In the cold wind, a rich scent of fresh grass wafted through the air. Qiao Ling’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she was about to speak when a sweet, cloying voice came from behind her.
“Master Jin? When did you return to the country?” Qiao Sijin trotted over to Qiao Ling’s side, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the impeccably dressed, strikingly handsome young man before her. A shy smile graced her fair and lovely face.
Zhou Jinyue gave a slight nod, handing the bouquet in his hand to the driver who had accompanied him. Without answering her question, he took off his suit jacket and draped it over Qiao Ling’s shoulders. “You’ll catch a cold dressed so lightly.”
The two stood close together, the crisp scent of lemon mingled with the subtle fragrance of green tea enveloping Qiao Ling completely.
She lifted her gaze, catching sight of the young man’s prominent, alluring Adam’s apple and the faintly visible love marks beneath his collar.
Shifting her eyes away without a trace of expression, she murmured her thanks.
Standing behind them, ignored, Qiao Sijin’s smile froze on her face, her expression clearly one of awkwardness.
Just then.
Yu Wanli and Chi Nian came jogging over together. Qiao Ling took a small step back, putting some distance between herself and Zhou Jinyue.
Soon.
The two reached the entrance.
As they had agreed on the way, Chi Nian widened his eyes, feigning surprise as he spoke first, “Brother Jinyue! When we saw you just now, we thought our eyes were playing tricks on us. We never expected it to really be you!”
“You’re not being a good brother at all! Coming back without even telling us! Brother Huai was just talking about you the other day!”
“Exactly! Not a good brother at all! And here we were, thinking of you every day at home.” Yu Wanli chimed in with a look of feigned resentment.
Zhou Jinyue’s deep gaze swept over the two of them, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. “I just returned yesterday.”
“Ah, no wonder then.” Chi Nian rubbed the tip of his nose and asked quietly, “Brother, once Lingling is done with her work, how about the few of us get together?”
Zhou Jinyue replied, “Sure.”
While the two brothers chatted casually, the two sisters on the other side did the same.
“Lingling, someone called you last night. I didn’t answer it, so remember to call them back.” Yu Wanli handed her phone and car keys to Qiao Ling.
Then, she added, “By the way, Lingling, what happened last night? You went to the restroom and never came back! You nearly scared us to death!”
Yu Wanli asked knowingly, not bothering to lower her voice. Her sidelong glance was focused intently on Zhou Jinyue’s calm and composed face, searching for any flicker of emotion.
“I blacked out from drinking last night. I think I had a security guard call me a taxi. I don’t remember clearly.” Qiao Ling lowered her head, scrolling through her phone, her tone as casual as ever.
Yu Wanli raised an eyebrow meaningfully. Seeing no change in the man’s expression, she withdrew her gaze and wrapped an arm around Qiao Ling’s shoulders, not pressing the matter further. “We can’t let you drink that much again.”
As they spoke.
Two tall, straight figures appeared at the end of the cobblestone path. Both were dressed in black suits, their demeanors noble and refined, each strikingly handsome in their own way.
The one on the left was slightly taller, with deep-set brows and a serious expression. This was Yu Huairan, the second young master of the Yu Family. Not only was he exceptionally good-looking, but he was also highly capable. At just twenty-five, he had already become the captain of the Criminal Investigation Division.
The one on the right wore a smile, his brows sharp and defined, with two strands of blue-dyed hair peeking through his layered, tousled haircut. This was Xie Songting, twenty-four years old, the only son of the Xie Family. His looks were even more exceptional. A child who grew up in the military compound, he had ventured into the entertainment industry to become an idol.Chi Nian waved to the two men, “Brother Huai, Brother Ting, look who’s standing next to me!”
The memorial square was crowded, and Chi Nian’s shout drew many gazes.
Everyone looked toward the person he referred to, whispering in surprise. For a moment, the quiet square erupted into a buzz of murmurs.
“Young Master of the Zhou Family has actually returned! It seems the sky of Shengjing is about to change soon.”
“What’s there to change? In our Four-Nine City, haven’t the major families always been harmonious? Look at these young masters and misses.”
“Ah, you just don’t get it.”
“Miss Qiao is young but carries an extraordinary presence. To be cherished by these prodigies, her methods must be exceptionally clever! Old Master Qiao truly brought back a rare treasure!”
“What a pity, what a pity. Old Master Qiao’s two sons are nothing but useless wood, gilded rice buckets. Outsiders would tie this treasure down at home, yet they’re driving her away! Without this young lady, the Qiao Family is bound to fall sooner or later!”
“Alas! Who says otherwise? But it’s not necessarily so. Doesn’t the Qiao Family have a married daughter? She’s quite a shrewd one.”
“A married daughter is like spilled water—gone for good. Besides, the Qiao Family has two shallow-minded daughters-in-law. This matter… it’s hard to say.”
…
The whispers on the square grew increasingly heated. After exchanging greetings at the entrance, the group walked together into the square.
From start to finish, Qiao Sijin was completely ignored. Watching their retreating figures, her face flushed with alternating shades of green and white. Gritting her teeth, she turned and walked away in the opposite direction.
When the memorial ceremony began, the two sons of the Qiao Family hurriedly rushed over.
Everyone sneered at this, though no one said a word.
The ceremony was simple: offering flowers, paying respects, and bidding farewell. It took no more than half an hour to conclude, after which people began to say their goodbyes.
“Lingling.” Yu Wanli wrapped an arm around her shoulder, about to say something, when she overheard Madam Qiao muttering through gritted teeth behind them.
“That old thing held onto power even in death! The Qiao Family’s assets—if not given to your sons, who else would they go to? Some little tramp, perhaps!”
Yu Wanli turned around, casting a disdainful and contemptuous glance at her. “Aunt Qiao, I advise you to watch your tongue. Don’t let your loose lips embarrass all the prominent families of Shengjing.”
Madam Qiao’s face stiffened. Instinctively, she wanted to lash out, but the several pairs of eyes fixed on her sent a chill down her spine, filling her with fear.
Especially the gaze of Young Master Zhou—it was so dark and menacing that it tightened her throat and made her heart tremble.
Feeling suffocated, Madam Qiao’s face turned ashen. She forced herself to feign composure and hastily fled the scene.
“Fool.” Yu Wanli scoffed coldly before turning back to Qiao Ling and speaking softly, “Darling, I’ll stay at your place tonight.”
This “place” didn’t refer to the Qiao Family home but to Qiao Ling’s private residence—
Purple Garden.
Qiao Ling nodded, took off the suit jacket from her shoulders, and returned it to Zhou Jinyue.
Then she said to the two busy figures in their circle, “Brother Huai, Brother Ting, I have matters to attend to today, so I won’t chat with you any longer. Let’s catch up another day.”
“Alright, go ahead with your business.” Yu Huairan’s stern face held a faint smile.
Beside him, Xie Songting quickly asked, “Lingling, do you need any help with your matters?”
“No need, I’m just going to retrieve something.” Qiao Ling curved her lips into a smile, then turned and walked away.The group watched the girl’s graceful retreating figure with varied expressions. Yu Huairan nudged Zhou Jinyue beside him with an elbow and asked with a faint, teasing smile, “Crown Prince Zhou, what did you do to upset the little girl?”