We haven’t seen each other for a while. If Yang Wulang hadn’t suddenly appeared and then just as suddenly left tonight, how much longer would she have hidden it? And where did she return from, in the dead of night?
"Heh," Shangguan You chuckled nervously, "Brother Hao, I couldn’t sleep and just went out for a walk." She tugged at the black clothes she wore. Thankfully, I took off the beard earlier, or this would be even more of a spectacle!
"Couldn’t sleep? Went out for a walk? By climbing through the window? When did you learn such impressive skills? And how co I never knew?" Lin Wenhao pressed closer, scrutinizing her delicate face in the moonlight.
"Heh... Brother Hao, you know, during that ti I was in B City, I was all by myself, so..." She gave another little awkward laugh. "And climbing through the window... it’s very convenient, heh."
Shangguan You’s eyes darted about as she racked her brain for an excuse, all while maintaining her awkward laughter. Her mind raced.
"Sigh." Lin Wenhao couldn’t help but take a deep breath at her antics. He patted her shoulder with his large hand, his gaze on Shangguan You so intense it seed to pierce right through to her soul.
"Little one, you need to understand that we’re family. So, no matter what you do or what plans you have, we’ll support you. There’s no need for you to hide things or be on guard against us." Lin Wenhao’s voice was soft beside her ear. Under the moonlight, his shadow stretched out, long and pronounced. Looking at his silhouette, she perceived a sense of solitude emanating from him.
"Alright, rest up," Lin Wenhao said, leaving those words behind as he turned to leave.
Shangguan You shivered slightly. Watching Lin Wenhao’s retreating figure, sharp pangs of sorrow struck her heart.
"Brother Hao, thank you!"
Lin Wenhao paused for a mont but left with decisive steps without turning his head, closing the door behind him.
Watching Lin Wenhao leave, Shangguan You finally breathed a sigh of relief and sank to the floor, her body going limp. When facing Lin Wenhao, she felt an inexplicable pressure, as if his eyes could see right through her at any mont. This sensation made it impossible for her to get close to him, no matter how much she wanted to.
Shangguan You took a deep breath, had a bath, and then once again buried herself under the covers.
「The next day」
A fine drizzle began to fall from what had been a clear sky, bringing a cooling breeze to the hot July air. On the sandy beach, the sight of the now completely bare coconut trees astonished everyone. Overnight, the picturesque shoreline had transford into a series of naked trunks. This not only marred the beach’s aesthetic appeal but also significantly spoiled the entire vista.
These abrupt changes beca yet another unsolved mystery. Another major event was the shift in the Shen Family’s shareholdings and the sudden, massive compensation payout.
Yu Zifeng and his companions had originally planned to go diving again. However, the weather, coupled with the bizarre state of the coconut trees on the beach, led Shangguan You’s group to cancel their outing. Furthermore, with the college entrance exams approaching, they all decided to head straight ho. This would allow Shangguan You, Yu Zijin, Gui Luo, and Gui Mo to focus on their revision.
In the morning, after Shangguan You administered acupuncture to Lin Wenbo again, the large party set off for Beijing in a grand procession.
This ti, their convoy was several tis larger than the two cars they had arrived in. Their vehicles were protectively positioned in the center, and Shangguan You rode directly in Lin Wenbo’s extended Rolls-Royce with the Lin Family.
Since her rebirth, this was the first ti she had been so close to the Lin Family. Inside the car, Shangguan You’s clear laughter and Lin Wenjie’s teasing remarks could be heard intermittently, often making Lin Wenbo roar with hearty laughter.
Although Lin Wenhao had caught her red-handed the previous night, he hadn’t ntioned her nocturnal outing to anyone. Moreover, Lin Wenhao didn’t know exactly what Shangguan You had been doing, only that she was involved in so secret affairs. He also didn’t press Shangguan You to confess.
After all, everyone has their secrets. It wasn’t just Shangguan You; he, too, had a secret buried deep within his heart.
When he saw Shangguan You, Lin Wenhao acted as if nothing was amiss, still playfully calling her "Little one" this and "Little one" that. As for the bare trees on the beach, although Lin Wenhao had so suspicions, he didn’t connect them to Shangguan You. Besides, they only owned property in the area; that particular stretch of beach belonged to the Shen Family, not them.
Therefore, the Lin Family did not intervene, choosing to leave instead.
Inside the car, Shangguan You took out four Marrow Cleansing Pills. No one had used them since she had refined them. Now that the opportunity had presented itself, she could give these to the Lin family mbers with her first. Once I get ho, I’ll give so to Dad and the others, she thought.
Ever since her rebirth, she had been busy day and night. Apart from the ti spent with her family, she hardly had a mont for her personal matters, and even less ti to seek out Lin Wenbo and the others. Now that she had encountered them by chance, and considering Lin Wenbo’s poor health, her resolve to help them improve their constitutions strengthened.
"Grandfather, Uncle, Brother Wenjie, Brother Hao, this is a dicine to improve your constitution. It’s very good for your health. My master gave it to , and I’ve taken one myself. You should each have one too," Shangguan You said, handing a Marrow Cleansing Pill to each of them.
"Little one, what’s this? It’s not so kind of poison, is it?" Lin Wenjie joked. He sniffed the faint fragrance of the Marrow Cleansing Pill in his hand and then swallowed it without hesitation. Even if it were poison she gave , I’d take it, he thought. The mont it went down, a gentle warmth spread from his throat.
"Hmph! This is good stuff; others couldn’t get it even if they offered a fortune. Brother Wenjie, don’t be ungrateful. Poison? If you really want so, I can give you a few. I just wonder if you’d dare to eat them?" Shangguan You said with a smile, watching as the Lin Family mbers swallowed the Marrow Cleansing Pills without hesitation. Their trust in her sent a warm current through her heart, reaffirming that her decision was correct. Her family’s unconditional support was her greatest strength.
"Oh, right, I forgot to ntion," Shangguan You added casually, "it might be a bit painful after you take it. You must endure it and not cry out, or people will laugh at you."
Her words made Lin Wenjie want to hit soone. It’s going to be painful? Why didn’t she say so earlier?! I was the first one to take it! He could already feel an overwhelming, tide-like agony surging through him.
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