Watching the three people laughing in the hospital corridor from the shadows, a purple-haired teenager smiled as well.
It was the same curl of the lips, but it was different in nature from the other three.
It was more calculating, scheming, cold.
His light purple eyes twinkled. Their mesmerizing glow capable of dazing anyone who looks at him. Something mysterious deep within sucked in the souls and wills of all it touches.
A magical, unreal pull.
One would willingly offer up one's life to him.
The teenager's lips opened. A clear and pleasant voice came out.
"Who would've ever thought that the three of them would get together and get along so well." His words with no known meaning to anyone who hears did not reach the ears of a third person. Only Shade heard, but he kept silent.
Shade couldn't help smiling. He was so happy for his master Ian. He thought that finally, his master made friends at school.
Yes, in the eyes of the loyal and single-minded subordinate Shade, Ian helping Geo was making friends. Ian ignoring Gracie and letting her continue to pester him without killing her was him making friends. As for Carter… acquaintances who became friends after one interaction?
Shade nodded, convinced of his own fantasies. Exaggerated tears of joy and gratitude in his deep blue eyes.
What a weird sight it was.
Such a cold and expressionless pale face with tears in the icy, deep blue eyes. No expression or emotion could be seen from the facial features, but the eyes expressed it all.
Sadly, there was no one to witness this scene.
The only one who could did not turn back and naturally did not see it.
With a few blinks, the tears in Shade's eyes disappeared instantly, as if everything before was only an illusion. Or dust in the eyes.
He continued to accompany his master to stalk and peep at the three teenagers with red, green, and aqua-colored hair respectively.
Of course the two of them weren't actually here for the three of them, it was just that Ian happened to come upon this scene and was rarely intrigued. Especially since he knew all the parties involved.
One one-sidedly thought she was his friend and pops up around him from time to time at school.
One he had saved from Manl and his bad cohort.
One who led him to Manl and his group of cowards.
Ian sneered. His eyes indifferent and waveless.
He watched as they laughed and cried, and he was unable to understand their emotions. Or rather, he was unable to understand the reason for their pain, their joy, their suffering, and their relief.
Isn't it just being bullied? Fight back. Are they disabled or is it just cowardice? Fight till they break teeth and smash bones. Ian doesn't believe that the bullies won't be afraid of a desperado who cares not for his own life.
Isn't it just being looked down on and insulted? They have a mouth, they can talk back. Curse back, insult them. They have no obligation to take what others say to heart—truth or lie.
Isn't it just being ostracized? Ian had once been chased by many people—all wanting to take his head. Being popular isn't always a good thing.
How could any of that compare with the pain of the loss of family. Of life. Of joy and emotions. Of one's innocence.
Maybe one's own pain should not be measured against the pain of others. People have different tolerances, just like they have different likes and dislikes.
But how could people resist comparisons?
Their smiles and tears reflected in the deepened purple color of Ian's eyes.
They can still laugh. But Ian doesn't know if he ever can anymore.
He could not and he would not go out of his way to sympathize with others.
The dark side of Ian found it hard to empathize. His heart could not soften at the sight of warmth, at the touch of warmth.
His innocence had long been gone, burnt to ashes with the deaths of his family members in the previous life.
In this life, he had sworn to protect his loved ones, to destroy all who wants to destroy them.
He might've been able to feel a bit of his past innocence and kindness in the presence of his family members, but when facing outsiders, all there is left in his heart and soul is only darkness. Coldness. Cruelty.
Even with that bit he could feel, Ian could never truly get back his past innocence washed away with the tide of time. It was long gone, buried in the dust of another world.
He had been torn apart.
Renewed and rebuilt. No light can get to him. Just like darkness surrounded his heart.
Ian eventually turned away from the sight before him, choosing not to step out of the shadows to greet the three youthful teenagers full of innocence despite their respective experiences.
"Master, are you not going to greet your friends?" Shade couldn't help but ask after the back of his departing master.
Ian paused. His light purple eyes lifted, a gentle smile ever present on his lips, yet no light could be seen in his eyes to reflect any trace of a smile. It was not a smile from the heart. Just a mask. Just a disguise. Just a means to weaken the guard of those who approach.
His lips parted, "Friends? What friends?"
Then he left without turning back.
Shade was confused but he didn't dare question his master's decisions. Shade disappeared in the shadows. Continuing to carry out his duty to protect his master from the shadows.
Ian did not look back, but Shade did.
And when he did, he seemed to have understood something.
Something he had felt was off but never understood what exactly it was.
Every teenager Shade had come into contact with, except for special cases, were full of innocence and immaturity.
Like Gracie.
Like Carter.
Like Geo.
Despite their own untold hardships, they were young and still innocent. Persevering and having hope for the world. They were full of life and emotions.
They liked to laugh. They liked being with other people.
They were hurt, but they healed.
Vitality could be easily seen on them.
Yet.
His master, despite being 16 years of age, did not exude any trace of innocence that befitted his age.
In contrast, he was like someone who had died and was reborn. He already had his own goals which he will never stray from, unlike young people who are more easily distracted and changed.
He was already molded into shape.
Hard and cold.
Lacking any trace of youthful innocence.
And Shade did not think it was because of Ian's identity as the young master of an underworld family.
It was something else.
A secret known only to its holder.
Shade dared not and cannot pry.
As a subordinate, his most important duty is to act out his master's orders, not to question or pry into his master's affairs.
Shade knew his place. That's why he needed someone else to help his master. Help his master to supplement the missing innocence within.
Shade thought that friends were a great way to do so.
Ian, however, was indifferent.
'Perhaps, I'm mistaken. These kids don't have what it takes to please master let alone help him.' Shade pondered seriously over the situation. 'They don't have the fate.'
Shade sighed in disappointment, then quickly followed after Ian.
Today, they weren't here to play friendship games. It was only a coincidence that they bumped into the three teenagers who have connections to Ian.
Ian's real purpose was something else.
Who else could make someone like Ian make a move personally besides them.