Chapter 71

The next morning, after breakfast, Shen Lihuan and You Changqing pulled their suitcases behind them and said goodbye to the elders at home.

“Mom, Dad, Uncle—I’m heading to the airport with Changqing. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow. Be careful on the way.”

Gu Qinglan reminded her with concern. Although her daughter had always been steady and mature, this was her first time traveling far without her and Jiashu. She just couldn’t relax completely.

“Have fun at Green manor. If anything comes up, don’t try to handle it alone, but don’t be afraid either. Let the bodyguards take care of it.”

Shen Jiashu trusted his daughter’s judgment, but still said a few routine words.

“The scenery at Green manor is pretty nice. Take lots of photos, we can make an album out of them later—it’ll be a good memory.”

Gu Tingyu smiled and patted Shen Lihuan’s shoulder.

“I’ll remember. We’ll be careful. It’s about time—we’re heading out now.”

“Aunt Gu, Uncle Shen, Uncle, goodbye!”

Shen Lihuan was only going away for two days, so she didn’t feel much reluctance to leave. She simply waved at her family, and You Changqing followed her lead and said goodbye to the elders as well.

Shen Jiashu and the others nodded. “Go ahead.”

Pulling their suitcases, Shen Lihuan and You Changqing stepped out. A luxury stretch car was already waiting in front of the house for them.

The two bodyguards loaded their suitcases into the trunk. Shen Lihuan and You Changqing stepped into the car with long strides. Two bodyguards would be accompanying them to Green manor, but since the car needed to return, a driver was also taking the four of them to the airport.

Though Green manor was in a neighboring province of the imperial capital, the flight only took about an hour. By the time the four of them arrived at Green manor, it was only 11:13 a.m.

Because it was the weekend, there were many visitors at Green manor, and all along the way they saw cheerful tourists full of laughter and joy.

At the resort entrance, Shen Lihuan picked up the room keys at the front desk. She had reserved two double suites. The rooms were spacious—so spacious that even two burly bodyguards sharing one room wouldn’t feel crowded.

“These are your room cards. Your rooms are B22 and B23 on the second floor. Just head up the stairs to the right and you’ll see them.”

The front desk staff handed over two room cards with a smile, then gestured toward the staircase.

Shen Lihuan took the cards. “Got it, thank you.”

“No problem. Hope you have a pleasant stay.”

Once they had the keys, the four of them went to their rooms to put away their luggage. The double suites were large, very clean, and clearly well-maintained.

You Changqing first made the bed, then lay down to rest with her eyes closed. Meanwhile, Shen Lihuan opened her suitcase, took out a bottle of glowing green medicinal liquid, and went to the bathroom to wash her hands thoroughly. She then poured a bit of the liquid onto her palms and carefully rubbed them together. Once her hands were fully coated, she began massaging You Changqing’s temples. The frown on You Changqing’s face immediately smoothed out, and a smile appeared.

After massaging her temples, Shen Lihuan moved on to her neck. You Changqing sat up, clearly enjoying it. “Lihuan, help me massage here.”

She tapped the back of her neck. Shen Lihuan, dutiful as ever, started massaging her. “Here?”

You Changqing let out a satisfied sigh. “Yes, right there. It feels so good when you do it.”

“Good, then rest up. Once you’re recharged, we’ll go experience some local farm-style fun.”

Green manor’s fame wasn’t just from good marketing—the scenery truly added to its charm.

The deep blue sky was as brilliant as sapphire, dotted with uniquely shaped white clouds. The trees were heavy with fruit, and the grass stretched out like a green carpet, making people feel peaceful at heart.

Their timing was perfect—it was mid-autumn in October, the season of harvest. Green manor was holding fruit-picking and on-site sales activities.

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing joined in the fun and went to the vineyard to pick grapes.

Green manor’s grapes were famously delicious, so Shen Lihuan picked a lot, planning to bring them back for her parents.

You Changqing, meanwhile, had her camera out, clicking away as she photographed Shen Lihuan picking grapes. Shen Lihuan, while picking, looked at her with eyes full of indulgence, letting her do whatever she pleased.

While they were picking grapes, they came across a pair of mixed-race toddlers. They were very young—just four years old—but their looks were striking.

Golden curls, big round “grape” purple eyes, chubby cheeks, and soft pink lips—they even spoke in a cute, childish voice.

As You Changqing finished taking pictures and started picking grapes, the two kids ran over, sucking their fingers and calling out in that same sweet voice, “Pretty sisters!”

You Changqing squatted down to look at them eye to eye, smiling as she asked, “Hello there, did you want something from us?”

“Want to play with the pretty sisters.”

The older brother, Byrne, suddenly hugged You Changqing tightly. The younger one, Ryan, hugged her too. “Want to play with the pretty sisters.”

You Changqing looked around but didn’t see anyone nearby who looked foreign. She wasn’t sure how these two little ones had gotten there.

“You want to play with us? Then can you tell us where your mommy and daddy are?”

Shen Lihuan stopped picking grapes and came over to ask.

“Daddy and mommy are gone.”

Byrne’s mouth drooped at the mention of their missing parents. Ryan followed suit.

“Gone.”

You Changqing and Shen Lihuan exchanged a glance. “How about we help you find your mommy and daddy, okay?”

“Okay.”

The brothers answered in unison. Ryan reached his little arms out to Shen Lihuan, asking for a hug. “I want the pretty sister to carry me.”

Shen Lihuan picked him up and gently tapped his nose. “You’re this little and you already know who’s pretty?”

“I know.” Ryan nodded innocently, then suddenly said, “The other sisters were scary. They pinched me and Byrne.”

“They pinched you? Where did they pinch you? Did it hurt?”

Shen Lihuan hadn’t expected that these two little ones had actually been bullied. She quickly asked for more details.

“They pinched our faces. It really hurt.”

As he spoke, Ryan covered his face with both hands and pouted deeply.

“Pfft.” Shen Lihuan and You Changqing exchanged a helpless smile. The little guy had clearly confused other girls’ enthusiasm for them. “Those big sisters just like you and your brother a lot, so they couldn’t resist pinching your cheeks. But if you don’t like it when others pinch your face, you should tell them no, okay?”

Ryan didn’t fully understand what “sister” meant, but he got the gist: people pinch his face because they like him. So he lifted his chubby little face and leaned in closer to her. “Sister, do you like Ryan?”

“Of course I do. You’re so cute—who wouldn’t like you?”

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing continued walking while glancing around for any foreign-looking men and women, not noticing Ryan’s upturned face.

When Ryan realized the sister didn’t pinch his cheek, he puffed out his lips like a little piglet. “Then why didn’t sister pinch Ryan’s face?”

“Hm?” Shen Lihuan looked down and saw his pudgy face right in front of her. She couldn’t help laughing and gently pinched his cheek. “There, now sister has pinched your face.”

Only then did Ryan break into a delighted smile, his big round eyes squinting into crescent slits.

When Byrne saw the other pretty sister pinching his little brother’s face, he hesitated for a second, then lifted his own face toward You Changqing. She didn’t reject him and lightly pinched his bouncy cheeks. Byrne realized it didn’t hurt at all and sighed in relief. The next moment, he grinned just as widely as Ryan.

“Where did you get separated from your parents?” Shen Lihuan asked gently.

Byrne bit his finger, his big eyes spinning like he was trying hard to remember. Then he pointed to the road on the right. “I think we lost them over there.”

Ryan chimed in with a soft, milky voice, “Mommy and Daddy are so silly. They couldn’t even keep up while walking with me and big brother.”

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing immediately followed the direction Byrne pointed in. Before long, they could hear voices calling “Byrne” and “Ryan” from a distance. They quickened their pace and soon saw a man and a woman anxiously shouting their sons’ names.

Byrne’s expression lit up. “That’s Mommy and Daddy!”

Ryan called out, “Daddy! Ryan’s over here! Mommy! Ryan’s here!”

Hearing their younger son’s voice, the couple frantically looked around and finally spotted Shen Lihuan and You Changqing walking toward them, each holding a child.

“Byrne, Ryan! You’re safe—thank goodness, thank God we didn’t lose you.”

Kate and Anderson rushed over, repeating thanks over and over. Byrne and Ryan held out their arms toward their parents, and Shen Lihuan and You Changqing returned the two little guys to their embrace.

“Oh, my Byrne, my Ryan, you’re back in my arms again.”

Kate, eyes red with tears, covered her older son’s head with kisses.

Several minutes passed before the couple could calm down from the scare. Remembering the two kind strangers who returned their sons, they quickly apologized. “Oh, it’s my fault—we left you standing here like that. Thank you so, so much. For a moment, we really thought our boys were gone.”

“No need to thank us,” Shen Lihuan replied. “Just be more careful next time. Kids are lively and can run off in a blink, so you’ve got to keep a close eye on them at all times.”

“We will, we promise.” Anderson nodded. “Earlier, Byrne said he wanted to eat some grapes, so Kate and I stopped to pick some. We thought they’d just stay nearby and wait, but when we turned around, they were gone.”

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still shaken. Thankfully, the kids had been returned safely. Otherwise, he had no idea what they would have done.

“As long as you remember that, it’s all good. We should head back to pick grapes too. Byrne, Ryan, make sure you stay close to your mom and dad from now on, okay? Don’t wander off. It’s really dangerous.”

You Changqing patted Byrne’s little head, and both boys nodded obediently. “We won’t run off.”

“Good boys. Now say goodbye to the sisters.”

Shen Lihuan held Ryan’s chubby little hand. Ryan looked at her reluctantly. “Goodbye, sister.”

Kate and Anderson also looked at them with gratitude and reluctance. “You’re just leaving? We haven’t even had a chance to properly thank you. Why don’t you give us your contact info? We’d love to treat you to a meal.”

“No need. It was just a small favor. I believe anyone who saw Byrne and Ryan would have done the same to help them find their parents.”

Shen Lihuan waved it off—it really was just a matter of lending a hand. Their gratitude was enough.

“She’s right,” said You Changqing. “If you truly want to thank us, just keep a close eye on Byrne and Ryan from now on. Don’t let them get lost again—or we’d have rescued them for nothing.”

“We will, we promise never to lose them again. You’re truly good people, and good people will be blessed—God will watch over you.”

Kate and Anderson repeatedly thanked them. Shen Lihuan and You Changqing waved goodbye and headed back to where they had left off—they still had grapes to pick.

After finishing with the grapes, the two of them also herded chickens, foraged for wild vegetables, pulled up radishes, and even helped a villager deliver puppies… All the while, their faces were lit up with smiles.

Because they helped deliver the puppies, the owner even wanted to give them two of the pups. But since they already had General at home, Shen Lihuan politely declined.

That night, they shared a big country-style meal: stewed chicken with mushrooms, stir-fried wild greens, radish and pork rib soup, and crispy rice with sliced pork. The cook’s skills were impressive—the food had a rustic charm all its own.

Night fell quickly, and Shen Lihuan and You Changqing took a walk hand in hand to digest their meal.

“It’s a shame we didn’t come earlier,” Shen Lihuan said. “It’s October, and there are no fireflies anymore.”

Green manor was known for its “Firefly Forest,” where swarms of fireflies lit up the trees in April, May, and June every year. It attracted countless visitors.

“If you really want to see them, let’s come again next April,” You Changqing promised with a smile.

Joy immediately replaced her regret. “Okay, it’s a date.”

In the evening breeze, her hair fluttered gently, and her eyes sparkled like the stars. Shen Lihuan felt her heart melt and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Mm, it’s a promise.”

They hadn’t had a moment to rest the entire day. As soon as they returned to their room, You Changqing flopped onto the bed, unwilling to move.

Shen Lihuan fetched her pajamas, filled the bathtub with hot water, then took off her shoes and socks, put slippers on her feet, and gently carried her into the bathroom.

“Lihuan, I’m so tired. Are you going to bathe me?”

“What do you think? If I wasn’t going to, why would I carry you in?”

Shen Lihuan helplessly tapped her on the forehead. You Changqing puffed out her cheeks but obediently let Shen Lihuan take over.

After bathing her, Shen Lihuan dried her hair with a blow dryer, then tucked her into bed. “If you’re tired, go to sleep first. We’re going to the beach tomorrow, remember?”

You Changqing mumbled about going to the beach and quickly drifted off. Shen Lihuan pulled the blanket up over her, then went to shower herself.

After her shower, she quickly dried her hair, lay down beside You Changqing, reached over to turn off the bedside lamp, and the room was plunged into darkness. Only the stars outside twinkled in the sky, as if watching over the sleeping lovers.

The next morning, Shen Lihuan woke up earlier than You Changqing.

She hadn’t slept well that night, dreaming of being tangled up by an octopus that she couldn’t break free from, leaving her nearly suffocated.

When she opened her eyes, she realized You Changqing was sprawled completely on top of her, with one long leg possessively thrown over her waist.

Shen Lihuan laughed helplessly. So that’s why there was an octopus in her dream—it was Changqing…