Chapter 35 He must have done it on purpose.

Xie Chaowan's residence in the manor was a two-story villa surrounded by a small courtyard.

“My third brother and I like quiet, so we’ve been staying here these past few days.” Xie Chaowan took the kitten from Lu Fengqing. “By the way, little girl, what’s your name?”

Lu Fengqing wanted to say that she was no longer a little girl, but she swallowed the words back and replied, "Lu Fengqing. Lu as in 'ear striking Lu,' Feng as in 'wind and rain,' and Qing as in 'sunny day.'"

"Feng Qing," Xie Chaowan murmured, her smile gentle. "A very beautiful name."

Xie Chaowan pushed the door open. "We're here. Come in."

Lu Fengqing thanked them, lifted the hem of her dress and went inside, looking around at the room's furnishings.

Judging from Xie Chaowan's words, they hadn't been staying here for long, but the room was decorated very warmly, and they hadn't just made do with whatever they had because it was a temporary place to stay.

After Xie Chaowan put the kitten back in its cage, she washed her hands and brought Lu Fengqing some fresh milk and biscuits.

"I made the cookies yesterday. I didn't make the cake today. It's a bit late now. Come earlier tomorrow and I'll make it for you."

Lu Fengqing quickly reached out and took the milk, "Thank you, Aunt Wan."

Xie Chaowan said somewhat helplessly, "Your politeness makes me feel a little uncomfortable."

Lu Fengqing met her gentle gaze and said seriously, "Actually, I didn't want to be so polite, but we just met and I want to leave a good impression on you."

Xie Chaowan became interested: "Why do you want to leave a good impression on me?"

Lu Fengqing said somewhat shyly, "To be honest, Boss Xie is my idol."

"Third Brother?" Xie Chaowan hadn't expected this answer, and her interest deepened. "What do you like about him?"

What do you like about Boss Xie...?

No one had ever asked Lu Fengqing this question before.

Lu Fengqing had a lot to say about this: "Naturally, it's because he not only has top-notch computer skills, but he's also good-looking."

Xie Chaowan looked surprised and sized up Lu Fengqing again. "You also studied computer science?"

Lu Fengqing followed her gaze and glanced at her own elaborate attire, then touched her nose. "...Yes."

It's because she lives too refined a life; actually, when she looks in the mirror, she doesn't feel like someone who studies computer science.

The two chatted for a while longer. Xie Chaowan went to the bathroom, while Lu Fengqing sat alone in the living room, looking around listlessly. Her gaze finally settled on the cabinet by the wall.

When Xie Chao came out of the restroom that evening, he saw Lu Fengqing staring at the photo frame on the shelf and said softly, "That's my lover."

Lu Fengqing turned to look at Xie Chaowan, opened her mouth, and said, "He..."

Xie Chaowan hummed in agreement, "He's no longer alive."

Lu Fengqing: "..."

However, having a black and white photo of a young man in the living room at night is really creepy.

Lu Fengqing lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry."

Xie Chaowan shook her head, staring at the photo, lost in thought, and remained silent for a moment.

Not wanting to disturb her, Lu Fengqing followed her gaze and looked at the black and white photo again.

The man in the photo looks to be in his early twenties, with delicate features, and he also looks very refined because he is wearing glasses.

It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it also seemed like not so long, before Xie Chaowan spoke softly: "The story is very cliché and old-fashioned. We met in college, and after graduation, I chose to pursue a master's degree while he went to teach in the countryside."

"He went to his hometown, which he said was very poor. He was the first college student there in decades, and he had to go back to repay the villagers who had sold their pots and pans to send him to college in City A."

"Before he left, he promised me that he would come back in five years at most, and that he would propose to me and stay in City A with me."

As Lu Fengqing is seeing now, he failed to keep his promise.

He died in a landslide while trying to save two children.

Xie Chaowan raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Please excuse my poor appearance."

Lu Fengqing silently handed her a tissue.

Xie Chaowan wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her gentle gaze falling on Lu Fengqing again. "You and Suixing are still young, it's normal for you to bicker. There's really nothing wrong with arguing. When you can't even argue anymore, that's when you really can't go on living together."

"He and I actually..."

Just as Lu Fengqing was about to explain her relationship with Gu Suixing, a familiar male voice suddenly came from outside.

"Aunt Wan."

Xie Chaowan glanced outside the door and said mischievously, "Go on. After you've had your fill of fun at the manor tomorrow, come with Sui Xing and Huai An to my place for some cakes."

Lu Fengqing didn't really want to go out, but seeing Xie Chaowan's urging expression, she had no choice but to get up and say goodbye.

It was already very late at night.

A few dim lights shone around the small villa, unlike the brightly lit banquet hall below.

Lu Fengqing came out of the house and immediately saw the tall figure standing in the yard.

The moonlight was very bright tonight, and the silvery moonlight shone down, casting a faint glow around him.

He stood sideways to the moonlight, and when he turned around, half of his profile was hidden in the shadows.

Lu Fengqing grabbed the back of her long dress herself and walked past him without looking at him, treating him as if he were invisible.

As I passed by him, my wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Lu Fengqing froze, trying to shake off his hand.

The man held on tightly, turning to look in the direction of the small villa. "We're going back now. I'll come see you with her tomorrow."

Xie Chaowan appeared at the door at some point and nodded gently: "Okay."

In front of Xie Chaowan, Lu Fengqing couldn't argue with Gu Suixing, so she let him lead her for a while.

Once they were far enough away from the villa and sure they couldn't see what was happening there, Lu Fengqing forcefully shook off Gu Suixing's hand.

Seeing him reach out again out of the corner of her eye, Lu Fengqing took a step back warily, hid her hand behind her back, and said coldly, "Don't touch me."

Gu Suixing paused, raised her eyes, her peach blossom eyes dark and deep, "Just because we're having a little private cooking session, you won't let me touch you?"

Lu Fengqing: "..."

What's going on?

Lu Fengqing simply ignored him and continued walking forward, lifting her skirt.

Gu Suixing stood still, gazing intently at her figure.

The path was dimly lit, and there was no one around. The chirping of insects kept coming from the grass on both sides of the path.

Lu Fengqing walked for a while and then, noticing no footsteps behind her, turned around to look.

The old man stood there motionless, staring at her, as if he intended to stand there forever.

They look a little pitiful.

"..."

He must have done it on purpose.

We must not be soft-hearted.

You must not be soft-hearted.

...

...

...

Lu Fengqing bit her lower lip in self-loathing, walked back to the man, and handed him the hem of her skirt. "Take it."