Solflare: The Painter's Secret

Chapter 235: The Weight of a Dead Man’s Sun

As the midday sun streaked across Bastion City, countless shadows lingered on the streets as vehicles moved up and down on the highway.

When the tires of a black jeep rolled over and killed a large yellow-brown squirrel, a smaller one stood at the pedestrian walkway at the front of Storm Mansion, folding its arms harshly while tears welled up in its big dark brown eyes.

As soon as a black BMW rolled toward the Storm Mansion’s gate, the squirrel dashed into the hole dug under the wall and appeared on the grass-filled land at the other side of the walls. It slowed down and watched the vehicle that had killed its mother when it turned, then grinned its tiny teeth.

Leaves drifted from the tree the squirrel stood under and brushed on the front of the BMW as it moved toward the fountain at the front of the mansion’s main building. Crunching sounds echoed in the driveway of the mansion as the tires of the BMW rolled over gravel and tiny tree branches.

When it slowed down at the fountain, the cracking sound vanished and was replaced by the water dripping from the fountain.

As the sun’s rays shone on it, the black glow of the vehicle intensified, while the sun’s reflection slowly moved away from the puddle in the fountain as if it would be sucked into it if it did not move.

The moment Feng pushed the door open, the warm air of the afternoon seeped into the car and mixed with its condensed cool air. He stepped out like a prince returning to his abandoned palace, then shifted his gaze to the flowing fountain.

As soon as he began walking toward the main mansion’s door, clicking sounds echoed as the heels of his boots touched the ground. Three consecutive knocks vibrated through the door when he slammed his fist on it three times.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Without waiting for someone to open the door for him, Feng pushed it open and entered. The sweet fragrance drifting through the hallway seeped into his lungs when he closed the door behind him.

’This place finally feels like home,’ he said in his head, then began moving forward, placing soft paces as if he owned time itself.

Min-seo walked out of the kitchen, then smiled. "Good day, Sir."

"Min-seo," Feng said the name out loud, then smiled back. "Good day. The smile on your face reminds me of my loving mother."

Min-seo’s cheeks raised and reddened while her head got bloated with the subtle praise. "Thank you, sir."

"It’s nothing. Don’t worry," Feng said, then shifted his gaze to the sitting room’s closed door. "Are they in there, or is everyone out there doing their work?"

"Zoe went out, but Li Mei and Lily are there," Min-seo said, then turned to walk back to the kitchen but paused and turned again to Feng. "Li Mei was mentioning your name not long ago."

"Ok. But how is she now?" Feng asked and began shifting his gaze from Min-seo to the door as Li Mei’s hum escaped through the closed door.

"She has improved a lot with the help of Miss Zoe and little Athena."

Feng joined in the laughter before opening the door and entering into the sitting room.

"Uncle Feng," Lily called the name out loud when she lifted her head and saw Feng closing the door behind him. "Did you travel?"

"No, I was busy making sure things are on the right path," he said as he opened his arms and grabbed Lily. He lifted her off her feet, then looked into her smiley amber eyes before placing her down.

"Feng," Li Mei called out the moment Feng and Lily walked to her side. "Did you bring the herbs along, the ones you promised?"

Lily shifted her gaze to Feng’s left arm and smiled when she saw the herbal medicine under Feng’s grip.

"Mom, he brought them." Lily loosened her hand from Feng’s, then moved forward and placed a hand on Li Mei’s lap.

"I brought them," Feng said calmly, then moved toward Li Mei. "I’m placing them where you can reach for them anytime you want some."

He placed the bundle of herbs on the small table beside Li Mei’s wheelchair, then pointed a finger at it while looking at Lily’s face.

Li Mei’s arms stopped weaving the cloth, and she took in a deep breath as the first scent of the herbs flew across the front of her nose. A soft smile tore on her lips as she opened her sightless eyes and turned her head toward the direction the smell was erupting from. "Have you changed the herbs, Feng?"

Feng’s eyelids raised slightly, but he maintained a calm posture even as he crouched down in front of Li Mei. "I haven’t changed them, Li Mei; it’s the warmness in today’s weather."

Li Mei sniffed the drifting scent again, then squeezed her eyes. "It’s not the weather that has changed, Feng; something that shouldn’t be seen has been seen."

Feng shifted a confused glance to Lily’s innocent face, then placed his arms on Li Mei’s as he shifted his gaze back to her. "The world is changing, Li Mei. So are you."

Li Mei lowered her head, then shook it once. "Yes, I know. Andrew always used to say that the sun is heavy to carry. And he prayed Leon would never have to lift it like he did."

Lily’s eyes glowed with joy as she wrapped her arms around Li Mei. "Mom, when did dad carry the sun?"

Feng shifted his gaze to Lily, then burst into laughter. But Li Mei didn’t; even the one she tried to fake didn’t show on her face.

Feng shifted his gaze back to Li Mei, then cupped Li Mei’s hands on his face. "I will be moving out of here for a few days, but I want you to feel the texture of my face like how you did on the first day we met."

Lily turned a saddened gaze and swollen mouth toward Feng as she watched Li Mei calmly rub his face. "Uncle Feng, will you be gone long like brother?"

Feng placed his hand on Lily’s shoulder, then smiled. When Li Mei loosened her grip on him, he crouched down to Lily’s level, then cupped her face.

"It’s just for a few days, little Athena," he said as he wobbled Lily’s mouth and nose. "Maybe I will come back with Leon when I’m coming."

Lily’s amber eyes lit while her cheeks reddened. "Really?"

Feng shifted his gaze from Lily, then looked at the sky through the glass wall while his face was slowly devoured of its warmth. "Maybe."

’Brother will be coming home. Brother would be coming home. Yeeeiii!’ Lily screamed in her head as she stood up abruptly from the floor and began dancing in the center of the room.

Feng grabbed Lily, then tapped on her nose. "I promised your father I would guard his family, and I intend to keep that word. So don’t celebrate just yet."

Min-seo’s face glowed with warmth when she entered the room holding a tray with three cups of green tea.