Despite the tense atmosphere at the Lui residence, ChengYi remained resilient. His mood always lightened in the presence of Yun Yuhua and her brothers, though RuQi still disapproved of his frequent visits. Reluctantly, RuQi allowed him to befriend them, though TianKe and Qian LiAi remained vigilant, ensuring ChengYi never crossed the line into becoming Yun Yuhua's suitor. Yun Yuhua, however, was simply happy to see him grow more at ease. His laughter became more natural, no longer weighed down by the invisible burdens of his home life.

  Over the course of the year, ChengYi spent more time at the inn, finding solace from his mother’s resentment and the constant arguments between his parents. He found refuge among Yun Yuhua and her brothers, who, despite their wariness at first, gradually saw the sadness that shadowed him. The three of them would often share drinks in the evenings, offering the companionship he had long been denied.

  One evening, as Yun Yuhua stepped outside to fetch a cup of water, she stumbled upon ChengYi sitting under the moonlight, his voice thick with sorrow as he sang softly. She approached him with a gentle smile.

  “You should head to the guest room, Sir,” she said kindly.

  ChengYi looked up at her, his eyes glazed from alcohol, and a slurred chuckle escaped him. He wobbled to his feet.

  “Miss Yun Yuhua… You’re the first person to treat me differently… I like that,” he admitted, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

  Yun Yuhua smiled softly, her curiosity piqued. “And how does everyone else treat you?”

  ChengYi scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping him. “They… they treat me like I’m a parasite.”

  Yun Yuhua’s smile faltered, the word "parasite" heavy in the air. She sat beside him, her expression filled with empathy.

  “That’s cruel,” she murmured, her heart aching for him.

  ChengYi leaned his head on her shoulder, a faint smile pulling at his lips despite the sorrow in his eyes. “It’s okay... My mother resents me because I have my father’s blood... and my father dislikes me because I have my mother’s blood. I never thought anyone could like me until I met you and your brothers. You have such a warm and loving family… I wish I had that.”

  Yun Yuhua gave him a faint smile. “At least you get to see your parents. I grew up without a mother.”

  ChengYi turned to her, surprised. “Oh... I heard... TianKe said someone hurt her…” He let out a heavy sigh. “If I ever find out who it was, I swear I’ll punch him—with your brothers.”

  Yun Yuhua chuckled softly, her tone gentle. “Mister, you should go rest now. You’ll have a hangover tomorrow. I’ll prepare a remedy for you in the morning.”

  ChengYi smiled lazily, his eyes half-closed. “Goodnight!” he waved, his gesture childlike and innocent. Yun Yuhua stood, watching his drunken state with a quiet amusement before she smiled warmly.

  “Goodnight.”

  She returned to her quarters, finally taking her cup of water.

  The next morning, TianKe, Qian LiAi, and ChengYi groaned as they shuffled into the kitchen, heads throbbing from the night before. Yun Yuhua greeted them with a bright smile as she stirred a pot over the fire.

  “Good morning, lads. Here are your remedies for the hangover,” she said cheerfully.

  Each of them took a cup of honey water, sipping slowly as the relief began to settle in.

  “Thanks, Yuyu,” Qian LiAi muttered, still half asleep.

  Yun Yuhua nodded and continued preparing breakfast. As they finished their drinks, the three of them slumped into their seats, waiting for the food.

  “We had too much yesterday,” TianKe groaned.

  Laughter filled the air, and soon RuQi entered, joining them for the meal. Yun Yuhua placed their breakfast in front of them, and after a brief moment of gratitude, they began to eat. Once they finished, they quickly got to work preparing the inn for opening.

  Meanwhile, at the Lui residence, ChengYi’s mother fumed in frustration over his absence. She summoned her lady-in-waiting with a sharp command.

  “Yes, madam?” the lady-in-waiting asked, bowing.

  ChengYi’s mother exhaled sharply, irritation clear in her voice. “Where has ChengYi been all night?”

  The lady-in-waiting lowered her head. “I’ve heard that he frequents an inn near the gates... He spends his time with the common folk.”

  The words struck a chord with ChengYi’s mother. Her face contorted in anger as she slammed her hand against the table.

  “Prepare the carriage. We’re bringing my disgraceful son home,” she snapped.

  Without delay, they left for the inn. When they arrived, ChengYi’s mother strode inside, her presence commanding immediate attention. The patrons of the inn, recognizing her, instinctively shrank away. It was clear—she had come for her son.

  “Hello, what can I help you with?” Yun Yuhua called out, her tone polite as she approached.

  ChengYi’s mother turned, and the moment their eyes met, her face twisted in shock. Her breath hitched, her eyes flickered with recognition, and her lips trembled with rage. The resemblance was unmistakable.

  “You... Who are you?” she demanded, her voice cold and clipped.

  Yun Yuhua smiled politely and nodded. “I’m Yun Yuhua. I help Auntie run this inn.”

  ChengYi’s mother looked away, a wave of discomfort washing over her. She knew XianLian was long gone, yet the sight of Yun Yuhua unsettled her more than she cared to admit—a ghost from the past, standing before her.

  “I... I forgot something at home,” she stammered, quickly turning to leave.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Yun Yuhua watched her go, the weight of the moment sinking in. She simply bowed in farewell, her expression serene.

  Outside, ChengYi’s mother stopped in her tracks, her gaze fixed on the inn’s sign. Her blood ran cold.

  “The exact same place...” she thought, before storming back home.

  Moments later, ChengYi returned to the residence. As he stepped inside, he looked around for signs of his mother. She hadn’t arrived yet, but he knew she would be soon. The steward approached him, a concerned look on his face.

  “Where’s Mother?” ChengYi asked.

  The steward frowned slightly. “She went to get you…”

  ChengYi’s brow furrowed. “Well... I’m home now.”

  The steward’s gaze shifted past ChengYi’s shoulder. “Madam is arriving.”

  ChengYi turned just in time to see his mother entering. Her face was pale, worry etched across her features. But as soon as her eyes fell on him, her expression morphed into one of fury. Without warning, she struck him across the face.

  “Madam!?” the servants gasped in shock.

  ChengYi staggered back, his cheek stinging as he looked at her in disbelief. “What was that for, Mother?”

  She glared at him, her hands shaking, her eyes filled with unspoken anger.

  “Who was that woman at the inn?” she demanded, her voice seething with venom.

  ChengYi’s confusion deepened. He searched his mind until realization dawned—she meant Yun Yuhua. A wave of unease washed over him.

  “She’s just a friend,” he said carefully, the concern creeping into his voice. “Did you... hurt her?” His words held a hint of worry.

  His mother’s eyes narrowed, her fury intensifying. “How dare you think of your mother as someone ruthless?” she snapped.

  ChengYi met her gaze, unflinching. His eyes burned with emotions left unsaid. But eventually, he relented—he wanted to be a good son.

  “Mother... I was wrong. I let my emotions get the best of me,” he murmured quietly.

  ChengYi’s mother could no longer bear to look at him. With a sharp, frustrated motion, she stormed off to her quarters. Her lady-in-waiting quickly followed, bowing respectfully as she trailed behind.

  "Madam, I believe Young Master did not mean to—"

  "Why?!" ChengYi's mother’s voice shook with anger, cutting off her lady-in-waiting. "Why did she have to resemble that girl HaoJian was so obsessed with?!"

  Unbeknownst to her, HaoJian had been passing by. At the mention of his name, he froze outside the window, narrowing his eyes as he eavesdropped.

  "Someone who looks like XianLian?" he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.

  "She even works at that same cursed place..." ChengYi’s mother spat bitterly. "The very same place where that girl used to work!"

  The lady-in-waiting paled, anxiety creeping into her voice. "Madam, please, if Master hears you, he’ll—"

  But it was too late. HaoJian’s lips curled into a dark, knowing smirk. He had heard enough.

  "I just don’t want my son to become like his father..." ChengYi’s mother groaned, her voice laden with regret.

  HaoJian turned on his heel, his expression unreadable. With purposeful strides, he left the residence, his destination clear.

  Across the bustling market, HaoJian found a place in the shadows, his gaze fixed intently on the inn.

  "Yuyu, the dish is ready!" TianKe’s voice rang out cheerfully.

  Yun Yuhua stepped into view, her radiant smile lighting up the scene. She walked toward the back of the inn, blissfully unaware of the eyes on her.

  And then HaoJian saw her.

  His breath caught, and the world around him blurred. There she stood—young, radiant, a vision torn from the depths of his memories. Sunlight caught in her hair, weaving golden strands, and her laughter carried on the breeze just as it had years ago. His heart clenched painfully.

  The resemblance was undeniable.

  XianLian.

  No... not XianLian. But close enough.

  The sight of her stirred something deep within him—a dangerous, intoxicating feeling.

  "XianLian..." HaoJian whispered, his voice barely audible, heavy with a twisted longing. A slow, unsettling smile spread across his lips, his gaze darkening with a sickening hunger as he fixated on Yun Yuhua.

  For the rest of the day, HaoJian lingered in the shadows, unseen, a predator watching his prey. Silent, unmoving, he reveled in the sight of the girl who wore XianLian’s face.

  As dusk fell and the market grew quiet, Yun Yuhua closed the inn for the night. Lanterns flickered, casting dancing shadows on the wooden frame. She stepped forward, her hands gently pressing the doors shut. But just before she sealed the night away, an uneasy feeling tugged at her senses. She lifted her gaze.

  There he stood—across the market. Still as death. Staring.

  A cold, creeping unease settled in her stomach. Her fingers tightened around the doorframe, and her spine prickled with an unnameable fear. But instead of confronting the presence, she merely nodded—polite but hesitant—before closing the doors, shutting the night out.

  HaoJian’s smile widened, eerie and cold.

  At last...

  The years had been cruel. But fate—oh, fate—had been merciful. He had waited. And now, she had returned to him.

  Later that evening, HaoJian returned home. Yet, he rose early the next morning, consumed by a singular thought. Without delay, he summoned ChengYi. Upon hearing of his father’s summons, ChengYi hurried to the study.

  "Father," ChengYi greeted, bowing deeply.

  HaoJian nodded, gesturing to the seat before him. ChengYi hesitated, sensing the weight of something unsaid in the air.

  "ChengYi… have you set your heart on someone?" HaoJian asked, his voice flat, almost casual.

  ChengYi stiffened. His throat tightened. He knew his father too well—there was always a purpose behind such questions.

  "I… I do," ChengYi admitted carefully, his voice cautious.

  A slow smirk curled at the corner of HaoJian’s lips.

  "If that is so, bring her here. A man of honor does not hesitate in matters of the heart. Show her to us," he insisted, his tone commanding.

  ChengYi lowered his gaze, uneasy.

  "Father… I do not wish to impose on her if it is not her desire," he said firmly, his resolve growing.

  HaoJian’s expression soured immediately.

  "What nonsense is this? Are you truly so weak-willed?" he scoffed.

  ChengYi swallowed the frustration rising in his chest. He kept his voice steady.

  "I admire her from afar. Her wishes are my highest respect. She is content with her family—I would not be so selfish as to disrupt that," ChengYi answered, his tone unwavering.

  HaoJian slammed his palm down on the table, the sound sharp and resonant, echoing through the room.

  "What foolishness! A man shapes his destiny; he does not wait for it to come to him!" he barked, his voice low with anger.

  ChengYi’s spine straightened, cold dread creeping over him at the eerie conviction in his father’s voice. Wordlessly, he rose, bowing quickly.

  "I have matters to attend to," ChengYi said, turning to leave.

  "What a useless, weak child," HaoJian muttered darkly to himself. "A chance stands before him, with my approval—yet he falters... unlike what was denied to me..."

  ChengYi stormed out of the Lui residence, desperate to escape his father’s suffocating presence. His eyes lingered on the inn for a brief moment, but hesitation rooted him in place. The fear of bringing trouble to those he cared about crept up his spine. He swallowed hard, his chest tight with unease.

  Turning away, he took a step to leave, hoping the distance would shield them from his family’s shadow.

  But before he could vanish, Qian LiAi spotted him. He instinctively reached out, his lips parting to call ChengYi’s name—but the words never left his mouth. ChengYi was already gone, lost in the crowds.

  ChengYi wandered aimlessly until he reached the river’s edge. The cool wind kissed his face, mirroring the turmoil roiling inside him. He stood there, staring at the water, as if searching for answers. How could he face parents who refused to listen to reason?