Lily did not expect to see the young man she had been trying so hard to find in her family‘s backyard.
He looked like he did not change much except that there were no more sparkles in his eyes. There was
a gloomy atmosphere surrounding him instead.
“Everyone who‘s here today has the same purpose,” Benedict stated as he raised his head
nonchalantly and glanced toward the banquet hall.
“Then why aren‘t you inside?” Lily asked.
“You‘re not either.” Benedict looked at Lily.
Although Benedict looked less happy than his previous self, he was still the same mouthy kid.
“You still owe me an explanation. Why did you quit all of a sudden? You were the one who promised
that you‘d handle the job I gave you properly, but then you just disappeared without even a text or a
phone call,” Lily could finally voice out her dissatisfaction after keeping it inside for such a long time.
When Benedict heard what she said, his eyes became further clouded. He did not try to explain and
just mumbled, “I had my reasons. Also, I‘ve sent you the finished product and didn‘t even charge you.
So, we‘re even,” Benedict said.
He was standing with his hands in his sky–blue padded jacket‘s pockets. He looked outstanding amid
the snowy landscape, his blue jacket making him look younger and refreshed.
Lily shook her head. “How are we even? You didn‘t even give me the raw materials! Where‘s my
wood?” She finished and extended her palm toward him. They agreed that Lily could take home the
special wood he had as a distinctive fragrance from the wood attracted her. She took a small sample
back home and wanted to return for more.
“I don‘t have it,” Benedict answered outrightly.
“You...” Before Lily could finish, footsteps came from behind, and a voice called out, “Benedict.”
When Benedict heard that voice, his face dropped slightly, and his body tensed with a slight
annoyance. “Bene...” Just as Derrick was about to call out to Benedict again, he noticed another
person standing beside Benedict, so he stopped and approached them instead. He turned to look at
the boy, whose back was still facing him, and then at Lily.
Derrick was a middle–aged man who looked stern and severe. He looked good for a man his age, very
well–groomed, even though there were signs of gaining weight. Derrick had a pair of sharp eyes that
could stare into people‘s souls. Lily was initially surprised by his sharp stare when he looked at her.
“Why are you out here?” He asked Benedict. Although Derrick saw Lily standing there, he made no
moves to acknowledge her presence. Lily did not care, as she was only curious about who this man
was.
“It was too crowded inside, so I wanted to come out for some fresh air,” Benedict replied without turning
around or looking at him.
“Are you done? Can you go in now?” Derrick demanded forcefully. He briefly paused and added, “Most
of them are still waiting to see you. You shouldn‘t be rude, so go and say hello.” Benedict said nothing–
instead, he turned around and started walking back to the banquet hall obediently. He stole a glance at
Lily.
Lily could tell Benedict was uncomfortable but had no choice. Maybe it was because of Benedict‘s
eyes, or she was just uncomfortable with the middle–aged man‘s tone. Lily did not give it much thought
when she opened her mouth to stop Benedict, “Wait, you can‘t just leave. We‘re not done yet!”
She had finally managed to attract Derrick‘s attention. He stopped in his tracks and turned to glance at
her.
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