As those women walked away, two people remained in the courtyard: the woman at the gate and the man who lowered his head, staring at the ground. A cold wind blew, lifting a few strands of their hair.
When Xiao Lian returned, he found them still standing quietly. Upon seeing Jin Yu, he frowned and snorted, “You’re here quite early.”
Su Xi, hearing Xiao Lian’s voice, raised her head to look at him, then glanced helplessly at Jin Yu. She shifted her gaze back and forth between their faces before lowering her head, clutching her clothes tightly.
Jin Yu remained calm, a calmness that made others uneasy, her gaze fixed on Su Xi.
Sensing the atmosphere, Xiao Lian became anxious. He walked to Su Xi’s side, tugging at his clothes. “Brother, didn’t you say you’d cook for her? Let’s go to the kitchen now.” He nervously glanced at Jin Yu’s calm demeanor, which made him uneasy. He pulled Su Xi towards the kitchen.
Su Xi wanted to escape the awkwardness and was easily led by Xiao Lian, leaving Jin Yu standing alone in the wind. The cold air blew past her, but she showed no reaction.
In Jin Yu’s pitch-black eyes, a storm of emotion brewed, yet her face remained calm and expressionless.
Standing in the shadows, Xu Yi’s eyes were red, tears flowing. “Young Master, let’s go back. The wind is strong; it’ll harm your health.”
Xu Yi worried about Jin Yu, “Why don’t they give Miss Jin a coat? What if she catches a cold?” Her voice was hoarse.
Hua Yan looked at Xu Yi silently. The young master was not concerned for himself but for Miss Jin.
He lowered his eyes, recalling how heartbroken the young master was when Miss Jin broke off the engagement. He had lost weight, thinking of her day and night. With his weak body, how could he withstand the cold wind?
Hot dishes were served on the table, but the atmosphere was tense. One sat calmly, not touching her meal, her gaze fixed yet unseeing. Another sat nervously, clutching her clothes, not eating either. The third occasionally glanced between the two, eating only a few bites.
Xiao Lian, increasingly anxious, looked between them and muttered, “My brother woke up early to cook, yet she doesn’t even eat.”
