Inside the small courtyard of Huanxi Mountain Villa, compared with the past, the warmth of home remained unchanged, while the liveliness had only grown.
Zhang Xiaohua had told Ou Yan to arrange accommodations for Nie Qianyu and Zhang Ping'er, but after paying respects to Zhang Xiaohua's parents, the two simply stayed in the small courtyard. Nie Qianyu had lost her mother at a young age and had long envied the rural life Zhang Xiaohua spoke of. Now that she had met Guo Sufi, she called her "Auntie" again and again, making Guo Sufi beam from ear to ear! Zhang Ping'er, too, had been taken into Lihuo Hall on Yi Xiang Peak from childhood. Although Yin Yin had treated her very well, she had never truly experienced the warmth of a family. In less than half a day, she had been intoxicated by the Zhang family's overflowing affection, so delighted she forgot the way home and had no thought at all of leaving the courtyard.
Though Zhang Ping'er's temperament was cool and aloof, and she was not as lively or lovable as Nie Qianyu, she was fair-skinned and beautiful, with the look of a grown woman. She followed the rules and acted with care, and had already caught Guo Sufi's eye. Though Guo Sufi said nothing, behind the scenes she had inspected Zhang Ping'er's chest and hips more than a few times! They could not be called especially full, but Guo Sufi still nodded to herself. She had the makings of a fine childbearing woman!!!
Alas, if Zhang Xiaohua had known of such thoughts... When he arrived at the courtyard, Liu Qian was sorting vegetables with Guo Sufi. Ou Yan stood carefully beside them, saying something that made Guo Sufi laugh from time to time. Zhang Ping'er carried a small wooden