Chapter 337: The Lone Girl

"Lü Ya!"

"It's you again!"

A wave of relief rose in Lin Chuan's subconscious.

Lü Ya is never absent.

Perhaps Lü Ya is the key to breaking the deadlock?

【Congratulations, you have unlocked the special achievement — First Encounter.】

【You look at the girl before you, and an indescribable wonder fills your heart.】

【Her appearance is not outstanding, far less beautiful than Sister Fu Yan, and among the women who pursue you there are many who are more attractive than she is.】

【But she is like a spring pool, giving your soul unprecedented comfort.】

【In the past seventeen years, no woman has ever given you this feeling.】

【"Who... are you?"】

【The girl in the green dress looks at you, neither angry at your impolite intrusion nor giving a cold interrogation.】

【Her voice is calm, with a hint of curiosity.】

【"I am... just a passerby?"】

【You don't know how to answer, and what makes you even more curious is how the green‑dressed girl manages to live here alone.】

【No relatives, no teachers, no friends, not even a living person or animal can be seen; outside the manor, there is only a desolate Shadow World as far as the eye can see.】

【Isn't she going mad?】

【"A passerby?"】

【Your words seem to puzzle the girl, "Didn't the manor's guards stop you?"】

【"That's not right!"】

【"You're lying to me!"】

【The girl seems to recall something, frowning, "You must be Miss's friend; she sent you, right?"】

【You are equally puzzled, "There is no one else here!"】

Lin Chuan's subconscious is also confused.

What do Lü Ya's words mean?

In the explored area of the entire Shadow World, aside from here, there are no living beings, only shadowy lifeforms.

Who is the Miss that Lü Ya mentioned?

Sister Lin Yangyang?

Lin Chuan suddenly thought of something, "Could it be that Lü Ya's reincarnated form has always lived in an imagined world?"

【"When you entered, you didn't see anyone else; could they have all left?"】

【The girl is puzzled.】

【She hurried out, and after a while, ran back.】

【Immediately, she plants her hands on her hips, glaring at you, "You're lying, there are clearly people, everyone is here, tell me, how did you actually get in..."】

【"Eh! That's not right!"】

【Just then, the girl's expression changes, "You you you! You can't be... is is is..."】

【The girl suddenly stutters.】

【One hand covers her mouth, the other points at you, her eyes full of disbelief.】

【You are even more confused, pointing at yourself, "Who am I?"】

【"You are the young master!"】

【The girl jumps up on the spot, excited, "You're the young master? Right?!"】

【"Young master?" you've heard that title before.】

【In the Jing Tu world, direct heirs of certain great families are called young masters.】

【But you don't understand why the girl in front of you calls you young master when you don't even know her.】

【"I'm not any young master; you've mistaken me," you say seriously.】

【"Really?"】

【The girl gazes at you, "Wait, I'll go ask Miss."】

【After speaking, the girl rushes out of the courtyard again.】

【Out of curiosity, you follow the girl outside, silently trailing behind her.】

【The girl arrives at another courtyard within the manor and talks to an imaginary "Miss" for a long time.】

【Then she excitedly rushes to you, looking up with admiration, "Young master! You're back! That's really wonderful."】

【You are stunned.】

【For a moment you don't know whether to doubt yourself or the girl.】

【In this manor, aside from the girl, are there really other unseen people?】

【Or is everything just the girl's delusion.】

【Has she actually gone mad long ago?】

【"Young master, your return is such a coincidence; today I've prepared many delicious dishes, perhaps the heavens knew you'd come back and deliberately hinted at it."】

【She smiles happily, her smile pure and heartfelt.】

【Having lived in the Jing Tu world for seventeen years, you've never encountered such an innocent, romantic, and simple‑hearted girl.】

She lets you see a pure heart Tribe of the Spirits Shi Jie.

You recall a sentence a woman said when she refused to pursue you before, and you say: "I am looking for a soul mate."

Perhaps the girl before you is just right?

From the heart you ask, "Girl, what is your name?"

"I am Lü Ya."

The girl says her name, "When I was very young, my father abandoned me, and Miss brought me to Lin Fu, where I grew up."

"Miss told me to become your maid, young master, and wait for you to return."

"I have been waiting until today; you finally returned."

"Young master, you are truly handsome."

The girl named Lü Ya is visibly overjoyed.

Seeing her like this, you can't help feeling a little sorry for her; the young master, Miss, Lin Fu are all just fantasies.

You wonder, if you burst the girl's illusion, would she be very sad.

You don't want such a girl to lose her innocent romance.

Then, why not pretend you are the young master of this mansion?

"I understand."

You smile and nod, "Lü Ya, may I taste your cooking?"

"Sure."

Lü Ya looks at you, stars in her eyes, "I've studied for so long, all waiting for the day you, young master, return."

You and Lü Ya return to that small courtyard.

"Young master, please wait a moment, there are a few dishes left; I'll finish them right away."

Lü Ya pulls you to sit in the courtyard, darts into the kitchen, and gets busy again.

You wait silently, hoping to dine with her.

After a short while, she brings the second dish, and seeing you haven't lifted your chopsticks, she asks puzzled, "Young master, why aren't you eating?"

You smile, "Waiting for you together."

"That's not allowed."

Lü Ya says, "I am a maid, you are the young master; we cannot eat at the same table."

You originally intended to reason with her, but then changed your mind and gave up.

You state plainly, "Since I am the young master, whatever I say is law; from now on, you must dine with me."

"Alright then."

Lü Ya reluctantly agrees.

When she finishes the dishes, you both dine together; she keeps her head down the whole time, not daring to look at you, as if pondering something.

You are also very curious about what kind of rich world lies within the girl's heart.

How rich must it be to support her living alone in this crumbling dark‑shadow world? And to be able to stay so happy every day?

At this moment, you really want to read her heart.

But you are too shy to speak, until night falls, she knocks on your door herself.