Chapter 408: Returning to the Compound

Su Yan knew very well that Zhou Li was intentionally speaking this way in front of the elders, specifically so that everyone would know the current nature of their relationship.

"Yanyan, why is this child calling you Senior Sister?"

Song Sining was quick-witted and immediately caught onto the issue.

Everyone else was also staring intently at Su Yan.

Su Yan felt a bit of a headache coming on; as expected, one lie required more lies to cover it up.

However, Zhou Li took the initiative to explain for her: "Because my father particularly admires the way Senior Sister Su conducts herself, and these are exactly the qualities I currently lack. So, he asked me to acknowledge Senior Sister Su as my senior and to stay by her side to learn from her properly."

His tone was serious and sincere, leaving no room for doubt.

Furthermore, hearing it this way, the relationship between him and Su Yan indeed sounded perfectly normal.

The tension in Song Sining's cheeks relaxed slightly. "So that's how it is."

Since Su Yan had gained the recognition of outsiders, they, as her elders, were naturally happy and proud.

"But Xiao Zhou, you and Yanyan are of similar age after all. Since Yanyan is the only one left in her family right now, you living under the same roof might not be good for her reputation. How about this: you can come stay at my house for a while. My house and Yanyan's are both in the same compound, very close to each other."

This was the most stable solution Song Sining could come up with.

Zhou Li hesitated slightly. His purpose for coming this time was to win Su Yan's heart, and of course, living with her would give him the advantage of proximity. However, he couldn't ignore what Song Sining said; after all, he must not cause Su Yan too much trouble in the early stages and cause her to feel resentment.

"Auntie Song, it's also not very convenient on your end since Gu Yang isn't home. Since he's Yanyan's friend, let him stay at my house. If anything happens, I can help," Su Yao spoke up immediately.

Moreover, after speaking, fearing that Zhou Li might refuse again, he delivered a final blow.

"It's settled then. It just so happens that I have an empty room in my house."

Zhou Li instinctively glanced toward Su Yan.

Su Yan was clearly also quite fond of this proposal.

"Then I'll have to trouble Big Brother Su in the future." Thus, before Su Yan could even speak, he accepted readily.

Su Yao gave Zhou Li a smile, though that smile was particularly loaded with emotion.

After the discussion concluded, they departed first.

Su Yan turned to look at Zhou Li. "If you feel it's inconvenient, you can stay in a hotel."

"It's not inconvenient at all. Besides, I've long wanted to experience the life of an ordinary person."

If these words had come from anyone else, they would definitely have sounded like they were flaunting their privilege, but Zhou Li sounded extremely casual.

Su Yan was speechless.

"Senior Sister Su, when do you plan to let Uncle wake up?" Zhou Li's sudden change of topic made Su Yan's heart tremble.

"Father has already told me that you brought back Mysterious Spirit Liquid. I believe there is a high possibility that the liquid can wake him up."

He naturally knew his own family's things best; the miraculous properties of the Mysterious Spirit Liquid were far greater than what they knew.

Su Yan's eyes flickered incessantly. "I will make a decision after I speak with Father's attending physician."

"Senior Sister Su, do you not trust us?" Zhou Li asked very seriously.

After all, the Mysterious Spirit Liquid belonged to the Zhou family.

Su Yan knew he was being over-cautious and gave a definitive answer.

"No, I just..."

She was a little afraid.

Afraid of what she would do if the Mysterious Spirit Liquid still failed to wake her father.

If her father truly woke up, should she tell him the truth about what happened back then?

Every decision she made now would lead to vastly different outcomes in the future, so she had to be cautious.

Under Zhou Li's gaze, she shook her head again. "We've already waited this long; another day or two won't make a difference."

Although Zhou Li didn't know exactly what she was struggling with, he was confident that the person in the hospital bed would definitely wake up.

***

The Textile Factory Compound.

It was evening by the time Su Yan and Zhou Li returned to the compound, and smoke was curling from every household's chimney.

Children were running and chasing each other happily in the courtyard.

Many people returning from work were greeting one another, presenting a scene of a peaceful, tranquil life.

"Senior Sister Su, have you always lived here?"

Looking at everything in the compound, Zhou Li still found it somewhat novel.

From the moment he was born, he had been the most noble young master of the Zhou family and the future heir of the Zhou family; he had never seen a community living in a large compound like this.

Su Yan nodded. Looking at these familiar people and things, her mood gradually calmed down.

At this moment, she even had a thought: once she had avenged her mother, she would no longer care about the chaos of the outside world and would live a stable life here with her father.

"Oh! Isn't that Su Yan? Su Yan is back!"

Soon, someone recognized her and shouted excitedly.

The entire compound instantly became lively.

Many people began walking toward Su Yan.

Before long, Su Yan and Zhou Li were surrounded.

"Su Yan, is there nothing wrong with your eyes?"

The thing everyone immediately noticed was still her eyes.

After all, her eyes had always been covered by a black cloth before, which was far too conspicuous.

A gentle smile appeared on Su Yan's face. "Yes, they're fine now."

"I heard you went to the Capital? And your eyes were treated in the Capital?"

Everyone naturally assumed this to be the case.

Su Yan gave an "Mm."

Countless scrutinizing gazes fell upon her.

Previously, no one could see her eyes, so they didn't have much of a concept of her appearance, but now they were truly stunned.

Her features were already exquisite, and now her eyes were even more watery and bright; her black pupils were embedded like black grapes, making it impossible for people to look away.

"Su Yan, you were in the Capital for so long—you went to seek out Gu Yang, didn't you? Where is Gu Yang? Did he come back with you?"

The fact that Su Yan had gone to the Capital was already common knowledge in the compound.

She had only been taken in by Su Jianguo not long ago and was still studying at school, yet she had gone to the Capital just like that. If it wasn't for Gu Yang, what else could it have been for?

The curve of Su Yan's lips slowly returned to normal. "Big Brother Gu is away on a business trip and hasn't returned yet."

"It's almost Chinese New Year, and he's still on a business trip?" People chattered incessantly, one after another.

At that moment, Wu Qi walked out from the crowd.

He was about to eat, but hearing people outside shouting that Su Yan was back, he had come out specifically to see.

The moment he saw Su Yan, a long-lost smile appeared on his face.

"Yanyan, you've grown even more beautiful after a few months. Are your eyes healed?" Wu Qi was well aware of Su Yan's abilities, so he never truly believed there was a problem with her eyes.

"Hello, Uncle Wu. I'm all fine now." Seeing Wu Qi felt just like seeing Gu Qingfeng and the others; she felt a sense of kinship from the bottom of her heart.

(End of Chapter)