The courtyard did not return to its usual warmth after Han Fuji left.

For a short while, everyone remained where they were, as though the earlier tension had not fully settled. The air still carried traces of what had just happened, and no one seemed eager to speak first.

Then Fu Li finally let out a breath and turned toward Fu Fei, her expression shifting from shock into something more lively.

"Did that truly just happen?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

Fu Tong stepped closer, still trying to process everything.

"I heard it clearly," he said. "He said he would marry her."

Fu Li shook her head slowly, half amused and half stunned.

"That man speaks as though such matters are nothing," she said. "He does not even pause to think."

Fu Fei remained quiet for a moment, but the tension in her expression eased slightly.

"At the very least, he did not hesitate," she said. "That much is certain."

Fu Li glanced toward the house, where Bai Ming had gone inside.

"She was truly angry," she added.

Fu Tong nodded without delay.

"I would be angry as well," he said. "Who says something like that in front of everyone?"

Fu Li turned to look at him.

"You were just admiring him a moment ago," she replied.

Fu Tong frowned.

"That is different," he said. "I can admire him and still think he is unreasonable."

Fu Li laughed softly at his response.

"You are quite straightforward," she said.

Fu Fei allowed a faint smile to appear.

"He is not entirely wrong," she said. "What Han Fuji said was not a small matter."

Fu Li crossed her arms as she spoke again.

"Even so, he spoke as though he was offering to carry something simple," she said.

"That is simply the way he is," Fu Fei replied.

Their conversation continued, and the earlier heaviness slowly began to fade. The tension that had filled the courtyard loosened, replaced by quieter voices and softer expressions.

Madame Fu watched them with a calmer look, while Master Fu stood silently for a moment before finally speaking.

"That is enough," he said.

His voice was not loud, yet it carried authority that made everyone pause.

"Come and eat," he added. "Whatever needs to be discussed can be done after."

Fu Li straightened at once.

"Yes, Father," she said.

Fu Fei nodded as well, and they all began to move toward the table.

I remained where I stood.

My gaze shifted toward Fu Sheng.

He had not spoken since earlier. He had remained quiet through everything, from Bai Ming’s anger to Han Fuji’s words and even the conversation that followed. He stood slightly apart from the others, his expression calm, yet distant in a way that did not belong to the moment.

There was something wrong.

"Fu Sheng," Master Fu called.

He lifted his gaze slightly.

"Come and eat."

There was a brief pause before he responded.

"I am not hungry," he said.

His tone was steady, but the simplicity of his answer felt out of place.

Before anyone could react, he reached out and took my hand.

His fingers closed around mine, and he gave a light squeeze.

The gesture was brief, almost absent-minded, yet it did not escape my notice.

Then he released my hand.

"I will go inside first," he added.

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked toward the house.

His steps were steady and unhurried, as though nothing had happened at all.

That was what made it unsettling.

Fu Li blinked in surprise.

"He is not eating?" she asked.

Fu Tong frowned.

"That is unusual," he said.

Even Madame Fu looked slightly taken aback, while Fu Fei’s brows drew together in quiet concern. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

No one stopped him.

They simply watched as he entered the house and disappeared from view.

I did not move.

My eyes followed him until he was gone.

Then my gaze lowered slightly to my hand, to the place where he had held it.

The warmth had already faded.

My expression remained calm, but my thoughts did not.

Something was wrong.

He said he had something to take care of.

He said he lost track of time.

But his eyes had told a different story.

They were somewhere else entirely.

I lifted my gaze again and looked toward the direction he had gone.

Then, quietly, I thought,

Something is definitely wrong.

The tension in the courtyard slowly faded as everyone settled down to eat.

No one brought up what had happened again, but the earlier events lingered quietly in the background. The conversation was lighter, scattered between small remarks and occasional silence, as each person seemed to carry their own thoughts.

I ate without speaking much.

From time to time, my gaze drifted toward the house.

Fu Sheng did not return.

When the meal ended, everyone began to rise one after another. The courtyard gradually emptied as they went inside, each returning to their own rooms.

I stood up as well.

My hands moved naturally as I gathered the boys.

"Come," I said softly.

They followed without complaint.

I led them to their room first, making sure they settled properly before turning to check on Fu Jin.

When I entered, the room was quiet.

He lay on the bed, his breathing steady.

I stepped closer and placed my hand lightly against his forehead.

The heat had reduced.

His condition was better than before.

A small relief settled in my chest.

Madame Fu had done well.

The faint scent of barley soup lingered in the room, warm and calming. It was still placed nearby, and it was clear that he had taken some already.

I adjusted the blanket slightly, making sure he was comfortable.

"Rest well," I said quietly.

He did not wake, but his breathing remained even.

Only after I was satisfied did I turn and leave the room.

The corridor was calm.

Lantern light flickered softly along the walls, and the night had fully settled over the residence.

I walked back to my room.

When I pushed the door open and stepped inside, I paused.

He was not there.

For a brief moment, I simply stood still.

Then my brows drew together slightly.

He had returned earlier.

So where was he now?

Before I could call out his name, I heard footsteps outside.

Fu Li passed by the corridor.

"Fu Li," I called.

She stopped at once and turned toward me.

"Sister-in-law?" she said.

"Where is your brother?" I asked.

Fu Li did not hesitate.

"He is with Mother," she replied.

I nodded once.

"I see."

Fu Li looked at me for a moment longer, then continued on her way.

I stepped back into the room and closed the door behind me.

The soft sound of it shutting echoed briefly before fading.

The room fell quiet.

I stood there for a moment, then slowly walked further inside.

My expression did not change.

But—

A faint smile appeared on my lips.

"I see," I murmured softly.

If that was the case...

Then I would not disturb him just yet.

Instead—

I would prepare something else.

Something he would not expect.

I moved toward the table, my fingers brushing lightly over its surface as my thoughts settled into place.

Tonight—

I would give him a little surprise.