Star Eyes Beyond the Shores of Time - Chapter 6

Standing before the strangely familiar building, her heart shrank tight, pounding wildly in her chest. This place felt like a fragment of a distant lifetime…

Tong Youxun murmured to herself, “I’ve been here… I must have been here before…”

Clutching tightly to the letter of introduction Gu Xihen had given her, she steadied her nerves and knocked. Something unseen guided her movements, as though an invisible puppeteer were steering her every step. Everything had been leading her here—she could feel it. If she backed out now, she would remain lost in ignorance. Losing that potion already made her feel terribly guilty. Her impatience to uncover her own past left her breathless…

Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong…

After three chimes, a maid answered the door. It was her first time applying for a job, nerves tightening her spine. But she had done her homework the night before—cooking, pregnancy nutrition, all the basics she might need… She was prepared, at least on paper.

After she stated her purpose, the maid gave a cool nod.
“My name is Yu Man. Call me Sister Man. Follow me.”

“O-okay…” Tong Youxun answered timidly.

She was here to work as a servant, not to be treated like a young lady. Instinctively, she shrank into herself, trailing Yu Man into the enormous villa.

Flowers, trimmed lawns, a small lake—artificial hills, pavilions, and towers—yet all carried a touch of age, a retro air suspended in time. Not far away, a stone dolphin spouted water, surrounded by a ring of colorful plastic balls, cheerful yet strangely sorrowful—a contradiction embodied. Sunlit water streamed in crystal arcs from the dolphin’s mouth…

Without warning, an old scene flashed vividly in her mind—

A graceful woman with long flowing hair sat casually on the edge of an unfinished fountain, sketching with her two children.

“Mommy! Look! This is how the dolphin will look when it’s done. Isn’t it pretty?” A girl of about eight waved her masterpiece proudly.

“You’re amazing, sweetheart. So gifted. Mommy loves you!” The woman kissed her daughter’s cheek with tender affection.

“Mommy! Me too…” A little boy, three years old at most, still struggling with words but full of competitiveness, chimed in, “I drew balls… lots of balls…”

“Baby, that’s wonderful. Your balls are so round!” What a natural at praising children!

The woman rose to her feet, slender and graceful, swayingly elegant as she walked toward the fountain. Opening her arms confidently, she announced, “Mommy will have the craftsmen turn your drawings into reality…”

Tong Youxun drifted unconsciously toward the stone dolphin, hand lifting as if to touch it—desperate to see the woman’s face clearly—when a sharp female voice tore her back to reality.

“What do you think you’re doing, girl? Already poking around on your first day?”
Yu Man glared, clearly displeased she had fallen behind.

“S-sorry…” Tong Youxun apologized and hurried to follow.

“Autumn is near. This is our artificial lake. Workers catch fish from time to time to nourish the madam. Seafood is delivered often—you’ll have to season it well, she’s very particular…” Yu Man instructed.

“Yes, Sister Man.”

“And the young masters’ meals are also your responsibility. Their health is delicate. Pay attention to nutrition.” Yu Man’s tone remained expressionless.

“H-huh?” That hadn’t been mentioned before…

Not that she feared extra work—but she had no experience preparing meals for chronically ill patients. What if she got fired before she even began? She hesitated, then nodded.
“Understood…”

“When given an order, you respond: Received.” Yu Man corrected, cold as ice.

“R-received…” Tong Youxun straightened her posture, trying to be respectful.

“Look. The young masters are out… Their eating habits are unpredictable—times, places, ingredients constantly change. You’ll need patience. Yesterday was chilly, so they stayed indoors all day. The weather’s good today—they’re sunbathing for vitamin D…”

Following Yu Man’s gaze, Tong Youxun saw two frail boys with ashen complexions, their hair shockingly streaked with silver. They sat limp in wheelchairs, utterly detached from the world around them…

Pale to the point of ghostliness—like vampires deprived of sunlight for years. A chill crawled up her spine.

“What are you staring at now?” Yu Man barked, always in a rush.

She quickened her pace, fastening bibs around the boys’ necks before glancing at Tong Youxun.
“When you have time, help feed them. They eat slowly and messily—control your temper. Our madam—”

Before she could finish, Tong sensed someone approaching. A heavily pregnant woman, overly adorned and teetering like a wilting flower, was moving toward them with the help of servants. Small eyes, thick clumpy mascara, a low nasal bridge, protruding lower lip—far from flattering features—though her makeup was clearly crafted by a professional. Gold glittered from her neck, wrists, and ears.

“Madam.” Yu Man immediately bowed low, yanking the bewildered Tong Youxun to follow suit.

Hierarchies here were clearly defined—the pressure suffocated her like an invisible shackle.

Sometime later, the pregnant madam reclined on a wicker chair, looking Tong up and down from head to toe before drawling,
“New girl, what’s your name?”

“Yes, Madam. My name is Tong Youxun…” She held the woman’s gaze—Xing Lao had taught her that eye contact showed respect.

Yu Man tugged sharply at her sleeve, whispering, “Lower your head when speaking to your master!”

“M-my apologies…” She ducked her head deeply.

Even the obedient Tong Youxun felt irritation prick under her skin—the woman’s condescending airs were suffocating.

“Mrs. Chen has cooked today. The girl will feed the young masters and get used to her duties…” The peacock-dressed woman ordered. “Seafood will arrive soon. Go sort out the kitchen. Mrs. Chen leaves tomorrow—she’ll train you today.”

Tong Youxun almost replied Okay, but quickly corrected herself:
“Received!”

“At least you’re quick to learn. Passable, I suppose…” And with that, the ostentatious madam flounced away.

She glanced at the plates: meat, vegetables, soup, rice—all ground to paste. Easy to swallow, but otherwise no different from an ordinary household’s fare.

Mrs. Chen gently supported the jaw of the boy on the left, easing a spoonful of soup past his lips, massaging his back until the liquid went down. Then she pointed to the other limp boy.
“You feed that one—Young Master Zuo Shiyun. Mine is Zuo Shihan. They know their names, might react a little.”

“Can’t they chew?” Tong whispered.

“Barely. They’re twins. Birth hypoxia—both cerebral palsy. Teeth have no strength. Though Master Shihan is more aware… Shiyun is… well… beyond help…” Mrs. Chen spoke bluntly without thinking.

Tong Youxun tensed on her behalf—this madam looked like someone who never forgave even the slightest slight…

As expected, a heavy slap exploded across Mrs. Chen’s face. The spoon flew yards away.

“How many times have I warned you? Talk behind my back again and you’ll crawl out of here!”
The madam had returned silently, striking like a snake.

Mrs. Chen roared, face burning.
“I’m quitting anyway! I’m older than you! Always yelling, always hitting—who needs this lousy pay? And your filthiest secrets—I don’t even bother to expose them!”
She tore off her apron, bellowing, “Pay me and I’m gone!”

“You’re leaving early, which counts as absenteeism—triple deduction! Leave then, see if I care!” the madam—Zuo Xiaotao—screeched, lower teeth jutting over the upper. “You’re slow, sloppy—paying you is charity!”

Mrs. Chen hurled the apron to the ground.
“Zuo Xiaotao, you beast! Retribution will come—you’ll never carry a child to term, you’ll suffer, you’ll rot! You cheat me out of a single penny—you’ll burn in hell!”

“GET OUT!” Zuo Xiaotao shrieked, a voice splitting the air.

“I’m not afraid of you! I’ll tear your hair out!” Mrs. Chen lunged like a bulldozer, and the two crashed together in a vicious brawl…

Both pregnant? Tong Youxun nearly fainted in anxiety—if the madam hurt her baby, Mrs. Chen would be ruined. She rushed forward to pull them apart—

And then everything went wrong.

A stumble—
A fall—
Her body tipped backward—landing squarely on Zuo Shiyun’s knees.

His wheelchair lurched, wheels rolling free down the smooth cobblestone path—straight toward the artificial lake.

But… the brakes were on! Mrs. Chen even wedged stones under the wheels!
How—?

A flicker of chilling malice caught her eye—
Zuo Shihan, lips curled into a wicked smirk.

Horror swallowed her breath.

Splash!

The wheelchair—with Zuo Shiyun trapped in it—plunged into the lake before anyone could react.

The two fighting women froze. Zuo Xiaotao, hair a wreck, stumbled toward Tong Youxun, screaming hysterically,
“You pushed my son into the water! I’ll make you pay with your life!”

“I—I didn’t mean to— I…” Tears stung her eyes.

Then—

A tall figure stepped forward, emerging like a miracle.

“Who said he’s dead? Watch. I’ll bring him back.”

Voice calm as a breeze—then he dove, cutting into the water like a sleek fish. Lightning-fast. Tong Youxun didn’t even see his face.

Zuo Xiaotao’s cheeks flushed like a girl in love. She stammered dumbly,
“G-Guān… Guān Nuòyǐn…”

His name suited his aura—bright and heroic.

Within moments, Guan Nuoyin burst through the lake’s surface. Autumn water chilled his body, droplets cascading from his hair. His left hand held the struggling Zuo Shiyun, his right hand dragging the wheelchair—as if the weight meant nothing.

Not even the sea itself could slow him. He reached the bank in seconds, pushing both boy and chair ashore before vaulting out himself—clean, efficient, impressive.

Old Zhang, who had delivered the fish, muttered to a coworker,
“That lad… look at that technique. The second young lady of the Tuo Group will swoon again, haha!”

“Man swims like he has gills and fins. I’ve worked the sea all my life, and I can’t compare.”

“Never could, old man. And have you seen him up close? Probably the best-looking lad I’ve ever laid eyes on…”

“I heard the Tuo madam wanted to keep him as her little plaything, the moment she saw him…”

“She’s pregnant and still chasing after men—where’s her shame?”

Meanwhile, Zuo Xiaotao was deaf to everything but her beloved Guan Nuoyin.

“Quick—Sister Yu! Towels! A hot shower for our hero!”

“No need, Madam Tuo…” Guan Nuoyin replied curtly.

“You still call me Madam Tuo? You can call me Xiaotao! Don’t I look young enough?” She clung to him shamelessly.

“Your son was alive when I pulled him out. If he dies later, she’s not responsible.” Guan Nuoyin’s tone was distant—speaking to the madam, but his gaze reflected only Tong Youxun.

The reminder forced Zuo Xiaotao to send for the family doctor and check on her son—even if reluctantly.

Was this what people called love at first sight?
In her dreams, in fire and chaos, that hero’s face had always been blurred—yet now, crystal clear.

He was alive. In this world. Brilliant, unrestrained by dreams or illusions.

Because of him—
her dark world suddenly blazed with light.