The rain had begun to ease by the time Su Long and Fu Sheng finished checking the farm. What had once been heavy and forceful now fell in a lighter, steady rhythm, leaving the air cool and damp.

They made their way toward the carriage without speaking.

Fu Sheng stepped forward first and adjusted the covering over the items they had brought with them. He secured the cloth carefully, making sure nothing inside would get wet from the remaining rain. His movements were precise and quiet, as though he needed something to focus on.

Su Long watched him briefly, then stepped into the carriage.

He followed shortly after.

The journey back was silent.

Only the sound of the wheels moving over the damp ground and the faint patter of rain against the carriage filled the space between them. Neither of them spoke, and the earlier tension had not disappeared. It lingered, settled between them in a way that did not need words.

By the time they reached the house, the rain had reduced to a fine drizzle.

The carriage came to a stop at the gate.

Fu Sheng stepped down first and reached out to help Su Long. She accepted without a word and stepped onto the ground.

Then she paused.

Her gaze shifted forward.

Fu Sheng followed her line of sight.

Standing just outside the gate were Grandfather Fu and Grandmother Fu.

They had not left.

Their clothes were soaked through, clinging to their bodies, and water dripped steadily from their sleeves. Their hair was wet, and their posture was unsteady. Even from a distance, it was clear they had been standing there for a long time.

They were shivering.

But they did not move.

They simply stood there, waiting.

Su Long looked at them for a moment.

Then a faint smile appeared on her lips.

She leaned slightly toward Fu Sheng and spoke in a low voice.

"So they listened," she said.

Fu Sheng heard her clearly.

He turned slightly toward her, wanting to ask what she meant.

But when he saw her expression, he stopped himself.

He knew she was still angry.

So he said nothing.

Su Long straightened and walked forward without hesitation.

Fu Sheng followed beside her.

They passed by the two elders without stopping.

Without speaking.

Without acknowledging them.

The gate was opened.

And the two of them stepped inside together.

Behind them, the rain continued to fall softly, and the two figures remained where they were.

As they entered the courtyard, the rain had left everything damp, but the scene was calm and quietly beautiful. Water clung to the edges of the roof, dripping steadily, while the soft glow of the lanterns reflected against the wet ground, making the entire space feel warm despite the cold air.

Master Fu and Madame Fu were seated outside.

Fu Jun stood beside Master Fu, holding onto his hand and playing with his fingers as he spoke softly. The old man allowed it, his expression relaxed in a way that had not been seen often before.

The moment Fu Sheng stepped fully into the courtyard, Fu Jun looked up.

His face lit up at once.

"Papa!" he called out.

Without hesitation, he let go of Master Fu’s hand and ran toward him.

Fu Sheng paused slightly as the small figure rushed forward, then bent just enough to catch him. Fu Jun wrapped his arms around him tightly, as though he had been waiting.

Fu Sheng’s expression softened, just for a moment, as he placed a hand lightly on the child’s back.

Madame Fu looked up first.

"You are back," she said.

Master Fu also turned slightly, his gaze steady.

"How did it go?" he asked. "Did Madame Zhao agree?"

Su Long stepped forward.

"She agreed," she replied calmly. "We have already set things in motion."

Madame Fu nodded slowly, clearly relieved.

"That is good," she said.

Master Fu gave a small nod as well.

"Then we should not delay further," he added.

Su Long continued, her tone steady.

"Tonight, Fu Tong and Fu Teng will go to visit the girls’ families," she said. "The matter will be made clear from both sides."

Madame Fu’s expression became more focused.

"Have the arrangements been made?" she asked.

"Yes," Su Long replied. "Two carriages have already been rented."

Fu Sheng stood beside her, Fu Jun still holding onto him, silent but attentive.

Master Fu leaned back slightly, satisfied with the response.

"Then everything is moving as it should," he said.

Madame Fu looked between them once more before nodding again.

"Make sure nothing goes wrong," she said.

"It will not," Su Long replied.

The courtyard remained calm, the lantern light flickering softly as the last of the rain continued to fall.

Su Long had just turned slightly, preparing to go inside and change out of her wet clothes, when Master Fu spoke again.

"Those two," he said, his voice steady, "are they still outside?"

Fu Sheng paused.

Then he gave a small nod.

"Yes," he replied.

The answer was simple.

But it carried weight.

Madame Fu let out a quiet sigh as she lowered her gaze slightly.

"They have been standing there since morning," she said. "Even when the rain was at its heaviest, they did not leave."

Her voice was not soft, but there was a trace of something beneath it.

Fu Jun, still beside Fu Sheng, looked between the adults with a hint of confusion but did not speak.

Master Fu remained silent for a moment.

Then he exhaled slowly.

"They are stubborn," he said.

Su Long did not turn back.

Her expression remained unchanged.

"They chose to stand there," she said calmly. "No one forced them."

Madame Fu glanced at her but did not argue.

Fu Sheng also remained quiet.

The sound of water dripping from the roof filled the brief silence.

After a moment, Madame Fu spoke again.

"Go and change first," she said. "You are both soaked."

Su Long gave a slight nod.

Then she turned and walked inside without another word.

Fu Sheng followed behind her.

Outside the gate—

The two figures still remained.

Master Fu remained seated for a moment after Su Long and Fu Sheng went inside. The soft sound of rain continued in the background, steady and unchanging.

After a short pause, he lifted his gaze slightly and called out, "Fu Tong."

His voice was calm, but it carried clearly into the house.

A moment later, footsteps approached. Fu Tong came out first, with Fu Fei and Fu Li following behind him. Fu Tong looked at ease at first, but when he noticed Master Fu’s expression, he straightened slightly.

"Yes, Father?" he asked.

Fu Fei stood quietly beside him, while Fu Li crossed her arms, already looking displeased.

Master Fu did not waste time.

"Go and bring them inside," he said.

Fu Tong immediately understood who he meant. His expression changed, and he hesitated.

"They are still outside?" he asked.

Master Fu did not repeat himself.

Fu Tong frowned slightly and shifted his weight.

"They chose to stand there," he said. "Why should we bring them in?"

Before he could continue, Madame Fu gave him a single look.

It was not harsh, but it was enough.

Fu Tong stopped speaking at once. He pressed his lips together and looked away, holding back the rest of his words.

"Alright," he said quietly.

However, he still did not move.

Fu Li, on the other hand, did not remain silent.

"Why should we bring them in?" she asked openly. "They caused trouble for this family, and now they stand outside for a few hours and everything is forgotten?"

Her tone was sharp and direct.

Master Fu did not look at her, nor did he respond to what she said.

Instead, he kept his gaze on Fu Tong.

"Go," he said again.

His voice was calm, but firm, leaving no room for argument.

Fu Tong let out a quiet breath. He knew there was no point refusing.

"Fine," he said.

This time, he turned and began walking toward the gate without further delay.

Behind him, Fu Li shook her head, still dissatisfied, while Fu Fei remained silent, her eyes following Fu Tong as he left.

....

Fu Tong walked toward the gate with slow, reluctant steps.

The closer he got, the clearer their condition became.

Grandfather Fu and Grandmother Fu were still standing in the same place. Their clothes were soaked through, clinging heavily to their bodies, and their faces looked pale from the cold. Even the light drizzle that remained seemed enough to make them tremble.

For a brief moment, Fu Tong stopped.

He looked at them carefully.

Then he let out a quiet breath.

"You two are really something," he said.

His tone was not warm, but it was no longer as resistant as before.

Grandmother Fu looked up at him immediately, her eyes carrying both hope and exhaustion.

"Fu Tong..." she called softly.

Grandfather Fu also straightened slightly, though his body still shook.

"We..." he began, but his voice faltered.

Fu Tong raised a hand, stopping him.

"Enough," he said. "If you have anything to say, say it inside."

They both froze for a moment, as if they had not expected those words.

Fu Tong looked at them again, his expression impatient.

"Are you coming or not?" he asked.

That was all it took.

Grandmother Fu nodded quickly.

"Yes... yes, we are coming," she said.

Grandfather Fu also nodded, relief flashing across his face.

They moved carefully, their steps slow and unsteady after standing for so long in the rain.

Fu Tong turned and walked back toward the courtyard without waiting for them, but he slowed his pace slightly.

Behind him, the two elders followed.

When they stepped inside the gate, the difference was immediate.

The warmth from the lanterns and the shelter from the rain surrounded them at once.

Water dripped from their clothes onto the ground as they stood just inside, unsure whether to move further.

Fu Li noticed them first.

Her expression tightened slightly, but she did not speak.

Fu Fei glanced at them briefly before lowering her gaze again.

Madame Fu looked at them calmly.

"You can stand there all night if you wish," she said. "Or you can come in properly."

Her tone was neither welcoming nor rejecting.

It simply stated a choice.

Grandmother Fu lowered her head.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Grandfather Fu also bowed slightly.

They stepped further into the courtyard, their movements careful, almost restrained.

Master Fu watched them in silence.

Then he spoke.

"Go and change," he said. "You will fall sick if you remain like that."

They both nodded immediately.

"Yes," Grandfather Fu said.

"Yes," Grandmother Fu followed.

Fu Tong stepped aside, allowing them to pass.

As they moved past him, he did not look at them again.

"Fu Teng definitely won’t like this when he returns."