Chapter 14: Have You Finished Examining, Jiang Se?

There is a large bamboo forest above Hanshan Temple.

This bamboo forest belongs to Hanshan Temple. After the Lu family group funded the renovation of Hanshan Temple, the abbot showed his appreciation by designating this bamboo forest as Han Yin’s temporary retreat.

Lu Huaiyan had people build a row of bamboo cottages deep in the forest and constructed a tall and thick wall around the bamboo forest. The eastern side of the wall had a carved iron door.

At this moment, he was standing outside that iron door, holding up his umbrella, lowering his body to bring his right eye close to the lock.

With a “click,” the lock opened.

The entire bamboo forest was drenched in rain, its lush green becoming more pronounced, as the rain tapped on the dense bamboo, gently and heavily.

Lu Huaiyan wasn’t interested in sightseeing. He passed through the rain curtain falling from the bamboo leaves and reached a bamboo cottage beside the bamboo-sound lake.

Han Yin was inside, boiling bamboo leaf tea. When she heard the sound, she didn’t get up, only lightly saying, “The door’s not closed.”

Lu Huaiyan closed his umbrella and entered, removing his shoes at the entrance, then walked inside.

Han Yin noticed him, seeing his shoulder and pant cuffs darkened by the rain. She hurriedly said, “Go back to your room and change. This weather is too cold to catch a chill.”

Lu Huaiyan, not particularly concerned, grabbed a cushion and sat down. “It’s fine. A little cold won’t make me sick.”

Han Yin had no choice but to pour him a cup of freshly brewed bamboo leaf tea. “You’ve never been one to listen to advice. I wonder who’s words you can actually take in.”

Lu Huaiyan never argued with Han Yin’s nagging. Hearing her, he smiled, took the crystal cup, and drank a sip.

It was only then that Han Yin noticed he wasn’t wearing glasses. Not only were his glasses gone, but his right cheek also had a scratch. She moved her lips to speak.

Seemingly anticipating what she was going to say, Lu Huaiyan didn’t even raise his eyebrows. “The wind blew them off. The branch scratched my face.”

Han Yin: “…”

She looked out the window, her tone uncertain. “Can the wind really be strong enough to blow off your glasses?”

Lu Huaiyan’s expression didn’t change. “Mm, an accident.”

Han Yin never doubted anything he said and lightly nodded. “You don’t have myopia, so whether you wear them or not is up to you.”

These glasses were the ones Lu Huaiyan wore when he was 22, when Old Master Lu personally put them on him.

He said his eyes were too full of hostility and needed to be shielded.

Otherwise, no one would dare to do business with him.

That year was Lu Huaiyan’s fourth year back in China.

In just three years after returning, he had ruined all of Lu Jinrong’s businesses under the Lu family name, devoured most of Lu Jinrong’s shares in the Lu family, and drove Lu Jinrong out of the board of directors like a stray dog.

Such ruthless, family-ignoring methods both gratified and worried Old Master Lu.

Of course, Old Master Lu wasn’t a soft-hearted person. It was he who personally kicked Lu Jinrong out of the Lu family.

Father and son were irreconcilable, and without hesitation, he chose his more capable, more ruthless grandson. Even Lu Jinrong pleading with his deceased mother didn’t help.

The glasses brought up many memories, and Han Yin’s calm eyes rippled with emotion.

A major illness once had her hovering at death’s door for several years. After years of Buddhist practice, she had actually let go of many things.

The only two things she still cared about were her son in front of her and the Han family.

Looking at her son’s cold, rigid face, Han Yin thought back to what Master Leqing had said earlier in the afternoon.

With concern, she said, “The abbot said you will face a calamity next year. I know you don’t believe in these things, but just for my peace of mind, be careful with everything.”

Lu Huaiyan: “Got it. I’ll be careful.”

Han Yin, as usual, couldn’t understand her son’s thoughts and wasn’t sure if he listened, so she sighed. “Last year, Master Leqing also said your ‘red moon star’ would be in motion this year. With the year almost over, have you met anyone suitable?”

Lu Huaiyan paused for a moment, then looked up at Han Yin. “Red moon star?”

Han Yin: “…You didn’t listen to a single word I said, did you?”

She had mentioned this to Lu Huaiyan last year, and it was clear he hadn’t remembered a word of it.

Considering that he had spent most of this year abroad and had never been fond of women since he was young, Han Yin paused and said, “I don’t have any specific requirements for your partner, whether they are foreign or a man. As long as you like them, it’s fine.”

“…”

Lu Huaiyan set down the crystal cup, propped himself up with his hands behind him, and said lazily, “You’re quite open-minded.”

Han Yin replied, “If I weren’t worried about you being too lonely in the future, I wouldn’t mind if you stayed single your whole life.”

This child’s emotional connections were too weak. He had only a few close friends, and she truly worried that one day, when she and Old Master Lu were no longer around, there would be no one left to care for him.

She wasn’t sure how many more years her own body could hold up.

Thinking of this, Han Yin lost the desire to continue the conversation on this topic. She started a new kettle of water and shifted the conversation elsewhere.

“Ah Li sent me a letter again a few days ago, asking about Se Se’s situation. You said she was doing well last time, but I didn’t believe it. Today, seeing her, I’m starting to believe it.”

Lu Huaiyan’s expression turned a little more indifferent. “Has he been bothering you again?”

If it weren’t for Cen Li asking Han Yin to be his mediator, he wouldn’t have gone into the backyard of “Wangchuan” that day.

Now, thinking back, he was quite thankful for having entered the backyard of “Wangchuan” that day.

Han Yin placed the cast iron teapot on the copper stove and started the fire while saying, “Don’t blame Ah Li for asking me to be his mediator. After all, she’s his sister. Didn’t you used to take good care of Se Se? When she fell into the lotus pond when she was little, you were the one who carried her back.”

Old Lady Lu loved lotuses, so Old Master Lu had specially built a lotus pond at the old residence, planting many famous lotus varieties and keeping a pond of koi fish.

That year, the Lu family hosted a banquet, and somehow, Jiang Se fell into the lotus pond. It was midsummer, and the pond’s lotus branches and leaves were thick, entangling her hands and feet, nearly drowning her.

It was Lu Huaiyan, who had come out to search for someone, who pulled her from the pond and carried her back to Han Yin’s room.

At the time, the little girl was only six or seven years old, with baby fat still on her face. Though she was terrified and pale, she tried to remain calm and said to Han Yin, “Aunt Han, can I make a request?”

Han Yin laughed and asked, “Do you want me to keep it a secret and not tell your parents?”

Jiang Se nodded.

Han Yin extended her pinky finger and said, “If you promise me not to go to the lotus pond alone again, I’ll promise not to tell your parents.”

The little girl hurriedly extended her finger to hook Han Yin’s, as if afraid she would go back on her word. “I promise.”

Thinking of the past, Han Yin couldn’t help but smile. Looking at Lu Huaiyan, she said, “You probably don’t remember, do you? You just tossed her onto the couch and impatiently left.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Lu Huaiyan smiled too. “That day, not only did you bathe her and tie her hair, but you also told me to quietly take her clothes to dry.”

Han Yin had actually forgotten about drying her clothes. “Look at you, when you were little, you were quite considerate.”

Lu Huaiyan remained noncommittal, finishing the water in his cup in one gulp. “Alright, since you want me to be considerate, next time she comes to find you, let me know, and I’ll come over to make tea for you.”

---

“Carry? That was years ago! Why is he still bringing it up?” On the phone screen, Guo Qian clicked her tongue. “If it weren’t for my brother’s short legs, the hero saving the beauty wouldn’t have been him!”

Jiang Se, who was drying her hair, paused and glanced at the phone on the table. “If you waited for your brother, I’d probably have drowned by now.”

“…”

Guo Qian scratched her nose.

If she hadn’t insisted on eating the lotus seed pod and didn’t know how to swim back then, Se Se wouldn’t have gone through that ordeal.

She gave a flattering smile. “Do you think if he hadn’t offered to send you, would he really have carried you down the mountain?”

Jiang Se lowered her eyes. “I don’t know.”

Guo Qian said, “I don’t think so. Though Lu Huaiyan could definitely do something as heartless as that, when has he ever been this eager? My brother has warned me more than once that, in our circle, Lu Huaiyan is the coldest and most untouchable, and that I should like someone like the stingy Cen Li but not him.”

Back in those days, Jiang Se’s youthful infatuation, which she only shared with Cen Li and Ji Yunyi, was something Guo Qian knew about as well.

Her beautiful, precious girl had never worked so hard to chase after someone before. To be by Lu Huaiyan’s side, she didn’t know how many things she forced herself to do that she didn’t like.

But the thing was, Guo Qian still didn’t understand why, overnight, Jiang Se suddenly stopped liking Lu Huaiyan.

She had liked him so much before.

Then, just like that, she stopped liking him, with no transition at all.

The decisiveness of it made Guo Qian wonder if Jiang Se had really liked Lu Huaiyan in the first place.

But regardless of the reason, if Jiang Se had severed her feelings for Lu Huaiyan, then it was definitely because Lu Huaiyan had done something wrong.

There was no doubt about it—no matter what, it was never Se Se’s fault.

“Does it matter whether he cares or not?” Jiang Se threw down her towel and walked toward the kitchen to get some water. “Anyway, we probably won’t have much chance to interact in the future.”

Guo Qian tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I’ll be fair—if it weren’t for his irritating personality, I think Lu Huaiyan fits the person aunt described quite well.”

Jiang Se took a sip of water. “What person?”

“The kind who looks good and is useful,” Guo Qian said with a smile, “His appearance really is eye-catching. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been so enchanted by him back then.”

Jiang Se swallowed her water, put down the glass, and said vaguely, “Looks can be deceiving. It’s possible he’s just an empty shell.”

Guo Qian chuckled. “That’s a less likely possibility. Don’t you remember, Zhu Mingli pursued Lu Huaiyan for a while?”

Zhu Mingli had been very public about chasing Lu Huaiyan, and everyone in their circle knew about it.

This had happened during Jiang Se’s second year after graduating from college. She had just gotten engaged to Fu Yun, and Zhu Mingli had declared her intent to pursue Lu Huaiyan.

Many people had liked Lu Huaiyan, but few had been as public about it as Zhu Mingli.

But there was nothing to say about it.

Everyone had the right to openly like someone and express it. Jiang Se wasn’t fond of Zhu Mingli, but she wouldn’t mock her just because she had openly pursued someone.

“I remember,” Jiang Se said, walking to the living room, asking absently, “What happened? Did she sleep with Lu Huaiyan?”

“Ha, she wanted to, but Lu Huaiyan was busy trying to kick his father out at the time, so he probably didn’t even have time to pay attention to her.” Guo Qian snickered and crossed her legs. “But, she did say that our little Lu is incredibly gifted. I heard she has a picture of him that she treasures. I bet it’s one of Lu Huaiyan’s photos.”

“…Can we talk about something else?” Jiang Se, clearly uninterested in old matters, said, “Why don’t we discuss how you can avoid failing this semester?”

“…”

After chatting with Jiang Se for a few more minutes, Miss Guo finally hung up the phone.

Jiang Se pressed the power button on her phone, then sat down on the couch, reaching for the remote control to turn on the TV.

It was just in time for a local channel from Tong City.

The reporter was interviewing in the old Lian’an district, and the camera briefly passed by Jinxiu Alley.

The cheongsam from Jinxiu Alley was still on the couch, having been unpacked when Jiang Se first returned. At that moment, the paper box was open, and the cheongsam lay quietly inside, with the side embroidered with a magpie landing on a branch facing up.

Jiang Se stared at the magpie for a few seconds, reached out, and pressed the fabric against her pale skin. She closed her eyes and slowly stroked it.

The soft fabric still carried the dampness of being soaked in rain, and the raised black stitches were even softer than cotton.

After a moment, Jiang Se opened her eyes, set the cheongsam down, stood up, and went into her room. She opened her computer and clicked on a file from an encrypted folder. A picture appeared on the screen.

In the picture, a half-burned, tattered piece of cloth lay there.

The pure white cloth had been scorched to a dull gray, and in the middle, a black embroidery thread formed a broken line. Upon closer inspection, the black thread vaguely outlined part of a bird’s body, with only two long tails visible—one pointing up, the other down.

There were always traces left behind when people formed certain habits, such as handwriting, artwork, or even the characteristic stitching when embroidering.

Jiang Se compared the embroidered long-tailed birds from the picture with the ones in Zhang Yue’s drawings. After a moment of focus, her gaze slowly scanned the long-tailed bird’s feet in the sketch.

The half-bird body in the picture, by proportion, should have feet just like the birds in the original sketch.

In a flash, a thought crossed Jiang Se’s mind.

“Footless bird…” Jiang Se murmured.

The handkerchief that had wiped the blood from her face back then had been embroidered with a footless bird.

---

The room was dark, with only the faint glow from the computer screen illuminating the space.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated with a new message.

Jiang Se looked down at her phone.

Lu Huaiyan: [Check your email.]

She didn’t even need to check. She knew it was definitely a video from Cao Liang.

This message was the same as the two before it—short and to the point.

But these few words were enough to pull her back into the rain at Hanshan Temple.

Guo Qian had asked her if Lu Huaiyan would really dare to carry her down the mountain.

Jiang Se already knew the answer.

He would dare.

When the man said, “You have been carried by me before,” his tone was light, but his gaze was heavy and intense.

Jiang Se knew he was serious.

She wasn’t foolish enough to pretend when someone was already holding an umbrella for her.

After hearing Lu Huaiyan’s words, without another word, she turned and stepped down the wooden stairs, speaking softly, “Since you insist on sending me down the mountain, Mr. Lu, make sure to hold the umbrella steady.”

The journey down the mountain was windy, with the rain slanting sideways. Lu Huaiyan held the umbrella so steadily, the large black umbrella with the words of Hanshan Temple printed on it shielded Jiang Se from the rain, keeping her completely dry.

When they reached the parking lot, he waited for her to sit in the driver’s seat before he slowly stepped back into the light from the streetlamp.

The sky was dark, and the rain misted everything in an almost surreal haze.

The two beams of the car headlights shone boldly, with rain droplets falling through the beams like stars floating in the universe.

The man stood as though at the center of the universe, his half-lowered eyelids watching her.

Jiang Se didn’t hurry to start the car. Through the clean glass cleared by the windshield wipers, her gaze met his, searching for any sign in his eyes.

She wasn’t sure how long passed, but it seemed Lu Huaiyan smiled briefly before pulling out his phone, typing with one hand, and as soon as he looked back at her, Jiang Se’s phone vibrated. A message from him popped up: [Jiang Se, have you finished your review?]

A few seconds later, another message came: [Do you need me to get in the car and let you examine me thoroughly?]

---

At that moment, Jiang Se’s gaze at Lu Huaiyan was indeed one of scrutiny.

Ever since he had said he wanted to get to know her again.

She understood clearly that his words weren’t said casually.

He was the type of person who never did anything without intention, and everything he said always had a purpose.

So, after he redefined his understanding of her, what was he planning to do?

Back in Beicheng, because of her connection with Cen Li, their interactions were not frequent, but certainly not infrequent either. At that time, one was the already engaged Cen family’s eldest daughter, and the other was the heir of the Lu family, who had regained control over his marital rights.

Even when they did meet, it was always within the safety distance of social etiquette.

Cen Li had once teased him, saying that Lu Huaiyan never allowed any woman to come within half a meter of him.

Yet, here was a man who, despite all of that, had actively seized her wrist and pulled her closer, close enough that their breaths intermingled—close enough for a kiss if either of them leaned down.

Was he just bored out of his mind?

Jiang Se scoffed inwardly.

A little more than a month ago, his attitude toward her was clearly no different from before.

When had things changed?

She squinted, thinking carefully about their every encounter in Tongcheng.

It seemed to have started… from the moment she and he had discussed the transaction in the teahouse?

That day, Lu Huaiyan had even asked her what else she enjoyed doing, besides bartending and playing snooker.

She hadn’t wanted to engage in small talk with him, so she had shrugged off his question with an offhand remark.

Now that she thought about it carefully, when had Lu Huaiyan ever been interested in what anyone else liked to do?

Or perhaps it went even further back.

That night when she was sitting in Han Xiao’s car, inquiring about Cao Liang, Lu Huaiyan had kindly reminded her not to provoke Cao Xun.

“Kindly” was a word that was never really associated with Lu Huaiyan.

Jiang Se rubbed her temples, leaned back against the sofa, and felt too lazy to keep analyzing what this man was trying to do or what intentions he might have had toward her.

As long as he didn’t interfere with her plans or disturb her, she didn’t care what he wanted to do.

Besides, the project in Europe couldn’t go ahead without him, and he was about to leave Tongcheng soon.

If it weren’t for Aunt Han’s retreat at Hanshan Temple, he wouldn’t have bothered coming here.

Thinking of Han Yin, Jiang Se straightened up, took her phone, and checked the weather for the next couple of weeks.

No matter how little she cared for Lu Huaiyan, she still had to meet Han Yin.

---

Jiang Se chose a sunny day to visit Han Yin.

It was a Friday, a week later. After lunch, she drove up to Hanshan Temple.

After days of autumn rain, the mountain forest had changed overnight. Yellow leaves littered the ground, and when stepped on, they made a crunching sound. The last traces of greenery were hidden in the bamboo grove halfway up the mountain.

This bamboo grove was now Han Yin’s retreat, with a wall blocking the way. No one could enter without guidance.

Han Yin had specifically told Jiang Se to send her a message when she arrived at Hanshan Temple so she could come out to open the door.

Therefore, when she saw Lu Huaiyan leaning against the iron gate, her brows twitched involuntarily.

When Jiang Se had contacted Han Yin yesterday, she had specifically mentioned Lu Huaiyan, regretfully stating that he was in Beicheng and couldn’t make it over to join them for tea.

How had he appeared here so suddenly, overnight?

Lu Huaiyan remained calm and composed, his gaze fixed on her. His high, prominent nose bridge was accentuated by the gold-rimmed glasses that looked exactly the same as before.

His eyes briefly scanned the grey-tiled jar she was holding, and he raised an eyebrow. “Liquor?”

As he spoke, he took a step toward her and reached for the jar she was holding.

Before she left, Jiang Chuan had specially prepared a sturdy net bag for her to carry the jar, with a bamboo handle for her convenience.

Lu Huaiyan’s movements were exceptionally gentlemanly as he gently grasped the other end of the handle, never touching her hand.

Today, he was wearing a black cashmere coat, which fluttered open in the wind as he approached, his faint scent of sandalwood carried by the breeze.

Jiang Se loosened her grip, glanced at his new glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, and replied indifferently, “It’s not liquor. It’s osmanthus flowers harvested this autumn, preserved in sugar. They make a great base for tea.”

Lu Huaiyan raised an eyebrow. “Did you grow the osmanthus trees yourself?”

Jiang Se nodded. “Mm.”

This gift was more refined than liquor and much more suitable for Han Yin.

Since Han Yin became a recluse, she had developed a deep fondness for natural gifts such as flowers, snow, bamboo, and dew.

Lu Huaiyan gave a faint smile, almost imperceptible. “You’re thoughtful.”

Jiang Se met his gaze for a moment, then quickly looked away, continuing to walk toward the bamboo forest with him.

The bamboo forest at Hanshan Temple was a natural grove of moso bamboo—tall, lush, and green all year round.

They walked slowly through the bamboo, and Jiang Se asked him, “Mr. Lu, what brings you here today?”

“Mr. Lu?”

Lu Huaiyan’s steps paused slightly. “Jiang Se.”

When he stopped, she did as well, instinctively looking up at him as he called her name.

He held the jar with one hand and had the other hand casually tucked into his coat pocket. His posture was straight and refined, and he looked like he blended into the bamboo forest behind him, as though he was part of it.

“You only stop calling me ‘Mr. Lu’ when you’re angry, don’t you?” He gazed at her, his voice light and indifferent. “Do you think I should provoke you?”

Jiang Se remembered the two times she had called him by his full name, “Lu Huaiyan.”

The first time was in the backyard of “Wangchuan,” when he had called her “Cen Se,” and she had coldly mocked him in return. The second time had been at Hanshan Temple, when he unexpectedly pulled her toward him, and she had broken his glasses in the process.

She recalled it with clarity.

Smiling, she lifted the corner of her lips into a subtle curve.

“Mr. Lu, did you bring a spare pair of glasses this time?” Her tone remained as polite and composed as before.

The teasing in her words was only something Lu Huaiyan would fully understand.

He chuckled softly.

There was only a couple of steps between them. He took a step closer, slightly bending down, his cold yet handsome face leaning toward her. His scent of sandalwood seemed to intensify in the breeze.

He gestured for her to take off his glasses. “You can step on them if you like.”

“….”

He didn’t bend far, his voice low and magnetic, carrying a touch of careless indifference.

Jiang Se could clearly feel that Lu Huaiyan was inching closer and closer to crossing boundaries.

It almost seemed like he was waiting for her to repeat what she had done last time—smash his glasses.

She stared into the lenses of his glasses, her gaze drawn into the dark, turbulent depths of his eyes. They were still clouded with something, emotions buried deep—like they carried a smile, yet somehow, there was none.

Jiang Se wasn’t angry with him for this action.

She raised her hand to tuck the loose strands of hair blown by the wind behind her ear, then withdrew the smile from her face and turned, walking ahead.

Lu Huaiyan straightened up slightly and watched her neck, which was now illuminated by the light, so pale and smooth. He slowly lifted his foot and followed her steps.

They walked in silence, one ahead of the other, until they reached Zhu Yin Lake.

Han Yin was waiting at the entrance of the bamboo house. When she saw them finally arrive, she glanced at Lu Huaiyan and joked, “Why did it take so long to bring someone here?”

Lu Huaiyan didn’t answer. Instead, he raised the jar in his hand and said, “This is the sugar-preserved osmanthus that Jiang Se brought.”

Han Yin’s attention shifted at once, her eyes lighting up as she turned to Jiang Se. “Did you preserve the osmanthus yourself?”

Jiang Se nodded. “My mother did it herself. We have osmanthus trees in the yard. Every year, she makes several jars of it.”

Han Yin’s gaze brightened with delight, a shared joy of finding someone with similar interests.

“Just recently, I dried a few baskets of wild bamboo leaves to brew for tea. You should take some back. I’m sure your mother would love it.”

Jiang Se didn’t refuse, smiling as she responded, “Mm, she will like it. I’ll thank you on her behalf.”

“Don’t be so polite with Auntie. If there’s a chance, bring your mother here to visit,” Han Yin said as she ushered Jiang Se into the house. Then, she hesitated for a moment before glancing at Lu Huaiyan. “You arrived in the middle of the night. Shouldn’t you go back to your own room and rest for a bit?”

“No need,” Lu Huaiyan replied slowly, following her in and taking off his shoes. “I didn’t keep my promise last time. Should I make tea for you both?”

Han Yin laughed, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “But you don’t even like tea. I thought you were joking.”

At this point, she suddenly remembered something, looking at Jiang Se with a smile. “Do you remember? When you were little, Ah Yan once dried your clothes for you? I told him back then that he was considerate, but somehow, the older he got, the less thoughtful he became.”

Jiang Se lifted her gaze to look at Lu Huaiyan.

He, too, was looking down at her, his eyes steady and unreadable.

Their gazes met, and Jiang Se quickly turned away, responding lightly to Han Yin, “I don’t remember.”

Han Yin, unable to guess the real reason behind Jiang Se’s words, smiled understandingly. “You were so young then, and you had a shock. It’s perfectly normal that you don’t remember.”

As Han Yin walked ahead, Lu Huaiyan stood behind, his eyes following the back of Jiang Se’s head as he let out a soft laugh.

---

The three of them sat down in the bamboo house’s living room. True to his word, Lu Huaiyan began to make tea for them.

Both Old Master Lu and Han Yin enjoyed drinking tea. Though Lu Huaiyan didn’t have much of a taste for it, he had cultivated a fine tea-making skill. The tea he brewed was even better than what Jiang Se had ever made.

This was Jiang Se’s first time drinking tea made by him.

“It’s rare for him to want to cultivate his mind like this,” Han Yin said, setting down her cup and looking at Lu Huaiyan. “Next time you come, I’ll have Ah Yan come over and brew tea for us. After all, once the project in Tongcheng starts, he’ll have to fly over here from time to time to supervise.”

At this point, Han Yin looked at Lu Huaiyan and added, “Your grandfather is still puzzled. He said that you were the one who wasn’t interested in the film city development, but now you’re the one trying to get involved. Not only the film city—did you also promise to take part in the old district renovation project?”

Jiang Se paused mid-sip, the mention of the old district renovation catching her attention.

Which old district in Tongcheng were they planning to renovate?

Lu Huaiyan gave a faint “hm,” not explaining why he was taking on the project in Tongcheng. Instead, he seemed quite content with the task of brewing tea, saying lightly, “Sure, whenever you want tea, I’ll try to be there as quickly as I can.”

Han Yin looked at him with mild surprise. “You’re being unusually agreeable today.”

Lu Huaiyan, without a hint of hurry, poured water from the cast iron kettle into the teapot, responding casually, “Didn’t you ask me to cultivate my mind?”

Han Yin laughed, “When I told you this before, you didn’t listen. All you did was flatter me with words.”

Lu Huaiyan leaned in to refill Han Yin and Jiang Se’s teacups, speaking softly, “Why don’t you let Jiang Se keep an eye on me? See if I’m actually listening to you and working on cultivating my mind.”

“…”

While they were talking, Jiang Se had remained silent, quietly sipping her tea.

It was only when she heard Lu Huaiyan’s suggestion that she raised her eyes to look at him.

He seemed not to have noticed her gaze, lowering his eyes to pour himself some tea. His long, dark lashes cast a shadow beneath his eyes, and the sharp ends of his eyes seemed slightly raised, almost imperceptibly.

“Don’t drag Jiang Se into this,” Han Yin said, assuming he was just using Jiang Se as an excuse. She turned to Jiang Se and continued, “Let’s not pay him any mind. I heard from Han Xiao that your family’s brewed wine is quite unique. He mentioned that some of the stored wine has been aging for over a hundred years—is that true?”

Jiang Se shifted her gaze away from Lu Huaiyan and nodded. “My mother’s family has been brewing wine for generations. There are indeed a few vats of wine with a long history. Every year, my mother takes a few spoonfuls out and adds new wine to it. Next time, I’ll bring some of her homemade wine for you.”

“That would be wonderful.” Han Yin looked at Jiang Se and, seeing how she spoke so openly about her family, asked with a concerned tone, “How are your parents treating you?”

Jiang Se smiled. “They treat me very well.”

Her smile reached her eyes, making it clear that her family must indeed be very kind to her.

Han Yin was happy for her, but she was also unsure about Jiang Se’s attitude toward the Cen family. Cen Li was convinced that Jiang Se was just throwing a tantrum and that she would return once she cooled off.

But judging from how well Jiang Se was getting along with the Jiang family, whether she would return to the Cen family was still uncertain.

There were benefits to going back, but there were also advantages to not going back.

Han Yin always remembered the little girl who was terrified of making mistakes and disappointing Cen Minghong and Ji Yunyi.

Perhaps, by leaving the Cen family and the northern city, Jiang Se would live more freely.

Jiang Se spent about two hours in the bamboo house talking with Han Yin before leaving.

As she was about to go, Han Yin called for Lu Huaiyan to send her off.

Lu Huaiyan didn’t say a word. He leaned against the door frame, his gaze lowering to Jiang Se.

Jiang Se was sitting on a bamboo stool, slowly tying her shoelaces. When she finished, she looked up and smiled at him, saying, “Then I’ll trouble you, Mr. Lu.”

It was the same warm, refined smile—especially polite.

Lu Huaiyan straightened up and smiled slightly in response. “Not at all.”

As they walked through the bamboo forest and down the stone steps toward the foot of the mountain, they passed by Han Mountain Temple. Lu Huaiyan glanced toward the temple and asked, “Do you want to go in and make a wish?”

He was referring to the peace pendant she hadn’t been able to get last time.

Jiang Se, even if she was considering asking for the peace pendant, didn’t want to go with him. Without any hesitation, she replied, “Maybe next time.”

Lu Huaiyan often said “next time” in a similarly indifferent tone when he had no interest in others’ invitations.

His voice was calm as he asked, “When exactly is ‘next time’?”

Jiang Se continued walking down the steps, speaking slowly, “Next time is when I’m alone. By the way—” She paused slightly, then continued, “Is Lu’s company really going to develop the film and television city in Tongcheng? And what about the old district renovation? Is it just a rumor, or is it already a done deal?”

Lu Huaiyan’s Adam’s apple shifted slightly as he smiled faintly.

So, she was willing to let him send her, but now she wanted to find out about the old district renovation?

He responded with a casual “Hm,” and asked, “Want to know the reason?”

“I don’t,” Jiang Se said absentmindedly, her tone as casual as if talking about the weather. “There are plenty of old districts in Tongcheng suitable for renovation. Which one did Lu’s company set its sights on?”

“Why?” Lu Huaiyan glanced at her. “Are you trying to dig into commercial secrets?”

Jiang Se looked up and gave him a side glance. “From the tone of Mr. Lu, it sounds like the old district renovation is already a done deal. Since Lu’s company has agreed, the Tongcheng government will announce the relevant information by the end of this month, right?”

She smiled gently. “So, how is this a commercial secret?”

“Since you’ll find out by the end of the month, then why are you asking?” Lu Huaiyan asked, unfazed. His gaze lingered on her with a hint of curiosity. “Is it really that important which area the city government approves?”

Jiang Se smiled and tilted her head, replying with an honest look, “Just a momentary curiosity.”

Lu Huaiyan’s gaze fixed on her face, his smile carrying an unreadable meaning.

Her question, he knew, wasn’t simply born from curiosity or a fleeting whim.

After saying this, Jiang Se turned her head back to focus on the stone steps, continuing her descent. Lu Huaiyan followed, a step behind, his shadow stretching long and silently brushing against the bare skin of her neck.

They took a couple more steps down, and suddenly, the skin at the back of her neck grew warm.

Jiang Se stopped and turned around.

The bright autumn sun bathed the scene in a warm, intense glow.

Lu Huaiyan stood a few steps above her, looking down at her, his face hidden by the light, leaving his expression unreadable.

In the distance, the temple bell rang, and birds fluttered in the trees, startled by the noise, emerging from the branches.

Amid the chaotic, yet somehow tranquil sounds, Lu Huaiyan’s low, measured voice reached her.

“Jiang Se, the planning documents for the old district renovation are in my hotel room. Do you dare to go take a look?”

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