Late morning.
At the villa gate.
Xie Guoliang, who had gone to open the door, was stunned by the figure before him. His eyes widened, as if he could not believe it and was not entirely sure.
The elegant woman nodded. "It's me!"
Xie Guoliang said incredulously, "Are you really Lizhen?"
The elegant woman was somewhat emotional as well. "Big Brother Guoliang, it's only been a little over a year. You don't recognize me anymore? When I left last year, you were the one who saw me off at the airport."
"It really is you?" Xie Guoliang was dumbfounded. "You..."
From the living room, Xie Guojian called out, "Second Brother? Who's here?"
Xie Guoliang turned back to look at him. "It's Lizhen! Lizhen is back!"
"What!?" Xie Guojian shot to his feet. "Lizhen? How is that possible!"
Xie Guoliang stepped aside, and Zhong Lizhen walked in. When she saw Xie Guojian, her expression shifted involuntarily. "...Guojian!"
Xie Guojian was completely stunned. "Lizhen?"
Xie Guobang was frozen too. It really was Zhong Lizhen?
How could that be? Hadn't she met with disaster? Even if she were still alive, she should have been trapped on Fu Continent. How had she suddenly appeared here? How had she suddenly returned to the country? Zhong Lizhen's arrival left everyone dazed. This was simply too much for them to process!
"Lizhen! You..." Xie Guojian said in shock.
Zhong Lizhen's eyes reddened too. "I'm back! I'm not leaving again!"
Han Jing was the most emotional of all. She stared blankly at Zhong Lizhen, forgetting even to stand.
Zhong Lizhen looked at her as well. Tears welled in her eyes before finally spilling over. "Sister!"
"Lizhen!!" Han Jing rushed over and burst into tears. "It's really you! It's really you! Thank heavens! Thank heavens!"
Zhong Lizhen hugged her