Ruan Jingliu and Xiqiu bid farewell to Fourth Master Xiao and left first without looking at Qin Yuanfeng.

"Farewell, farewell!" Qin Yuanfeng stood up with a smile, cupped his fists toward Fourth Master Xiao, and then turned his gaze to greet Xiqiu. Like a little tail, he happily followed Ruan Jingliu, with a smile on his face that even Xiqiu couldn’t help but laugh at.

She shook her head and said to Fourth Master Xiao, "We underestimated the means of Second Master Qin."

At this moment, Fourth Master Xiao was still pondering Xiqiu’s earlier words, thinking about the kind of life she used to want...

Hearing this, his gaze fell on the backs of the people walking away, and he replied calmly, "This person can bend and stretch, his future is boundless." The brief words were a great affirmation of Qin Yuanfeng.

Xiqiu didn’t expect Fourth Master Xiao to have such a good impression of Qin Yuanfeng, and couldn’t help but ask, "Why?" Fourth Master Xiao took her hand, and the two entered the courtyard gate, walking slowly to take care of Xiqiu’s health: "In Fujian, running a shipping business is not something that can be done easily just because you have money. Although public security in coastal Fujian is gradually improving, the risks on the sea are significant, including facing pirates. He managed to build such a force from scratch, which shows his capabilities and means. Moreover, Chief Lei is a cunning and slick person; to carve out a living under him is not just difficult!"

This shows that Qin Yuanfeng is definitely not as simple and rogue-like as he appears on the surface!

Xiqiu didn’t know much about matters in Fujian, but from what happened in Tongxuan Hall, he could let go of such a large inheritance without concern, regardless of the stories in between; such a person must be free-spirited and straightforward.

"It’s rare to hear you praise someone." Xiqiu thought of the usually cold and aloof Ruan Jingliu, who was completely overwhelmed by Qin Yuanfeng’s rogue methods, and couldn’t help but chuckle: "I hope Second Master Qin is indeed as you said, not a creature of ordinary ponds, so that Sister Jingliu’s efforts are not in vain."

Before the couples could enter the room, Zhi and Kun came in happily from outside. Kun, dressed in a bamboo-colored robe, exuded a unique gentle and elegant demeanor of a Tong Family man, while Zhi wore his usual dark blue short robe, convenient for bouncing around.

"Mother." Zhi ran over to support Xiqiu: "Why did you get out of bed, is younger sister alright?" staring at Xiqiu’s belly.

Kun frowned disdainfully, saluted Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao, and stood aside pretending not to hear. Xiqiu laughed: "It’s alright!" looking at Kun: "It’s cold outside, come in."

Several people went inside. Chunliu brought people to set the table. After lunch, Kun went to read, Zhi went to find Master Hua, and Xiqiu was escorted by Fourth Master Xiao to lie down on the bed.

"I really feel fine now, and besides, I’m not going out for walks, don’t worry." Lying down all day is boring, might as well get up and have a walk.

Fourth Master Xiao shook his head, took off his coat, and leaned on the outer side of the bed, saying softly: "You’ve been sitting all morning, rest for a while and get up in the afternoon."

Xiqiu sighed, turned over, hugged Fourth Master Xiao, and obediently closed her eyes.

The two laid on the bed, as the afternoon sun streamed in through the windowsill, dancing warmly and softly. Fourth Master Xiao held her, absentmindedly touching her hair, a thoughtful look on his face.

Xiqiu waited a long time without hearing him speak, so she opened her eyes and saw Fourth Master Xiao’s "troubled" expression. Surprised, she asked: "What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, go to sleep." He patted her gently like coaxing a child, and Fourth Master Xiao kissed her forehead lightly with a smile.

Xiqiu frowned at him, clearly not believing he wasn’t thinking of anything.

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her and laughed again, then changed positions to face Xiqiu, saying in an exploratory tone: "Why doesn’t Nurse Zhang want to get married?"

Is it this problem that’s troubling him?

Not surprising, Fourth Master Xiao was raised with traditional education. Although he is very democratic, the patriarchal mindset in his blood hasn’t waned. In his view, a woman should marry and have children in the back house after reaching adulthood. Although he can accept someone like Ruan Jingliu, he might not necessarily understand.

Xiqiu coughed lightly, smiled, and said: "What does Fourth Master think about why women should get married, or in other words, why do women marry?"

Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows, not considering Xiqiu’s question a real question, waiting for her to continue.

"Perhaps, in most people’s minds, marriage is a woman’s lifelong career; they should be a certain way and must be a certain way. But changing perspectives, what is the purpose of a woman marrying? To live better, to have a man who treats them well, ensuring their food and clothing needs are met in exchange for having children and taking care of his parents. It’s only natural, isn’t it?!" She paused, then continued: "But Sister Jingliu, she doesn’t need someone to treat her well, nor does she need a man to provide a stable and prosperous life. What a man can do for her, she can do herself, so what then is the point of marriage to her?"

This utterly challenged his previous beliefs, and for the first time, Xiqiu saw a "crack" on Fourth Master Xiao’s coldly handsome face, like the collapse of a worldview. He looked at Xiqiu troubled and clumsily asked: "So, in your view, is marriage just a transaction where both parties get what they need?"

Xiqiu knew his thoughts were slightly off but did not explain: "If there is mutual affection, that’s different. When there is love, how much one gives for the other doesn’t matter. But at the beginning, when neither the man nor the woman is engaged, or if a marriage doesn’t turn out as happy as expected, as you said, marriage is just a transaction where both get what they need."

Fourth Master Xiao pondered for a moment, as if trying to accept this radical idea. He remained silent for a long time before turning his gaze to Xiqiu and asking: "And what about you, are you the same as Nurse Zhang?"

Xiqiu paused, then laughed lightly, mischievously twirling her eyes: "If I were truly like Jingliu, how would I be here."

Not the same as Ruan Jingliu, then what does she want?

"If not married, what kind of life is ideal for you?"

Xiqiu saw he seemed genuinely concerned with the question, revealing a puzzled expression. Reflecting on her morning conversation with Ruan Jingliu, she looked at Fourth Master Xiao, suspecting he overheard them and was asking her indirectly out of curiosity.

Laughing inwardly, she did not hide and replied: "Travel, not striving but never starving, no need for management yet people waiting for me, able to travel freely and when tired, to settle with a cup of tea, a book, and a small courtyard... leisurely spending life." Fourth Master Xiao listened intently, at times frowning, at times expressionless.