"Shi Yao!
Stop staring at the mirror and come down already!"
The shout reverberated through the house, jarring Shi Yao out of his thoughts. He turned away from his reflection, his brow furrowed. Who are you, old man, shouting like that?
Curiosity pulled him downstairs, his steps slow and deliberate. The narrow staircase creaked softly under his weight, adding to the surreal atmosphere of the unfamiliar surroundings.
At the bottom, a man stood with an annoyed expression. His glasses glinted in the morning light streaming through the windows, and his posture radiated impatience. Before Shi Yao could speak, a voice cut through the tension.
"Why are you shouting at my baby, you old man?"
Shi Yao turned his head to see a strikingly beautiful woman emerge from the kitchen, holding a glass of juice.
Her hair was elegantly tied back, and her movements were graceful yet assertive. Her glare silenced the man in glasses instantly.
The tension broke, and Shi Yao couldn't suppress a chuckle. "puff…" he laughed softly, unsure whether to be amused or bewildered by the scene.
The woman turned to him with a radiant smile, offering him the glass. "Here, have some juice."
Shi Yao accepted it hesitantly, his fingers brushing the cold surface of the glass. The old lady from before seemed to want to say something but held back, her lips pressing into a thin line. The man in glasses, however, appeared oddly delighted, his irritation fading into a pleased expression.
Shi Yao was puzzled, unsure of what they were hinting at. He took a sip of the juice, the sweet tang spreading across his tongue. As he drank, he noticed the beautiful woman watching him with an unmistakable glimmer of excitement in her eyes.
"What is this?" he asked, unable to hold back his question.
Before he could say anything further, the old lady stepped forward, grabbing his arm and steering him toward the door. "Enough dawdling! You'll be late at this rate," she declared briskly.
The beautiful woman hesitated, her gaze lingering on Shi Yao as if she wanted him to finish the juice before leaving. Yet she relented, offering a soft smile as the old lady ushered him out.
Outside, the sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light over the cobbled driveway. The old lady handed Shi Yao a small packed box along with a bottle of juice. "Have them in the car," she said firmly.
Shi Yao didn't resist, stepping into the car as she waved him goodbye. The vehicle started smoothly, pulling away from the house and heading into the unknown. Shi Yao watched the scenery pass by, his thoughts racing. Who are these people? Why does everything feel so off?
He tightened his grip on the juice bottle, the lingering sweetness on his tongue only adding to the strange haze of the morning.