As the voice trailed off, Tang Yanqing slowly walked in from the doorway, rging into the shadows. The two figures in the light turned into three.
His words sounded as if he was admiring Huangfu Huazhang’s taste and nobility, but Huangfu Huazhang narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing them.
In the shadow, he had to reluctantly shift his focus from Shi Nian and divide his attention towards Tang Yanqing.
A hint of surprise rose on his face, as if he just noticed Tang Yanqing’s presence.
"Yanqing? So you’re here too. When did you return? I distinctly rember you were still in Asia."
Although Shi Nian wasn’t surprised, upon hearing these words, a slight frown ford between his brows.
All the dia were extensively reporting the news about him and ng Chuyan. Wherever there was news about ng Chuyan, he was present. She had temporarily been seconded to the entertainnt departnt, dealing with information all related to ng Chuyan every day, so how could she not know?
Tang Yanqing’s gaze swept lightly over her face, and he humd softly, "The world isn’t as big as one might imagine. If I wish, I can withdraw at any ti."
Huangfu Huazhang, however, was disinclined to decode Tang Yanqing’s words and instead lowered his eyes to look at Shi Nian, "If I had known Yanqing had returned, I should have co with you. Mr. Tang didn’t lose his temper with you at the police station today, did he?"
Shi Nian nodded, "It’s fine. I ca for my senior brother, so I wasn’t bothered by other people or things."
Huangfu Huazhang smiled and wrapped his arm around Shi Nian’s slender waist, "I always knew my little girl is the strongest. It’s getting late, let’s head ho. Your aunt must be waiting anxiously."
Shi Nian lowered her head and obediently replied, "Alright."
The two embraced and walked together towards the car. As if there was no third person on the steps in the shadow of the light.
.
Old Sir Tang’s invitation list was drafted, and the invitation cards were handwritten by the grandchildren using a brush on gold-flecked paper in plum blossom seal script and Zan Hua Xiao Kai respectively.
After the children reached adulthood, Old Sir Tang no longer watched them practice calligraphy like he did when they were young. He would only assign them the task of using brush and ink on a few special occasions each year, such as writing the invitations for the annual big party and all the couplets and squares inside and outside the house during New Year.
All the children were perceptive and understood that the old sir was quietly giving them an annual "pop quiz." Therefore, no one dared to forgo calligraphy practice, and when it ca to writing these invitations, everyone took great care, not daring to make mistakes just because they were rely invitations.
After writing only a few cards, Tang Yanqing, Yan Yu, and Yan Jian put down their brushes, shaking their wrists and complaining of pain. In contrast, Yan Sheng, Yan Xi, and Yanyi remained composed, sitting upright and calm.
The three slackers exchanged looks of disdain at each other.
Yan Jian couldn’t hold back first and stuck out her tongue at Yanqing, "Brother, you practice shooting for hours without letting go, why can’t you write two characters? Looks like you’re truly a man of arms, unable to handle scholarly matters; a writing brush is like a thousand pounds to you."
After speaking, Yan Jian glanced at Yan Yu, "And as for you, valiant chef, where did your courage go with two massive trays in hand?"
Being the youngest sister, and always sharp-tongued since childhood, Yanqing and Yan Yu just exchanged a glance. Naturally, Yan Yu wouldn’t argue, but Yanqing snorted, pulled out his phone, switched to selfie mode, and placed it on the table like a mirror. He then lifted the brush and held it like an eyebrow pencil, using the phone to draw his eyebrows.
The Seventh Young Master perford a little trick in public again, attracting even the attention of those still writing, like Yan Sheng and others. At first, no one understood his intent, but two minutes later, they all figured it out. Yan Sheng and Yan Xi rely curled their lips, Yanyi’s face turned red, Yan Yu laughed till he fell to the ground, and Yan Jian—last to understand—embarrassedly picked up a brush to poke Yanqing.
Yanqing laughed, running around the long table, teasing his little sister as he went, "Who knows, perhaps it’s soone who can draw half an eyebrow with a pencil in half an hour. But when it cos to writing, they’re exhausted."
The siblings rarely gathered and were all very happy. However, amid the jokes, Yan Sheng and Yan Xi exchanged a quiet glance.
Yan Xi’s reaction didn’t surprise Yan Sheng, who just nodded and smiled lightly, "The Little Sound’s?"
Yan Xi nodded, looking at Yan Sheng, "Big sister, I have another one here... I wonder if you should persuade grandfather?"
Tang Yansheng then calmly looked at the list and frowned again.
The two spoke quietly to each other. Yanqing and Yan Jian were still in the heat of play, unaware when Yanqing suddenly stopped behind them, looking down.
Yan Xi tried to hide the list, but it was too late. Yanqing had already seen the nas on the paper.
Huangfu Huazhang & Girlfriend Shi Nian.
For a mont, ti seed to stand still. Yan Jian rushed forward and finally caught the little brother, but the joyful atmosphere abruptly stopped for him. Yan Jian also realized sothing was amiss, and quickly halted, turning to look into the little brother’s eyes.
Yan Sheng frowned, "These are all temporary lists. I’ll ask Grandpa about it later."
Tang Yanqing, however, imdiately smiled faintly, raising his long eyebrows: "Why are you all looking at like that? In such a joyful occasion, when have I ever been the one to ruin the fun?"
Though he appeared calm and indifferent, ten minutes later Tang Yanqing still brushed his hair and walked out of the room. Standing alone by the courtyard on the third floor, he squinted to look at the circle of red lanterns under the eaves.
Tang Yan Yi followed him out and walked to his side.
"Grandpa is really getting old, why would he invite him?"
Tang Yanqing turned his gaze over: "Grandpa has his own reasons for doing this. Huangfu Huazhang appears as a distant relative of our Tang Family and once saved my older sister’s life. Moreover, he has always had a good friendship with my older sister. Given Grandpa’s character, how could he overlook this person? Otherwise, how could it be justified in terms of etiquette?"
Tang Yan Yi gently exclaid: "In this way, you don’t bla Grandpa?"
Tang Yanqing sighed as he shook his head: "Bla Grandpa? Am I crazy?"
Old Sir Tang is the patriarch of the Tang Family. Having retired after many years, he is no longer the stern judge he once was; instead, he has a bit of the old playful personality, starting to enjoy life. People who know him say the old man has finally relaxed after being serious for a lifeti. But true Tang Family mbers understand that behind that seemingly relaxed and casual deanor, every action and word has deeper aning.
Tang Yan Yi gazed at him. In the misty glow of the red lanterns, the man’s profile was like a painting, handso enough to make one’s heart tremble.
She mustered her courage, turned her head, and looked at him: "Little brother, let her go. After she appeared at our family’s big party with Huangfu Huazhang, it essentially announced their identity to all our family friends. The social circle has its unwritten rules. Once everyone recognizes their identity, if you continue to be closely associated with her, it will cause disputes and damage the reputation of the Tang Family."
"In the past, she was already Xiang Yuan’s wife, and Xiang Yuan was one of our family friends; now there’s Huangfu Huazhang... She really is no longer suitable to beco the daughter-in-law of our Tang Family."
The rabbit does not eat the grass around its burrow. The notable families cannot accept such interwoven overlapping relationships among friends of the family, as it would damage the family’s reputation.
Tang Yanqing snorted: "So what is your suggestion?"
Tang Yan Yi took a deep breath, stepped forward, and placed her hand on Tang Yanqing’s wrist: "I love you."
Tang Yanqing turned his gaze back, the reflections of layered rosy lantern shadows looking at the girl in front.
"Xiao Yi, I like you. But it will always be the kind of affection a brother has for a sister, just like with Yan Yu and Yan Jian. I don’t want to say things that hurt you, nor do I want to do things that will hurt you. But also please help , don’t say such foolish things again in the future. In this world, unrequited love is a kind of pain, so I can feel sorry for you because of it; but smart as you are, you should also understand that loving what is not ant to be loved is equally unbearable. Let’s not make things difficult for each other, listen."
Tang Yan Yi’s tears slid down silently: "But, little brother..."
Tang Yanqing nodded: "I have never doubted your feelings for . I know you have been deeply affectionate towards for many years. However, no love ans no love. No matter how deep your feelings beco or how long you persist, there won’t be a result. You are a smart girl, don’t hit the wall and not know to turn back. Turn back soon, and find a good guy whom you love and who can love you back."
Tang Yan Yi cried in despair and silence, as the rosy mist of the lanterns fell and made her tears crystal-like as blood.
"But Shi Nian no longer loves you, does she?"
Tang Yanqing squinted his eyes, looking down at the courtyard, seeing the money-like patterns on the bluestone tiles: "Even if she doesn’t love , I already have another partner. Xiao Yi, I invited ng Chuyan."
.
The Xiang Family couple and Xiang Yuan each received invitations.
Huatai Hall. The light designed by the master brightly but gently illuminates the gilded stationery on the table.
Rosa embraced and stared at Xiang Yuan: "Do you want to act with you again? A Yuan, I’m tired even if you’re not. Since you can’t muster up love for another woman, at least find another stand-in, not . After all, you don’t really care, so who your partner is around you, what difference does it make?"
Xiang Yuan lifted his gaze from the docunt: "It makes a difference. In the past, you and I both hurt Shi Nian, and after the divorce, Shi Nian hoped we could truly be together. In such a role, no other woman can replace you."
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