Mink Street. He pushed open the gate to the yard, and just as he reached the entryway, the front door was opened from inside.

Ms. Molly stood there. “Young Master.”

Karon lifted the bag in his hand slightly and asked, “Has Alfred arrived?”

“Not yet, but he should be here soon.”

“Mmm.” Karon went inside. The first floor was empty.

“Young Master, please go up to the second floor.”

Karon went upstairs. The master bedroom on the second floor had been furnished with quite a few pieces of new furniture and had also been cleaned thoroughly.

He set the bag down on a cabinet, and then walked over and sat in the chair by the floor-to-ceiling window.

“Coffee, Young Master?” Ms. Molly placed a cup of coffee in front of him and apologized at the same time. “There’s no refrigerator here, so there’s no iced water.”

“It’s fine.” Karon lifted the coffee and took a light sip.

In his previous life, during his years of study and the early stages of starting his business, he had mistakenly believed that he could no longer live without coffee. It was only after his income gradually improved and he could pursue higher standards of living, for example, having friends and clients who actually knew coffee introduce him to it and after trying it himself, that he finally realized something: what he had grown accustomed to wasn’t coffee at all, but instant coffee.

Ms. Molly carefully sat down on the chair across from Karon. She was wearing a knee-length skirt, and seemed unafraid of the cold. Her feet were not clad in her classic red high heels, but a pair of home slippers. Her legs were pressed together, and her entire posture extremely reserved.

Karon turned his head to look down at the road through the floor-to-ceiling window.

He suddenly thought of the memory of riding past 128 Mink Street in a hearse. Uncle Mason had seen his first love at that time, while what Karon himself had seen had been Ms. Molly’s red high heels, tinged with temptation and an eerie aura.

They had been balanced on the tips of her toes, gently swaying back and forth.

Who could have imagined that, after that day, Ms. Molly would suddenly become so “proper.”

Was there actually a faint sense of regret in his heart?

“You like this house very much?” Karon asked.

“Yes, Young Master. Actually, this used to be my home.”

“Oh, I see.”

Ms. Molly smiled faintly. “In the past, my husband, my son, and I lived here together. Later, during a family trip, there was a car accident. My husband and son both died. As for me... I actually died as well, but for some special reason, I didn’t die completely.

“After that, Alfred arrived. He helped to stabilize me, and at my request, he helped me settle back here.”

“You and Alfred knew each other before?”

“Yes. I helped him once, and he owed me a favor. At the time, I thought he was just another ordinary person. But Alfred really is a good man. Sometimes he can be a little impulsive, but he always keeps his word.

“You know, he could have lived very comfortably on his own here in Roja City. There was no need for him to take me along as baggage. Because of me, he was forced to bear a lot of additional risk.”

“Mmm. And this house?”

“After my family died, the property was inherited by my husband’s nephew. He sold the place, and the buyer used it as a rental property.”

“Doesn’t that bother you?” Karon asked.

“No. I want the house to be lived in. I like blending into the tenants’ lives. It gives me a great deal of comfort. Although I look frightening, most of them can’t see me.

“Especially when some tenants’ children were young. When a child played alone on the bed, I would watch over them from the side.”

“Jeff...”

“I only wanted to scare him away. He broke in to steal while the family was out. I didn’t expect to scare him dead, and I didn’t have a chance to deal with the body before the tenants discovered it. The lady of the house called Mr. Mason to help handle the corpse.”

Karon nodded. So for a long period of time, Ms. Molly had existed much like a household spirit, guarding the door and protecting the home. “And now? This house?”

“Alfred rented it to be my real residence. After all, I now have a complete body, so I can’t live together with tenants any longer. As I need to go to and from work every day, I also need a place where I can stay near your home, Young Master

“Sometimes when we’re busy late into the night, Alfred will also rest here.”

So this house is basically the Immers family’s staff dormitory now?

“Why not just buy it?” Karon asked. He didn’t know exactly how rich Alfred was, but he did know that Alfred was truly wealthy. Buying a townhouse on Mink Street shouldn’t be much of a problem.

“Because...” Ms. Molly organized her words. “Because Alfred said that if we only rent it, then after we leave, this house will still be rented out to others. But if we buy it, once we leave, the house will be completely empty. I don’t want this house to become vacant and cold.”

“Leave?” Karon pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

Ms. Molly chose her words carefully, “Young Master, aren’t you preparing to go to Veyn?”

Karon didn’t say anything.

Ms. Molly maintained her seated posture and didn’t move.

Some things could be hidden from the family, but not from Alfred. In the eyes of Karon’s uncle and aunts, his relationship with Eunice was leading towards her marrying into the family, but Alfred had seen through matters; It was about Karon marrying into Eunice’s family.

Karon suddenly smiled. He finally understood what people meant by something being hard to chew and harder to discard. A subordinate who was too clever could make things very awkward for a “Young Master.”

“Yes, that’s possible,” Karon said.

Ms. Molly let out a long breath of relief. “Then, Young Master, you’ll take the two of us with you, right?”

“You want to go with me?” Karon asked.

“Alfred said that the reason Sir Tiz agreed to accept the two of us as household staff was precisely to prepare for when you go to Veyn in the future.”

Karon silently continued smoking.

At that moment, Alfred arrived. He carried a gas cylinder in one hand and had a large pot strapped to his back. When he entered the yard and saw Karon and Ms. Molly sitting in the second-floor window, he waved enthusiastically. “Young Master, I’m here!”

Karon silently flicked the ash from his cigarette.

Alfred, who had no idea that his goal of getting onto the mural had suddenly grown far more distant, quickly carried the gas cylinder upstairs and entered the master bedroom.

“I’ll go wash the pot, and there are vegetables too.” Ms. Molly promptly stood up, taking the initiative to get to work. She moved as if she had just realized she had said something wrong.

“Just wash the pot. I already washed the vegetables before bringing them over. The meatballs don’t need washing.”

“Alright, Young Master. I’ll wash the pot and set the table.”

Alfred took out a handkerchief and wiped the rain from his forehead, asking curiously, “Young Master, how exactly is hotpot eaten? I can’t wait any longer.”

“I’ll stir-fry the base later, and then we can start cooking the ingredients. You cook them and pick them out as you eat. I also brought three pairs of the silver chopsticks you gave me.”

“That already sounds fun. Let me think; What should I cook first?”

“There’s something I recommend cooking first. It’s very tender, only needs a short time, and tastes great.”

“What is it?”

“Your tongue.”

“...” Alfred fell silent.

***

After the hotpot meal, Ms. Molly stayed behind to clean up, while Karon and Alfred moved to the entryway. Alfred opened the door and raised his umbrella. Karon walked ahead, Alfred holding the umbrella and staying half a step behind.

The rain still showed no sign of stopping. Water flowed down the street, gurgling into the drains.

After returning home, Alfred put away the umbrella on the first floor, while Karon went up to the third floor.

“Why did it feel like the atmosphere at lunch today was a bit strange?” Alfred muttered, glancing at the rain outside in confusion.

***

Karon took a shower and changed into slightly more formal clothes. As he stood in front of the mirror adjusting his cuffs and collar, Pu’er sat on the sink beside him. “I think I should be waiting at the bride’s house. Or maybe the bride’s side should carry me over to the groom’s house.”

“That’s inauspicious,” Karon said.

“Inauspicious?”

“Strictly speaking, what’s the difference between Eunice holding you and holding a portrait of the deceased?”

Pu’er’s mouth twitched.

After tidying up, Karon went downstairs.

“Young Master, I’ll drive,” Alfred eagerly offered as he got into the driver’s seat and started the car. Karon sat in the back.

The Immers household was treating the day as a holiday. Not only did the staff not need to come in, but Karon’s uncle and aunts had also taken their three children to the amusement park. Not even the rain since morning had been able to dampen their enthusiasm.

It was all because Tiz had personally given the order yesterday.

This was different from what Karon had originally expected. Tiz wanted to wait in a quiet environment for Eunice’s formal visit, and had even gone so far as to send everyone else away.

While driving, Alfred occasionally glanced at his young master through the rearview mirror. Seeing that Karon kept his eyes half-closed and showed no interest in speaking, Alfred also remained silent.

Finally, the car stopped in front of Eunice’s home.

“What time is it?” Karon asked. Although he had received several watches, he still hadn’t developed the habit of wearing one.

“Five minutes to three.”

Karon nodded.

Alfred got out first. Opening the door and raising his umbrella, he then moved to help Karon out of the car.

At that moment, a maid of nearly fifty appeared in front of Eunice’s house. She stood in a small pavilion in the yard, staring intently at Alfred. Karon had never seen her during his previous visits.

“She should be something like a family bodyguard. That’s not strange. After all, a mother and her daughter returning to her hometown on their own can still be dangerous.

“Also, Young Master, she’s probably discovered my identity and is on guard against me.”

Karon reached out and pushed the gate open, walking inside the yard. The old maid raised a black umbrella and walked towards them, extending her hand to stop Alfred.

He looked at Karon. All along, the old maid never once looked at Karon seriously.

Karon himself took a few steps forward, leaving the protection of Alfred’s umbrella. The rain began to fall on him.

Immediately, Alfred’s eyes flickered with red light. The old maid’s body trembled, and she staggered back, dropping her umbrella and beginning to pray, “Merciful Lord, please bestow the light of wisdom, dispel the gloom in my heart...”

Alfred hurried after Karon, once again shrouding him with the umbrella.

At the entryway, Karon pressed the doorbell. Quick footsteps sounded from inside. The door opened, revealing Ms. Jenny, dressed in an evening gown.

“Hello, madam. I’m here to pick up Eunice and take her to my home for dinner.”

“Yes, yes, I know.” Ms. Jenny replied. “Please wait a moment, I’ll make you some tea. Eunice will be ready very soon, and then we’ll go with you.”

We? Karon’s expression remained calm as he smiled in response. “Alright, there’s no rush. I arrived early.”

“Early is good.” Ms. Jenny took Karon’s hand, gently patting the back of it with the pure demeanor of an elder. “Young men are always more eager. That’s also a sign of respect, isn’t it? You did very well. Truly, very well.

“Come, come! Come inside and have some tea first. I even prepared my specialty pastries just for you.” As she spoke, Ms. Jenny seemed to finally notice that the old maid was still praying in the yard. Her brows knitted slightly, but she said nothing, and simply continued to warmly invite Karon inside.

Alfred remained outside. He put away his umbrella, and stood silently in the doorway, closing it behind them.

The old maid, having finished her prayer and removed the influence of the Succubus Eye from herself, attempted to enter the house, only for Alfred to raise his umbrella and block her path.

The old maid was somewhat afraid of Alfred. That was normal. After all, even though Alfred was extremely humble in front of Karon, and even before Tiz, one of the two was a heretical god, while the other was Tiz.

Despite being a demonkin, Alfred had long since obtained the qualifications to live in peace, and was even able to shelter someone as troublesome as Ms. Molly.

The old maid said, “This is my master’s house.”

Alfred glanced at her. “From now on, it’s his son-in-law’s house.”

“You—”

Red light once more flowed through Alfred’s eyes.

The old maid had no choice but to retreat back to the pavilion in the yard. She did not dare engage with the person before her. She knew clearly that he was a demonkin she could not contend with.

Inside the house, Karon was still suffering through Ms. Jenny’s enthusiasm.

Although she tried to restrain herself, the excessive warmth still made Karon feel rather uncomfortable. It was completely different from the aristocratic lady he had first met, the one who had held a cigarette in one hand while clenching the other into a fist as a warning to him.

Fortunately, Eunice soon came downstairs. She was wearing a black dress, which she paired with appropriate jewelry. The overall look gave her a restrained and dignified appearance.

Karon casually stood up, walked over, and extended a hand.

Eunice glanced at her mother before placing her hand in Karon’s.

The two of them went outside. There, Alfred handed his umbrella to his young master. Karon accepted it and walked to the street with Eunice.

Alfred then lifted the black umbrella that the old maid had used earlier. He raised it, and turned to Ms. Jenny, “Madam, please.”

“Mhmm.”

The old maid braved the rain and emerged from the pavilion.

Ms. Jenny gave the woman a cold glance. “Watch the house.”

“Yes, madam.”

Once again, Alfred drove, with Karon sitting in the passenger seat. Eunice and Ms. Jenny sat in the back.

Because it was raining, they couldn’t open the windows, which caused the atmosphere inside the car to be sustained by the passengers themselves. Otherwise, the stagnant air would quickly turn into a stagnant mood.

“Karon, is everyone in your family at home?” Ms. Jenny asked.

“I’m very sorry.” Karon turned slightly so that he could look at the back seat, though he primarily addressed Eunice. “The others had some matters to attend to today. It wasn’t intentional neglect, but my grandpa’s instruction. He wants to see you alone.”

“It’s alright. I understand,” Eunice replied with a smile.

Beside her, when Ms. Jenny heard that “Grandpa” was home alone, the smile on her face grew noticeably heavier.

Driving, Alfred laughed and said, “Madam, Miss, please don’t worry. Sir Tiz is an incomparably kind man. Wherever he is, it’s like a spring breeze passing through, bringing warmth and gentleness.”

Alfred spoke words he didn’t even believe himself.

The car arrived at 13 Mink Street. Karon held the umbrella to escort Eunice inside. She lifted the hem of her dress to keep it from being splashed by water. After entering the living room, she nervously turned in front of Karon. “Karon, help me check if there’s anything out of place.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry. Grandpa doesn’t care about such things.”

“Karon, help me check too. Is there anything inappropriate?” Ms. Jenny said.

Karon very much wanted to remind the woman that the one meeting their elders today was not her, but her daughter.

Still, he restrained himself and said nothing.

“Young Master, I’ll be downstairs. If you need anything, call for me.” Alfred placed his right fist against his left chest. “Guarding the great Immers family is my duty.”

After finishing his self-directed performance and properly embellishing the Immers family’s grandeur, Alfred stood up straight at the entrance to the receiving room, observing the outside like a sentry on duty.

“Grandpa’s on the third floor, so let’s go up,” Karon told Eunice.

“Alright.”

Eunice and her mother had arrived, yet the only elder still in the house had not come down to greet them. While that would ordinarily be considered improper, with Tiz, it felt normal.

Upon arriving on the third floor, Karon reached out to knock on the study door, but Ms. Jenny stepped forward first. “I think, according to etiquette, I should be the one to meet your grandfather first. What do you think?”

Karon froze for a moment, but then nodded. “Alright, madam.”

He turned to Eunice. “You seem a bit nervous. Would you like to drink some ice water to calm down?”

“Okay.”

Karon led Eunice back down to the second floor.

Ms. Jenny stood in front of the study door, taking several deep breaths in succession. Finally, as if mustering all her courage, she lightly knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

She swallowed, opened the door, and walked inside. There was Tiz, dressed in a black suit and sitting behind the desk. His gaze was calm, yet it radiated a mountain-like pressure.

On his shoulder squatted a black cat with a dignified bearing. It regarded the visitor with a playful, scrutinizing look.

Ms. Jenny stepped forward, but under the gaze of that man and cat, she felt that each step had become extraordinarily difficult.

Tiz spoke, “Hello.”

The next instant, Ms. Jenny collapsed to her knees. Once there, she seemed to completely relax, as though she had finally found the position that truly belonged to her. With a trembling voice, she replied, “Hello.”