Oh, heavens above, I beg you for your blessing!

At seven in the morning, the low-ranking guards had already finished their first patrol and were trudging, exhausted, toward breakfast. Meanwhile, a certain someone was sprawled contentedly in the grand chair of Jun Yan’s study, legs crossed, devouring Jun Yan’s meticulously prepared breakfast with great relish.

Jun Yan was at his desk, eyes fixed intently on last quarter’s account books. His right hand, almost on autopilot, kept reaching for the plate on the side—one that held pastries far inferior in color, aroma, and taste to the ones the other was enjoying—eating without really tasting a thing.

When Little Peach came in to clear the plates, she was greeted by this seemingly “harmonious” scene. Raising her brows, unfazed by the spectacle, she calmly collected the plates, now reduced to mere crumbs.

“Tell me, do you have nothing better to do?” Jun Yan finally lifted his eyes from the ledgers.

“Mmmph *#$&…” The other stammered something, but the delicious pastry stuck in her throat, muffling her words.

Jun Yan, speechless, handed over a glass of water.

With a big gulp, she finally caught her breath. After a long pause, she flashed a shameless grin: “I’m not idle at all—look, I’m reading too!” She picked up a comic book she’d fished out while acting as the library manager.

“Alright, Miss Busy, do you have time to take these revised account books to Finance for archiving?” Jun Yan compromised. Ever since she’d saved him at the Lane estate, she’d been flaunting the title of “life-saver” everywhere, and, truth be told, he had no way to restrain her at the moment.

“Sorry, that’s not within my job description~” She bowed with professional aplomb.

“Then will you at least hand me the documents we sorted yesterday?”

“Sorry, that’s not within my job description~”

“How about refilling my cup with hot water?”

“Sorry, that’s not within my job description~”

“Then what exactly is your job description?” Jun Yan was on the verge of losing it.

“It’s written in the Grant Family Guard Manual: a personal bodyguard is only responsible for the master’s safety!” she replied innocently.

“And who wrote that ridiculous manual?”

“Why, the main author would be none other than myself, after extensive research, interviews, and the noble guidance of the Grant family’s leadership. A masterpiece of collective wisdom, if I may say so,” she answered, still looking utterly blameless.

“And does it say in there that a bodyguard can just swap out the master’s food for their own enjoyment?” Jun Yan’s face darkened.

“It doesn’t say you can’t, either. If young master wants to add that as a new rule, you may apply to the chief editor—which, again, would be myself. Of course, whether it gets approved is up to me.” She bowed her head meekly.

“Take the ledger to the Treasurer outside, and I’ll have the kitchen prepare you the finest lunch. Deal?” Jun Yan, suppressing his exasperation, gave in.

“Could I have those pear blossom custard cakes, the potato sauce braised pork, and the roasted jade dumplings you promised last time?” Her eyes lit up instantly.

“Done. If you make it back before lunch, you can even order on the spot. How’s that?” Seeing her take the bait, Jun Yan was well pleased.

“Speedy delivery by Yours Truly—fast, efficient, and worth your trust!” With a whoosh, she vanished.

With her map in hand, she dashed through every corner of White Edge City. Good grief, now she finally understood what “return before lunch” meant—Jun Yan, you liar! She gritted her teeth, glaring at the map’s chaotic, scattered markers. If there was any pattern, it was that every location was either remote, far-flung, or so crowded she couldn’t even squeeze in.

Curse you—may you eat undercooked rice for a week! she muttered, her feeble threat lost amid the commercial district’s bustling crowd. She drifted along with the people, barely moving her own feet, truly realizing the dream of “walking without walking.”

In this dazed state, as she neared her destination, she finally stirred and prepared to push through the throng. Suddenly, something familiar caught her eye.

Forcing her way forward with the same determination she’d once used to claim the last chicken burger in the school cafeteria, she nimbly wove through the masses to the city’s announcement board. In this era, public bulletin boards were the most powerful medium; those erected by the government on main streets were essentially free propaganda tools with immense influence. Standing on tiptoe, she strained to read the words.

There, in grand fashion, was “Ada’s” portrait on a wanted poster. Below the image, several lines proclaimed: “Thief. Real name unknown. Stolen item: the Staff of Eternity. Distinguishing features: long pink hair, brown eyes, favors Western dresses…”

What?! She was startled, unable to process it at first. People jostled her, tugging at her clothes, but lost in thought, she merely leaned forward, trying not to be pulled away. Yet, before long, someone tugged her clothes again. Annoyed, she bundled the hem into an odd shape to keep it out of reach, but still, someone pulled at her.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” she snapped, eyes blazing with fury at the person disrupting her thoughts.

The girl who’d grabbed her was even more furious, almost aflame with rage, startling her.

Finally escaping the crowd, she gasped for air, feeling as though she’d survived an obstacle course. Eyeing her savior, she fired off a sharp comment: “What’s with you? Off to fight fires and sacrifice yourself for the greater good?”

“You’re the one sacrificing yourself—your whole family too!” The sharp-tongued second miss, rarely seen these days, was back in full force. That bedraggled, street-urchin-looking figure, likely female, who’d impersonated “Ada” for years was… well, who, exactly?

“What’s your name? Give me your real one—I’m starting to get spooked calling you Ada,” she continued.

“Liangyin. Just call me Liangyin,” came the reply.

“Liangyin it is. You picked such a dainty name, and to introduce yourself with that dramatic emphasis—truly, absence makes the heart grow fonder!” she quipped relentlessly.

Thud! Liangyin bopped her on the head.

“Alright, alright, I got carried away. So, what’s with this wanted notice?” she finally got back on track.

“How would I know?” Liangyin rolled her eyes. “Jun Yuan handed over the Staff so easily, and the moment I tried to leave the city, I was wanted. I haven’t been able to leave, can’t stay at an inn, can’t change into nice clothes, can’t bathe—always afraid of being recognized.”

She looked sympathetically at the disheveled Liangyin, swaddled in an oversized black coat. “Who’d go to the trouble of putting you on a wanted poster?”

“Who else? That old fossil Jun Yuan, of course!” Liangyin fumed. “He’s the one most eager for my demise.”

“But why?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

“After years at the Grant household, I know too much—secrets, scandals, you name it. I always wondered why Jun Yuan let me go so easily; turns out, he wanted to tie up loose ends.”

“Then why not just kill you outright when you left? Why go to all this trouble?” she pressed.

“You think he didn’t try? I just managed to escape, alright?!” Liangyin’s eyes rolled so far back they nearly disappeared.

“Well, forget all that for now. The important thing is getting you out safely. Here’s the plan: tomorrow morning, meet me here. I’ll bring my disguise kit. Once you’re made up, get out of the city fast and find a place where the wanted posters won’t reach. Spend the rest of your life in peace. How about it?” she offered.

“You can really disguise people? Are you just going to toss me a mask and have me walk into a guard at the city gate?” Liangyin was dubious, but seeing her companion’s serious face, she relented. “Alright, I trust you—just don’t sell me out.”

“Don’t worry!” She handed all her money to Liangyin. “Get yourself something good to eat. Tomorrow, you’ll be free!”

“Um… thank you.” Liangyin was taken aback by the offer, having only hoped for a chat and not expecting such help. They weren’t particularly close, so she didn’t know why this person would help so decisively. Blushing, she could only mumble her thanks.

With a wave, she dashed off, soon disappearing from sight.

I hope trusting you was the right choice, Liangyin thought, watching her go.

Early the next morning, she tucked her disguise kit into her pocket, wrapped her remaining wages into another pouch, and set out to meet Liangyin.

Yesterday, she’d finally known what it was to eat without tasting. She hadn’t returned to the Grant house until afternoon, half-asleep while consuming Jun Yan’s promised feast and half-planning for today. By the time she came to her senses, the table was already clean—she’d devoured everything without even tasting it. Her heart broke: it was bad enough to give Liangyin all the gold she’d saved up over the years, but to lose all that food without enjoying a single bite?

Alas! She could only look to the heavens in silent woe.

O Heaven above, you are the kindest, most beautiful, compassionate sky I have ever known in this or any past life—please, grant your blessing for tomorrow’s success!

Stardust Chronicle 015_015: O Heaven, I beg your blessing! End of update.