Shen Mingyue's gaze swept over the scene, and then, in a gesture so subtle it was almost missed, she reached out and gently took hold of Mother Lan's free hand. Yuxin and Yubing both saw it. They saw the way Mother Lan's breath hitched for a second, and a soft, girlish blush bloomed on her cheeks—a blush that she tried to hide by fussing with her sleeve. It was a quiet, secret romance hiding in plain sight, and it made the courtyard feel even warmer.
Su Yubing took a deep breath, her expression firming with resolve. She looked at Mother Lan, then at Yuxin, her eyes full of love and determination.
"Auntie Lan, you're right. Things must be done properly. I will go home today and speak with my parents. I will tell them everything." She squeezed Yuxin's hand. "Once I have, we can arrange a day for you all to visit. This week, if possible."
"This week?" Yuxin's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That's fast."
