Endless Debt Chapter 676 - 187 Memoirs

The woman with Fire Opal eyes.

Cinderella knew about this woman. As a reader of Ewen’s, she often saw this character in Ewen’s books.

Ewen’s description of her was extremely limited. In Ewen’s writing, she had no name, no specific age, no clear appearance or attire, only those eyes like Fire Opals.

She was like a ghostly character, an unknowable mystery, an unsolvable problem, interspersed within the narrative, watching the characters’ departures and returns.

Cinderella rubbed her face hard, her ears almost perked up, carefully listening to every word Ewen was about to say, afraid of missing something.

"Let me think..."

Ewen twisted his somewhat stiff neck. The damp rain was not kind to his aging body.

"That was actually a long time after," Ewen said, "When I woke up on the beach, I couldn’t understand where I was, but it wasn’t the first time I encountered such a situation. I survived in the dense forest, hunting wild rabbits each day, gathering some berries, maintaining life while searching for a place with people."

It was undoubtedly a terrible experience, but Ewen spoke with a smile, as if he remembered the days fondly.

"The process was a bit bumpy, but I still found the next city. Compared to small towns, I preferred big cities, as they often come with many opportunities and never reject anyone."

Ewen gently brushed his left arm, with a deadly Short Sword strapped beneath his sleeve.

"I encountered some gang members. I had seen many of these types in Free Port. I knew very well what they intended to do to me."

Ewen’s words exuded a sense of ruthlessness.

"Clearly, they underestimated me. After experiencing so much, I wasn’t someone who could be frightened by intimidation like a child. I beat them up and took some cash from them as my compensation for mental distress."

His tone turned cheerful again, "I temporarily found my footing in the city and then started figuring out ways to earn money... I’m quite glad I didn’t go down the dark path. I knew I had the chance to step into it, but I declined."

Ewen felt no need to elaborate on this part to Cinderella, as it was a story originating from his darker side.

Influenced by Red Nose, Ewen desired to become a person like him, offering his kindness to others and healing the scars on everyone’s hearts as much as possible.

But this didn’t mean Ewen was excessively kindhearted.

Ewen had seen the dark side of the world and knew to whom he should show kindness and to whom he should apply violence.

Cinderella nodded softly, not interrupting Ewen’s narration, and Ewen continued.

"I lived in that city for a while longer. To make money, I worked several jobs, trying out various occupations such as a waiter, doorman, repairman, assembly line worker. Oh, I even worked as a host for a period... the kind that required taking off clothes."

"Ah?"

Cinderella felt like her mind was blown. Before she could sort out her thoughts, Ewen continued, "That was indeed quite a delightful experience!"

Mentioning this part, Ewen was unexpectedly excited, as if it was some kind of glorious history.

He showed Cinderella his brawny arm with a clenched fist.

"Back then, I was very short of money. I tried every job for money. I saw that place hiring for a high salary, so I went with a mindset to give it a try."

Ewen imitated what the manager at the time said, "This is a high-class club, everything has to be the best, even the service staff need to have a beautiful appearance and a knowledgeable mind."

"I thought I was done for. I looked like a wild man weathered by the elements and hadn’t been to school, let alone had any knowledge. The manager asked me to talk about my experiences, so I told him my story after leaving home. After listening, he was jumping and yelling like a monkey."

Ewen recounted what was said back then, "Our guests are tired of history and philosophy. Your novel type is sure to be a hit!"

"Damn, I hadn’t even signed a contract, and he was already treating me like his commodity."

Ewen shook his head helplessly, "No choice, they paid too much."

"So that’s where you met that woman!"

Cinderella had given up understanding Ewen’s peculiar adventures. She just wanted to know when that mysterious woman would appear.

Could it be that Ewen met that woman there, and the difference in status caused them to part ways?

"I didn’t work there for long, didn’t even entertain drinks much. Those guests were eager to order me when they heard of my unique type, as if they were perennial wine tasters wanting something wild.

Every time, I turned the hosting into a storytelling session. I sat in the middle narrating my past while a group of noblewomen drank as they listened. They said I was good at storytelling."

Ewen seemed to really reminisce about those times, "I felt like I wasn’t a host but rather an adult telling bedtime stories, trying to lull these lonely-spending kids to sleep.

Later, I started hosting story sessions. Not only was I telling stories, but guests also began sharing their own, telling each other about their inner troubles and emotional traumas, and then everyone used alcohol to comfort each other.

Cinderella’s expression gradually became strange, and her gaze towards Ewen was the same.

What was Ewen doing? Had he turned a pleasure-seeking clubhouse into a trauma support group? Were they going to set goals and conduct rehabilitation training next?

Ewen sighed, "It’s a pity such good days didn’t last long."

"What happened?"

"That day, I went to work as usual, and an old client suddenly came to find me. She was flustered, and the first thing she said was ’Ewen, I love you.’"

Ewen chuckled bitterly, "I was completely stunned, and she continued to say, ’Take me away,’ ’Take me to the wilderness.’"

"I considered this to be the ramblings of a client who had drunk too much. It was a common occurrence, but then I saw that her suitcase was filled with money; she was actually considering eloping with me... But to me, it was just a job."

Ewen said, "I was very clear about this. I was there to make money, not to seek some kind of forbidden love. My job was to entertain guests and be their amusement.

Outside of work, I absolutely wouldn’t get entangled with them. My colleagues would often keep them company to the point of going to their homes, but I always left work on time.

They said I was a cold person, and I liked that description because it kept my personal time peaceful. Yet, they seemed to have an issue and said they liked my attitude the most, relentlessly pursuing me."

Ewen’s laughter faded away, "Her husband came looking for me. He was a local tycoon, and unsurprisingly, those people trashed my home, beat me up, and left me for dead in the wilderness outside the city."

"Really unfortunate," Ewen sighed, "I just wanted to make some money."

Even though Ewen briefly glossed over this part, Cinderella could feel the sadness in his words. For Ewen at the time, it must have been quite a blow; his life, which was finally seeing a bit of progress, returned to the starting point.

"I told myself, this wasn’t the first time I was starting over, nor the first time I was starting from the wilderness.

Unfortunately, it was already winter then.

I found an abandoned train station and spent a night there. I was cold, hungry, and covered in injuries. I thought I was really going to die there."

Ewen’s tone shifted, and his eyes brightened.

"Then a train broke through the wind and snow, stopping at the abandoned platform... I didn’t have a ticket, nor did I know where the train was headed, but I vaguely felt it was there for me."

Cinderella said, "You boarded that train."

"On that train, I met the woman with Fire Opal eyes."

Ewen smiled genuinely, "She found me a warm blanket, brought me food, and tended to my injuries..."

"I spent sixteen hours with her, and then I never saw her again."

This time, Ewen fell silent for a long time, watching Cinderella beside him. As memories became clearer, Ewen realized where the familiar feeling about Cinderella came from.

"You’re very much like her, but you’re not her."

A faint smile appeared on Cinderella’s calm face. She clasped her hands behind her back, seemingly teasing Ewen.

"Did you fall in love with her?"

Ewen remained silent, offering no answer.

Cinderella knew Ewen was immersed in the lingering emotions of the past. She wanted to say something more, but Ewen interrupted her.

"Your turn now, your secret."

Faced with Ewen’s questioning, Cinderella hesitated for a moment, but then gathered her courage, preparing to confide her past to Ewen.

A deafening explosion sounded from within the ship, shattering glass along the way, causing the Paradise to shake violently as the strong wind whipped against them both.

Cinderella only felt someone suddenly lift her into the air, and the world spun before her eyes before the cold, wet deck appeared in her vision, the distance between them narrowing.

Then stop.

"Hold on!"

A shout came from above; Ewen had half his body stretching out into the air, reaching out forcefully, catching the falling Cinderella.

Burgundy eyes gazed at Ewen, and in the next moment, raging flames were reflected in her eyes, engulfing the world.