Red papers, perfectly square, wrapped around a one gold note.
In Arthur's hands were two red envelopes.
South Los didn't have the custom of red envelopes.
But, with the atmosphere of the Cold Winter Festival intensified, Arthur always felt that not giving a red envelope was rather lacking in spirit.
Moreover, Merlin and Gawain were also people he esteemed.
At Arthur's gesture, Merlin and Gawain took the red envelopes, opened them, and both were slightly puzzled by the one gold note inside.
"Consider it a reward for your dedication and responsible work," he said.
Merlin bowed respectfully.
While Gawain initially cheered,
then, seeing Merlin bowing, he sheepishly scratched his head and hurriedly mimicked Merlin's gesture, bowing as well.
Arthur waved his hand with a smile.
He didn't dislike Merlin's politeness and humility.
He really liked Gawain's frankness and simplicity.
"Go then, after delivering the message, you are on holiday starting today.
After the Cold Winter Festival is over, you can come back."
Normally, they would have taken their holiday two days ago, but as Merlin and Gawain were the first and second butlers, even though it was a part-time job, they had to be present during the Cold Winter Festival; only upon real retirement could they take a break.
Now, Arthur's declaration of holiday made them extremely happy.
Even Merlin, who behaved like a little adult, couldn't help but smile broadly.
After all, even a little adult is still a child.
Who doesn't want to have a holiday to frolic and play?
Watching both of them hopping and skipping to deliver the message, Arthur couldn't help but exclaim—
"The joy of a child is truly simple."
As he spoke, Arthur felt something was off and immediately corrected himself.
"It is simplicity that brings joy.
For someone like me, seeking happiness...
Arthur murmured, with a helpless shrug.
A person who even has to occasionally correct his self-talk, filled with performative nuances, how could he possibly be happy?
It is not an exaggeration to say that he exhausted all his efforts.
Planning three steps ahead, which is great,
Arthur untied the red ribbons that Merlin and Gawain had tied and retied them.
He fashioned them into the shape of a bow.
The gate at No. 2 Cork Street showed no sign of response.
But the Death Serpent Banyan was different.
This tree, now promoted to a War Tree, felt odd about the red bow tied to its stout branches.
Not that the bow was odd.
But it didn't know what was funny about this.
However, if the master liked it…
The Death Serpent Banyan shifted its branches, elevating the trunk adorned with the red bow to its highest point.
The bow danced in the wind.
The winter sun shone down, making the red satin gleam with vivid color, just like a real butterfly fluttering about, while the young boy beneath the tree strolled in the sunlight, humming a tune that only he could understand.
"Stars twinkle in my dreams, bring me a little joy, bring me a little joy…"
The melody that accompanied him did not bring Arthur joy.
However, it was somewhat relaxing.
It was a relaxation that belonged solely to him.
Basking in the sunlight, he lifted his arms and rested them behind his head, squinting his eyes, feeling this rare warmth.
The cold breeze, at this moment, seemed to warm up as well.
It took Arthur a full ten seconds before he finally threw back his arms and stretched upwards vigorously, his joints crackling loudly at the moment.
Naturally, he proceeded to do what needed to be done next.
Could he possibly stay here basking in the sun forever?
Would be great if it happened once a year.
Arthur continued humming as he turned and walked into No. 2 Cork Street.
He needed to send a letter to Rick Farm.
Although his trained subordinates couldn't return, he still had to send his regards.
Considering the distance between Rick Farm and No. 2 Cork Street, neither Merlin nor Gawain would do, but either Fujin or Wuni would be perfectly suitable.
As the crows flapped their wings, the "Spirit Medium's" regards arrived as promised.
When the sun set, Malz, carrying a box containing his old buddy, had already knocked on the door of No. 2 Cork Street—
"Good evening, thank you, Arthur, for not forgetting this lonely old man,"
The old sheriff jokingly embraced the police chief in front of Arthur.
"Who asked someone to decline their own child's invitation?"
Arthur spread his arms wide.
"It's better for the children to have their own families, someone like me becomes an outsider—don't expect a child's wife, or the relatives of the child's wife to care for you, cater to you like they would their own child.
Moreover, your presence would put pressure on the child.
So, why wouldn't I refuse?"
As the old sheriff spoke, he handed the gift he was carrying to Arthur.
Given the relationship between the two, visiting each other normally would naturally not require gifts.
But today was the "Winter Banquet," so a gift was indeed necessary.
A venison steak Malz had prepared in advance.
Arthur said with a smile, his gaze then turned to the police chief held in the old sheriff's left arm.
The dairy cow cat had grown quite a bit, its fur becoming slicker, but evidently rarely going out, it now huddled in the old sheriff's embrace, warily surveying its surroundings.
When it spotted Pendragon in the corridor, it became even more cautious.
It was obvious to everyone.
Quickly, the police chief struggled out from Malz's embrace and dashed towards Pendragon—not to pounce, but to circle around Pendragon, occasionally jumping up and down.
"The police chief is really lively and active."
"Yes, more lively and active than you'd expect, and always without warning…"
Malz had not finished speaking when the police chief, originally running around Pendragon, suddenly acted as if it discovered it had a tail and then began chasing its own tail frantically.
Spinning, spinning, and spinning more.
It got a little dizzy.
The police chief lay down and slept.
Its own tail, having not caught up with itself, flicked madly.
Suddenly, the tail hit its own face.
Instantly, the police chief became angry.
It got up and resumed the chase.
Watching this scene, Arthur couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Malz just shrugged his shoulders with considerable resignation.
It discreetly moved a step away.
A look of 'this too is a cat' hung on its face.
This made Malz, as the owner, feel even more embarrassed and slightly sorry for his cat's intellect, and he quickly went inside, handed the steak to Ms. Anna, then scooped up his cat.
"It's okay, it's okay.
Hitting itself with its own tail."
Malz comforted the police chief.
Meanwhile, Arthur looked towards West Mok Avenue.
Immediately, his eyelid twitched.