The luncheon proceeded in a lively atmosphere.
Zhu Debiao drank quite a bit. His face reddened, and he grew more talkative.
Xiao Yun also drank plenty, but naturally remained clearheaded.
Zhu Zhuyun ate in silence the entire time, her gaze drifting now and then between Xiao Yun and Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing was silent as well, but a faint smile stayed on her lips.
After the luncheon ended, Zhu Debiao had Zhu Zhuyun take Zhu Zhuqing to see her former room. Only Xiao Yun and Zhu Debiao remained in the living room.
Zhu Debiao leaned against the chair back and looked outside the window. "Xiao Yun, what do you think of Zhuqing?"
"She's very good."
"That's good." Zhu Debiao closed his eyes. "I'm old. I can't manage so many things anymore. With Zhuqing following you, I'm at ease."
Xiao Yun said nothing. Zhu Debiao did not speak again either. The living room quieted down, leaving only the sound of wind blowing through the garden outside the window.
After a long while, Zhu Debiao seemed to remember something. Leaning against the chair back, he looked at Xiao Yun, then at Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, take Young Master Xiao around the estate. You haven't been back in so many years. You should see whether home has changed."
Zhu Zhuqing was slightly startled, then nodded in agreement. "All right, Father."
She really did want to show Xiao Yun the place where she had once lived. Although the memories that place had left her were not all pleasant, it was still the place where she had grown up.
The two of them left the living room and passed through the corridor.
Zhu Zhuqing walked in front, her pace neither fast nor slow, as if searching for something, and also as if recalling something.
She first