When Wang Yang was led before Xie Xinghan, she was sitting beneath a tree, reading as though nothing were amiss. Her beautiful hair fell down her back, loosely gathered with a lilac ribbon. She wore a fitted mauve blouse and snow-white socks, and her willow-leaf brows had just been touched up, almost imperceptibly, with expensive stone eyebrow pigment from Nandu. She looked languid, delicate, and lovely.
Wang Yang had never seen Xie Xinghan looking so "at home," and he froze for a moment.
"Young Master Wang, you're here. Please sit." As though she had only just noticed him, Xie Xinghan extended a slender hand and graciously offered him a seat.
"Oh, yes, yes." Wang Yang recovered and nodded his thanks, looking a little dazed.
At his reaction, Xie Xinghan's starry eyes brightened slightly.
"Please remove your shoes, Young Master." Xiao Ning bent down to help him.
"No need. I can do it myself."
Wang Yang felt rather awkward. Perhaps it was his first glimpse of Xie Xinghan in such a relaxed state, or perhaps taking off his shoes to sit together on a satin cushion felt a little too intimate?
Whatever the reason, even after sitting opposite her, he still had not adjusted. He did not know why, but something about today's atmosphere felt off, though he could not put his finger on it.
"Have some tea, Young Master."
Xiao Ning had intended to pour his tea, but when she saw her mistress already holding the single-handled pot and tilting it to fill his cup, she stepped aside.
The tea was flavored with ginger and dates, which Wang Yang was not particularly accustomed to. Reading the autumn in a single leaf, Xie Xinghan said, "It seems you prefer plain tea. Let me brew you a fresh pot."
"No, no, this