Chapter 75: Chapter 74: Youthful Heart

When Lin Youning spoke, her watery eyes looked at you as if she was smiling at you warmly, even if it was just an ordinary sentence. When she spoke, it felt as if it was a very interesting matter, and that smile would extend directly to her eyes.

You could feel her happiness.

Xu Yuxian couldn’t help but grin, “Snow Fox can come back by itself at night, which shows that it acknowledges Aunt as its master.”

The young man, in his white robe, stood there with such elegance, always making people brighten at the sight.

Having lived two lifetimes, Lin Youning no longer let her heart be stirred by a graceful young man. Seeing Xu Yuxian’s interest in the Snow Fox, she explained a bit more, “Usually, when it craves milk, it will rub against your legs and act coquettishly. If you don’t give it any, it will whine pitifully, but it’s really ungrateful; once it’s full, it runs off without a trace. And when it returns at night, if you ignore it, it will act coquettishly again.”

“Isn’t it just like a child, with a human-like intelligence?” Xu Yuxian widened his eyes.

Even the always steady Sister Hui listened with great interest.

Sister Yue opened her eyes wide, “If it’s always like this, can’t Aunt just not give it milk, so it learns not to run off after eating it?”

“That’s right, so that’s where its cleverness lies. Next time, even before you can punish it, after it’s full, it will come to you, calling out until you’re annoyed before it runs out.” Remembering Snowball, Lin Youning couldn’t help but smile.

In daily life, she was always quiet in front of others, her smile never this open. Her tears-filled eyes could melt a person’s heart, and though it was winter, the radiant smile on her face was hotter than summer’s.

Xu Yuxian felt as if everything around him turned white, leaving only him and Sister Ning in this world, willing to trade anything for the smile before him, even his life.

Sister Yue, upon hearing about the Snow Fox, was filled with envy, thinking she also wanted to find one. Sister Jian and Sister Ran, who were usually unobtrusive, were now reflecting on Lin Youning’s words, each deep in thought.

Sister Hui, once composed, unintentionally caught Xu Yuxian’s captivated gaze, paused, and followed it straight to Aunt’s smiling face.

Her expression tightened, suddenly understanding why Xu Yuxian mentioned the Snow Fox, realizing it wasn’t just idle talk but directed towards Aunt.

Upon discovering this secret, instead of feeling pleased, Sister Hui felt a vague unease.

Gu Yixuan, standing under the corridor of the East Corner Gate, also witnessed this scene. He had hurried over upon hearing the Xu Family had arrived, just in time to hear Sister Ning discussing Snow Fox, and Xu Yuxian’s entranced gaze was also noted by him.

The hands hidden behind his back in his sleeves clenched unconsciously into fists.

Sister Ning, adopted by Madam from the beginning, had been pointed out to bear the responsibility for two households, so the entire Capital knew that Sister Ning was his childhood betrothed fiancé.

Yet, the boy from the Xu Family dared to openly covet his woman.

Gu Er didn’t realize he’d long seen Sister Ning as his possession, his woman, rather than a sister.

“Master,” Tang Ping softly reminded him from behind.

He could see clearly that when the master saw others eyeing Miss Lin, his eyes were blazing with fire.

Usually not showing much affection towards Miss Lin, Tang Ping had thought the master was indifferent, but now it seemed the feelings ran deeper than they appeared.

But come to think of it, with Miss Lin’s appearance, which man wouldn’t be moved?

Gu Yixuan, jolted from his fury by the call, coldly snorted at Xu Yuxian’s figure before striding towards Shi’an Garden.

The same day, after Mrs. Xu Sr. and the Xu Family’s young gentlemen had lunch, they returned home. Mrs. Gu Sr., having hosted all day, was tired and, noticing her youngest son sitting in her room with a disgruntled look, waved for Suyi to lead the servants out.

Once they were alone, she asked, “So? What’s troubling you now?”

“Why did Mrs. Xu Sr. come to our house? Was it really to visit the sick?”

Mrs. Gu Sr. snorted, “Regardless of their purpose, what can you do about it? It’s rare to see you concern yourself with such matters.”

“I coincidentally saw the Xu Family boy staring at Sister Ning when I returned home today,” Gu Yixuan said casually.

Mrs. Gu Sr.’s eyes darkened, though her tone remained unchanged, “Oh? I remember all the girls from our household were present. Why was he looking only at Sister Ning? Right in front of everyone?”

Thinking about Xu Yuxian’s infatuated gaze, Gu Yixuan didn’t realize his mother’s face had turned somber, and he unwittingly replied, “Which is why Sister Ning should avoid contact with outside men in the future. Although she is not frivolous, it’s hard to stop others from having improper thoughts.”

With a ’bang’, Mrs. Gu Sr. slapped the side table fiercely, “You talk about others’ improper thoughts, but you should be aware of defaming Ning’s character. If this spreads, think about how others will talk about her. How is she supposed to cope?”

Frightened by his mother’s sudden anger, Gu Yixuan quickly stood with respect and admitted his mistake, “I’ve been foolish, Mother, please calm down.”

“I can see that Ning is important to you, and that brings me comfort, but you’re being too narrow-minded. It’s just a glance at Ning. We all know how beautiful she is; even we who see her every day can’t help but look more than once. Hide her because she is beautiful? That’s unreasonable.” Mrs. Gu Sr.’s tone gradually softened again, “Er, I won’t live many more years. If you truly treasure Ning, I can rest easy.”

“Mother, rest assured, I will treat Ning with my whole heart.” Gu Yixuan was relieved as his mother calmed down.

As he left Shi’an Garden, he paused at the corridor of Tingxue Hall, with the dazzling smile he witnessed earlier still lingering before his eyes.

He realized he’d never seen Sister Ning smile like that, like a sea of flowers, tempting him to lose himself.

At Yingshui Courtyard, Sister Hui, after dismissing everyone, shared her discovery with her mother. Mrs. Dong smiled, as if she already knew, making Sister Hui even more confused.

“This is just the beginning; more such situations will arise in the future. Just pretend you don’t know or see, and don’t drag us into it. This old lady only cherishes this one.” Although Mrs. Dong came from a prominent family and wasn’t shallow-minded.

Still, it’s natural for her to feel a pang, favoring an adopted granddaughter over her own.

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