"As long as Yu Yu likes it," Song Huaizhi said, standing aside. He was taking something from his attendant and then smiling faintly at Meng Ruyi. "Take a rest first and then go for dinner."
After saying that, he twitched the corner of his mouth somewhat awkwardly and continued, "I'll go and see with them what else needs to be arranged. If you need anything, just call me."
Watching Song Huaizhi walk away, Meng Ruyi's gaze lingered for a long time, with a hint of indescribable melancholy on her face.
Zhang Yunyun had just gone to check out the small courtyard. Seeing Meng Ruyi standing still outside, she trotted over. Standing still, she sighed, "Song Huaizhi is really amazing. He actually found such a place. Usually, when I wanted to go for a spring outing, I had to get up early and rush here. By the end of the day, my whole body would be stiff."
Meng Ruyi nodded slightly in agreement.
As the sun set in the west, only a wisp of afterglow remained in the sky, dyeing it orange. Then, bit by bit, the light was swallowed up, leaving only a deep, heavy blue. It got cold quickly in the mountains. Meng Ruyi and Zhang Yunyun were both immersed in the scenery. When they came to their senses, they only felt the mountain wind suddenly turn cold, blowing away the heat.
The small courtyard was well - arranged. With Gu Ling's joining, Zhang Yunyun and Meng Ruyi would share a room, while Song Huaizhi had to share with Gu Ling. The middle room was too old to be lived in, so it was left idle.
"Let's go," Song Huaizhi said. Seeing that the two girls had been engrossed in the scenery, he waited until they had seen enough before coming out. "It's getting cold at night. It's better to go into the house earlier. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Okay," Meng Ruyi gently tugged at Zhang Yunyun's sleeve and then said softly to Song Huaizhi, "Brother Song, go in first. I'll come right away."
After saying that, she stood still. Only when Song Huaizhi turned around did she pull Zhang Yunyun and slowly move inside.
"Something's not right," Zhang Yunyun said. Sensing the strange atmosphere between the two, she instinctively touched her nose. "Did you two quarrel? Why does the atmosphere between you two seem so strange after just one day apart? People who don't know might think you're strangers who just met."
They were avoiding suspicion and speaking politely. Zhang Yunyun wasn't used to it. After saying that, she turned to look at Meng Ruyi, trying to find something different on her face.
[Hahaha, great! Zhang Yunyun is really smart. She noticed something wrong at a glance and even asked directly! Perfect assist!]
[Oh, they're just one step away from confessing their feelings, but now they're pretending not to know each other. It's so awkward and cute!]
[I feel like I've become several years younger just watching this! Laughing so hard!]
Meng Ruyi glanced at the bullet comments and immediately turned her head away as if burned by fire. She pinched the brocade pouch at her waist and then pretended to be calm. "Huh? What's not normal? I'm just a bit tired and don't feel like talking."
"Moreover, Brother Song and I are cousins. Now that we're older, we naturally need to avoid suspicion. How can we be like when we were kids?"
This explanation was flawless. The more Meng Ruyi spoke, the more reasonable she sounded. Her gaze shifted from the side and landed on Zhang Yunyun.
Seeing the tiredness in her eyes and that her expression was the same as usual, Zhang Yunyun still felt that something was off. But seeing Meng Ruyi so certain, she could only say "oh".
Seeing Zhang Yunyun stop talking, Meng Ruyi finally let out a sigh of relief in her heart. She lifted her foot and walked towards the small courtyard. When she looked up, she saw Song Huaizhi leaning against the door, staring steadily at her. His expression was hidden by the twilight, making it hard to tell. When he saw her looking at him, Song Huaizhi turned and walked into the house.
Meng Ruyi: "!!!"
Oh no! Did Brother Song hear what she just said? Would he think that she was deliberately acting distant from him now?
Meng Ruyi's heart skipped a beat. Then, it felt as if it was being tightly grasped by a big hand, and she suddenly had trouble breathing. She even hesitated for a moment while walking.
She tried hard to suppress the urge to chase after him and took a deep breath.
This is really...
This coincidence was just too much. Meng Ruyi could only let out a bitter laugh.
...
Early the next morning, after packing up, they planned to climb the mountain.
There was a temple on the mountain with good incense. Gu Ling felt that the place looked more and more familiar as they walked. After a while, he finally frowned and looked at Song Huaizhi hesitantly. "No way? Why does it look so familiar? Have I been here before?"
Song Huaizhi was in a bad mood and had a blank expression on his face. Hearing this, he gave Gu Ling a half - smiling look with a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Gu Ling shut up and walked obediently. But the more he walked, the more uncertain he felt.
It wasn't right. Since he was assassinated, he rarely left the small town, and he had hardly seen these surrounding mountains. Why did he feel so familiar with this place?
Unless...
Gu Ling almost choked on his own saliva. At the thought of that possibility, he coughed violently.
"Cough, cough, cough... No way, is this the mountain from that time?"
Gu Ling finally remembered that this was the mountain where the Gu family was ambushed last time. Immediately, he felt a chill run down his spine, as if there were many people staring at him, waiting for an opportunity to attack.
"Yeah."
The commotion here attracted the attention of the two girls walking behind. Meng Ruyi cast a curious glance forward and saw Gu Ling with a flushed face, while there was a rare mischievous look in Song Huaizhi's eyes.
Hearing this, Gu Ling coughed so hard that he was out of breath. The servant behind rushed forward and handed him a bamboo tube filled with water. Then, he lowered his head and stood aside, looking worried but not daring to ask.
"Cough, cough, cough! Why is it here!" Gu Ling felt as if he couldn't breathe just thinking about that night. Looking at Song Huaizhi, he said, "Brother Song! Why didn't you tell me!"
"Huh?" Song Huaizhi raised his eyebrows and said indifferently, "Wasn't it you who jumped into the carriage with your luggage without saying a word?"
Gu Ling immediately shut up and couldn't say a word.
For the rest of the journey, Gu Ling was very quiet.
[Gu Ling: Why is it only me who's suffering?]
[Yu Yu and Yun Yun are behind, almost dying of laughter! Hahaha]
When they reached the mountain and saw the familiar gate, Gu Ling felt dizzy. Fortunately, this time they were just passing by. Their destination was a place further away, where there was a very clear stream, perfect for playing in the water.
When they arrived, seeing the unfamiliar scenery around, Gu Ling finally slumped in relief and stood there in silence.
"Hey! There are fish!"
Zhang Yunyun couldn't hold back anymore. She walked to the stream and saw fish swimming in the small pond in front, looking very lively.
"Will they taste good?" Meng Ruyi also leaned over to take a look. Seeing the fish, she couldn't help but say.
Unexpectedly, Song Huaizhi happened to come over and hear this. Hearing this, he smiled and said gently, "Want to eat fish? Then I'll go and catch a few."