Chapter 47: Sir, Have You Found Someone You Like? - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

Chapter 47: Sir, Have You Found Someone You Like? Chen An bent down to pick up the book on the ground. A soft voice followed. "Sir, have you found someone you fancy?" Chen An returned the book to Luo Cong An with a smile. "Don't think too much into it, I've already declined." Upon receiving the response she had hoped for, the girl visibly perked up. She gently placed the teacher's hands on her cheeks and rubbed against them softly. "Sir, if something like this happens again, could you discuss it with Cong An first?" Chen An paused, then nodded. "Of course. In this world, I have no family. Cong An, you're my only family. If I don't discuss things with you, who else would I?" Hearing this, Luo Cong An's eyes curved with satisfaction, feeling a sweetness that surpassed even the most delightful preserves. A mischievous gleam flickered in her gaze. "That's settled then, no keeping secrets from me. Your future wife must be inspected by me first." Chen An agreed somewhat dismissively, as he never really entertained thoughts of marriage. If everything went as he expected, he wouldn't be in this world for much longer, making it unnecessary to involve others in his life. Spring turned to autumn, and three years passed in a flash. In that year, Luo Cong An turned eleven. Her hair grew longer, almost reaching her waist, making it difficult to manage on her own. "So, is this why you have me help you comb your hair every day?" In the girl's room, Chen An held a wooden comb, gently tending to her unruly locks. Before them was a dark red vanity table with a bronze mirror reflecting the increasingly charming visage of the girl. Her skin was delicate and smooth, flawless. The corners of Luo Cong An's mouth lifted, and she hummed softly, swinging her slender legs in the air. "Doesn't matter, sir volunteered." Over the past three years with Chen An, Luo Cong An had truly embraced herself. Her personality had become lively and endearing, and even acts of coquettishness came as easily to her as eating and drinking. Now, compared to the filthy little beggar hiding in the shadows she once was, she was a world apart. Chen An laughed and let the matter go. He finished tending to her hair, unable to resist picking up a strand and rubbing it between his fingers. "I must say, your hair texture is the best I've seen in my life," Chen An praised without reserve. Luo Cong An beamed, leaning back to snuggle into his embrace; this was her favorite position when with him. His scent enveloped her—clean, fresh, reminiscent of a night rain in autumn, irresistibly inviting. After enjoying the moment, she suddenly remembered something. Sitting up, she rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out a stack of yellowed rice paper. Carefully laying it flat on the vanity, she pointed to the text and asked, "Sir, is this a poem you wrote?" Chen An, having been daydreaming out the window, turned at her query. Seeing the rice paper, his expression faltered briefly before he replied, "Yes, I wrote it, but it's not my original work." Poetry was a solace, a pastime for quiet moments, and he would often pen something casually. He pinched her cheek playfully. "Oh, I wondered where it went. I searched the entire study earlier, thinking it had blown away. Never expected it to be with you." Luo Cong An giggled, taking the paper and shading herself in his embrace once more. "Sir, won't you tell me about it?" Over the years, under Chen An's patient guidance, she had moved beyond illiteracy and began to appreciate the unique charm of words. Consequently, she developed a keen interest in his poetry, or rather, anything related to him. For her request, Chen An had no reason to refuse. "I had thought of telling you, just kept forgetting. Getting old, you tend to be forgetful." Luo Cong An pouted. "Sir, you're not old." Chen An chuckled, choosing not to argue. He guided her with his finger over the paper as they began to recite. "The first one…" "Who hears the autumn wind alone, yellow leaves sealing the sparse window, pondering past events by the setting sun…" Before he could continue, Luo Cong An eagerly replaced the paper with another from the bottom of the stack. "Alright, alright, sir. I want this one. Let's recite this, okay?" She pointed at the simpler, straightforward meaning she preferred with a smile. Despite the interruption, Chen An's demeanor remained calm, ever patient. He followed her direction and read softly, "The carriage travels, the horse trots. You roam eastwards, to the East Mountain. How can you soar to chase the west wind?" As he reached this line, Luo Cong An, already prepared, eagerly joined in the recitation. "May I be like the stars, and you the moon, casting light upon each other each night." The morning flew by. After lunch, Chen An pondered aloud, "Would you like to attend the private school?" This was not a spur-of-the-moment thought. He had considered it many times. Observing Luo Cong An spending all her time with him, without interaction with peers, he worried about her social development. Hence, the question arose after much deliberation. Sponsored by the City Lord's mansion, the private school mostly hosted children from noble families, under strict supervision, ensuring safety. Most importantly, Chen An worked there, providing security in case she ever needed assistance. "Is it really okay?" Luo Cong An's eyes sparkled. Though not particularly eager for school, she cherished spending time with him. Seeing her excitement, Chen An misunderstood, thinking she was eager for new friendships, and nodded reassuringly. "Of course, I should have brought it up sooner…" He felt a twinge of guilt for not fulfilling his responsibility as her guardian sooner. That afternoon, Chen An visited the City Lord's mansion. City Lord Ma, a pleasantly plump middle-aged man, was engaged in a game of chess when Chen An found him. To Chen An's surprise, his opponent was Li Ye, an old acquaintance who had visited before. The chessboard revealed an intricate battle between black and white stones, the pieces locked in a close contest. Chen An instantly saw that securing victory was tough for the white pieces, seemingly bound to lose. City Lord Ma was playing white. Upon noticing Chen An, City Lord Ma looked surprised. "Mr. Chen, what brings you here?" With a deliberate nudge, his rounded belly 'accidentally' toppled the entire board. (The chapter ends.)