Chapter 6: Place
A sharp knock echoed from the door, breaking the heavy silence in the room. Wang Ming glanced over his shoulder, his cold eyes narrowing slightly.
"Enter," he said, his voice as sharp as a winter wind.
The heavy wooden door creaked open, and a middle aged maid stepped inside. She moved cautiously, her head bowed low as she approached. Stopping a few paces away, she bowed deeply before speaking in a respectful tone.
"Young Master, many guests have arrived at the mansion. Your distant uncle and his family are among them. They have brought many gifts for you," she said, a faint trace of joy slipping into her voice, perhaps at the thought of her young master being showered with attention.
Wang Ming's expression remained indifferent, his gaze flicking back to the open window, where the last traces of sunlight painted the sky in shades of crimson and gold. Without even looking at the maid, he waved his hand dismissively.
"Collect the gifts, send them off, and tell them I am busy," he said, his tone cold and final. "You can leave as well. Do not disturb me for such trivial matters again."
The maid froze, her expression stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting such a response. She hesitated, as if struggling to find the right words, but before she could speak, a ceramic flower pot on the nearby table shot through the air, smashing into the side of her head with a sharp crack. She cried out in pain as the pot shattered, sharp fragments cutting into her skin. Blood trickled down her forehead, staining her pale face.
Wang Ming's gaze remained fixed on the fading horizon, his tone growing even colder.
"You're still here?" he said, his voice low and threatening. "Do you want another one?"
The maid, still trembling from the sudden attack, forced herself to bow deeply once more, her head nearly touching the blood-streaked floor. Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks, but she dared not make a sound beyond her choked breaths.