Today's commissions were unusually simple.
No accidents.
No surprises.
No sudden "nearly died again" incidents.
With that done, it was time to head to the Yun-Han Opera Troupe for work.
The Yun-Han Opera Troupe truly lived up to its reputation as the heart of Yujing Teahouse—even the pay for part-time workers was generous.
And more importantly…
There was a chance to see Yun Jin.
Who wouldn't be tempted?
Hopefully I'll get to watch her perform again today, Cael thought.
...
...
Rolling up his sleeves, Cael joined the other workers in setting up the stage.
Everyone here was friendly, easy to talk to, and pleasant to work with.
Cael genuinely loved this place.
One of the workers spotted him and laughed.
"Hey, isn't that Cael? Not helping out at Wanmin Restaurant today?"
Cael smiled.
"Nope. I've got a shift here today."
"Honestly, I don't get you," the worker joked, patting him on the shoulder.
"You could be making a fortune staying at Wanmin Restaurant. Why come suffer with us here?"
Cael just smiled and didn't answer.
Seeing that he wasn't interested in explaining, the worker shrugged and went back to work.
Just then, another worker hurried over and stopped in front of Cael.
Cael looked up.
"Hello. Do you need something?"
The worker didn't beat around the bush.
"Miss Yun is looking for you. She wants you to go see her in the troupe."
"…Miss Yun? Yun Jin?"
Cael froze.
"Yun Jin is looking for me? You're joking, right?"
"No joke," the worker said quickly.
"She specifically asked for you. Hurry up—don't keep her waiting."
With that, he rushed off to continue working.
Cael stood there for a moment, utterly confused—
But still headed toward the troupe.
...
...
At that moment, Yun Jin was in the dressing room.
She rested her cheek on one hand and had already sent her assistant away.
A short while later—
Knock, knock.
"Please come in," Yun Jin's clear voice sounded from inside.
Cael swallowed and pushed the door open.
"Hello, Miss Yun. You were looking for me?"
Seeing Yun Jin with her hair down startled him slightly.
Yun Jin's eyes lit up when she saw him, and she spoke warmly.
"Come, let's sit and talk."
She pulled a chair closer to her.
Cael didn't hesitate and sat down naturally.
Once he settled in, Yun Jin took out a familiar piece of paper and handed it to him.
"This—I happened to find it the other day. I believe it belongs to you?"
The moment Cael saw it, his memory came flooding back.
"So that's what I forgot!"
"I knew something was missing—turns out I left this here!"
He accepted the draft.
Yun Jin continued,
"I really like this story. In fact, I want to perform it. May I ask—did you write it yourself?"
Cael shook his head.
"No. It's a story passed down in my village. I just polished it a bit."
"Oh?" Yun Jin was intrigued.
"Then may I ask which village you're from?"
Cael answered without hesitation:
"Konoha—ah, no. Earth Village."
"…You won't be able to find it anymore, though. I'm the only one left."
This was an explanation Cael had prepared long ago—specifically to avoid questions about his origins.
But the moment he finished speaking—
The room fell completely silent.
Dead quiet.
"Huh?"
Cael looked up and saw Yun Jin staring at him in shock.
Then, almost instantly, her expression shifted to panic and guilt.
"I—I'm so sorry!" she said hurriedly.
"I didn't mean to ask something like that. I didn't know—"
Her apologetic look caught Cael off guard.
Am I really that tragic?
At least I didn't lose my friends… and I don't have a Cryo Vision either.
…Right?
"It's okay," Cael quickly reassured her.
"I'm doing well now. I have plenty of friends. The past doesn't affect me anymore."
He could tell—her eyes were already turning red, like she was on the verge of tears.
After a short while, the awkward atmosphere finally eased.
Yun Jin then stated her true purpose.
"I hope to perform Farewell My Concubine," she said seriously.
"As a descendant of Earth Village, I felt it was only right to obtain your consent."
"…Eh?"
Cael froze.
He had been wracking his brain trying to figure out how to convince Yun Jin to perform Farewell My Concubine—
And now she had come to him instead.
"Is that… not okay?" Yun Jin asked carefully.
"If you're uncomfortable with it, that's fine."
"No, no!" Cael waved his hands quickly.
"I'm just shocked—in a good way. I couldn't be happier."
"Honestly, I wrote that script specifically for you. I was just worrying about how to ask."
"Really?" Yun Jin's eyes lit up.
"Yes," Cael said gently.
"I truly want to see Miss Yun perform Farewell My Concubine. Since you like it, I'll give it to you."
"Thank you so much," Yun Jin said, clearly moved.
Learning that the script had been written specifically for her greatly increased her fondness for Cael.
"But," she added after a moment,
"I can't accept it for free. I should offer something in return—though I'm not sure what."
"Is there anything you want? Any request? I'll do my best to fulfill it."
Cael stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"…I do have one request."
"Please say it."
He smiled and raised one finger.
"I want to perform with you."
"…Eh?"
Yun Jin hadn't expected that at all.
"That's… quite a difficult request," she said awkwardly, touching her chin.
"You're worried I haven't had professional training, right?" Cael said calmly.
"I expected that."
Yun Jin nodded honestly.
"In that case," she said, "sing a few lines for me. I'll see if you can be trained."
If his voice was good enough, she wouldn't mind taking on another student—especially one she didn't dislike.
Cael didn't hesitate.
He adjusted his breathing, found the familiar feeling from years ago—
And sang a single line from Farewell My Concubine in the same voice he once used.
The moment he finished—
Yun Jin was stunned.
"That's very good," she said in surprise.
"Your fundamentals are solid. I didn't expect you to have trained before."
Cael laughed.
"Haha. I was taught by my mom's sister's daughter's seventh aunt's uncle."
"..."
"…Your family tree is… complicated."
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