Chapter 383: Doll’s Empty House

Entering through the main entrance Lu Xin immediately got a feeling. It was so big and so quiet.

Just inside the small building was a spacious lobby with a spiral staircase connecting the first floor to the third. Rows of rooms lined both sides most of their doors closed.

The small building was nestled deep within a courtyard overgrown with trees effectively blocking out any outside noise. The silence inside the building made it feel exceptionally quiet.

As Lu Xin ascended the spiral staircase the sound of his flat shoes on the floor seemed to be the only disturbance in the building.

He noticed most room doors were shut tight though occasionally a staff member would peek out their head. The walls were bare almost devoid of decoration giving the impression of an unfinished house at first glance.

At the top of the stairs on the third floor was an automatic reinforced glass door.

This glass door deeply embedded in the walls completely sealed off the third floor from the rest of the building.

He wondered if similar glass was hidden within the wall layers invisible to the naked eye.

“So this is Doll’s ‘home’?”

Lu Xin wondered unsure how to feel about it.

The last time he’d visited they’d met in two different locations. One was the rooftop of the Donghai Grand Hotel set up specifically for Doll to attend a meeting. The other was another hotel also a temporary arrangement.

He’d never been to where Doll usually lived. This must be it.

Desolate quiet empty.

That was Lu Xin’s only impression—nothing like his own small but warm and lively home.

Passing through the glass door Lu Xin found himself before the main entrance on the third floor directly facing the stairwell.

Beside the main door stood two or three figures clad in heavy protective suits.

Their faces were hidden but he could see their suits weren’t the usual white seen in Qinggang nor the heavy black worn in Central City. Instead they were a unique beige color that seemed almost warm.

One staff member even had a large Mickey Mouse sticker plastered on their suit grinning comically.

“Mr. Lone Soldier thank you.”

One of the Service Team members approached and shook Lu Xin’s hand. Judging by the voice it sounded like an older woman maybe a Big Sis.

“It’s nothing really…”

Lu Xin quickly replied lowering his voice “Is something wrong with her?”

“Wrong?”

The person paused then shook her head. “How could anything be wrong with Doll? She’s just…”

She hesitated seemingly considering her words before continuing “She’s just a bit lonely.”

“Ah right.”

Lu Xin caught the slight edge of resentment in the service team member’s voice.

She was probably unhappy because he’d immediately asked if something was wrong with Doll.

These Service Team members seemed extremely fond of Doll.

They were very protective wary of anyone treating Doll like a patient including himself.

“So can I go in now?”

Lu Xin gestured towards the door.

The Service Team member hesitated for a moment then nodded and pushed the door open for Lu Xin.

Lu Xin smiled ready to step inside but froze abruptly.

He saw a small white shadow dart past him into the room. It scrambled effortlessly up the wall to the ceiling then leaped lightly onto the crystal chandelier hanging there swinging back and forth.

“Sister…”

Lu Xin’s eyes widened slightly.

*Clack clack clack clack…*

The crisp sound of high heels echoed on the marble tiles as Mom strolled over carrying her small satchel.

Lu Xin looked even more bewildered.

Then Lu Xin felt a heavy oppressive presence behind him.

Father had appeared behind him looking over Lu Xin’s head towards the front letting out a low chuckle.

Why had they all appeared?

Lu Xin was genuinely surprised. Outside his family rarely showed up unless he specifically asked for help especially Mom and Father. They usually couldn’t be bothered to appear if he didn’t need assistance.

After a moment’s pause he peered through the open doorway.

Doll who’d been wearing thermal underwear had somehow changed into a heavy ornate dress and donned a small fox mask. She’d even picked up her umbrella looking ready to go out.

But now she too froze staring intently at Lu Xin.

After a moment she glanced up at the ceiling then looked behind her again.

By now Mom had already entered the room wandering slowly around carrying her small bag.

Seeing the Lego blocks scattered on the floor she gently shook her head.

She sighed looking at the television playing a silent advertisement.

She only stopped when she spotted the Lego creation mounted on the wall vaguely resembling the figure of a man.

She studied it for a long moment then nodded.

Doll’s gaze followed her intently her expression seemingly confused.

…

“Why aren’t you going in?”

Seeing Lu Xin frozen in the doorway the Service Team member quickly whispered a reminder “Look at Doll that silly child. She thinks you came to take her out to play and already changed her clothes. You’ll need to gently explain…”

Lu Xin snapped back to reality and calmly walked inside.

He definitely didn’t want to tell the Service Team personnel that his family had shown up.

This Service Team undoubtedly had the duty of “protecting” Doll. Otherwise they wouldn’t have exclusively selected such tall sturdy women whose combat abilities seemed even greater than the slender Gecko’s.

If they knew his family was watching Doll Lu Xin had no doubt they’d immediately tackle him and issue a Level 1 Alert.

“Hello…”

As he entered the room Lu Xin kept an eye on his family. He gently extended a hand towards Doll trying to distract her while simultaneously shooting his sister a glare. It was a clear message: she shouldn’t be here and neither should Mom or Father.

But Doll didn’t take his hand.

She just stood quietly in the empty room silent for a long moment.

It was impossible to tell if she was spacing out or what thoughts were running through her little head.

He couldn’t be sure if she saw anything only that her brow was slightly furrowed and her eyes seemed somewhat vacant.

By now Mom and Sister had joined Lu Xin standing together as a family.

Doll’s vacant gaze stared fixedly through the two eyeholes of her mask.

Caught in the middle Lu Xin suddenly felt a flicker of panic. They wouldn’t start fighting would they?

Before the thought fully formed Doll suddenly moved.

She abruptly pulled off her mask then slowly revealed a sweet smile…

Lu Xin was momentarily taken aback lost in thought for a second as he looked at her smile.

His family also seemed momentarily stunned by the smile.

…

“Not bad…”

After a moment Mom looked at Doll’s smile and nodded gently towards her a slight smile playing on her own lips.

Then she turned to Lu Xin. “A bit silly and clumsy perhaps but she does seem somewhat useful.”

“With her help your work should go much smoother.”

…

“Uh…”

Lu Xin finally realized Mom was sizing her up as potential muscle for him?

…Then again Doll already held the title of Qinggang’s number one fighter didn’t she?

“Brother brother take her home…”

His sister tugged at his sleeve pleading “She’s so cute! And she looks so silly.”

“Let’s take her home and bully her relentlessly okay?”

“Will she cry?”

“It’ll be so much fun when she cries…”

…

Lu Xin clamped a hand over his sister’s mouth. He couldn’t let her keep talking.

Across from them Doll looked somewhat confused tilting her head slightly as she watched Lu Xin.

“What are you doing?”

The Service Team member behind him clearly tensing asked in a low voice.

“Nothing…”

Lu Xin replied quickly then shot his sister a warning look signaling her to behave. He turned slightly watching his family depart.

Only when the room held just him Doll and the service team member standing by the door did Lu Xin finally let out a quiet sigh of relief. He nodded to the staff member then walked towards Doll.

He gently took the umbrella from her hand. “We’re not going out today” he said with a smile. “I had a meeting nearby so I came to see you.”

Doll was silent for a moment though the smile remained. Suddenly she walked a few steps over to the wall.

Hanging on the wall was the Lego creation from before—different colored plastic blocks vaguely forming the shape of a man framed exquisitely in wood and covered with a sheet of glass.

“This is…”

Lu Xin curiously examined the unique piece.

Behind him the Service Team member watched Lu Xin nervously her eyes visible behind her goggles filled with anticipation.

“The assembly isn’t great…”

Lu Xin stared for a moment before offering his critique “If only it had a pipe it would look just like an old sea captain.”

The Service Team member sighed softly stepped back and gently closed the door.

Doll seemed to process this studying Lu Xin’s face intently. Suddenly her eyes curved into crescent moons.

“I’m pretty busy I still have a work report to finish. I’ll watch some TV with you today but I definitely can’t stay here.”

Lu Xin already familiar with the place went over to the sofa and sat down.

He picked up the remote flipped through a few channels found one showing an old drama and turned the volume up slightly.

There was a rustle of clothing beside him as Doll sat down turning her head to watch him intently.

“Don’t look at me…”

Lu Xin felt a little awkward under her gaze and pointed at the TV. “Isn’t the monkey king much more interesting to watch?”