The villagers quickly discovered that Liuxian was surprisingly competent when it came to simple tasks.

After Auntie Mo’s dramatic orders, he spent the next hour helping wherever he was needed.

Whether he was carrying baskets, washing vegetables or moving jars from one side of the courtyard to the other, he completed every task without complaint.

The sight alone entertained the villagers. The president of Liu Corporation might have intimidated countless people in the city, but in Shili Village he was simply another pair of hands being ordered around by a group of aunties.

Guiying spent most of that time trying not to laugh whenever he saw Liuxian being directed from one task to another.

Eventually, Granny Wu wiped her hands on her apron and looked around the courtyard.

The old woman seemed satisfied with the progress everyone had made because she nodded once before setting down the vegetables she had been preparing.

"That’s enough. The rest of you can finish things here."

Several aunties immediately protested, demanding to know why they were being abandoned halfway through their work.

Granny Wu rolled her eyes at the complaints before pointing directly toward Guiying and Liuxian.

"Because these two need to leave eventually."

The courtyard instantly quieted.

Only then did everyone seem to remember that Guiying was going home. Granny Wu looked toward the couple and gestured toward the gate with a firm expression.

"You two. Come with me."

Neither of them dared refuse.

The walk back to Granny Wu’s house was short, and the familiar path felt strangely different now that Guiying knew he was leaving.

The moment they stepped inside, Granny Wu pointed toward the staircase and fixed him with a look that immediately reminded him who was in charge.

"Go pack your things."

Guiying blinked.

"I don’t really have much to—"

"Go."

The interruption was immediate.

"You’re going home. At least try to look respectable."

After living under Granny Wu’s roof for a month, Guiying had learned when not to argue. He exchanged a helpless look with Liuxian before turning and heading upstairs without another word.

The moment he disappeared from sight, Granny Wu turned her attention toward the Alpha standing in her living room. Liuxian straightened instinctively beneath her gaze before taking a seat when she gestured for him to do so.

For several moments, the old woman remained quiet. When she finally spoke, her voice carried a seriousness that immediately captured Liuxian’s attention.

"He’s a good child."

Liuxian nodded. "I know."

Granny Wu shook her head slightly.

"No, I don’t think you do."

The response caught him off guard.

The old woman folded her hands neatly in her lap before continuing. "From what I’ve seen, this child spent most of his life believing he wasn’t wanted. Even now, he doubts things that should be obvious. He loves deeply, but because he’s been hurt so many times, he gets frightened more easily than people realize."

Liuxian listened quietly.

Every word felt painfully accurate.

"He’ll forgive people faster than he should, and he’ll blame himself for things that aren’t his fault." Granny Wu glanced toward the staircase before looking back at him. "That means you’ll have to be patient."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Liuxian found himself thinking about the argument that had driven Guiying away and the pain he had completely failed to understand at the time. Looking back now, he regretted many things about that night.

Granny Wu pointed toward the staircase.

"He trusts you more than anyone else. Don’t waste that trust."

The advice was simple, yet it carried more weight than any lecture ever could.

Liuxian nodded slowly.

"I won’t. I promise."

There was no hesitation in his answer.

Granny Wu studied him for several moments before reaching over and patting his shoulder. The gesture felt unexpectedly warm, and the small smile that followed told him she had accepted his answer.

"Good. Then take care of him."

At that exact moment, footsteps sounded from upstairs.

Both of them looked toward the staircase.

Several minutes later, Guiying finally appeared. He looked almost exactly the same as before because he had never brought many belongings with him in the first place.

The only obvious difference was the ring resting on his finger once more, and Liuxian’s eyes immediately lingered on it.

Guiying noticed.

His ears warmed slightly.

He had put it back on before coming downstairs.

Apart from his phone and a few personal items, he carried almost nothing.

"I’m ready."

Granny Wu looked at him quietly. For the first time that day, her expression softened enough for her emotions to become visible.

The old woman suddenly looked less like the strict grandmother who had ordered everyone around for a month and more like someone reluctantly sending her own grandchild away.

Guiying’s chest tightened.

During his stay in Shili Village, Granny Wu had cared for him with a warmth he would never forget.

The old woman stepped forward and adjusted his collar.

"Eat properly."

Guiying smiled and nodded."I will."

"And don’t skip meals."

"I won’t."

"And call occasionally."

His smile widened.

"I’ll call."

Only then did Granny Wu seem satisfied.

The three of them stepped outside together, and Guiying immediately stopped walking.

Almost the entire village had gathered outside the house to see them off. Familiar faces filled the yard, while several children squeezed through the crowd carrying gifts they had insisted on giving him before he left.

For a moment, Guiying simply stared.

He had never expected this many people to come.

"Brother Gui!"

Several children ran toward him at once.

One wrapped his arms around Guiying’s waist while another proudly handed over a small cloth bag.

The excitement on their faces made it impossible not to smile.

"We made this for you."

Guiying accepted the gift carefully.

His eyes suddenly felt warm.

"What is all this?"

Auntie Mo looked offended by the question.

"Gifts, obviously."

The answer sounded as though there could not possibly be another explanation.

"Do you think we’re sending you away empty-handed?"

Several villagers immediately nodded in agreement.

Guiying laughed softly.

The warmth in his chest grew stronger.

Beside him, Liuxian looked equally surprised by the scene unfolding before them.

"What are we going to do about the second car?" Guiying eventually asked.

"Zhang Wei can come and pick it up later."

Liuxian glanced toward him before continuing.

"For now, let’s head home."

The word home felt strange after a month away, yet it also brought an unexpected sense of comfort.

No matter how attached he had become to Shili Village, there were still things waiting for him in the city.

Guiying spent the next several minutes saying goodbye. The children hugged him repeatedly, the aunties reminded him to visit often, and even several of the village uncles joined the farewell despite pretending they were only there by coincidence.

When it was finally Granny Wu’s turn, Guiying stepped forward and hugged the old woman carefully.

"I’ll visit often."