Pei Zhen stood still, holding the pure white invitation emblazoned with the school logo, lost in thought. The black ink was not yet dry, with the edges bleeding slightly, creating a prickly sensation. He didn't close the stiff pages, fearing the words would smudge and blur. The fresh scent of the paper mingled with the fragrance in the air but couldn't mask the residual warmth of the fingers that had held it.
He caressed it for a long time until the smile that began at the tips of his eyebrows flowed to the corners of his mouth, then spilled out from his eyes, impossible to conceal, and finally dissolved into the fireplace that was roiling with tongues of flame.
She said that a tedious parent-teacher conference was more important than receiving relatives.
Even though he had reminded her that he could handle the teacher's interrogation alone.
After Xu Si finished saying those words, she went upstairs alone.
That Pei Zhen was so grateful for this was something she did with ease, and his compliance had caught her off guard. She was also willing to devote some time for him, even though Pei Zhen never wanted her to fuss over him.
Anshi had come by around eight o'clock, placing the company's reports in the study. Compared to his previous hesitation, this time his gaze and movements were much more decisive.
Because the competence Xu Si had displayed was enough to astound him.
The study, which once belonged to Mr. Xu, now completely belonged to Xu Si. She had laid down a rule: for official business, one could enter directly at any time, without knocking.
Opening the heavy door revealed moist air inside, and the windows were swinging open.
Xu Si sat not far away on a lounge chair, a thin velvet blanket draped over her lap. It must have started raining outside at some point as the gramophone played melodious pipe music, resonating with the lightning. The wind blew through her scattered skirt, yet it was so smooth that it eluded one's grasp.
Anshi stood to the side and asked softly, "Miss, are you awake?"
Xu Si slowly opened her eyes. Turning her head, she answered in a hoarse voice, "Well, I suppose I can stay awake for a few more decades."
Such a joke felt unsettling on a stormy night, and Anshi didn't know how to respond, so he placed a few letters on the table.
"Miss, your two uncles are already on their way back and should arrive tomorrow. Since they are bringing many items, their luggage is still on the ferry, taking at least a month to sail. Therefore, they hope to stay at the Xu Family's residence temporarily."
Xu Si smiled radiantly, took those letters, and without even a glance, tossed them into the fireplace where they were instantly devoured by flames, turning into heat waves.
Anshi was taken aback. "Aren't you going to read them?"
"I won't. I don't like to read useless nonsense."
They discussed work for over half an hour, thoroughly familiarizing themselves with the Xu Family's real estate business. Then, Anshi brought up an unrelated matter. "Do you think your uncles are coming for the family inheritance this time?"
"Does it seem like it to you?"
Anshi shrugged in bewilderment. "According to common sense, there is that possibility."
Xu Si's gaze shifted bit by bit, watching the lightning continuously cleave the sky. She didn't answer his question.
「Later that night.」
Xu Si refused the servants' offers to help and personally prepared two cups of soothing honey flower tea. The dry petals dissolved in the layered honey, exuding a faint aroma of tea, all contained within frosted glass cups. It was perfect in color, fragrance, and flavor.
After tasting it, it wasn't particularly sweet. She kept one cup for herself and called Pei Zhen for the other.
Pei Zhen was reviewing his coursework, a French book still in his hand.
The warm steam tinged the ends of Xu Si's hair red. Her beautiful eyes were tender and serene. She said with a smile, "Would you like some honey flower tea? It helps with sleep."
Pei Zhen looked at the cup of tea and shook his head. "I won't have any."