Chapter 84: Putting on an Act
Aunt Wu heard this and quickly smiled, "Young man, you’ve got it wrong, I’m not their aunt, their aunt is someone else."
"Who is it?"
As a few people talked, another middle-aged woman came out. As soon as she saw Gu Tingyu and Yiyi, she exclaimed and stepped forward, "Dezi? Wan’er? Is that you?"
"Aunt, it’s us."
Gu Tingyu also said a little excitedly and quickly stepped forward.
"Dezi, it really is you. I almost didn’t recognize you, you’ve changed a lot in appearance, but your eyes haven’t changed much." The woman said this and then looked at Yiyi with loving eyes, "You must be Wan’er. I didn’t expect that when we met again, you would have grown into a young lady."
"Hello, Aunt."
Yiyi also smiled and stepped forward to greet her, then she asked a bit puzzled, "Aunt, are you the Aunt Qin who gave me a pouch when I was a child?"
"That’s me."
Seeing the little girl recognized her, Aunt Qin was very happy and then slapped her forehead, "Look at me, got carried away talking with you two. Quickly, come inside." With that, she cheerfully invited everyone to sit down.
After they all sat down, Yiyi seemed a little puzzled and asked, "Aunt, how come you’re staying at our house now? I remember your home was in Wujing Village, which is quite far from here."
"Yes, there’s indeed quite a distance, but this time I had some business in this town, so I thought of staying at your place for a few days. I didn’t expect to run into both of you. I remember you two siblings were working out of town, what brings you back suddenly?"
Gu Tingyu heard this and smiled, saying, "My sister and I haven’t been back for many years. This time we took advantage of some time off, so I brought her back to the countryside for a visit and to take care of my parents’ tenth anniversary ceremony."
"It’s very thoughtful of you, child."
Cousin Qin couldn’t help sighing when she heard this, and then said emotionally, "When you think about it, it’s been ten years since your parents passed. Over all these years, it’s been tough for you siblings to manage on your own. But it’s good timing you came back while I’m here, I can lend you a hand."
"Thank you very much, Aunt."
Aunt Qin waved her hand with a smile, "There’s nothing to thank for. This is what family does, help each other out."
Upon hearing this, Yiyi couldn’t help but lower her head, hiding the cold glint in her eyes.
She had just gone through the documents thoroughly; this Aunt Qin didn’t seem to have any intentions of helping back then. Otherwise, back when the Lin siblings were orphaned and sought her help, they wouldn’t have been turned away.
Elder Lin’s eldest grandson had been with them the whole time. Seeing the siblings reunite with their aunt, he stood up and said, "In that case, I’ll head back first. You all continue your chat."
Aunt Qin quickly stood up, "Thank you, young man, let me see you out."
"No, no, I’ll see myself out." With that, Elder Lin’s eldest grandson dashed out.
"A Mei, you stay and chat with Dezi and Wan’er; I’ll go cook for you." Aunt Wu stood up with a smile and headed to the back.
Yiyi looked curiously at Aunt Wu’s receding figure and asked, "Aunt, I heard someone say that the lady just now is called Aunt Wu. Why is she also staying at our house?"
"Oh, she’s my neighbor. She’s here to help since I’m handling some affairs here." Saying that, Aunt Qin stood up, "You all sit here first, I’ll go prepare your rooms."
Hearing this, Yiyi didn’t say more, just smiled and thanked her, "Thank you, Aunt."
When only the siblings were left in the hall, Yiyi couldn’t help but look back at Gu Tingyu.
Gu Tingyu was also looking at Yiyi, and said with emotion, "Sister, coming back this time, the village has changed a lot. If not for Elder Lin’s eldest grandson guiding us, I might not have found the way home. But our house is really quite old now, it seems even the mice have multiplied. I think I just heard squeaking sounds."
Hearing Gu Tingyu’s words, Yiyi’s eyes flickered, also feeling emotional, "Yes, it seems everything has changed. But I was so young when we left the village, I don’t remember much, just the house’s look is familiar. It indeed seems older than before."
Gu Tingyu nodded, smiling as he touched Yiyi’s head.
This little girl was indeed brilliant. He had spoken cryptically, yet she understood everything, aware of the surveillance around them. She didn’t reveal anything, just chatted casually with him, talking all about Xing Village. Even if others overheard, they wouldn’t suspect a thing.
Feeling the warmth on her head, Yiyi paused, but quickly her face filled with bliss.
"Brother, let’s stay for a few more days, shall we? Out there, I didn’t feel it, but now that we’re back, I really miss everything about home." Originally thinking about how to have more contact with Gu Tingyu, she didn’t expect the chance would come so soon. These days, she could spend good time with him.
Gu Tingyu, hearing Yiyi say this, nodded dotingly.
"Alright."
Lin Dizi was an indulgent brother, so his response was fully in character.
When Aunt Qin returned after preparing the room, Aunt Wu had already set up a sumptuous dinner. Aunt Qin quickly invited the siblings to eat, "Dezi, Wan’er, you just got back, you should eat more."
"Thank you, Aunt."
Gu Tingyu and Yiyi both smiled and thanked her. After they finished eating, they went to the room prepared for them.
"Dezi, your house hasn’t been maintained for years, many rooms are uninhabitable. I and Aunt Wu are staying next door, so you siblings have to share a room."
Yiyi didn’t mind at all and nodded directly, "That’s fine, Aunt, thank you for tidying up for us."
"As long as you don’t mind." Aunt Qin said and then left with a smile.
Gu Tingyu carefully listened to the surroundings, realizing no one was watching, his expression turning slightly helpless, "Yiyi, I’m really sorry about this, I didn’t expect this would happen, us having to share a room."
"It’s alright, it’s a special situation."
Yiyi waved her hand with a grin, not minding at all. After all, in a past life, even more intimate things had happened between them, so there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Moreover, she wanted to be closer to Gu Tingyu, get to know and connect with him more.
Seeing Yiyi honestly didn’t mind, Gu Tingyu let out a sigh of relief, then looked at Yiyi with a serious face, "Tonight, I’m going to scout around, so you’ll just stay in the room."
Yiyi wasn’t familiar with scouting, so she didn’t say much, just nodded directly, "Okay."
In the dead of night, Gu Tingyu quietly slipped out of the room.
And Yiyi, already awake as he left, slowly sat up, clutching the dagger Gu Tingyu had left for her tightly.