Xia Wantang walked to the window barefoot.
A ray of golden sunlight shone on her face through the gaps in the large trees, creating dappled spots of light.
It made her face even more beautiful, as if it were a finely sculpted work of art.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her lips were bright red, and the hint of spring in her brows was exceptionally captivating.
In the sky, the sun retracted its blinding glare, turning into a crimson disc.
Ling Yuchen walked behind her, encircling her with his arms and leaning on the windowsill.
Xia Wantang was embraced by him, a small, compact figure.
Her back was pressed tightly against his chest, and she could clearly hear his steady breathing by her ear.
The clean, pleasant scent emanating from him filled her nose, causing Xia Wantang's heart to race.
Her waist still ached faintly, and Xia Wantang felt a little flustered, whispering, "Dinner will be ready soon."
"Mmm."
His magnetic, pleasant voice sounded by her ear, his warm breath brushing past her ear and neck, ticklish and sending waves of numbness through her.
Xia Wantang blushed involuntarily and struggled a couple of times, wanting to escape his embrace.
Ling Yuchen leaned in closer and said in a husky voice, "Wife, don't move so much."
Xia Wantang immediately dared not move again.
Ling Yuchen slowly tightened his embrace, his narrow, cold eyes now filled only with tender affection.
He realized there were such wonderful things in the world; just holding her in his arms filled his heart with sweetness.
No wonder ancient kings preferred beauties over kingdoms and neglected court affairs.
They stood embracing each other, looking out the window together, watching the sun slowly set in the sky and finally disappear behind the eaves.
As the sky darkened, lanterns lit up at intervals along the corridor, their dim, yellow light adding warmth to the large mansion at night.
They walked hand in hand towards the front courtyard.
The long corridor curved like a labyrinth, with servants passing by from time to time.
Towards Ling Yuchen, their gazes held more respect and fear, but towards Xia Wantang, their eyes conveyed envy and curiosity.
Before, Ling Yuchen had been aloof and uninterested in women.
Approaching thirty, he still had no woman by his side, leading everyone to believe he wasn't interested in women.
Then, one day, he brought a wife back, and suddenly he was like a changed man. It would have been strange if they weren't curious.
After they walked away, hushed whispers began.
"Look how gentle the young master is smiling!"
"Yes, the young madam is truly blessed. I've worked in the Ling family for decades.
Back then, the old master was also like this; cold and indifferent before meeting the old madam, but after meeting her, he wished he could stick to her side every day."
"Oh, what about the patriarch? The patriarch and the old madam loved each other very much too! It's truly a blessing to marry into the Ling family."
The murmurs gradually faded as the couple reached the dining room.
Compared to noon, the dining room was much quieter in the evening. The dishes weren't all served yet, but they were more exquisite than at lunch.
Elder Master Ling and Madam Ling sat together, wearing reading glasses and poring over something on their phones.
Meanwhile, Ling Junye sat alone on a single sofa, also looking at his phone.
Xia Wantang's gaze fell on the woman beside Zhu Yunfei.
Zhu Yunfei held her hand, and the two of them chatted animatedly, their smiles radiant.
Xia Wantang recognized her; they had met once before. It was Situ Jing.
"Wantang is here, come, come to your mother," Zhu Yunfei said with a full smile, beckoning. "Let me introduce you to a neighbor sister."
So she was a neighbor, no wonder she called him Brother Yuchen. They must have been childhood sweethearts.
She glanced subtly at Ling Yuchen, then walked over with an unchanged expression.
A smile flickered in Ling Yuchen's eyes, and he thought, "She still holds a grudge!"
Xia Wantang replied to Zhu Yunfei with a gentle smile, "Mom, I've already met her."
As she spoke, she walked over and sat down beside Madam Ling, greeting everyone in turn:
"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad."
Elder Master Ling said kindly, "Good, good."
Madam Ling smiled and pulled Xia Wantang's hand, asking in a gentle voice, "Are you hungry, dear? Dinner will be served soon."
Ling Junye simply grunted, a hint of gentleness visible in his brow.
"I'm a little hungry, I slept for a while," Xia Wantang replied, smiling and nodding at Situ Jing.
Situ Jing only gave her a brief glance, her smile a little stiff.
At this moment, her heart sank to the bottom.
She had only learned of Ling Yuchen's return to the old mansion from someone at Tengkong Group that noon.
Thinking about the news online and what Ling Yuchen had announced at the birthday banquet, she couldn't help but be curious.
She wondered if he would bring Xia Wantang back to the Ling family.
So she couldn't help but follow them back.
The Situ family and the Ling family were neighbors.
After returning, she couldn't stay at home and decided to come over to see what was happening.
She still held a sliver of hope.
Considering the close relationship between the Situ and Ling families, their elders had even jokingly mentioned a childhood engagement.
Perhaps others in the Ling family wouldn't think highly of Xia Wantang.
After all, large families often pursued arranged marriages for political or financial reasons, and Mother Ling and Madam Ling had always been fond of her.
But from the current situation, it seemed that the other members of the Ling family had all accepted Xia Wantang.
From the moment she entered, they had been full of praise for Xia Wantang.
Especially when she heard Xia Wantang affectionately call them Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma, her heart felt as if it were pierced by sharp knives.
Had they already registered their marriage?
"Jingjing, what's wrong?"
Zhu Yunfei had intended to introduce them, but since they said they knew each other, she didn't say much more.
However, seeing Situ Jing's unhappy expression, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
How could she not see Situ Jing's feelings for her son?
Alas, their destinies were not aligned.
Situ Jing regained her senses, quickly masked her emotions, and offered a proper smile.
"Aunt Ling, I'm fine. I just remembered some childhood memories and got lost in thought. I didn't expect Brother Yuchen... to get married so quickly."
"He's almost thirty, and my hair is turning white with worry," Madam Ling said jokingly. "You're also not young anymore, it's about time you found a family to marry into."
Zhu Yunfei exchanged a look with her mother-in-law and added, "I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry Jingjing in the future."
Situ Jing's smile began to falter.
These two were singing in harmony, completely avoiding any mention of their past. How could she not understand the implication?
If it were before, they certainly wouldn't have said this.
Xia Wantang smiled but said nothing, knowing everything clearly.
Before, it was just a guess, but now she was a hundred percent sure.
This Situ Jing liked Ling Yuchen.
Otherwise, why would such a coincidence happen in the world? As soon as she and Ling Yuchen returned to the Ling family, she appeared.
"It's getting late, I... I should go home," Situ Jing couldn't stay any longer; every moment here was an ordeal.