Chapter 29: The Tea House Owner

“Yan'er, why are you just standing there foolishly? Why don't you come in?”

Coming back to her senses, Lin Jinyan looked at the youth standing at the doorway. He had bright eyes, white teeth, and a heroic bearing, with his hair half-tied as he smiled at her. Her eyes couldn't help but redden slightly as she called out, “Second Cousin.”

Gu Yichen walked out to her, looked her up and down, and asked gently

“Are you fully recovered? Yesterday my mother returned saying you were fine but needed a couple more days of rest. Why are you coming out today?”

Lin Jinyan lowered her head to steady her emotions before looking up with a smile

“I am fully recovered. I missed Grandfather, my uncle, and my aunt, so I thought I’d come by so they could see me and feel at ease.”

Gu Yichen smiled. “Grandfather and Father have gone out; they will be back at noon. I’ll take you inside to see Mother so she can check on you again.”

As he spoke, he led Lin Jinyan inside, with Yu Tong and Ma Nao following closely behind.

Gu Yichen instructed the guards at the entrance to park the carriage and arrange for the Lin family servants to rest. Lin Shun stepped forward to pay his respects and said

“Young Master Gu, there are some snacks brought by the Young Lady on the carriage. My Master and the Old Lady are grateful to the General's wife for her hard work in looking after the Young Lady, so they have sent these small gifts. I kindly ask Young Master Gu to arrange for someone to lead us so we may take them inside and put them away.”

Lin Jinyan smiled. “I was so busy talking to Cousin that I completely forgot about this.”

Gu Yichen laughed. “The Old Lady and my Uncle are being too polite. I will arrange for someone to move them into the manor. You all may go and rest.”

Lin Shun bowed in response and, along with the Lin family servants, withdrew following the General's mansion guards.

The scenery of the General's mansion was far less elegant than that of the Lin residence, possessing a heavy military atmosphere that was simple and spacious. In the middle courtyard, next to a pavilion, there was a small martial arts field with many weapons laid out beside it.

Lin Jinyan and Gu Yichen chatted along the way. As they passed the pavilion, through the dappled shadows of the trees, they saw a youth sitting by the stone table inside.

Seeing Lin Jinyan looking on curiously, Gu Yichen spoke

“That is a friend of mine from the martial arts world; I invited him to the manor today to play chess. Wait a moment, I’ll go greet him.”

Lin Jinyan nodded and stopped her steps outside the pavilion.

Gu Yichen entered the pavilion and smiled

“Brother An, we might have to pause this game for a bit. My sister has arrived.”

Hearing Gu Yichen speak, the seated youth followed his gaze and saw Lin Jinyan outside the pavilion.

After their eyes met, the youth stood up and nodded in greeting to Lin Jinyan. Lin Jinyan also bowed in return.

The youth was a head taller than Gu Yichen, with a gentle gaze and a refined, jade-like appearance. He wore a moon-white robe with mugwort-green tea leaves embroidered at the waist. His hair was half-tied with a cyan ribbon, making his tall figure appear both elegant and gentle.

He asked Gu Yichen, “Is this the daughter of the Lin residence you often speak of?”

His voice was steady and dignified, instantly inspiring goodwill in anyone who heard it.

Gu Yichen looked at Lin Jinyan and smiled. “Indeed, she is my only sister. Yan'er, this is my friend, An Zhixian, the young master of the Bu Ye Hou Tea House.”

An Zhixian? Lin Jinyan remembered this name. In her past life, when the Gu family fell into misfortune, many people kicked them while they were down to please Chu Chengyao.

However, there were also many who pleaded for the Gu family, and An Zhixian was among them.

Come to think of it, she had also met this An Zhixian at the General's mansion in her past life. But back then, she had strictly adhered to etiquette and never paid attention to idle people, so they were not acquainted.

He is Chapter 29: Tea House Owner? If he only pleaded for the Gu family in his past life, why would Chu Chengyao be so furious that he gritted his teeth and cursed him as a rebel in front of Lin Jinyan?

He possessed the strength to give Chu Chengyao headaches, yet he maintained good relations with the Gu family. This man was definitely not simple!

(End of Chapter)