Chapter 163: The Streets of the Old Estate

Luo Yixia hadn't slept for long. With things weighing on her mind, she dozed for just over half an hour before waking up. Song Chenyi was still asleep beside her.

Luo Yixia tiptoed out of bed and left the room.

The wooden corridor wound and turned, leading to a row of bedrooms.

The courtyard was planted with numerous shrubs and trees, with an ancient osmanthus tree standing proudly in the middle.

While many plants withered in winter, the osmanthus tree remained evergreen.

Judging by its size, the osmanthus tree must have been at least a hundred years old, and the estate itself looked quite ancient.

Luo Yixia looked around and didn't see any domestic staff or servants; there was probably only that one housekeeper.

After taking a couple of turns, by the time she snapped back to reality, Luo Yixia had completely lost track of which room she had come from.

In plain terms, she had gotten lost in her own home.

After wandering around for a long time, she ended up back at the small courtyard with the osmanthus tree, but she couldn't tell directions and had no idea which room was theirs.

Every room had grey tiles and red walls outside. The empty rooms weren't even locked, with their doors left ajar.

She pushed open a couple of doors. The furnishings inside were mostly similar, and the rooms were impeccably clean, revealing nothing special.

Luo Yixia simply gave up. Since she didn't know the way, she might as well walk around a bit more.

So she wandered off into the other courtyards.

The corridors were decorated with festive lanterns, glowing brightly and cheerfully even though the New Year had not yet arrived.

The door to one of the rooms was half-open. Assuming someone lived inside, Luo Yixia walked in, only to find it was a music room filled with various musical instruments, and even a desk covered with writing brushes, ink sticks, paper, and inkstones.

At a glance, it was clearly a family of scholars. No wonder Song Chenyi was so exceptional; it must be in his genes.

To Luo Yixia's surprise, however, a scholarly family had ultimately chosen the path of commerce.

Didn't people of letters traditionally look down upon merchants the most? There is no merchant without deceit—a rule etched in stone from ancient times to the present.

Fortunately, Song Chenyi ended up studying medicine, wearing a white coat and saving lives. It was wonderful that he didn't become a businessman, haggling over every penny, crawling through the marketplace, and constantly scheming against others.

Yet whenever she thought of all those domineering CEO romance novels she had read, imagining Song Chenyi in a suit, taking her to a department store, pointing at a row of clothes, bags, and shoes, and saying, "Wrap them all up."

Actually, that didn't sound too bad either. As expected, as long as it was Song Chenyi, no matter what he did or what career he pursued, she would remain utterly infatuated.

Luo Yixia backed out of the room and closed the door.

She sat down on the long wooden veranda, leaning her back against a wooden pillar as the warm sun shone upon her.

Luo Yixia closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and felt thoroughly content.

It was so comfortable and quiet here, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. When spring arrived, it must be filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers.

When Song Chenyi found her, she had already fallen asleep leaning against the wooden pillar.

Her shoulder-length hair had grown considerably. Today, she had braided it into two pigtails that rested on her shoulders, still retaining her cute little appearance.

Song Chenyi stood aside, watching her for as long as she slept.

On one hand, he was worried she wouldn't sleep soundly and might fall over; on the other hand, he just wanted to quietly watch her like this.

Luo Yixia had been facing the sun the whole time, and the glare had made her eyes dizzy. When she groggily blinked them open, she saw a dark figure standing right beside her.

The sudden fright startled her. Having stayed in the same position for too long without moving, her body cramped up, and she leaned sideways.

The expected pain never came, and instead, she landed in a broad, warm embrace.

"Did you fall asleep and muddle your brains?" Song Chenyi asked with a faint smile.

Luo Yixia rubbed her eyes before she finally managed to clearly see the person in front of her.

"Why didn't you sleep in the room instead of running out here to sleep?"

Luo Yixia sat up straight, but still reluctant to move. Warmed pleasantly by the sun, perhaps feeling too comfortable, she buried her face in his chest, inhaling the fresh, pleasant scent unique to him.

"Are you dizzy?"

"No, I just want to take advantage of you for a little while," Luo Yixia said with a cheeky grin.

"I'll let you take advantage of me tonight. It's still broad daylight now, the optics aren't good," Song Chenyi chuckled softly near her ear.

Luo Yixia pouted. Who would have thought that the usually aloof male god was so utterly shameless in private?

Seeing that Luo Yixia still didn't move, Song Chenyi continued, "Of course, if you want to do something to me outside and get seen by others, I actually don't mind much, as long as you—"

"Alright, alright, I'm getting up."

Luo Yixia decisively interrupted him. If she let him continue spouting nonsense, who knew what wild and daring things he might say next.

She stretched lazily, waking up her stiff body.

"It feels so nice. I want to sleep here again tomorrow."

"It's bad for your cervical spine. There won't be a next time," Song Chenyi firmly rejected her, denying her any chance of a repeat.

Song Chenyi led her to the front courtyard. This time, Luo Yixia made a serious mental note of the route. It wasn't as if the place was impossible to navigate, yet somehow she always managed to forget.

Oh well, she'd get used to it after getting lost a few more times.

In the front hall, the old lady was already awake and sipping tea.

Zhou Yun was also sitting nearby, the two of them chatting about everyday family matters.

Seeing Luo Yixia approach, both of them beamed and warmly beckoned her over.

"Grandma, Mom," Luo Yixia greeted them sweetly.

The old lady smiled, crinkling the corners of her eyes. "You always complained about giving birth to two sons and not having a single considerate one. Now that you have such a sweet little padded jacket of a daughter-in-law, you should be secretly thrilled."

Zhou Yun readily agreed, "Xiàxia is so obedient. If Chenyi and Zeming could be even half as filial as her, it would be wonderful."

Song Chenyi, standing off to the side, looked completely innocent.

"Why didn't you bring your father and mother-in-law along? They should all come and stay here for a while. How wonderful it would be to have a full family reunion."

"Grandma, my parents are quite busy, and my paternal grandparents are still at home. They only have my dad as a son, so he has to go back and keep them company," Luo Yixia replied.

"Next time, bring your grandparents along to stay too. It's not like I lack space here. It'll be just right for us old folks to chat and pass the time."

"Okay, next time, I'll have Grandpa and Grandma come along too."

"I want to chat with your wife, so you can head outside first. Standing there is just an eyesore to me—I might as well have raised a mute grandson." The old lady shot a sideways glance at the silent Song Chenyi standing nearby.

Luo Yixia and Zhou Yun tried their hardest to hold back their laughter.

"Grandma, I won't come back next time. I'll just let your precious granddaughter-in-law come back by herself," Song Chenyi teased deliberately.

"Are you starting to talk back to your grandma now? Was grandma wrong?" the old lady asked with mock dissatisfaction.

"Alright, alright, I was wrong. I'll go take a walk and let your granddaughter-in-law keep you company so your grandson won't be here being an eyesore." With that, Song Chenyi walked outside.

"Pfft, hahaha, I think he's actually mad." Once Song Chenyi was out of earshot, Luo Yixia couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"It's rare to see this boy get reprimanded," the old lady laughed as well. "Xiàxia, is this boy treating you well? If he ever bullies you, you must tell me, and grandma will teach him a lesson for you."

"Don't worry, Grandma. He really treats me very well. Besides, even if he did bully me, Mom and Dad definitely wouldn't let him get away with it." Luo Yixia's eyes curved into crescent moons as she looked at Zhou Yun.

"That's more like it," the old lady hummed playfully.

After chatting for just a little while, Luo Yixia grew distracted, repeatedly glancing outside.

Zhou Yun and the old lady exchanged a glance, and the old lady smiled and said, "Alright, go on out and find him. Your heart has already flown off. Just let your mother chat with me."

Luo Yixia's thoughts were exposed, but she didn't feel awkward at all, merely sticking out her tongue.

"Then I'll go out and walk around with him."

"Go on. Have Chenyi show you around the neighborhood."

With the green light given, Luo Yixia hurried out the door.

Only once she got outside did she feel a bit confused again. Luckily, the main gate was right ahead. When she reached the doorway, no one was there.

A trace of disappointment rippled through her heart. He must have walked far away; should she just make a call and ask where he was?

She patted her pockets, realizing she hadn't brought her phone.

She looked back at the intricate maze of courtyards and immediately dismissed the idea. By the time she wandered back inside, Song Chenyi would probably have already returned.

She sighed, resigning herself to going back inside to keep the two women company.

Suddenly, her eyes were covered from behind.

The moment the person leaned in, Luo Yixia recognized him instantly by his familiar scent.

"Hmm? Mom?" Luo Yixia asked with feigned uncertainty.

The person behind her didn't react at all, so Luo Yixia tried again, "It couldn't be Dad, right?"

Knowing she was just teasing, Song Chenyi couldn't help the corners of his mouth curling upward.

"Well? What if it's me?"

"What do you think?" Song Chenyi countered.

"Then I'll offer myself to you in marriage." Luo Yixia turned around with a smile and threw herself into his arms.

"I feel like I've gotten the short end of the stick," Song Chenyi said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"You're taking advantage yet acting all innocent. You don't know how much Grandma dotes on me now. Later, I'm going to tell Grandma, Mom, and Dad that you're treating me poorly." Luo Yixia pouted.

"Please don't, I was wrong." The mere thought of them lecturing him endlessly in his ear made Song Chenyi surrender immediately.

Luo Yixia stood on tiptoe and kissed his chin.

Song Chenyi had shaved just last night.

At the time, Luo Yixia had been extremely curious and even helped him shave, though she had been utterly meticulous out of fear that she might nick him.

Now, running her fingers over it, his skin felt quite smooth.

Given Song Chenyi's naturally good complexion, he looked just like a clean-cut, handsome young man from this angle.

"Weren't you going outside? Why are you here?"

"I figured you'd come out looking for me, I just didn't expect you to be so slow."

So he had been waiting for her all along. Hearing that, Luo Yixia felt even more delighted.

"Then as compensation, I'll accompany you for a walk and show you around. How about that?" Luo Yixia linked her arm through his.

"Are you turning the tables and playing the host now?"

"Or you can show me around instead," Luo Yixia tilted her head.

"Fine, let's go."

Luo Yixia stuffed her hands into his pockets as the two of them stepped out of the courtyard and strolled down the street.

In this remote little street in City A, the pavement was clean yet retained an ancient charm.

Resembling a tourist attraction, the place exuded a fresh, vibrant atmosphere.

With the New Year approaching, those who had gone away to work had all returned, and the streets were still populated with quite a few people buying New Year goods.

Small stalls displayed all sorts of trinkets.

Unlike visiting a regular shopping mall, Luo Yixia found this novelty quite fascinating.

Although her family used to live in the countryside, she hadn't spent much time there growing down, and this place felt completely different from a typical rural village.

In the distance, someone was even peddling candied hawthorns on a stick, and Luo Yixia finally couldn't help herself anymore.