Qu Xiaojue pursed her lips: “Thank you for your understanding, Father. I have already instructed Qu Lu about household matters, so please take care of your health, and I can be at ease.”
Lin said: “I want Lan’er to stay here a bit longer. With him accompanying me, it will be fine.”
“Then I’ll trouble my cousin. Please forgive any inconvenience.”
If there’s anything needed, just ask Qu Lu to do it.”
“Lan’er understands.” Lin Lan glanced at Qu Xiaojue, blushing slightly and lowering her head. Though disappointed that her cousin-in-law would be leaving for a month, she was happy about these caring words. After all, she had never asked him to leave, right?
An’er cried out: “Mother, I’m sleepy.”
His eyes were half-closed, clearly unable to stay awake. Xu Wanzhi quickly picked him up, nodding to those at the table: “I’ll take him back. Please continue eating, excuse me.”
An’er was nestled in his father’s embrace and fell asleep. Shortly after Xu Wanzhi left, Qu Xiaojue bid farewell to the others and dispersed the gathering.
She walked slowly back through the night wind. At the fork in the road ahead, a lamp flickered, and Qu Xiaojue stood alone, apparently waiting for some time.
His eyelids flickered, his pace unchanged, walking directly towards her: “What is it? Something else?”
“Are you angry?”
Qu Xiaojue looked directly at his expressionless face. Xu Wanzhi’s brow darkened, slightly raising an eyebrow: “Although your words were subtle, I understood them. In the future, you should be more careful around the person involved.”
He was annoyed, retreating from her side and walking straight to the obvious destination—the inn. Qu Shan and the others came down from the carriage behind and followed in.
As guests entered, the second waitress skillfully came forward to greet them. Seeing the man in front dressed simply yet in expensive fabric, she was slightly stunned, then turned to Qu Xiaojue with a flattering smile: “Honored guests, would you like to have a meal?”
Qu Xiaojue directly ordered: “Serve a few light dishes, no cold plates. One pot of clear tea.” She sat with Xu Wanzhi in a corner, while Qu Shan and Qu Yao first went to the counter to whisper instructions before sitting at another table.
