Li Yurou announced her name, and Gongyu Niu's eyes held a flicker of confusion before brightening. "You are Li Yurou from the Li family?" he asked.
"Yes, it's me," Li Yurou replied, her expression equally excited.
Upon seeing an old acquaintance, Gongyu Niu appeared genuinely happy. Moreover, she was a granddaughter of the Li family, who had provided him with considerable help when he first ventured out.
With today being his daughter's wedding day, Gongyu Niu felt even more delighted.
"It's been many years, and you've grown so much," Gongyu Niu remarked with a sigh. He then patted his forehead and chuckled, "Look at me, you're the same age as Jinghan, and you've both grown up."
"Yes, time waits for no one; in the blink of an eye, we're all adults," Li Yurou echoed his sentiment.
Gongyu Niu suddenly remembered and looked at Li Yurou again, asking, "Are you here to attend Jinghan's wedding?"
It was his daughter's wedding day, and Li Yurou had appeared. If she wasn't here for the wedding, then for what reason? However, a hint of doubt flickered in Gongyu Niu's eyes.
His daughter was strongly opposed to this marriage. If he hadn't threatened to end his life, this marriage would never have happened. Since she was unwilling, why had she invited Li Yurou? Gongyu Niu entertained a thought: perhaps his daughter had a change of heart?
Li Yurou smiled upon hearing his question, "Uncle Gongyu, I didn't know Jinghan was getting married. I was just thinking of her and decided to visit, so it was a coincidence that we met."
Li Yurou was unaware that her childhood friend was being forced into marriage and was happy for Gongyu Jinghan.
"Is that so?" Gongyu Niu sounded reluctant. This marriage was something he had forced upon his daughter. What if Li Yurou's presence caused some irreversible situation?
"Uncle Gongyu, may I go in to see Jinghan?" Li Yurou asked.
"Yurou, this is the Vice City Lord's residence. I can't let you in without an invitation. How about this, I'll go in and ask for you," Gongyu Niu offered, using an excuse he considered perfect. Once inside, he could say that the other party refused, feigning helplessness. Then, Li Yurou would have no choice but to leave. After the wedding, when it was a done deal, it wouldn't matter as much.
"Oh, in that case, Uncle Gongyu, please hurry inside and ask for me," Li Yurou urged.
"Alright, wait a moment." Gongyu Niu turned and walked into the mansion.
Before long, Gongyu Niu emerged with a regretful expression, stating, "Yurou, I'm very sorry, but without an invitation, you can't enter. If you want to see Jinghan, I'll tell her after her wedding. You're not leaving anytime soon, are you?" Gongyu Niu looked at Li Yurou with an air of helplessness.
"Alright then, Uncle Gongyu, thank you for your trouble. Please convey my best wishes for her happy marriage to Jinghan," Li Yurou said, though disappointed, she felt helpless.
"Certainly, I will deliver the message." Gongyu Niu readily agreed, though he knew best whether he would actually convey it.
Li Yurou returned to Xia Feng's side, her expression tinged with regret. "Young Master, I find this very strange. I'm not even allowed into my own friend's wedding."
Xia Feng smiled faintly at her words and nodded. "It is indeed strange. There must be something they don't want you to know."
"Ah... Young Master, what should I do? I'm so worried about Jinghan," Li Yurou exclaimed, her face etched with concern.
"If we can't get in through the main gate, why don't we break the barrier and go in?" Xia Feng said with a casual smile. For important events like weddings, city lord mansions often opened their barriers, just in case any ill-intentioned individuals tried to sneak in.
"Okay!" Li Yurou happily agreed.
Xia Feng and the others walked towards the side of the mansion, reaching a secluded spot. With a gentle wave of his hand, Xia Feng opened a large gap in the barrier.
"Let's go. No one will see us here," Xia Feng said, leading the way inside. The others followed.
Upon arriving at the city lord's mansion, Li Yurou said, "Thank you, Young Master, for bringing us in through the side. I apologize for the trouble."
"It's nothing. Isn't this good too? This way, we can secretly see what's happening with your friend," Xia Feng said, shaking his head slightly.
"Hehe... that's true. Thank you, Young Master." Li Yurou's face lit up with joy.
Xia Feng looked around, confirmed a direction, and then said, "Follow me."