Zhao Shi stood in front of one of the city's most renowned wineries, its elegant façade hinting at the quality of its products.
"How many barrels of wine do you have stored?" Zhao Shi asked the owner, his voice steady and direct.
The owner, a stout man with a well-groomed beard, looked up from his ledger, surprised by the question.
"We have around thirty barrels that are properly aged and ready for sale," he replied, curiosity piqued.
"I'll take everything," Zhao Shi declared without hesitation.
"Everything?" The owner's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Yes,"
The owner knew Zhao Shi as his regular buyer. Hearing him buying such a large quantity, he couldn't help but ask. "What's the occasion?"
"Young master said it'll be necessary for the journey back," Zhao Shi explained, maintaining his calm demeanor.
"And where is the young lord traveling to?"
"We're leaving the city," Zhao Shi answered bluntly, not offering any more details.
"The young lord is leaving..." the shopkeeper echoed, his voice trailing off as he processed the information. The owner, of course, knew the young master Zhao Shi was talking about.
Seeing the owner in a daze, Zhao Shi pressed on. "Where is the storage?"
"We'll deliver to the house," the owner suggested, still grappling with the scale of the purchase.
"No need," Zhao Shi insisted. "I'll take them myself. Take me to the storage."
"Let's go," Yuna's gentle voice sounded, taking Spark's arm and guiding him towards the door. She could see he was reluctant to leave, still dazed by the emptiness of their home.
As they settled into the carriage, Spark leaned back in his seat, his eyes half-closed.
"Each moment lived without a thrill is not living," he said quietly, more to himself than to anyone else.
Zhao Shi, sitting outside, looked puzzled. "I do not understand, young master."
"One day you will, Butler Zhao. No need to overthink it," Spark replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
The carriage began to move, rolling through the familiar streets. Spark stared out the window, the passing scenes evoking a sense of melancholy. These were the streets he had walked daily, the faces of people he had come to recognize.
"Young master can always visit this place whenever you want. Why do you look so dejected?" Yuna asked, concerned.
"This will probably be the last time the three of us come here together," he said softly.
Sensing the need to lighten the mood, Yuna quickly changed the subject. "Did young master say farewell to those drunk bunch?"
Spark chuckled, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"I did go to my usual drinking place to say farewell, but why did those folks seem so happy to hear I was leaving?" he mused, shaking his head in mock disbelief.
Yuna couldn't help but laugh, stifling the sound with her hand. "They must be happy that young master is returning home."
As the carriage was moving, Zhao Shi, who was controlling the reins of the carriage, noticed a familiar figure on the street. For a brief moment, a slight smile broke his usually stoic expression.
It was the shabby man they had encountered a few weeks ago, now transformed. He was no longer begging on the streets. Instead, he had set up a small stall at a corner, selling fresh vegetables. His wife, who had once appeared frail and sickly, was now standing beside him, her cheeks flushed with health as she helped manage the stall.
Zhao Shi watched them for a moment, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction, and continued forward.