After Wang Yang left, my life seemed to return to normal, but I knew that the matter of An Ying had already taken root in my heart like a seed.
As for when it would blossom and bear fruit, I wasn't sure, but for now, what was important to me was Sui Hou Zhu.
It had been over a month since I returned to Guangling, but Wu Tingxiu hadn't called me once. At times, I even wondered if she had forgotten about my existence.
One day, I was planning to call her to inquire about the situation, but just as I picked up my phone, an unknown number called.
When I answered, it turned out to be Bai Zhujing.
"Little brother Xiang, how have you been lately?"
"Mr. Bai?" I was a bit surprised. "Is there something you need from me, Mr. Bai?"
"Do you happen to have some free time today, little brother Xiang? I'd like to invite you for tea."
Bai Zhujing's voice on the phone didn't betray anything out of the ordinary. I hesitated and said, "It would be my great honor if Mr. Bai invites me for tea."
"Alright, where are you now, little brother Xiang? I'll send someone to pick you up."
"No need to trouble yourself. I'll head to Yipinzhai myself."
After hanging up, Hong Yunpeng came over and asked if I was going out.
When I mentioned that Bai Zhujing was looking for me, Hong Yunpeng raised an eyebrow. "What does he want with you?"
I shook my head. "I'm not sure..."
Actually, I had a vague idea of what it was about, but I wasn't entirely certain.
"Shall I accompany you?" Hong Yunpeng asked.
"That would be great. I'll trouble you to come along, Brother Hong."
"What trouble is there? We're brothers, don't say such things."
When Hong Yunpeng and I arrived at Yipinzhai, we didn't see Bai Zhujing. Instead, we were led to the Bai family's mansion.
This was my second time here; the last time was with Wu Tingxiu.
Upon entering, Hong Yunpeng and I were seated in a side hall. After a moment, someone came and said that Bai Zhujing wanted to see me alone.
I glanced at Hong Yunpeng, asked him to wait there, and followed the person to the backyard.
In the study, Bai Zhujing was preparing tea. The moment I reached the doorway, I caught a whiff of its fragrance.
I quickly identified it as an oolong tea from the Wuyi Mountains.
There's a saying that rock oolong teas are "fragrant like Rougui, mellow like Shuixian," and indeed, as it was being brewed, a captivating aroma filled the air.
Seeing me arrive, Bai Zhujing gestured for me to sit and handed me a bowl of freshly brewed tea.
I cupped the bowl with both hands and took a gentle sip, exclaiming, "Excellent tea."
Bai Zhujing smiled. "If you like it, little brother Xiang, I'll have someone prepare a can for you when you leave, so you can savor it at your leisure."
"That would be too much," I said.
"What's there to be hesitant about? Little brother Xiang has already used people from my Bai family as his pawns, so accepting some tea shouldn't be a problem, should it?"
Although Bai Zhujing still wore a kind smile, his words caught me off guard.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say, and the atmosphere became somewhat subdued.
The hot tea on the table gently steamed, and Bai Zhujing used a tea scoop to stir the tea leaves beside him.
After a long while, I couldn't help but break the silence. "What Mr. Bai means is..."
Before I could finish, he stopped his movements, looked up at me, and said, "The conflict between you and Liu Hun is your own affair. Our Bai family will not interfere, nor do we wish to interfere..."
Hearing this, I wasn't too surprised. I had already anticipated it on the way here.
What else could Bai Zhujing want to see me about if not Bai Hanyan?
What I hadn't expected was that he seemed to know everything about the scheme I had set up for Liu Hun.
He refilled my tea bowl, letting the liquid overflow without stopping, and then slowly said, "Hanyan is pure-hearted and doesn't understand some of the dealings in the martial world. I don't want anyone to use her as a pawn."
As the ancient saying goes, pouring a full cup of wine shows respect, but pouring a full cup of tea is a sign of contempt.
Bai Zhujing's intention was clearly to warn me not to push my luck.
I found it amusing. Compared to your Bai family, I am nothing. How could I dare to bully the Bai family?
Only after emptying the small teapot did Bai Zhujing stop and make a "please" gesture. "This tea must be drunk while it's hot."
I took a deep breath, picked up the slightly hot tea bowl, and took a gentle sip. "Mr. Bai seems to have misunderstood. Miss Bai and I are friends. I have never thought of using her status for anything. As for the matter between me and Liu Hun, if she considers me a friend, she will help me. If she doesn't consider me a friend, she won't get involved."
As I spoke, I put down the tea bowl. "As for whether I have ulterior motives, I know in my heart, and Miss Bai also knows."
My words were clear: I never intended to use your Bai family; you're overthinking things.
Bai Zhujing glanced at me, a faint smile on his lips, and asked meaningfully, "Is that so?"
Just as I was about to answer, a voice called out from behind me, "Xiang Fei? Why are you here?"
I turned my head and saw Bai Hanyan holding some items, clearly having just returned from shopping.
"Mr. Bai invited me over for tea," I replied.
Bai Hanyan looked a bit confused and glanced at Bai Zhujing. "Dad? Did you need something from Xiang Fei?"
"Nothing much, just tea and conversation, a bit of exchange between peers," Bai Zhujing said with a smile.
Bai Hanyan walked over, placed her belongings aside, and said to me, "You've come at just the right time. Accompany me somewhere later."
"Where?"
"A class reunion."
I was a bit slow to react. "A class reunion?"
"I wasn't really keen on going, but several classmates called me this year and insisted I attend. I really couldn't refuse, but I didn't want to go alone..."
As she spoke, she grinned. "You've come at the perfect time. Accompany me later."
Before I could agree, she pulled me up. "I'll take you to get ready first. You need to change your clothes..."
After she dragged me out of the study, she said to Bai Zhujing, "Dad, we'll be going now. I'll have Xiang Fei accompany you for tea another day."
As we left, I noticed a hint of helplessness on Bai Zhujing's face.
And so, I was dragged away from the Bai residence by her, and Hong Yunpeng was also called out.
Sitting in the Santana, Bai Hanyan told Hong Yunpeng, "Drive."
"Where to?" Hong Yunpeng asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.
"Let's find a place to eat first," I replied.
"Okay."
After the car started, we soon arrived at a casual eatery.
Bai Hanyan remained silent for most of the journey, seeming preoccupied. It wasn't until we sat down at the restaurant that she finally spoke, asking, "My dad looked for you about Liu Hun, didn't he?"