Chapter 15 Chapter 15

Chapter 15

1

Back at the Gentleman's Courtyard, Lin Chenxin was still dwelling on the words she had overheard outside the study.

What did "time is almost up, she doesn't have many good days left" mean?

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Lin Chenxin was wide awake. Her heart was hammering in her chest, and she felt completely agitated.

She turned her head to look at the sealed window, her brow furrowed tightly.

Perhaps due to her agitation, the more she looked at it, the more it bugged her.

She got out of bed barefoot, stepped onto the soft, thick carpet, walked to the window, and without saying a word, began trying to pry it open.

The "bang, bang, bang" sounds were rapid and rough in the silent night.

Standing alone in the rear courtyard, Chen Gujun turned his head towards that window.

After some time, with a "crash," the broken wooden pieces splintered and collapsed entirely. A pair of hands and a head with disheveled hair tumbled out from within.

The window, sealed for who knows how many years, had completely given way like this.

You'd have to give it to her—Lin Chenxin had some serious strength.

Fresh air rushed into her lungs, slightly easing the restlessness in Lin Chenxin's heart.

She let out a breath, raised her hand to push aside the hair in front of her face, and met Chen Gujun's gaze ahead.

Her expression froze, and she stared blankly at Chen Gujun.

Chen Gujun stood tall on the well curb, the dark, deep well mouth before him, surrounded by flat, barren land.

A pale full moon hung in the sky, casting a cold, silvery glow, as if the surrounding air were draped in a layer of silver gauze.

Under the moonlight, Chen Gujun's long hair stirred gently, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture upright. In that instant, all the terrifying marks on him seemed to fade away.

He was merely a lonely, dignified gentleman who was utterly captivating.

Lin Chenxin's breathing softened, and she gazed unblinkingly at the beautiful scene before her.

True beauty lies in the bones, not the skin; she understood that thoroughly today.

In the entire antique-style Chen family compound, only Chen Gujun, who appeared the most otherworldly, possessed the dignified, gentlemanly bearing.

She rested her head sideways on her arm, propped on the windowsill, staring intently at Chen Gujun's figure.

She didn't bother thinking about why he was standing by that dangerous well in the middle of the night. A gentle breeze brushed her face. At this moment, having suddenly relaxed, she felt it was best not to say anything.

Since Lin Chenxin remained silent, Chen Gujun naturally had nothing to say either.

He slowly turned his head back and continued standing silently on the well curb, his tall, slender figure appearing cool and elegant.

Watching Chen Gujun's back, Lin Chenxin, leaning on the windowsill, seemed to have thought something in her heart, yet also seemed to have thought nothing. Her chaotic thoughts gradually settled in the quiet air, and she slowly, drowsily, closed her eyes.

Not long after, Chen Gujun, standing motionless by the well, glanced sideways at Lin Chenxin's serene, sleeping face. A flicker passed through his eyes, then he turned his gaze towards the withered peach tree in the rear courtyard.

If peach blossoms were fluttering down at this moment, it would surely be beautiful.

He raised his head, his gaze calm as he looked at the moon in the sky.

—

The next morning, the light woke Lin Chenxin. Frowning, she straightened her sore, numb body.

Suddenly, a soft blanket fell from her. She paused in surprise, picked up the blanket, and looked out the window into the rear courtyard.

Chen Gujun was no longer there, leaving only the well standing alone in the shadows.

She let out a soft sigh, placed one hand on the windowsill, and perched sideways on the ledge without moving.

The rising sun took longer than elsewhere to climb over the towering courtyard wall and bathe the entire rear courtyard in golden light.

She remained quiet and still, watching the desolate rear courtyard until the sun passed over the well, turning the whole ground golden. Only then did she slowly withdraw her gaze.

For that brief time, she thought of nothing, simply clearing her mind to enjoy a moment of tranquility.

After washing up, a revitalized Lin Chenxin walked out of her room and, as usual, picked up the watering can and went to knock on the study door.

"Remember to water the flowers."

She craned her neck, peeking inside.

Inside, Chen Gujun was quietly looking at the dried flower pressed in the book. Hearing the sound outside, he slowly raised his head.

But he didn't move. Only after watching through the lattice window as Lin Chenxin swaggered away did he stand up moments later and walk to the door, intending to fetch the watering can.

Just as the door opened, however, Lin Chenxin appeared from who knows where, her eyes curved into crescents as she looked at him and said, "Got you!"

Chen Gujun's expression faltered, his outstretched hand still hanging in mid-air.

Lin Chenxin, happily playing her solo game of "hide-and-seek," walked away with a triumphant smile.

After a good while, Chen Gujun bent down to pick up the watering can from the ground, his falling hair concealing the slight tightening at the corners of his mouth.

—

"What? I don't need to come anymore?"

Lin Chenxin, holding a tea tray, stood in the central hall, her eyes wide.

Ms. Liang's taut face clearly suppressed anger.

"Last night, I asked you to wash the dishes. It's one thing that all the plates you washed broke, but why are all the ones in the cabinet broken too!"

Lin Chenxin blinked her eyes and answered honestly, "I wanted to do a bit more. Since I was washing them, I thought I might as well wash them all over again."

It was only this morning that everyone discovered there wasn't a single intact bowl or plate left in the kitchen.

The servants trembled with fear, none daring to take responsibility.

Even though the middle-aged woman, upon finding out, hurriedly sent people out to purchase more, they still missed breakfast time.

Early in the morning, Mr. Chen left without saying a word, his face ashen with anger.

"I underestimated you," Ms. Liang said, lifting her chin, her gaze cold and sinister as she looked at Lin Chenxin.

Hearing this, Lin Chenxin's expression turned apprehensive.

"Madam, please don't say that. It's my fault, and I will correct it promptly."

"Correct it?"

Ms. Liang gave a cold laugh.

"Yes, I'm all thumbs and new to this kind of work. You trusted me and put me in charge of everything, but I ended up ruining it all. Last night, I was too scared to tell you. I thought I could muddle through, but after returning, I thought it over and my conscience wouldn't let me rest. I couldn't sleep well all night, so I came early this morning to apologize."

Lin Chenxin bowed, humbly offering the tea to Ms. Liang.

Ms. Liang remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on Lin Chenxin's eyes.

Lin Chenxin's eyes were bright, her clear pupils free of any impurity, her heart utterly sincere.

Ms. Liang's face was expressionless, giving no indication of whether she believed her or not.

Lin Chenxin said earnestly, "I boiled the water and brewed this tea myself. It may not be well-brewed, but I still hope you'll do me the honor of tasting it."

After a moment, fingers with red nail polish lifted the teacup, bringing it to her lips for a gentle sip.

True, it wasn't well-brewed.

Yet it genuinely proved that Lin Chenxin had not lied.

Ms. Liang said nothing, her thoughts unknown.

But Lin Chenxin immediately vowed with great sincerity.

"I will make sure everything is to Madam and the Master's liking tonight."

Her earnest expression seemed only a step away from swearing an oath on the spot.

Without waiting for Ms. Liang's response, she respectfully bowed and left.

As she stepped over the threshold, Ms. Liang suddenly spoke from behind, "What do you want?"

Lin Chenxin paused, her eyes lowered as she replied, "I know that since entering the Chen family, I am now a member of the Chen household. But my younger siblings are still young, and I cannot be by their side. I truly cannot rest easy..."

A faint, mocking laugh came from behind her.

Lin Chenxin pressed her lips together, her lowered head hiding her expression.

"Go."

Lin Chenxin stood still for a moment before silently walking away.

After Lin Chenxin's figure disappeared, Ms. Liang looked ahead and asked, "How much of what she said do you think is true, and how much is false?"

This young girl's mind was more devious than imagined.

The middle-aged woman standing beside Ms. Liang bowed her head and whispered, "Her sincerity toward her younger siblings seems genuine. Moreover, she did enter the Chen family for her sister's sake."

"Yes, so all this fuss is still about wanting money."

Ms. Liang let out a derisive laugh, her expression quickly turning impassive again.

She stared straight ahead at the open door, its high threshold resembling a towering mountain, yet also like a divide between two worlds, blocking the light from outside.

Ms. Liang sat motionless in her chair, her eyes shrouded in shadow, ultimately unable to merge with the light beyond the door.

Walking along the path, Lin Chenxin clicked her tongue, thinking she would have to actually do some real work tonight.

Otherwise, she would lose the opportunity to openly leave the Junzi Courtyard and investigate.

As she thought this, her phone suddenly received a transfer of one million yuan.

She stopped in her tracks and murmured softly, "Getting stingy, huh."

As usual, she split the money in half and transferred it out.

She rarely opened her phone, but it now held many more messages of gratitude, all from former employees of the Lin family.

The previous debts had been cleared with that ten million yuan.

She had also provided additional compensation to some employees who were owed wages.

To them, she sincerely thanked them for not demanding payment during her family's most difficult times.

Some had even secretly helped her and her siblings.

She stared at those messages for a long time. Just as she was about to put her phone back in her pocket, another message arrived.

It was from an old master craftsman who had been with them since the family's rise.

He asked if she had ever thought about reviving the Lin Family Pastries brand.