Chapter 73: True Inner Thoughts

The three of them followed the long corridor into the inner dining room of the courtyard.

Morning sunlight had already climbed over the courtyard wall, streaming through the half-open wooden window.

Pale golden light fell across the tabletop, illuminating the slow-drifting dust in the air.

Breakfast was already set on the long table—white congee, a few dishes of light side dishes, and freshly baked bread. The porcelain plates were rimmed with a thin band of silver trim, gleaming brightly in the sun.

Gu Miying walked in front.

She didn’t wait for the servants to lead the way. After entering, she deftly circled the table corner and pulled out the chair near the window.

The utensils there had already been arranged in advance. She reached for the teapot and poured herself a cup of hot tea, her movements so natural it was as if she were returning to her own residence.

Lin Jianqing stood by the door, his gaze lingering between her and Shen Huaixue for a moment.

Shen Huaixue said nothing, but Lin Jianqing knew her well enough to tell that she was probably somewhat annoyed.

She walked over to Gu Miying, raised her hand to press down on the pulled-out chair, then gently pushed it back in.

The wooden chair legs scraped against the floor, letting out a low, dull sound.

Gu Miying’s movements paused for a moment.

Shen Huaixue had already turned around, pulling out a chair on the other side and looking at Lin Jianqing.

“Sit here.”

Lin Jianqing glanced at the vacant seat—it was positioned right next to Shen Huaixue’s chair.

What did this mean?

Lin Jianqing couldn’t quite figure it out. This wicked woman was definitely trying to put him on the spot.

He knew that anyone connected to Shen Huaixue was bound to be troublesome, especially this scheming woman named Gu Miying.

He didn’t ask further, just walked over and sat down, setting his travel bag at his feet for the time being.

Shen Huaixue then took her seat beside him, her black skirt spreading out along the edge of the chair, her movements as calm as if nothing had happened.

Gu Miying remained standing in place.

The morning breeze blew in through the window, stirring her chestnut hair behind her shoulders. She glanced down at the chair that had been pushed back under the table, and the smile on her face briefly dimmed.

***

A few seconds later, she pulled out the seat across from them and slowly sat down.

A servant placed a new teacup in front of her.

Gu Miying reached out to accept it, her fingertips lingering on the warm cup wall for a moment. Then she raised her eyes to look at Lin Jianqing, who was sitting beside Shen Huaixue.

The breakfast on the table was still steaming, yet none of the three made a move to pick up their chopsticks.

Lin Jianqing felt like the dining table had become a love rivalry. Shen Huaixue was watching him entirely, while the new strange woman beside them, Gu Miying, kept stealing glances at him intentionally or otherwise.

It was Shen Huaixue who broke the silence first. She reached for the small dish in front of her and pushed some of the cut fruit toward Lin Jianqing. The porcelain plate slid across the table, leaving a brief gleam in the sunlight.

Lin Jianqing glanced down but didn’t act right away.

Shen Huaixue’s fingertips tapped lightly on the table.

‘Eat.’

The voice landed directly in Lin Jianqing’s mind—their mental connection was still active.

And whatever Lin Jianqing had just been thinking, Shen Huaixue naturally knew it all.

At that thought, Lin Jianqing didn’t dare let his mind wander. He was genuinely afraid Shen Huaixue would punish him later.

He looked up at her. Shen Huaixue had already picked up a piece of bread and was slowly tearing off a small piece, her expression completely natural.

Gu Miying sat across from them, taking in all of their movements.

She lifted her teacup, bringing the rim close to her lips without drinking right away. Warm white steam rose before her eyes, briefly obscuring her view.

“Huaixue rarely used to eat breakfast in the courtyard.”

She suddenly spoke, her tone still gentle.

Shen Huaixue raised her eyes, a hint of disdain and contempt in her black pupils.

“That was before.”

Gu Miying smiled without pressing further. She simply picked up the silver spoon by her side and slowly stirred the tea in her cup.

Lin Jianqing picked up a piece of fruit and put it in his mouth, but his gaze unconsciously drifted to Gu Miying.

The way she spoke felt too familiar, as if she knew a great deal about Shen Huaixue’s past. But then again, they’d probably known each other since childhood.

As he ate, Lin Jianqing marveled at how even the unremarkable pickled vegetables were delicious in a household like this.

A faint sound of water came from outside the dining room.

The central pond in the courtyard rippled lightly in the morning breeze, shadows of trees dancing on the water’s surface. Several servants stood quietly outside the door, no one stepping inside.

Gu Miying set down her teacup, then reached for a small dish of light dim sum and placed it in front of Shen Huaixue.

“I remember you usually don’t eat breakfast much, right, Huaixue?” Gu Miying asked, as if tentatively probing.

Shen Huaixue glanced at it but didn’t touch it.

Instead, she pushed the dish of dim sum in front of Lin Jianqing.

“He likes sweets.”

Lin Jianqing paused mid-motion. Since when had he ever said he liked sweets?

But before he could speak, Shen Huaixue had already turned her face toward him.

‘Play along.’

Lin Jianqing was silent for two seconds. Remembering that Shen Huaixue was his financial backer and could do whatever she pleased, he finally picked up a piece of the dim sum.

Gu Miying watched him take a bite, her fingertips gently stroking the cup handle. The smile on her face remained warm, though her gaze had grown a bit more intent than before.

Gu Miying didn’t continue pressing.

She lowered her head and slowly cut into the fried egg on her plate. The silver knife met the porcelain, making a faint sound. Sunlight fell across the back of her hand from the window, making her skin look even fairer.

Lin Jianqing sat across from her, able to feel her gaze flicking over from time to time.

That look wasn’t sharp, nor did it carry obvious hostility. It was more like someone observing a new and unexpected arrival.

Shen Huaixue, by contrast, remained perfectly composed.

She picked up the teapot and poured more hot tea for Lin Jianqing. The light brown tea slowly filled the cup, a thin layer of steam rising from its surface.

“How long have you two known each other?”

Gu Miying spoke suddenly.

Her tone was casual, as if she were idly asking about something ordinary.

Lin Jianqing’s chopsticks froze mid-air. He truly couldn’t figure out what exactly the relationship between this Gu Miying and Shen Huaixue was, nor why the usually dominant Shen Huaixue had shifted into a defensive posture.

Shen Huaixue, however, didn’t hesitate at all.

“Mmm… almost a year now.”

Gu Miying nodded slightly, then turned to Lin Jianqing.

“Then you must know each other quite well.”

Lin Jianqing didn’t answer right away.

‘Well acquainted, sure. Mostly acquainted with how difficult she is.’

The thought had barely formed before Shen Huaixue turned her face toward him.

Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulder, her eyes carrying a hint of gentle warning.

‘Don’t think nonsense.’

‘Sorry, it was an instinctual jab…’ Lin Jianqing gave Shen Huaixue an apologetic look, then obediently went back to drinking his congee.

Gu Miying watched the brief exchange between the two, her knife gradually coming to a stop.

At this moment, Gu Miying was wondering just who this man in front of her really was.

At first, when she’d heard that Shen Huaixue had brought a man back, she’d assumed it was just to find a shield against gossip.

But looking at Lin Jianqing’s strikingly handsome and somehow familiar face… Gu Miying found herself slightly revising her thoughts.