Yu Wenli descended the stairs, his long legs striding with a measured pace.
Upon hearing her words, he paused, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
The usually calm depths of his gaze rippled with unspoken emotions.
But it quickly settled back into its placid state.
Still, his steps quickened slightly.
As if drawn by an unseen force.
"It has been quite some time," he conceded.
If one were to count days as seasons, it felt like several autumns had passed.
Yu Wenli reached out and ruffled her hair, then asked with a smile, "I have a surprise for you. Do you want to see it?"
"A surprise?"
Wen Tingxue's eyes sparkled, like a sapling shedding dead branches and reaching for the sun.
She was full of vibrant life.
"What surprise is it? Can't you give me a hint?"
She tilted her head, her expression sweet and playful.
It was as if the past few days of avoidance were but a hazy dream.
Let it be a nightmare, she thought.
Yu Wenli's gloom of the past few days finally lifted.
A slight curve graced his lips as he said, "If I reveal it, is it still a surprise? Let's go, brother will take you to see."
Without further ado, he took her wrist, his touch as warm as she remembered.
He leisurely led her towards the study.
Wen Tingxue followed behind him, her eyes filled with anticipation, resting on his broad, well-shaped shoulders.
Her heart felt increasingly ashamed of her past actions.
She had finally found a young man who considered her every thought and cared for her in every way.
And yet, she had considered distancing herself, avoiding him, pushing him away.
Heaven itself must have thought her a complete fool.
"Grandpa."
Yu Wenli's voice brought Wen Tingxue back from her reverie.
Old Master Yu was practicing calligraphy in the study. He merely grunted in response, his head still bowed, his hand steady.
Yet, Wen Tingxue felt a prickle of discomfort. She twisted her wrist, wanting him to let go.
Yu Wenli resisted for a moment longer before finally releasing her.
Wen Tingxue glared at him, though she dared not do so openly.
Her subtle movements were endearingly cute.
Yu Wenli's lips curved upwards, joy evident on his face, making him appear particularly gentle.
Just then, Old Master Yu put down his brush and looked up. His gaze lingered on his grandson for a moment before he spoke with a smile,
"Didn't you want me to teach Wen girl calligraphy? What are you standing here for? Am I a piece of furniture?"
Wen Tingxue blinked in surprise, "Calligraphy?"
"Yes," Yu Wenli explained. "Seeing how much you liked it, I thought Grandpa could teach you. It's alright if you don't want to."
"No, no, no."
Wen Tingxue quickly shook her head, then said shyly, "I want to, but I'm afraid Grandpa will dislike me..."
Her handwriting was indeed rather poor.
She simply had no time to practice.
It was already a great deal that her grandmother and aunt allowed her to attend school.
How could they possibly spare time for her to practice calligraphy?
She was too guileless; her emotions were plainly visible on her face.
Yu Wenli saw through her with ease and affectionately squeezed her soft cheek.
His voice, gentle and coaxing, said,
"Don't worry, Grandpa won't dislike you. Shall I leave now?"
"Mhm..."
Wen Tingxue looked hesitantly at the kindly Old Master Yu, then at Yu Wenli.
Finally, she mustered her courage and nodded, "Okay, you can go. I can do it!"
The last three words were more like a self-encouragement.
Yu Wenli couldn't help but chuckle, "Yes, my sister will surely be the best."
Then, changing the subject, he asked, "Does the school uniform still fit?"
"School uniform?"
Wen Tingxue didn't react for a moment, then a hint of guilt touched her lips.
"It... it fits."
Yu Wenli raised an eyebrow. "Does it fit or not? It's clothes you'll be wearing for a year and a half. Don't make yourself uncomfortable."
"Oh, come on~"
Wen Tingxue felt flustered and couldn't help but push him playfully, her voice sweet.
"It really fits. Please go now."
Yu Wenli, pushed out of the study, was speechless.
Very well.
He had never been pushed out of a room in his life,
Let alone his own family's.
But he was rather pleased.
The girl had changed so much today, her dependence on him was almost palpable.
She had never been like this before.
Leaning against the wall opposite the study, Yu Wenli casually crossed and uncrossed his long legs, looking utterly relaxed.
Yu Xiuxiu seized an opportunity and approached, asking in a low voice, "What did you do? Why has Yi Yi changed so much?"
She had been listless before coming here.
How had she suddenly become so lively and cheerful?
It was as if she had drunk some miraculous elixir.
Even Yu Wenli, who understood people well, was baffled.
He replied in a muffled voice, "I'm not sure either."
He had expected her to continue avoiding him, but instead...
He wondered what the little girl had thought about during those ten-odd seconds standing at the door.
She had suddenly changed her tune.
Yu Xiuxiu, surprised, asked, "It wasn't you who arranged this?"
Yu Wenli honestly shook his head. "Grandpa was the one I arranged."
The best way to open her heart was through indirect guidance from an elder.
Whether in family or society, age and experience carried a certain authority.
Especially since her psychological trauma primarily stemmed from her grandmother, an elder of similar age would be most suitable.
He had also deliberately avoided her recently to alleviate the pressure from Yu Yahe.
To prevent her from being hurt again.
He hadn't expected it to work so remarkably well, almost by accident?
Yu Wenli looked down at the dark patterned carpet, lost in thought.
Yu Xiuxiu stared blankly at the study door for a moment before her eyes widened in realization, and she smiled.
Yu Wenli looked up, blinking in confusion.
With a hint of curiosity.
He looked quite endearing.
Yu Xiuxiu suddenly felt that the young master Yu wasn't always so prescient.
This made her feel even happier.
"Silly child, you understand everything, except perhaps emotions. I've been through it.
"Yi Yi probably changed because of you."
After all, she was the flesh and blood she had carried for ten months.
A mother's heart was connected to her child's, and she could guess a large part of her daughter's thoughts.
However, she had no intention of telling Yu Wenli too much.
Because she was jealous.
Extremely jealous.
The young cabbage she had raised was changing for an outsider!
Hmph!
Yu Xiuxiu walked away without looking back, a hint of sourness in her departing figure.
Yu Wenli: "???"
What had he said?
As he pondered, his phone rang. It was Que You. "Ancestors, I need an emergency rescue in the martial world tonight. Can you help me gain some rank? I made plans with someone and can't lose!!"
Yu Wenli was a little distracted and didn't reply.
Que You, remembering he had been blocked on WeChat, quickly added,
"I'll help you sort out the little sister situation. If it's about money, that's negotiable, but tonight is really..."
Before he could finish his lengthy explanation, Yu Wenli calmly interrupted, "Time."
"Time is not a problem. Just say the word, and I... Huh?"
Que You realized what had happened and exclaimed joyfully, "Are you reconciled? Oh, listening to your tone, things must be clear skies again, right?"
Yu Wenli chuckled lightly, "Time."
"Nine o'clock."
After saying that, Que You couldn't resist gossiping, "How did you manage it? This is too fast!
"A Rui and I bet it would take at least a month. You... less than a week!"
Yu Wenli himself didn't understand, so how could he explain it to him?
He dismissed Que You with a "You're noisy" and hung up the phone.
He tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling.
Yu Xiuxiu's words echoed in his mind—"Yi Yi probably changed because of you."
Because of him?
What did she mean?
Yu Wenli, who understood a little about everything, felt for the first time that emotions were the most troublesome thing.
Because there were no formulas, no patterns, not even any references.
One could only stumble through the dark, feeling their way inch by inch.
But now, more than ever, he possessed the patience.