"I’m just friends with him," Xiao Xiao replied, head down as she helped fold clothes.

"Just friends? But I noticed Mr. Lin seems quite concerned about you," Xiao Qiuhong probed.

Xiao Xiao finally raised her head, as if she’d heard a joke, "Concerned about me? Mom, which eye did you see him being concerned about me? He’s just bored, you know, the Guard Team doesn’t have much to do recently, and in Nan’an, apart from his Guard Team buddies, he doesn’t have any friends. He’s just using the opportunity of you coming to Nan’an to slack off and sneak out of the Guard Team to have fun."

Xiao Qiuhong shook her head but didn’t expose her lie, she continued, "Xiao Xiao, if Mr. Lin shows interest in you, always remember your identity. I heard Mr. Lin’s family in the Imperial City is quite influential. It’s not that we’re not qualified to be part of such a family, my daughter is a treasure in her mother’s eyes. But, two people’s happiness should gain family approval to be truly lasting, like An Ran and your instructor—family blessings can ensure a long, happy journey together."

She knew her daughter liked Lin Junyang, and understood her daughter’s character well. She feared that, over time, her daughter would recklessly follow in her footsteps. She didn’t want her daughter to repeat her past mistakes. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"I understand, Mom, don’t worry, Lin Junyang and I are not what you think."

Xiao Xiao, worried her mother might say something embarrassing, picked up her packed luggage with one hand and took Xiao Qiuhong’s arm with the other, leading her outside, "Mom, alright, I understand, don’t worry. Once I find a boyfriend, I’ll definitely introduce him to you first. Let’s get going, or we’ll miss the train."

Lin Junyang was already waiting outside, reached out to take the luggage from Xiao Xiao’s hand, and said to Xiao Qiuhong, "Aunt Xiao, actually you can stay for another two days, anyway you start work the day after tomorrow, and Xiao Xiao’s school doesn’t start for a while, leaving her alone here would be lonely."

Xiao Qiuhong smiled, "No, I’ll go back and tidy up the house, adjust myself before going to work, otherwise I might not perform well at work and let my boss down."

"Mom, you’re just being modest. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be doing cleaning for so many years. With your talent, you could be a manager at least." Xiao Xiao said affectionately, holding Xiao Qiuhong.

"You little girl, just know how to make Mom happy. Which company would want a manager like your mom? A cleaning company?"

A car sped along the highway, its interior filled with laughter. The sound of laughter, like the ringing of silver bells, made anyone hearing it feel cheerful and happy.

Lin Junyang watched through the rearview mirror at the smiling girl, his lips curving into a gentle smile.

As if casually, Xiao Qiuhong asked, "What does Mr. Lin’s family do?"

"Guards, my grandfather was a guard, my parents and sister are all guards," Lin Junyang said casually, flashing a bright smile at Xiao Qiuhong through the rearview mirror.

"A military family, I see," Xiao Qiuhong said, holding Xiao Xiao’s hand tighter, her heart high with suspense.

Three generations in the Guard Team, plus being from the Imperial City, their family background must be deep, a family like this is likely more focused on family status.

"Yeah, his father is the Imperial Chief Guard. Mom, you should’ve seen, their family’s guards all carry guns." Xiao Xiao assumed Xiao Qiuhong was curious about such a military family, and told her.

But this casual remark deepened Xiao Qiuhong’s concern, hoping as her daughter said, they’re just friends.