The day Qin Yun and Xu Wanwan returned, Qin He received a video call from Yan Chen.
Yan Chen, with dark circles under his eyes, gritted his teeth and said, "He'er, if it weren't for the fact that he's your brother, I would never let him get away with it!"
Qin He felt a little apologetic. "Thank you, Brother Chen."
Yan Chen, addressed so fittingly as "Brother Chen," replied, "I've completed the task you gave me. I'll be back in Qingcheng in a while, and I'll treat you to a drink then."
With Qin Yun's return, Qin He finally felt the burden lifted from her shoulders and had time to visit Madam Liu.
Madam Liu was now staying at a mountain villa in the suburbs of Qingcheng, arranged by Gu Qichen. The villa had hot springs, which were very beneficial for her condition.
Qin He called to arrange a meeting with Madam Liu, hoping to discreetly check her pulse and see if any adjustments to her medication were needed.
During the call, Madam Liu's voice was noticeably stronger than before. "Miss Qin, my health has indeed improved a lot."
Qin He smiled. "I was a bit busy with family matters recently and couldn't get away. I'm free today, so how about I visit you tomorrow?"
Madam Liu agreed and then chatted with Qin He, complaining good-naturedly about Liu Xing'an.
"My husband is now holed up in your West District Joint Department every day, working on some small simulation of mortise and tenon structures. I get quite bored alone at the villa, so it's perfect timing for you to visit."
Qin He felt relieved. The workaholic Gu Qichen certainly wouldn't be staying at a suburban villa.
Liu Xing'an wouldn't be there either, which meant she could casually take Madam Liu for a stroll in the garden and check her pulse without anyone noticing.
"Auntie Liu, I'll come to the villa to see you tomorrow morning."
...
At the West District Joint Department, Liu Xing'an was engrossed in simulating with these small mortise and tenon models.
He had already dismantled half of the dilapidated mortise and tenon pavilion and had examined it thoroughly. He had memorized everything inside and then created small models.
As he was diligently assembling a model, the office door made a soft sound.
Liu Xing'an looked up and saw Gu Qichen standing at the door. He smiled. "Well, you're here again."
Gu Qichen grunted and glanced at the intricate mortise and tenon models on the desk. He thought that if he hadn't found Liu Xing'an, there would likely be no one else capable of repairing the pavilion.
And it was Qin He who had painstakingly found him.
Liu Xing'an found it amusing. "Qi, I see you come to this Joint Department every day, but it doesn't seem like there's anything that requires your personal management. Why aren't you at the company? Your Gu family is quite prominent in Qingcheng, I've heard."
Gu Qichen smiled coldly. "This project is quite important, and I feel more at ease keeping an eye on it here."
Liu Xing'an nodded understandingly, with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Are you keeping an eye on things here? Or are you waiting for someone here?"
Gu Qichen's dark eyes gleamed.
"Don't look at this old man like that. I've been through it myself. When men face someone they like, they should be bolder."
Bolder?
Gu Qichen pursed his thin lips. "Old Man Liu, my situation and yours and Madam's are different."
Liu Xing'an shrugged. "What's different? As long as you like each other and love each other, it's all the same!"
Love each other?
Gu Qichen's gaze flickered.
Liu Xing'an smiled. "You say I don't know the situation, but I actually heard some things. Qi Chen, you young people overthink things too much. If you love someone, just love her. Treat her well in every possible way. That's how I won over your Auntie Liu back then."
As he spoke, his phone on the table rang.
He answered it, and upon hearing the voice on the other end, he immediately smiled. "Mm-hmm, my dear, okay, I understand. You're saying Qin He is coming over tomorrow, right? Alright, I'll come home tomorrow and stay with you."
After hanging up, Liu Xing'an looked up at Gu Qichen's gaze.
He smiled. "Qin He is coming to the suburban villa to visit my wife tomorrow."
Gu Qichen, satisfied, stood up and left.
Liu Xing'an stood with his phone for a moment, then suddenly snorted angrily.
"You little rascal, no wonder you come see me every day, and I thought you were just respecting your elders!"
So he had been coming here to gather intelligence, knowing Qin He was going to visit his wife.
And he, the elder, had been dispensing advice every day!
Who would have thought the young man was full of drive!
The next day.
Qin He woke up early, called Di Shishi, and they drove to the Gu family's suburban villa.
The villa was well-located, adjacent to a small scenic area, with picturesque surroundings.
As they drove up to the mountainside, someone soon welcomed them in.
After passing a large platform, they saw a black and white Hui-style gate standing beside a giant rock.
Qin He and Di Shishi got out of the car and entered the house.
Madam Liu was already waiting under the pavilion in the courtyard. She had been lying on a lounge chair but immediately got up upon hearing their arrival.
Qin He quickly said, "Auntie Liu, please be careful. You're still weak, don't get up too quickly."
She stepped forward and supported Madam Liu's arm.
"Didn't you say you'd come at nine in the morning? You've made me wait impatiently," Madam Liu said with a smile.
Qin He smiled back. "There was some traffic on the way."
As Qin He walked with Madam Liu, she saw two people sitting by a pond not far away.
Gu Qichen and Liu Xing'an were sitting opposite each other at a stone table by the pond, playing Go.
Qin He paused. "Why is Gu Qichen here?"
Madam Liu looked at Qin He with a gentle smile. "I knew you were coming today, so I specially asked your Uncle Liu to come back. Qi Chen brought him back."
Qin He was speechless. Gu Qichen was as cunning as a fox. It would be troublesome to try and check Madam Liu's pulse in front of him.
Liu Xing'an, who had been pondering the game, looked up and saw Qin He and Di Shishi arrive. He let out a hearty laugh.
"I'm not playing anymore, I'm not playing anymore. Qin He and Shishi are here."
Gu Qichen stood up and turned to look over.
Qin He returned his smile. She hadn't seen Gu Qichen for several days since returning from Country L.
Seeing him so suddenly, her heart inexplicably tensed for a moment.
The four of them returned to a room to chat. The conversation gradually turned to the principles of mortise and tenon structures. Qin He, who was already very interested in this field, chatted animatedly, gradually forgetting her discomfort at Gu Qichen's presence.
By lunchtime, she remembered she hadn't checked Madam Liu's pulse.
After lunch, the group sat in the hall chatting. Qin He smiled and said, "Auntie Liu, actually, I've been reading some Chinese medicine books recently and am learning about pulse diagnosis and case studies. May I try taking your pulse?"
Madam Liu immediately extended her hand. "Of course, there's no reason why not. Go ahead and try."
Under Gu Qichen's gaze, Qin He, feigning nervousness, took Madam Liu's pulse, even deliberately fumbling a few times before finding the right spot to make her lack of skill apparent.