The room, filled with the faint fragrance of tea, had only Quan Yin in it.

Quan Yin was an elder, and with Gu Xueli by his side, no matter how casual Quan Jin’s character was, he maintained the demeanor of a junior in front of an elder. However, the man sitting on the tatami didn’t pay attention, focusing intently on making tea with a tea needle.

Quan Jin clearly felt the person he was holding was very nervous, her fingers slowly tightening one by one. He glanced at her sideways, gave her a reassuring look, and then led her by the hand to Quan Yin.

"Fifth Uncle." Quan Jin addressed him properly.

Quan Yin was preparing the tea, and upon hearing his voice, turned his head to look over.

His gaze first landed on Quan Jin: "You’re here."

"Yes," Quan Jin replied, then introduced to Quan Yin, "Fifth Uncle, this is my girlfriend, Gu Xueli."

With the term "girlfriend," Gu Xueli’s identity was established in front of Quan Yin.

"Girlfriend?" Quan Yin seemed quite surprised upon hearing Quan Jin’s introduction and looked over at the person standing beside Quan Jin.

Their eyes met.

Under Quan Yin’s gaze, Gu Yuan slowly clenched her hands, a poised and intellectual smile appearing on her face.

Quan Jin said to Gu Yuan, "This is my Fifth Uncle, just follow me and call him Fifth Uncle."

Before Gu Yuan could address him as Fifth Uncle along with Quan Jin, Quan Yin said, "Hello, Miss Gu."

Gu Yuan was taken aback—was Quan Yin being polite before striking?

She responded in a slightly stiff tone, "Mr. Quan, nice to meet you."

He nodded, as if he didn’t recognize her.

For a moment, Gu Yuan couldn’t gauge what he was thinking; she had been ready to reveal everything, yet Quan Yin pretended it was their first meeting...

When Quan Jin heard her address his uncle so formally, he felt slightly displeased. He had told her to follow his lead, and such a distant form of address seemed like a slap to his face. But he quickly adjusted his mindset; he realized their reconciliation was his unilateral declaration—she hadn’t agreed to it, so her manner of address wasn’t unreasonable.

"Please have a seat, Miss Gu," Quan Yin gestured invitingly.

And scolded Quan Jin, "Why are you standing there? Miss Gu is our guest; it’s unreasonable to have a guest stand while drinking tea."

Being reprimanded by an elder in public did hurt his pride a little. He first placed Gu Xueli’s handbag beside her, then let Gu Xueli sit on the tatami, and finally sat down himself.

After sitting down, he said to Quan Yin, "Fifth Uncle, give me some face here, the person I like is right here."

In front of Quan Yin, he valued Gu Xueli highly, to prevent Quan Yin from looking down on her.

After all, his Fifth Uncle was a person with high standards.

Quan Yin warmed the tea cups, placed them in front of the two, glanced at Quan Jin and said, "Face is certainly important, but under such circumstances is when true character reveals itself. Whether good or bad, true colors show and honesty prevails, just don’t mislead the young lady."

Quan Jin’s forehead twitched; was Fifth Uncle subtly criticizing him?

It’s not easy to find a wife these days! Is his Fifth Uncle hoping he stays single forever after his divorce?

Quan Jin forced a smile, "Fifth Uncle makes a good point."

Quan Yin squinted at Quan Jin, "Then tell me, what’s the point?"

Quan Jin’s lips pressed into a straight line as he looked at Quan Yin, engaged in a silent battle.

Was Fifth Uncle in a bad mood and specifically looking for trouble with him today?

If he knew earlier, he wouldn’t have come!

Getting scolded by Grandma wouldn’t have been so bad!

Gu Yuan watched the silent battle between the uncle and nephew, her inner panic already settled down; she was now calm enough to watch what topics the uncle and nephew might spin out.

Quan Yin didn’t expose her identity, indicating that he knew she approached Quan Jin under another guise, silently observing without interfering.

Gu Yuan didn’t want to delve into Quan Yin’s reasons for not interfering and cooperating with her.

The tea was ready, made from tender buds picked before the rainy season. The first brew had a faint sweet aroma, suitable for smelling. The second brew was fit for tasting.

Quan Yin placed the first cup in front of Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan placed her hand on the table, her right hand clenched into a fist, the back of her hand upwards, and performed a knuckle tapping gesture out of respect.

Quan Yin’s warm smile slightly faded.

Because she performed a junior-to-senior gesture of respect.

Gu Yuan picked up the tea cup, smelled the tea fragrance, then sipped a mouthful of the clear tea. Quan Jin immediately leaned over to ask, "How is it?"

Gu Yuan was puzzled for a moment, "How is what?"

Quan Jin: "Do you like the environment here?"

"It’s okay," she replied.

The two were suddenly quite close, which Quan Yin, sitting opposite, observed silently while sipping his tea, his gaze falling on the tender shoot floating in the white porcelain cup, finding his mood turning somewhat dull.