The longevity lock was of a reddish-gold hue, its edges exceptionally smooth, clearly having been rubbed and caressed in someone's hands over years and months.
The craftsmanship of the lock was exquisite. Its shape was a classic Ruyi cloud head, with intricate interlacing lotus patterns carved all around it.
Bella leaned in closer and saw four neat, regular script characters engraved right in the center of the lock:
[Endless Fortune and Longevity]
Three delicate little bells hung from the bottom of the lock. Bella carefully pinched it and flipped it over.
The word 'Bella' crashed into her line of sight without any warning.
In that instant, it felt as though something had been gently struck inside her.
[This longevity lock... has my name engraved on the back?]
Lying side by side next to the longevity lock was a pair of golden bracelets.
They seemed to be made of pure gold. The size was extremely small, and they were excessively delicate.
The bracelets were smooth all over, without any flashy decorations. Only faint traces of writing could be seen on the inner ring.
It was too small; she really couldn't read it clearly.
Bella picked up one of the bracelets and tried it on. It fit perfectly over the doll's slender wrist.
So, these were all taken off me just now?
Putting a longevity lock on a doll?
And pairing it with golden bracelets?
A longevity lock is meant to calm the fears of a child, pray for blessings, and lock in their life soul.
Praying for "endless fortune and longevity" for a silicone doll—what exactly was he trying to lock in?
Did he want this doll to live a long life and stay by his side forever, or...
Something seemed to flash through her mind, so fast she couldn't catch it.
Praying for a long life and bestowing fortune and longevity upon a lifeless object.
For the first time, Bella felt that Ye Jinzhi's "love" for the doll was far heavier and more insane than she had imagined.
[Click.]
The sound of running water in the bathroom had stopped at some point.
Bella's scalp tingled. She frantically pulled the hem of the skirt back down, restoring her original posture.
The moisture in the bathroom had not yet dissipated as Ye Jinzhi pushed the door open and walked out.
It was noon in June. Even with the thermostat-controlled air conditioning on indoors, a faint, restless heat unique to the season lingered in the air.
His attire looked much more casual now.
A pure white, loose-fitting T-shirt covered his previously aggressive muscular lines.
He wore dark gray sports shorts that rested just above his kneecaps, revealing a section of pale, lean, and powerful calves.
He held a large bath towel in his left hand, roughly rubbing his hair a few times.
Then, his long fingers acted like a comb, carelessly yet neatly sweeping his wet black hair backward.
The stray hairs that had almost covered his eyes and brows were pushed back, revealing a smooth, full forehead and a pair of deep, intense eyes.
Without the softening effect of the stray hairs, the highly tense slicked-back hairstyle completely magnified his refined features.
Ye Jinzhi's gaze silently swept across the wide counter.
His eyes casually landed on the bracelet on Bella's wrist. He paused for a second, emotions churning in his eyes, before his gaze shifted to the long dress nearby.
"I'm sorry, Bella. Did you wait long?"
"Once I finish washing the dress you just took off, we'll go downstairs to eat."
After speaking, he didn't wait for Bella to react. He hooked his long arm and pulled the "dumbstruck" doll back into his embrace, turning around and stepping back into the bathroom that still held lingering fragrance and mist.
Bella was supported by his single hand, sitting on the cold marble edge of the sink.
She watched helplessly as he rolled up his sleeves and submerged the doll's removed dress into the warm water.
He lowered his head, his expression as focused as if he were conducting scientific research.
His long fingers rubbed the sheer fabric, his movements slow and meticulous, refusing to miss a single fold.
Perhaps the shock from the "longevity lock" earlier had been too intense; seeing him wash the doll's clothes now left her completely numb.
[The longevity lock even has my name carved on it. What's hand-washing a dress compared to that?]
In the bathroom, only the sound of water and the faint noise of fingertips rubbing against the fabric echoed.
"Done."
He wrung the dress dry, hung it on the drying rack, and meticulously wiped every drop of water off his hands.
Then he turned his head, naturally embracing Bella, his tone gentle:
"Let's go, my Bella. Let's go eat."
He carried her through the long corridor, his every step steady as they went downstairs.
Ye Jinzhi lowered his eyes to look at the doll in his arms, and suddenly blurted out out of nowhere:
"I had Aunt Yang make your favorite smoked fish. Don't worry, I guarantee the sweetness will suit your taste this time."
Bella, who had been spacing out, almost shivered upon hearing this.
[How does he know I like eating smoked fish?]
Bella muttered in her heart. This dish was her absolute favorite!
Was it a coincidence?
Walking into the dining area, two sets of bowls and chopsticks were quietly laid out on the table.
Bella was sharp-eyed. With one glance, the dishes on the table instantly made her doubt herself:
Stir-fried Shanghai bok choy with shiitake mushrooms, tomatoes mixed with white sugar, dry-fried cauliflower, shredded pork with water bamboo, amber bell pepper chicken cubes, and salted edamame [Dish names made up haha]
If one dish was a coincidence, then this whole table... Ye Jinzhi's tastes were incredibly similar to hers.
Bella originally thought Ye Jinzhi would casually place her on the dining table or hold her in his arms, but unexpectedly, he pulled out an extremely out-of-place chair.
It was a seat at the same height as the dining table, shaped very much like a baby high chair. The cushion size was just right to fit her doll body.
[Custom-made... another custom-made item.]
Just how much preparation had this man done for a doll?
"Young Master, the final dish, 'Shanghai Smoked Fish,' is ready."
Aunt Yang walked forward holding a blue and white porcelain plate. Just as she set it down, she habitually lowered her head, preparing to withdraw.
"Wait a moment, Aunt Yang," Ye Jinzhi called out to her.
His long fingers picked up the silver chopsticks, lifted a piece of smoked fish, and placed it on the delicate little saucer in front of Bella.
He broke it into a small piece and held it up to Bella's lips.
A rich, savory aroma hit her nose.
It was the fragrance of fish chunks fried to a crisp and then soaked in a secret sauce, sweet with a hint of saltiness.
[To eat, or not to eat.]
Facing the fish meat right in front of her, she felt her stomach screaming frantically.
[It smells so good... having such a delicacy right in front of my mouth but being unable to eat it, this is absolute torture!]
Bella steeled her heart and tried to brainwash herself.
[It's stinky, sour, rotten, definitely gross.]
She let the juices of the fish smear against her silicone lips.
Ye Jinzhi held the chopsticks up, waiting for a full five seconds.
During those five seconds, the air seemed to freeze. Aunt Yang was so frightened she could hear her own breathing clearly.
Ye Jinzhi smiled faintly, placed the piece of fish into his own mouth, and chewed it carefully.
Then, he stared intensely at Bella: "How does it taste? Is it much better than before?"
Standing to the side, Aunt Yang's back was already drenched in cold sweat.
She had been working for the Ye family for over a year. Before coming here, she had heard that the young master of the Ye family had an eccentric temperament and doted on a doll excessively.
But this kind of "feeding" behavior and asking for feedback still sent a chill of horror through her.
The scene looked just like he was talking to thin air, or rather, to an invisible ghost.
Could it be that the young master of the Ye family's brain was...
What a sin.
Aunt Yang felt a pang of pity in her heart. When she looked at him again, her gaze involuntarily held a bit more sympathy.
Ye Jinzhi naturally noticed her look. He had not intended to pay it any mind, but after glancing at the doll, he ultimately let out a sigh.
In his heart, he silently added another mark against Bella.
"Aunt Yang, just follow this recipe from now on. Bella likes it very much," Ye Jinzhi instructed calmly.
The tight strings of Aunt Yang's heart finally loosened a little.
Although the young master's behavior was bizarre, as long as he approved, her job was safe.
"Yes, Young Master, I have made a note of it." She lowered her head, trying her best not to look directly at the doll sitting in the high chair, its mouth still stained with juice.
After all, the words that girl Klee had said to her were still echoing in her mind.
Along with that earnest face screaming, "Believe me, believe me, believe me."
Bella felt the sweet, sticky taste at the corner of her mouth, yet her heart felt as if it had plunged into an icy abyss.
[Is he testing me, or has he truly gone mad enough to believe that a doll can eat?]
