“Please come in.” Yan Qing made every effort to appear natural — but the moment she saw Wen Yan and Wen Xu coming to greet them, she still couldn’t help averting her eyes with a touch of discomfort.

A young unmarried woman bringing a grown man to call without warning — that was, to put it mildly, not an easy thing to explain.

“Qing Qing, thank goodness you’re alright.” Wen Yan grabbed her hand, red-eyed, and let out a long, heavy breath. “If you hadn’t come back, Father would have lectured me to death.”

Wen Xu, too, fussed with concern: “Qing Qing, you’re not hurt, are you? You gave Uncle such a fright.”

“I’m fine — just a minor injury, and it’s all been bandaged up.”

Having heard she was hurt, the two of them immediately inspected her carefully, and only when they were satisfied there was nothing serious did they manage to settle themselves a little.

Perhaps because they had been too worried, it was only when Jing Zhi, who arrived a moment later, called out “Director Shi” that everyone noticed there was a tall young man standing behind Yan Qing. The man stood straight and lean, of striking appearance, and carried about him a natural air of commanding authority — clearly no ordinary person.

Seeing both Wen Xu and Wen Yan frozen in place, Yan Qing could only press on with an introduction: “This is my… my friend. His surname is Shi. I owe him a great deal of thanks for his help today.”

Wen Xu hurried forward. “Master Shi, truly, thank you — thank you for saving Qing Qing. We were in such a panic just now — please forgive us if we seemed rude.”

Shi Ting said, “Think nothing of it.”

“Please come in, Master Shi.” Wen Xu led the way with warm hospitality.

Once they had put a little distance between themselves and the others, Wen Yan leaned close to Yan Qing with a mischievous smile. “A friend? What kind of friend? Surely not a boyfriend?”

Yan Qing sighed helplessly. “He really is just an ordinary friend. Don’t say anything strange.”

“Even an ordinary friend can develop into a boyfriend, you know — listen to your older sister. That man is exceptional among exceptionals. If you set your sights on him, I guarantee you’ll have nothing to worry about for the rest of your life.”

Yan Qing rolled her eyes. “Since when do you read character from faces? Never mind worrying about me — you’d do better to worry a little about your own Master Chen.”

At the mention of Master Chen, Wen Yan deflated instantly. “You — how do you know about that?”

Perhaps the old Yan Qing hadn’t known. But the Yan Qing of now could read it plainly — that small, girlish feeling was written all over her face for anyone to see.

In the main hall, Wen Xu was entertaining Shi Ting with tea and had already instructed the servants to prepare a number of valuable gifts to present to Shi Ting as a token of gratitude.

Watching her uncle’s well-meaning gesture, Yan Qing felt a helpless urge to laugh. If he knew Shi Ting’s true identity, he probably wouldn’t have brought out any of these things at all.

“Uncle, we are friends — there’s no need to be so formal.” Not wanting Shi Ting’s refusal to embarrass Wen Xu, Yan Qing stepped forward to smooth things over.

Shi Ting glanced at Yan Qing, then lowered his head and took a sip of tea before saying, “What Yan Qing says is right.”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shi Ting rose to take his leave. Yan Qing quickly said, “Let me see you out.”

At the door, Shi Ting paused and asked, “How many more days do you plan to stay in Taishan?”

“Tomorrow is Uncle’s birthday. Once his birthday has passed, I’ll head back.” Yan Qing said — and then suddenly felt that there was something slightly off about this exchange, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on what. She smiled at him. “Safe travels.”

Shi Ting descended the steps of the Wen residence and walked toward his car. Taishan sat by the sea, and the sea breeze was cool and damp, carrying a faint saltiness against the face.

When he heard the door close behind him, he stopped and turned — but the lacquered red gate was already shut.

He wasn’t sure why, but he had always felt that Sixth Miss was a little strange. On the surface she was all smiles, yet behind that thin veneer of warmth, she held the world at arm’s length. Beneath her delicate exterior, there was a heart that was guarded and cautious.

She truly was a woman of mystery.

—