Yan Chen's face was still filled with anger. He had been good friends with Gu Qichen for many years and had watched Gu Ranran grow up.
Sitting on the sofa, he looked dejected: "Ranran, what's going on? There are so many excellent young men around, has your taste become so peculiar? That Yang Hao doesn't look like a good person at all."
An Rui smiled beside him: "Perhaps Yang Hao is more eloquent, charming Ranran into his spell. A young lady like Ranran, who never lacks material things, would be more willing to pursue spiritual fulfillment."
Qin He sighed deeply: "I only hope Brother Chen's threat has some effect."
Yan Chen's expression turned cold: "That wasn't a threat."
After Yang Hao and Gu Ranran left, the remaining six chatted for a while longer.
Before leaving, Qin He didn't forget to remind Yan Chen and Xiao Liyan: "Brother Chen, Brother Liyan, if Ranran asks you for money recently, please don't lend it to her for now."
Xiao Liyan nodded: "Understood."
Leaving the Calaya Club, Gu Qichen drove Qin He home.
On the way, Qin He received another WeChat message from Gu Ranran.
Gu Ranran: [Sister Qin He, I genuinely see you as my future sister-in-law. I hope you and my brother can try to accept Yang Hao. If not, at least don't interfere with me and him!]
Qin He frowned as she looked at the message.
"It seems Ranran still suspects that Yan Chen's threat to Yang Hao at the party today actually included us two."
The car had already stopped in front of the Qin family's gate.
Gu Qichen's voice was cool: "With you and me present, Yan Chen would only dare to act if we implicitly agreed. Ranran is very smart."
Qin He sighed softly: "Then let's wait a few more days. Let her emotions calm down for a bit."
Qin He opened the car door to get out, but Gu Qichen grabbed her wrist.
"What is it?" she turned, confused.
Gu Qichen's gaze was deep: "Did you forget something?"
Qin He: "No."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Qichen leaned in. That familiar, reassuring scent enveloped her.
A kiss, lingering for several minutes, left Qin He with a faint blush: "I'll go in now."
"Mmm," Gu Qichen's voice was husky.
Reluctantly watching Qin He get out of the car, he only turned the car around to leave after her figure disappeared down the road into the Qin family's gate.
The next morning, Qin He woke up early.
After tidying up, she sent a message to Li Ai: [I won't be going to Qingsui today. You watch things.]
Li Ai quickly replied.
Qin He let out a soft laugh. Since becoming deputy director, Li Ai had been very dedicated to her work, proving Qin He hadn't misjudged her.
After breakfast, Qin He left home and drove towards the north of the city.
After about half an hour, her car stopped at the entrance of a hutong leading to a siheyuan. Stepping out, Qin He walked to the courtyard gate and gently knocked. Soon, a familiar voice from inside called out.
"Who is it?"
Qin He chuckled: "It's me, Qin He, Madam."
The courtyard gate quickly opened. Madam Liu's face lit up with joy upon seeing Qin He.
"He'er, you haven't been here in ages. Come in, come in quickly."
As Qin He entered, Madam Liu still looked outside: "Isn't Qichen with you today?"
"No, I just wanted to come and see you and Master today," Qin He said with a smile.
As they spoke, her gaze drifted towards the main house.
The weather had warmed up, and there were quite a few mosquitoes in Qingcheng. The main house had a screen door, which was slightly ajar. Seeing her glance over, it was shut tightly again.
Qin He chuckled: "Master seems to be angry. Is it because I haven't visited for too long?"
Madam Liu laughed: "He's getting more eccentric with age. He really wants you to visit, but he always pretends to be angry. You should go in and see him. What do you want for lunch? I'll cook it for you."
Qin He smiled charmingly, hooking her arm around Madam Liu's and listing a few dishes: "Madam, call me if you need any help later."
Madam Liu nodded with a smile: "Okay."
After entering the main house, Qin He glanced to the side. Master was sitting at a small table, carving wood. The water on the nearby tea table had already boiled.
She smiled, then went over to move the teapot from the tea table aside. After preparing the tea, she brought it to Liu Xing'an.
"Master, are you still angry?"
Liu Xing'an ignored her with a cold expression. Qin He blinked and placed the tea in front of him: "Master, what are you doing?"
Liu Xing'an finally said coldly: "Can't you understand? If you can't understand, it proves your learning is not adequate."
Qin He gave a sheepish laugh: "It's just that I've been quite busy lately."
"You know yourself you haven't been here much," Liu Xing'an snorted, slammed the small piece of wood in his hand onto the table, picked up his teacup, and took a sip: "Why is it so hot?"
Qin He grinned: "It's boiling water, of course, it's hot! Master, be careful. Do you want me to bring you some snacks?"
"No need," Liu Xing'an eyed Qin He: "What's been going on with you lately? You haven't visited me much since you returned from abroad. Do you even want to learn from me after becoming my disciple?"
Qin He repeatedly said: "I want to learn, I want to learn."
She sat beside Liu Xing'an and said softly: "Master, you also know I have some matters to attend to. But don't worry, I'll finish them soon. After I'm done, I promise I'll come every day to learn."
Liu Xing'an grudgingly hummed: "It doesn't really matter if you learn or not. I've already written all my lifelong knowledge in that book, and I've already passed it on to you."
Qin He nodded: "Master, didn't we talk about building that exhibition hall? It's already done. Why aren't you there overseeing it at this time?"
Liu Xing'an waved his hand: "It's not interesting. I originally thought building an exhibition hall would promote the intangible cultural heritage of mortise and tenon joints. But so many people went there just to take photos, or they would just offer superficial praise, praise that was completely off the mark. I don't want to interact with them anymore."
Qin He chuckled: "Then you can set rules, like not allowing people to take photos once they enter."
Liu Xing'an shook his head: "Forget it, that's too much trouble. If there are too many rules, it wouldn't feel like an exhibition hall anymore."
They chatted for a while, and Qin He learned a few more small structures from Liu Xing'an.
The morning passed quickly.
At noon, Madam Liu finished cooking and came in to call them for lunch.
When they arrived at the dining room, Qin He discussed the history of mortise and tenon joints with Liu Xing'an. Liu Xing'an became animated when this topic came up.
After lunch, Qin He took Madam Liu's pulse: "Madam's health is quite robust now. It seems our motherland's mountains and rivers are indeed nourishing."