"Tsk, tsk."
Zhao Luzheng couldn't help clicking his tongue. "That's why you shouldn't flaunt your wealth."
"These days, even if you have something halfway decent, you have to keep it hidden."
"Otherwise, who knows when someone might set their sights on you."
"Third Brother, it's getting late. I'm heading back to school."
Zhao Luzheng glanced at the darkening sky outside and started to get up.
"Hey, young man, you're leaving?"
Madam Xiao had just walked over and looked surprised. "Aren't you staying the night?"
When Zhao Luzheng shook his head, she didn't press him. But she added, "At least stay for dinner before you go."
"Dinner's already ready."
Madam Xiao promptly instructed Xiao Xiao, "Xiao Xiao, take your classmate to the dining room at the back."
"Okay."
Xiao Xiao agreed, then stood and glanced at Zhao Luzheng. "Let's go."
Since Madam Xiao had insisted, Zhao Luzheng stopped refusing and followed Xiao Xiao.
After dinner, Zhao Luzheng was sitting in the living room and about to get up to say goodbye when a breeze blew in from the courtyard.
A few strands of hair got in his eyes. He was about to brush them away when he paused.
He sniffed.
Sure enough, he caught a faint scent of flowers.
There was nothing strange about a floral scent, since the courtyard was right outside the living room.
It was perfectly normal for a courtyard to have flowers and plants.
But this scent was...
"The scent of plum blossoms?!"
He murmured under his breath, surprised.
At this time of year?
It was only October.
Wasn't that too early?
He had probably smelled it wrong, right?
Thinking this, Zhao Luzheng stood and headed for the door.
He rested his hand on the doorframe and looked up. It was already dark outside.