Since Xiao Mo had no choice, he went with Chen'er. Meanwhile, Ziyu also took Zihuan to buy groceries, leaving only Lin He and Wen Ningxuan in the courtyard. Wen Ningxuan walked over to the rocking chair behind Lin He and sat down, leaning his head back, his eyes fixed on her. Lin He rarely saw Wen Ningxuan in such a state; he looked incredibly relaxed, his usual icy demeanor completely gone, replaced by an air of languor that was even more striking. Wen Ningxuan broke the silence: "He'er, where is my gift?"

"You mean the cake? Didn't you say we'd look at it later? You want it now?" Lin He deliberately feigned misunderstanding, knowing he wasn't referring to the cake.

Wen Ningxuan didn't reply, only continued to gaze at Lin He. Feeling flustered under his unwavering stare, Lin He didn't know where to put her hands or feet, so she turned, intending to walk back into the house. As she passed the chair, Wen Ningxuan caught her hand: "He'er, is the sachet finished? If not, go inside and finish it now. I'll wait for you here."

"Why must the gift be a sachet?" Lin He asked.

"He'er, don't you know why I want the sachet you're making as a gift? For the past few years, every birthday I had in the capital, this was the gift I wished for, but you were never old enough. Now you are grown, and I have returned. He'er, I only want a sachet embroidered by your own hands as a gift. Will you?" Wen Ningxuan rarely spoke so much at once.

Given Wen Ningxuan's reserved nature, saying this much was already significant. Lin He couldn't fathom what about her had attracted Wen Ningxuan; just a few years ago, she was just a little girl, yet she was so honored to be noticed by this second young master. But since it was Wen Ningxuan, Lin He let out a soft laugh. Furthermore, it seemed clear that if he didn't get the sachet today, he wouldn't let it go. Lin He finally said, "It's done."

Lin He’s simple statement seemed to fill the loneliness Wen Ningxuan had harbored for so long, bringing an indescribable joy. In truth, he had only said it to see her reaction; if she truly hadn't made it, he wouldn't have waited here for her to stitch it. But her saying it was finished—did this mean Lin He had understood his feelings and was willing to accept him? This thought made him almost ecstatic, marking the largest emotional surge Wen Ningxuan had experienced in many years.

Wen Ningxuan still held Lin He's hand and made no move to release it. He seemed to want further confirmation, so he stood up and looked intently at her, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. Lin He smiled gently, trying to pull her hand away, and said, "I'll go get your gift."

Wen Ningxuan didn't let go immediately. He looked down at the chain Lin He was wearing and asked softly, "Do you like this chain?"

Lin He nodded, then walked toward the house. Only then did Wen Ningxuan realize that his recent anxiety stemmed from not having received a clear response from Lin He. Today, his heart finally settled. A genuine, heartfelt smile bloomed on his face—the happiest he had smiled in years.

Lin He returned from the house, holding out the sachet to Wen Ningxuan. "There's also a pillow I made myself; it aids sleep. Take it when you leave later."

Wen Ningxuan didn't pause to consider the implication of her mention of sleep. He just held the sachet carefully in his hand and remarked, "He'er’s needlework is very good."

"How would you know it’s good? Do you know how to do needlework?" Lin He asked with a smile.

Wen Ningxuan didn't answer, only offered a faint smile before sitting back down in the chair. Lin He walked to the other rocking chair beside his. There were two rocking chairs in the courtyard, separated by a small table in the middle. The two sat there, occasionally exchanging words, enjoying a truly peaceful moment.

Wen Ningxuan said, "He'er, my father says I must select a location to open my own Cai Die Xuan, which I will manage entirely from now on. I plan to go look in a few days. Can you spare some time to come with me? I'm not familiar with the products at Cai Die Xuan."

"You're managing it yourself? Hasn't Uncle Wen always managed all the Cai Die Xuan branches?" Lin He inquired.

"Now that I'm back from the capital, I won't be going back to study. Father said I need something to occupy my time, so he gave me the Jin Fu Silver House. Furthermore, he wants me to find a spot and open a new Cai Die Xuan, saying I need to learn how to run a business," Wen Ningxuan explained.

"No wonder you've been showing up at the silver house so often. Can you handle managing it?" Lin He pictured Wen Ningxuan negotiating business deals—he didn't seem like a man built for commerce.

"I can't manage it alone. He'er, will you help me manage it?" Wen Ningxuan asked with a smile.

Lin He cast him a sidelong, playful glance, neither accepting nor refusing his invitation to accompany him. She simply leaned back in her chair, though she hadn't been sitting long before Ziyu and Zihuan returned with the groceries—and quite a lot of them, at that. Lin He rose from her chair and noticed Wen Ningxuan resting in his, his eyes closed, seemingly already asleep. Lin He asked them to take the vegetables to the kitchen, then went inside to fetch a small quilt to cover Wen Ningxuan before heading to the small kitchen herself.

The group busied themselves for the rest of the afternoon. For dinner, there were five people in total, including Da Bao, and the table was laden with food. The happiest was Wen Ning Mo, who kept exclaiming, "This is delicious!" as he ate. Lin He smiled and told him to eat less, hinting there was a surprise after the meal.

The company ate and laughed together. After Ziyu cleared the dishes, she brought out the cake from Lin He's room. When the cover was lifted, everyone held their breath. The cake was unexpectedly beautiful: a round, white confection topped with two small, pink flowers made of cream. It was far lovelier than the cake from Xiao Mo's last birthday. Xiao Mo immediately piped up, "He'er, you're being too biased! Last time for my birthday, this cake doesn't compare at all."

"Last time for Xiao Mo's birthday, we were pressed for time, so I made one hastily for you. This time, I had more time; your second brother mentioned it a few days ago. Plus, there are more people this time; it's not just for your second brother alone. You'll get a piece later too, so how is that biased?" Lin He said with a smile.

Wen Ning Mo laughed and conceded, "That's true."

Wen Ningxuan, on the side, naturally knew this cake was made specially for him. He didn't speak, just gazed at Lin He with a faint smile. Lin He returned a brilliant smile and then called for Ziyu to bring a knife to slice the cake.

As Ziyu approached to cut it, everyone exclaimed that such a beautiful thing would be a waste to eat immediately; perhaps they should just look at it a while longer. Besides, they had just finished eating and couldn't possibly fit cake right then. Finally, as the sky darkened, Wen Ning Mo announced he needed to leave before his parents started nagging him for being out too late. The cake remained uncut, and Wen Ningxuan single-handedly carried it away when he departed.

As Wen Ningxuan left, he reminded Lin He to prepare herself, saying they would handle the Cai Die Xuan matter together in a few days. He also suggested she take two maids with her for convenience during the journey. Lin He, seeing the crowd nearby, quickly nodded her assent. (To be continued)

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