Rebirth: Enchantment at the Golden Summit

Chapter 12: Distance

　　Even though she was dead, she still had to live while she could.

　　Even though she had been transported into a TV drama, life went on.

　　Ge Sihan looked at the expression on Usa’s face—a mix of hesitation, fear, and resolve—and couldn’t help but laugh. “Why do you look so conflicted?”

　　Ge Sihan knew that before she asked that question, Usa had probably never even considered going to college or getting a job.

Ge Sihan had never worked either.

To be honest, the thought of leaving the Golden Roof and finding a job to support herself in 1950s Thailand was pretty scary to her too; she couldn’t help but doubt whether she could actually pull it off.

　　After all, just thinking about it made her realize how difficult it would be.

　　If she, a time traveler from the 21st century, felt this way, Usa must feel it even more.

　　Especially since Usa was only 17 years old.

　　That’s why she was truly, deeply grateful to Usa for making such a resolute choice.

　　But the Golden Roof and work were never an either-or choice.

　　Too much time had passed, and Ge Sihan couldn’t remember much of the plot, but she knew the female lead in *The Golden Roof* was a foreign nursing student who had come to the Golden Roof to work. Before Adit recognized her as… um, Pintong’s husband’s ex-girlfriend, he had been quite polite to her.

　　—Sorry, Ge Sihan really can’t remember what Pin’s husband’s name is, nor is she sure if they’ve met since. After all, he’s just a petty troublemaker—hardly worth remembering.

In other words, even if Adit doesn’t support women working, he at least doesn’t strongly oppose it, so Ge Sihan remains fairly optimistic about this—it’s not like they’d break ties with Adit just because they want to work, right?

　　Besides, whether or not to work is one thing; having the ability to work is another. Ge Si-han knew full well that even if Usa said “yes,” at best she was only just beginning to consider the idea of “going to college”—a million miles away from actually deciding to work and actually finding a job.

Ge Si-han really didn’t need to start putting pressure on Usa just yet.

　　“If it weren’t for Khun… Lop,” she said. Even now, mentioning that name—the male lead of *The Golden Roof*—still felt a bit unreal to her. But Usa was with her day and night; she was a real person, so the people in this world were real too.

With that thought, Ge Si-han was able to continue speaking fluently: “ “Actually, Grandma is right. If it weren’t for Khun Lop, I wouldn’t have a doctor to see, nor would I have a private tutor’s careful guidance, and I certainly wouldn’t have the comfortable life I have now. I speak Thai, play the piano, paint, and ride horses—all because of his kindness and generosity. Khun Lop has already been so good to me. As long as I remember his kindness, what’s a few scoldings from Grandma?”

　　Of course, it’s best not to get scolded if possible…

Ge Sihan concluded, “So, I don’t feel wronged at all, and you shouldn’t feel wronged for me either, Pi Usa… We just need to be grateful and live happily in the present.”

Usa remained silent for a long time—so long that Ge Sihan sat up and leaned forward to look at her face, only to discover that, at some point, her face had been covered in tears.

　　“Why are you crying? Don’t cry!” Ge Sihan snapped, her own eyes welling up as her voice broke with emotion. “If you cry, what am I supposed to do?”

　　Adit stood silently against the wall by the doorway, listening to the sounds coming from inside the room, and shook his head gently.

　　When Ge Sihan woke up the next day and took her temperature, her fever had broken, but she still felt completely drained.

　　It was already Thursday. When Usa brought her breakfast, she asked Usa to take the doctor’s note to school and request sick leave for both Thursday and Friday.

That meant, including the weekend, Ge Sihan would have four consecutive days off—which wasn’t so bad.

After finishing breakfast and resting for a while, Ge Sihan took a nap. When she woke up again, it was already past eleven o’clock.

　　Since she was resting, the window in her room was only cracked open a little, and the curtains were drawn, so the room was quite dim. Ge Sihan turned on the bedside lamp, stared into space for a moment, then got out of bed to pull back the curtains and open the window. Sunlight flooded in, instantly brightening the room.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air from outside, and looked out the window.

　　An unfamiliar sedan was parked outside. Ge Sihan looked out with some curiosity and just happened to see Adit escorting two middle-aged men out of the house. They exchanged a few words, and the two men got into the car. Before long, the car drove away.

　　Adit must have sensed her gaze; he looked up and met Ge Sihan’s eyes.

Ge Sihan felt slightly awkward and pressed her palms together in a bow.

　　Adit raised an eyebrow slightly, watched her for a moment, then walked back inside.

Ge Sihan felt awkward because yesterday, in the old lady’s room, she had been berated by the old lady right in front of Adit.

Adit had always been a great help to her, so Ge Sihan really wanted to keep making a good impression on him, but clearly, being berated by his grandmother right in front of him didn’t count as such.

　　Perhaps it was because, back when she hadn’t yet realized that this “Golden Summit” was the same “Golden Summit” from the story, she had once regarded Adit as her protector. Being humiliated in front of him was particularly unbearable for Ge Sihan—even though she knew he wasn’t someone she could rely on in this regard. After all, compared to her, a “sister” who was practically a stranger, his grandmother was undoubtedly more important… especially now that she had recalled the plot.

　　But she hadn’t lied to anyone. She still remembered Adit’s kindness, remembered the warm hand that had guided her when she first arrived in this world, feeling lost and helpless.

Ge Si Han leaned against the windowsill, let out a soft sigh, and stopped thinking about it.

Before she could compose herself, there was a knock at her door.

Ge Si Han asked, somewhat surprised, “Who is it?”

　　Adit’s deep voice came from outside the door: “It’s me.”

Ge Si Han’s eyes widened slightly, and she panicked a bit: “Uh, uh, Khun Lop, please wait a moment!”

　　She had taken only two steps toward the door when she realized she was still in her nightgown. She hurriedly put on the robe hanging nearby, tied the sash, and only after making sure everything was in order did she open the door. Adit, dressed in a black three-piece suit, was waiting outside.

Ge Si-han glanced at her robe and explained softly, “ “I’m sorry, Khun Lop. I just woke up and haven’t had a chance to change into my regular clothes yet… Is there something you need?”

Adit shook his head to indicate he didn’t mind and said politely, “You’ve been sick, so you should rest properly. However, I heard from Usa that your fever has gone down. If you’re feeling a little better, I’d like to invite you to take a walk in the garden.”

　　Ge Si-han looked up at him in surprise, meeting his gaze. Adit’s deep eyes were filled with calm.

　　After confirming he wasn’t joking, Ge Si-han said, “Then please wait a moment; I need to change my clothes.”

　　Adit took a step back and nodded.

Ge Sihan smiled at him, closed the door, and casually pulled a light blue, short-sleeved, waist-cinched shirtdress from the closet—the dress came with a built-in belt, making it very convenient.

　　She smoothed out her slightly tousled hair, opened the door, and stepped out.

Adit stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the portraits hanging in the hallway. When he saw Ge Sihan emerge, he nodded at her. “Let’s go.”

　　Ge Sihan followed Adit out.

Adit didn’t say a word the whole way. At first, Ge Sihan was a little anxious about what he might say to her, but she sensed that the atmosphere didn’t suggest he was brewing up a tirade, so she quickly relaxed.

It was just past eleven o’clock. The sun had been up for a while, but it wasn’t too hot, and the sunlight wasn’t glaring. Walking through the garden, breathing in the fresh, moist air and the scent of flowers, felt quite pleasant.

Ge Sihan strolled through the garden, and before she knew it, a contented smile had spread across her face.

Adit slowly stopped walking. Ge Sihan came to a halt beside him and looked at him curiously.

　　She didn’t even need to ask to know that Adit had intentionally wanted her to relax. Now that she was relaxed, it was his turn to speak.

Adit spoke up as expected: “Are you feeling a little better?”

Ge Sihan nodded, glancing at the flowerbeds in the distance: “Hmm… The flowers in the garden are beautiful, the air is fresh, and the temperature is just right, so I’m feeling great.”

　　Adit smiled faintly and followed her gaze to the blooming roses. When Ge Sihan turned to look at him, she could only see half of his handsome, chiseled face.

“I contacted a reliable person this morning,” he stated calmly. “Grandmother is getting old, and she’s been bedridden for a long time—she can’t be in a good mood. I plan to hire a professional caregiver to look after her.”

　　Ge Si-han looked at him, then said after a moment, “Thank you, Khun Lop.”

In *The Golden Roof*, the old lady had always been cared for by Usa and the other servants; the reason he was suddenly looking for professional caregivers was self-evident.

Perhaps this was his way of apologizing to her.

　　To be honest, though, Ge Sihan felt that hiring a professional caregiver would be a good thing for the old lady herself; it could greatly improve her quality of life.

Adit said nothing, still gazing at the flowerbeds, but he narrowed his eyes slightly, as if the sunlight had suddenly hit them. His thick, dark eyelashes were distinct, casting shadows in the sunlight.

　　“Why don’t you call me ‘big brother’ anymore?” he asked.

“I don’t want to upset Grandma… but you know I’m grateful to you, right?”

Adit finally turned to look at her, meeting Ge Sihan’s eyes—eyes that were large and bright.

　　He suddenly realized how frighteningly candid this little girl was—she seemed completely unafraid that she might get hurt by baring her feelings… He couldn’t help but want to stroke her head, but they had never been close, and such a gesture would be inappropriate.

So he merely wiggled his finger slightly and said in a calm voice, “Hmm… I trust you completely.”

“However,” he added finally, “you should still keep calling me ‘big brother.’”