"It's still the afternoon, how can it be dark already? Besides, I’m not tired from riding in a carriage, so why should I rest? You all should take me to find your third uncle first. The moment I received your letter, I had Chang Geng bring the carriage right away. I couldn't sleep a wink along the way, thinking about this matter—you were trying to drive me crazy with worry!" Er Niu said anxiously.

"Father, I know you're anxious, but this place is different from our town. By the time you get there, they really will be closing up shop, and you’ll just have to come back tomorrow anyway. Rest first, and we’ll talk about it tomorrow," Da Bao said, signaling Chang Geng to drive the carriage into the inn’s rear courtyard.

Er Niu was about to protest when a voice called from behind, "Uncle Lin, you’ve arrived! Why did it take you so long? Da Bao and the others have been waiting here for days, wishing for you every day!" It was Xiao Mo’s voice.

Lin He finally breathed a sigh of relief. Now that Xiao Mo was here, Er Niu would surely show him some deference. Indeed, seeing Xiao Mo, Er Niu smiled and said, "Xiao Mo, why are you here too? Why didn't He'er mention it in her letter?"

"Well, my second older brother has a shop here, so I came to visit. I’ve been here for quite a while now. I was actually planning to head back the day before yesterday, but then I heard Uncle Lin was coming, so I waited for you. I'll show you around properly for a few days when you get settled!" This Wen Ning Mo’s mouth seemed as if it had been smeared with honey.

Truly, none of the children in Er Niu's family had a tongue as sweet as Xiao Mo’s. After hearing Xiao Mo’s words, Er Niu gave up insisting on seeing Lin He’s third uncle and instead walked towards the inn with Xiao Mo. He could still hear Er Niu chatting with Xiao Mo, and judging by Er Niu’s hearty laughter, Xiao Mo must have said something very amusing.

Lin He asked Xiao Mo to accompany Er Niu while she and Da Bao went to arrange a room for him. She sent Zi Yu to tidy up the room and sort through Er Niu’s belongings. As dusk began to fall, Wen Ning Xuan returned from outside. He must have known Er Niu had arrived, as Wen Ning Xuan had deliberately come back early; otherwise, one wouldn't usually see him at this hour. Seeing Er Niu, Wen Ning Xuan called out, "Uncle," and executed a full, formal bow. This left Er Niu somewhat overwhelmed. It was the first time Er Niu had seen Wen Ning Xuan, and he was momentarily stunned. Truly, people like Wen Ning Xuan were rare for Er Niu and his peers—perhaps unprecedented.

Fortunately, Er Niu only paused for a moment before recovering. He gestured for Wen Ning Xuan to sit and also thanked him for saving Lin He’s life a few years prior, saying he had wanted to express his gratitude for a long time but never had the chance. This fellow Wen Ning Xuan was indeed different from his usual self. Normally sporting an aloof expression, in front of Er Niu, his face held a gentle smile that made him seem approachable. Moreover, he engaged Er Niu in light, casual conversation about trivial matters, never once showing impatience.

During the evening meal, Wen Ning Xuan arranged for the inn to prepare a lavish banquet to welcome Er Niu. At the table, he was impeccably courteous and attentive to everyone. Even Da Bao chuckled and remarked to Lin He, "I never realized the Second Young Master could be so personable. He seems quite different from his usual self. It looks like he values you very highly, to the extent that our family is being treated with such respect."

Lin He glanced at Da Bao, remaining silent, but inwardly, she was quite pleased. Wen Ning Xuan’s conduct today truly satisfied her. She hadn't expected the usually reserved Wen Ning Xuan to treat her father in such a manner. Lin He once read a line in a book: "The most moving moment for a girl when her boyfriend treats her well isn't when he calls her 'wife,' but when he addresses her parents as 'Dad and Mom.'" This suggests that a man who loves his partner so much that he cherishes her family even more is what truly touches a woman’s heart.

Wen Ning Xuan fully demonstrated this point today. Perhaps these were simple gestures to others, but for Wen Ning Xuan, they meant something different; he wasn't naturally inclined toward this kind of behavior. Lin He watched as Wen Ning Xuan maintained his usual distant demeanor toward Uncle Wen, yet today he managed all these courtesies. This moved Lin He more deeply than ever before.

After dinner, knowing that Lin He and Da Bao needed to discuss something important with Er Niu, Wen Ning Xuan retired to his room early, taking Xiao Mo and the others with him. After Er Niu, Lin He, and Da Bao gathered in the room, Er Niu couldn’t stop praising Wen Ning Xuan: "The children of this Boss Wen are all exceptional. They are handsome, unfailingly polite to their elders, and capable too. Truly excellent, excellent."

"He’er, how well do you know the Second Young Master?" Er Niu paused, then asked again.

"Father, why ask that?" Lin He didn't quite grasp the purpose behind her father's question.

"No reason, just asking casually. He seems quite good to you; I figured you must be familiar with each other." Er Niu seemed genuinely just making casual conversation.

Lin He found this a bit odd. Her father had only been here for one evening, and during that time, she and Wen Ning Xuan hadn't exchanged more than a few words. Where did her father conclude that Wen Ning Xuan was good to her? Really. However, Lin He didn't realize that sometimes, one doesn't need to make a deliberate effort; things done from the heart, without conscious thought, can still be observed by outsiders.

For instance, when pouring tea, Wen Ning Xuan would let the tea cool slightly before placing it before Lin He. During the meal, all her favorite dishes were placed near her, while those she disliked were placed farthest away. Someone unaware might not notice these subtle actions, but Er Niu was an experienced man. Even if men aren't always meticulous, these details did not escape his notice.

"Compared to the Second Young Master, Xiao Mo is certainly quite immature. He’er truly has good judgment," Er Niu suddenly remarked.

Er Niu said this, but Lin He and Da Bao did not respond, unsure what his comment about "good judgment" implied. However, there was no time to inquire further, as Da Bao and Lin He had more crucial matters to discuss with Er Niu. With that in mind, Lin He prompted Da Bao to speak. Da Bao recounted the entire affair concerning Zeng Weiliang—their third uncle—in meticulous detail. Er Niu was shocked by what he heard, yet he firmly believed his third younger brother was a kind man and could not have committed such acts; there must be some extenuating circumstances.

Whether there were mitigating circumstances or not, Lin He couldn't say, but she asked, "Father, regardless of whether Third Uncle has difficulties, he has already married into another family here. Even if you acknowledge him, it’s unlikely he could return to his old life. Are you certain you want to acknowledge him?"

"What nonsense are you speaking? Never mind that he married into the family; even if he were a murderer, he is still my third younger brother, your Third Uncle. How could I not acknowledge him? If he has some hardship, we must at least know about it," Er Niu’s stance was resolute.