Hu Xiaotian had intended to leave straightaway, but now he changed his mind. He wanted to take a look at the Wan Residence. Long Xiyue said, "Why go to the Wan Residence out of the blue? Don't forget, we've already arranged to leave with Changming."
Hu Xiaotian said, "I don't know why, but something about this feels strange. I want to get to the bottom of it."
Long Xiyue smiled. "People always say women are curious, but I think you're every bit as curious as any woman. What now? Are you planning to swagger straight in?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Why not?"
Long Xiyue said, "Isn't that rather presumptuous?"
Hu Xiaotian grinned. "We'll buy some gifts and say we're visiting relatives."
Long Xiyue frowned in embarrassment. "How could we possibly do that?"
Hu Xiaotian took her soft hand. "My surname is Hu, and hers is Hu too. Five hundred years ago, we were one family. A single brush can't write two different Hu surnames. We really are relatives!"
Hu Xiaotian bought some gifts outside and prepared two plans. First, he would pay a visit bearing gifts. If they turned him away, he would consider other methods. There wasn't much to choose from, really-he would sneak in. That was hardly anything new to him.
After buying their gifts, the two returned to the main gate of the Hu Residence. While shopping, Hu Xiaotian had also asked around. He learned that Madam Hu seldom went out and was supposedly in her thirties. Few people had seen her in person, and no one had ever seen the master of the household. Everyone guessed that Madam Hu was a widow.
Hu Xiaotian knocked with the door knocker. Long Xiyue stood beside him, her lovely face growing warm. After all, turning up uninvited for no reason