the Avengers

It's raining.

In the room at the end of the hotel, the looming kerosene lamps blackened the corners of the house, and the damp and musty smell seeped from those dark cracks.The raindrops are pattering, scrambling to hit the window, shaking the dust crowded in the light.

Yadu was lying on the narrow bed, with a slightly damp blanket and a crumpled letter beside him.The sender is anonymous, and the recipient's address is a small western town thousands of miles away, where there is the most notorious orphanage in the north.

There was a clear sound of arguing upstairs all the time, as well as the sound of wine bottles rolling to the ground, and suddenly there was a muffled sound of "Boom!", and the bubbling beer dripped down the gap in the ceiling to the foot of the bed.At the right time, the landlady's curse was heard from the corridor.

In such an atmosphere, Yadu closed his eyes and lay down on the wooden bed in the orphanage in a trance.

Very good, he thought.

The cold, damp smell stimulated the wound in his memory.He couldn't get over that feeling because it was the resentment of the pain that had brought him to this day, brought him back here.

The place where he was born, where his former home was.

That night, in this small and damp room, he dreamed for a long time——

The emerald green courtyard, the crisp singing of warblers, and the aroma of white sandalwood linger in the light and shadow.The smile on the corner of the mouth, the warm big hands, the thick shadow on the wooden floor.

The wind chimes on the porch are ringing...

From far to near, footsteps, footsteps, rush.

Rainy night, wet mud, bumpy carriage.Pulling, struggling, being strangled by the throat...

Help!

"Ha-ha-ha-"

Yadu opened his eyes, and cold sweat rolled down from his temples.Stiff body, only heart beating wildly.After a long time, after seeing the ceiling illuminated by the dawn light, the crumpled nerves suddenly unfolded.He laughed self-deprecatingly.

It's been ten years... that man's face has been blurred, but the cold eyes still make people palpitate.

Yadu took a deep breath, stood in front of the window, wiped off the sweat stains on his body, changed into brand new clothes, then took out a bronzing invitation card from the package, and put it in the pocket of his inner shirt.

After going downstairs, the proprietress warmly received the nobleman who was driven here by the rainstorm last night, and made a hearty breakfast with the best ingredients in the kitchen, and stood aside, waiting for him to enjoy.Later, at the dinner party at Mi Chuan's house, when he saw the dazzling array of delicacies everywhere in the banquet hall, Yadu thought of the breakfast he had today.

"Ding Ding Ding-"

The crisp sound of knocking a cup sounded from somewhere, pulling back Yadu's consciousness.Everyone's eyes turned, and they gathered at the handsome black figure in the middle of the banquet hall.

Through layers of backs, Yadu saw that cold eyes were filled with a cold smile at the moment.

"Welcome to all of you who have come here from thousands of miles away. Please allow me to solemnly introduce tonight's protagonist, who is also your big boss, the current head of the Mikawa Clan—Master Yukio Mikawa." The youth in fine clothes was pushed Moving forward, he seemed a little embarrassed in the sudden burst of applause, and kept looking at the cold-eyed master beside him.

"Everyone knows that since the death of the first master, Mi Chuan's wife has been sick. For many years, I have been fully responsible for internal and external affairs. It is also because of this that Nosuke is fortunate to be associated with you. Now, although the master is still young, he can still take care of himself, so let Nosuke I personally thank you for arranging this dinner..."

Mrs. Sachiko is ill?Yadu saw with his own eyes the fear that flashed in Yukio Yagawa's eyes when his wife was mentioned.His heart skipped a beat, and he observed Xingsheng's actions thoughtfully.It wasn't until the end of his speech that the swarming merchants covered his sight, and he quietly backed away from the corner.

In the quiet corridor, the door embedded in the wall was quietly opened, golden lights and noisy sounds overflowed instantly, and it was pushed back into the room immediately.In the corridor elongated by candlelight, a figure flashed past quietly, then stopped immediately.

"Master fortunately." Yadu bowed slightly and greeted the visitor.

"Eh? You, hello... why don't you come in to enjoy the food and drink?" The child looked a little embarrassed, trying desperately to see the person in front of him clearly through the hall light.

"Oh, come out for some air—how come you come out, too?"

"I also... come out to get some air."

"You are the protagonist tonight, it's not good to leave the table for too long.

The child looked hesitant to speak.

"Well, it's okay..."

"That's right, after all, Nosuke is still inside."

Hearing this, Yukio Yagawa raised his head suddenly.

Yadu met him with sly eyes, and said: "You are really amazing, the butler. You can win over so many wealthy businessmen with your own knowledge and talents when the nobles are in decline, and let Michuan's family live in the new city. The times stand out... If there is no him, I don't know if there will be an endless stream of diners in your mansion like today?"

Xingsheng was silent.Under the candlelight, the water in his eyes trembled uncontrollably.

Yadu looked at him quietly, then changed the subject and said:

"May I ask, how did the former master get away?"

"Ah?" The child was stunned for a moment, "He died of illness."

"The Former Lord was in his prime at that time, what kind of blow did he suffer to walk so fast, have you ever thought about it?"

Yukio Yagawa's face became paler.

"You were only six years old at that time, so it's normal if you don't remember. You should know why the lady was sent away, right?"

"Because...is sick." For some unknown reason, Xingsheng felt guilty for a moment, not daring to look up into Yadu's eyes.

"What about you?"

"what?"

Yadu smiled narrowly: "I was wondering why you would leave this house again."

Yukio Yagawa froze for a moment, then his expression changed suddenly.

"Eh? Could it be—"

"I, I should go back..." He turned ashen, turned and left, but Yadu grabbed him.

"If you leave, this family will be completely over."

"You let go..."

"As long as you trust me, I can help you stop him."

"You let go!"

The slender child in front of him was trembling all over, as if he realized what happened to him from Yadu's mouth.But soon, he calmed down.

"Please let go."

"it's a pity."

Adu let him go.

Before leaving, his resolute and cold eyes met Xingsheng's eyes, which sent a chill down the spine:

"Please tell Nosuke for me, just say that Ado Yagawa is back."