Hearing how solemnly his sister-in-law spoke, Chen Caozhi did not know what the matter was and sat upright to wait.
Ding Youwei gazed at her young brother-in-law's handsome face beneath the lamplight. She had something on her mind but did not know where to begin. Her slender hand gently stroked the beast patterns carved into the bronze hand warmer, and only after a long while did she ask, "Caozhi, is there nothing you want to tell me?"
Chen Caozhi was taken aback. Looking at the concern and anxiety in his sister-in-law Ding Youwei's eyes, he could not understand for a moment what she wanted him to say.
Ding Youwei said, "Chunqiu said you once treated Governor Lu's daughter. Was she that flower-obsessed Lu Weiwei?"
As she spoke, Ding Youwei watched Chen Caozhi calmly. Seeing his handsome brows lift slightly while his gaze dropped, she became still more certain of her suspicions. Such a handsome young man could so easily stir a young girl's heart, and her young brother-in-law was so gentle and accomplished besides-
Chen Caozhi felt slightly embarrassed. His sister-in-law would never bring up Lu Weiwei's name again without reason, but he did not understand how she had discerned the feelings he kept hidden in his heart. Interlacing his fingers and pressing them against his knees, he said, "Yes, Sister-in-law, it was Lu Weiwei."
Ding Youwei asked, "Caozhi, do you like her?"
Chen Caozhi nodded solemnly and answered, "Yes."
Ding Youwei murmured an acknowledgment, then asked, "And does Lu Weiwei like you?"
Chen Caozhi replied, "I believe she does."
Ding Youwei nodded with a faint smile. Ten years ago, when she first met Chen Qingzhi, he had been expounding on philosophical principles on Guanlan Terrace, his talent free and flowing. Had she not fallen in love at first sight