Lin Qiye stepped through the thick snow and pushed open the gates of the courtyard house.
The rich aroma of food, mixed with lively shouts, rushed out from the courtyard. The sunlight in the distance gradually dimmed, and the orange glow of sunset began to climb across the azure sky.
"You're back?"
Shen Qingzhu, leaning against the wall and smoking, smiled faintly when he saw Lin Qiye return.
"Mm."
"Did you take care of everything?"
"It's all over." Lin Qiye stood at the entrance, taking in the relaxed, cheerful atmosphere of the courtyard. Rarely, he stretched lazily. "The process was a little complicated, but the outcome was perfect."
"That's good."
Shen Qingzhu casually pulled a cigarette from his clothes and held it out to Lin Qiye. "Want to try one?"
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Qingzhu shook his head and withdrew the hand holding the cigarette. "Forget it. Bad for your health."
Lin Qiye smiled, walked past him, and patted him on the shoulder. "If I ever need one, I'll ask you for it."
He headed straight into the courtyard.
"Instructor Lin!"
The moment he entered the courtyard, Li Zhenzhen came jogging out of the house with a white cat in her arms.
One of the white cat's paws was wrapped in bandages, and he seemed to have trouble moving. He could only lie in Li Zhenzhen's arms, letting her soft, warm hand stroke his fur, embarrassment showing in his eyes.
He turned his head slightly, seemingly too embarrassed to look at Lin Qiye.
Lin Qiye looked at Li Zhenzhen, then at the white cat in her arms, whose cheeks were flushed red. His brows rose.
"Instructor Lin, are you all right? Do you need treatment?" Li Zhenzhen asked worriedly. "What happened to those 'Mysteries'? And Ding Chongfeng and