"Xiao Yuan, I came this time intending to take you with me."

"It was only when I arrived here yesterday that I found out you were already married."

"You have two choices now: leave with me, or stay here at the Qingshan Team?"

Xia Qiuming got straight to the point.

He laid the choice before Leng Yuan.

He explained,

"I only have one day here on this trip, and I have to leave soon. If you decide to come with me, you’ll have to leave right away."

At the door.

Just as Gu Jiaojiao returned, she overheard Xia Qiuming’s words.

The hand she had raised to push the door open froze. ’Maybe I shouldn’t go in right now.’

Gu Jiaojiao pulled her hand back. Just as she was about to leave, she heard a low, firm voice from inside the room.

"That won’t be necessary, Uncle."

"She’s here, so this is home."

After he finished speaking, Leng Yuan looked at Xia Qiuming, who seemed unsure how to apologize, and his expression softened.

"Uncle, I was the one who chose to cut ties with the Leng Family. I also chose to move down here to the foot of the mountain to live. You know my personality; I don’t like crowds. I was looking for an excuse to leave, and funnily enough, the Leng Family gave me one."

"I couldn’t care less about that courtyard they were so obsessed with."

To Leng Yuan, it was nothing more than a place to live.

If the Leng Family wanted it, they could have it.

All he wanted was a quiet life.

He’d had a cool and detached personality his entire life.

There wasn’t much he cared about.

There were few things he cared about in this life. He’d cared for his parents, but they were gone. He’d cared for his uncle, and now that his uncle had returned, he could finally be at ease.

All that remained was one person.

Leng Yuan’s tone was casual, as if he were just making small talk, but his words revealed how much he liked his present life.

Xia Qiuming knew Leng Yuan’s disposition.

He had few ambitions; as long as he had some books lying around, he couldn’t care less about what he ate or wore.

Now, seeing the gentleness radiating from deep within his nephew, he knew it was all because of Gu Jiaojiao.

Seeing him like this, most of the guilt and worry he’d held onto for so long instantly dissipated.

He patted Leng Yuan’s shoulder, gratified.

"Good man. I’m surprised I wasn’t as clear-headed about this as you are."

"But are you certain? You really won’t leave with me?"

Leng Yuan didn’t say anything else.

Xia Qiuming understood his meaning.

He smiled and said, "Since you’ve decided, I won’t say any more."

With that, he took a box from his pocket.

"This is a gift for you two from your aunt. She was just transferred to a new position and couldn’t get leave, so she couldn’t make it."

"Your cousin has also been sent to the countryside, so he couldn’t get leave either. But he had me bring his red envelope for you."

As he spoke, he took a red envelope from another pocket and handed it to Leng Yuan along with the box.

"Come to think of it, you still haven’t met your aunt or your cousin after all these years. I’m about to be transferred to the provincial department. Once I’m settled, I’ll arrange for you all to meet."

Leng Yuan nodded.

He took the box and the red envelope, placing them on a nearby table.

The two men then walked outside together and saw Gu Jiaojiao just stepping into the courtyard.

Xia Qiuming greeted her with a smile. "Jiaojiao, you’re back."

Gu Jiaojiao immediately broke into a smile. "Uncle."

Leng Yuan stepped forward, took the basket from her hands, and said softly,

"Uncle is leaving. Let’s see him off together."

Gu Jiaojiao watched as he set the basket aside and gave a meek assent.

"Mm, okay."

Leng Yuan couldn’t resist taking another look at her. The girl was so quiet and docile, a stark contrast to her usual confident and vivacious self. This time, she was being a little *too* meek.

He felt an urge to reach out and touch her, but seeing his uncle standing beside them, his expression instantly became impassive.

"Uncle, let’s go!"

Xia Qiuming: ...