Wen Ningxuan looked at Lin He and spoke gently, "You've been traveling for days; why not sleep in a bit longer? It's still early; Xiao Mo and Da Bao haven't even gotten up yet."

"I slept for a good while yesterday afternoon and couldn't fall back asleep, so I got up early. I have things to take care of today," Lin He replied with a faint smile.

Wen Ningxuan gazed at Lin He, his eyes full of inquiry. Lin He then explained the purpose of her and Da Bao's visit to him, and only then did Wen Ningxuan understand Lin He’s reaction upon seeing Zeng Weiliang earlier. He said, "Then I’ll go with you today. I’m certainly more familiar with this place than either of you."

"Shouldn't you be looking after the matters at Cai Die Xuan? Besides, aren't you supposed to be with Xiao Mo and the others? We're just going to take a look today, nothing else. If you’re busy, you don’t have to come with us," Lin He said softly.

Hearing Lin He’s words, a slight smile touched the corner of Wen Ningxuan’s lips. He took the hand Lin He had resting on his knee and chuckled lightly, "Doesn't He'er have any questions for me?"

Lin He rested the side of her head on her hand, watching Wen Ningxuan in silence.

Wen Ningxuan chuckled softly in response, "But I do have something to tell He'er. That Ning Ruo you saw yesterday is Xiao Mo's sworn sister; she’s also the adopted daughter of Madam Wen. She lived in our home for a time, and I only found out about her existence recently after I returned. Xiao Mo often brought her to my courtyard to hang around when we were at home, but we were never particularly close. Last night, Xiao Mo mentioned having something urgent to attend to and asked me to look after her, so I brought her back to the inn with me."

Lin He merely murmured a soft acknowledgment, and after a long pause, finally asked, "Why did Xiao Mo suddenly come here? How could Uncle Wen let him venture out alone?"

"Well, I’ve been here for several days. Father wanted an update on how things were going, and since he couldn't come himself, Xiao Mo was bored staying home. He told Father he wanted to visit me, so he came over with Ning Ruo," Wen Ningxuan explained.

Lin He nodded. "Xiao Mo truly is someone who can't sit still. It's rare for him to get out, so he’ll likely stay here for quite some time."

"That’s right; he said he wants to wait until I return before heading back, though Father probably won't allow it. After he's had a few more days of fun, I'll arrange for someone to send him back. How long are you planning to stay here?" Wen Ningxuan asked.

"We don't know yet; we’ll see. You must have been busy these past few days. How is Cai Die Xuan progressing? Can you manage everything on your own?" Lin He asked with concern.

"It’s fine, not much heavy lifting for me. The laborers are handling most of it; I’m just overseeing things. Now that you’re here, I can take a few days off," Wen Ningxuan said easily.

They chatted for a while, and it didn't seem like much time had passed until Zi Yu called from outside, "Miss, Young Master Da and Young Master San are calling you for breakfast."

Lin He responded and went out with Wen Ningxuan. When they reached downstairs, Da Bao, Wen Ningmo, and the young woman named Ning Ruo were already seated. Upon seeing Wen Ningxuan and Lin He descend together, Lin He clearly felt Ning Ruo's gaze linger on her for a few seconds. Wen Ningmo, oblivious, called out, "Second Brother, where did you go? You were missing since early morning, why are you coming down with He'er?"

Wen Ningxuan didn't reply, taking a seat on a nearby stool. Lin He sat down next to Da Bao. Wen Ningmo then said, "He'er, you haven't met Ning Nuo yet, right? This is my sworn sister."

"Ning Nuo, this is He'er. You’re close in age. Didn't you always say you had no one to hang out with? Now’s your chance! If you want to go out and have fun in the future, you can invite He'er along. You two can keep each other company; don't drag me or Second Brother into it," Wen Ningmo chattered incessantly.

Ning Nuo also smiled and said, "He'er must be a year or two younger than me, right? Then I’ll just call you He'er directly, is that alright?"

"Uh-huh, He'er is exactly one year younger than you," Wen Ningmo interjected again.

Lin He glanced at Wen Ningmo, then turned to Ning Nuo and said, "If Sister Ning Nuo doesn't mind, I would be happy to accompany you."

"Stop calling her 'Sister'; she's only a little older than you. Just call me Ning Nuo," Wen Ningmo interjected once more.

"Yes, just call me Ning Nuo," Ning Nuo added, still wearing a smile.

Lin He nodded and fell silent, picking up her breakfast. Everyone began to eat. After the meal, Lin He and Da Bao announced they needed to visit Yin Ruo Xuan. Wen Ningxuan also offered to accompany them. Wen Ningmo initially intended to go too, but Ning Nuo mentioned needing to go out, claiming Xiao Mo had promised her long ago.

Ning Ruo and Xiao Mo left the inn together. Ning Ruo asked, "Xiao Mo, who exactly is that Miss He'er? Why does it seem like you and Brother Xuan are so familiar with her?"

"Yeah, we’ve known each other for many years. Even before I knew you, I’d known He'er for a long time. And it wasn't just He'er; I'm also very familiar with her entire family. I often visited their house." Xiao Mo replied.

"What about Brother Xuan? Is he very familiar with He'er too?"

"Them? I’m not entirely sure. They must be quite familiar. We often hung out together. Second Brother would sometimes accompany me to He'er’s family’s pastry shop."

"Often?"

"Mhm. Second Brother doesn't really like going out for fun, but he's always very willing to visit He'er’s pastry shop. Perhaps He'er's pastries are delicious? Have you tried the pastries from their place? The people who make them were taught by He'er; they taste great, don't they?"

"Oh. Do you happen to know if Brother Xuan has a sweetheart?"

"I don't think so. Grandmother introduced him to several women, but he wouldn't even agree to meet them. I don't know the specifics. Why are you asking these things? Don't tell me you like my Second Brother?"

"No! You little brat, stop talking nonsense. I was just asking casually," Ning Ruo said, her face flushing slightly.

"Hahahaha, I know you definitely like my Second Brother! Lots of girls fall for him when they see him. But it’s useless; my Second Brother won't like you. Don't think too much about it," Xiao Mo said heartlessly, then walked ahead.

This left Ning Ruo stamping her foot in the street, a mixture of shame and anger warring within her. She was ashamed that Xiao Mo had voiced her feelings so bluntly, and angry because she could clearly see that Wen Ningxuan treated Lin He differently. She had lived in the Wen family home for over half a year, and from the very first moment she saw Wen Ningxuan, her heart had been captured. Every time she encountered him, Wen Ningxuan would offer only a faint nod. Later, seeing how close Xiao Mo and Wen Ningxuan were, she used Xiao Mo as a way to get closer to Wen Ningxuan, but Wen Ningxuan maintained his cool and distant demeanor. She assumed this was simply his nature and didn't lose heart. However, the arrival of this He'er—even after only two brief meetings—gave her the intuition that Wen Ningxuan’s feelings for Lin He were obviously different. Moreover, Wen Ningxuan must have gone to Lin He’s room early that morning; she wasn't foolish enough, like Xiao Mo, to think they just happened to run into each other after he went out. Lin He, Ning Ruo thought the name over in her mind, a chilling shadow crossing her face.