"Ahem!"
Chen Guofu stood at the courtyard gate. The proud smile of reflected glory had barely spread across his face before the sight in front of him nearly left him choking.
Watching his nephew approach surrounded by three stunning beauties, he felt his entire worldview take a serious blow.
"You're back."
Liu Shuqin kept her composure better. Although she was just as shocked, her smile remained warm.
She hurried forward, her gaze passing over each of the three girls before settling on Song Qiuya, who was affectionately holding Chen Lin's arm. A gleam of approval flashed in her eyes.
"Qiuya, you're here!" Liu Shuqin took Song Qiuya's hand and greeted her warmly.
"Hello, Auntie." Song Qiuya smiled with easy confidence, without the slightest awkwardness.
Just then, a slender figure emerged from the courtyard.
It was Li Xiaoyue.
She carried a tray of freshly brewed hot tea, her head lowered as she approached with careful steps.
When she raised her head and saw Chen Lin at the center of everyone's attention, with three dazzling women beside him who made her feel painfully inadequate, her expression froze.
It felt as though an invisible hand had clenched around her heart, making even breathing difficult.
She hastily lowered her head. Beside these three women, she felt as insignificant as a speck of dust, as though even her shadow was an intrusion.
Song Qiuya was exceptionally perceptive.
Almost instantly, she caught Li Xiaoyue's slight loss of composure, along with the concern that inadvertently showed in Chen Lin's glance toward her.
Something stirred in her heart, but her smile only grew more flawless.
She stepped forward and steadily took the tray from Li Xiaoyue's trembling hands, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Xiaoyue, thanks for the effort. We can take care of this ourselves."