The Cycle of Reincarnation in the Four-Courtyard House: A Journey Through the Heavens

Watching Li Xiao's figure gradually disappear, Ren Tingting felt an emptiness in her heart, and she could no longer sit still.

She turned to her father beside her, made up an excuse, and hurried downstairs, chasing after him out of the coffee shop.

Ren Fa looked at his energetic daughter, his face full of helplessness: "This girl, she doesn't understand any manners at all!"

Uncle Nine chuckled and said, "Young people don't have much to talk about with us old folks."

Only Wen Cai, standing to the side, had a deep sense of reluctance on his face, his eyes fixed on Ren Tingting as she went downstairs.

Ren Tingting hurried down the stairs and stepped out of the coffee shop. The warm afternoon sun shone on the streets and alleys, where people came and went, and the bustling city was filled with noise.

She stood at the doorway, slightly out of breath, and quickly looked around, her almond-shaped eyes eagerly searching for the figure in the crowd that had captured her heart at first sight.

In an instant, she spotted that tall and dashing figure at the street corner not far away.

At that moment, Li Xiao was walking leisurely into a quaint and elegant inn facing the street.

The inn with its blue tiles and wooden doors has an antique charm and is the best-looking and largest inn in Renjia Town.

Watching Li Xiao walk into the inn, Ren Tingting bit her pink lips, her shyness overshadowed by a surge of excitement, and she mustered her courage to follow him.

She walked briskly to the entrance of the inn and stepped inside.

The lobby was clean and tidy, with few customers coming and going. Ren Tingting quickly scanned the lobby, walked straight to the counter, and softly asked the cashier, "Hello, could you tell me which room the gentleman in the suit who just came in is staying in?"

The innkeeper glanced at her and saw that she was dressed in an elegant and stylish pink dress, with a refined demeanor and gentle temperament. Her appearance matched that of the distinguished young man in a suit from before, and he subconsciously assumed that the two were companions who had come together.

He smiled and pointed towards the backyard, saying, "That gentleman lives in house number one at the back. Would you like me to have the waiter take you there?"

"No need, thank you!"

Ren Tingting quickly waved her hand to thank her, a hint of shyness in her eyes. After speaking, she turned and walked quickly towards the backyard of the inn.

Passing through the quiet front hall and corridor, the backyard is tranquil and elegant, with blue bricks paving the ground and flowers and trees adorning it, making it exceptionally peaceful.

She stood in front of the door of the No. 1 courtyard, her heart suddenly racing, pounding, and a slight chill of tension creeping up her fingertips.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally mustered up her courage, raised her slender fingers, and gently knocked on the door.

"Knock knock knock—"

A crisp knocking sound rang out in the quiet courtyard.

Upon hearing the sound, Li Xiao, who was inside the room, casually opened the door. The moment the door opened, he immediately saw the girl standing in the doorway.

Ren Tingting lowered her eyes, her ear tips were slightly red, and her hands unconsciously gripped the hem of her skirt. She looked nervous and shy, which was very touching.

Li Xiao asked in a gentle, soft voice, "Miss, who are you looking for?"

Hearing Li Xiao's gentle question, Ren Tingting felt even more nervous and shy.

She lowered her eyes, her heart filled with panic. She was an innocent young woman, and she had disregarded her dignity and chased after a strange man to his residence. Such a bold and presumptuous act would be considered unconventional in this day and age.

She lived for a full eighteen years, and from a young age she was well-mannered, obedient and gentle, and always respected etiquette. She had never done anything so reckless, bold and unconventional.

From the moment she first saw Li Xiao in the coffee shop, her heart began to pound uncontrollably. The feeling of being instantly captivated and falling for him was something she had never experienced in her eighteen years of life.

It was this sudden and genuine feeling that made her cast aside all her reserve and concerns, and chase after him without hesitation.

Taking a deep breath, Ren Tingting suddenly looked up at Li Xiao, her clear almond-shaped eyes filled with seriousness and determination. Her voice trembled slightly as she said, "You... hello, my name is Ren Tingting, I live in Renjia Town... I... I want to get to know you, is that alright?"

The girl's cheeks were flushed, her ear tips were so red they looked like they were about to bleed, and her delicate, slender hands gripped her skirt tightly, making her look exceptionally endearing.

Li Xiao looked at this bold and somewhat love-struck girl, a playful smile curving his lips.

He stepped aside to make way for the doorway, raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, and said in a gentle tone, "Miss Ren, please come in!"

Upon hearing this invitation, the weight that had been hanging over Ren Tingting's heart suddenly lifted, and her tense nerves completely relaxed.

She had acted impulsively and rashly, and what she feared most was being seen as a shameless woman.

Having received the other party's consent, most of my anxiety dissipated, leaving only a slight joy and excitement in my heart.

Ren Tingting walked into the room, and Li Xiao casually closed the door. He turned around, walked to the table, picked up the simple purple clay teapot, poured out a cup of warm tea, and handed it to Ren Tingting.

"Thank you, sir!"

Ren Tingting quickly accepted the teacup with both hands, her eyebrows curving into a smile, her posture both obedient and polite.

The tea in the cup had a delicate aroma, and the warm tea soothed the tension and panic churning in her heart.

Taking advantage of the moment while drinking tea, she slowly calmed herself, glanced up at the young man before her who held a fatal attraction for her, and mustered her courage to ask, "Sir, may I ask how I should address you?"

"My surname is Li, and my name is Li Xiao."

"So it's Mr. Li."

Ren Tingting silently recited the name, memorizing it in her heart. Her clear almond-shaped eyes stared unblinkingly at Li Xiao as she whispered, "I grew up in Renjia Town. I know most of the neighbors and gentry in the town, but I have never seen Mr. Li before. I suppose you are a guest who has come from afar."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao smiled faintly and explained frankly, "I came from Beijing. I heard that a genuine successor of the Maoshan School lives in seclusion here, and his Taoist skills are profound. Therefore, I made a special trip to visit him."

Upon hearing this, Ren Tingting immediately understood and quickly replied, "Mr. Li must be referring to Uncle Jiu! I often hear my father mention that Uncle Jiu is the most famous Taoist priest in our Renjia Town. He is proficient in feng shui talismans, exorcising evil spirits, and has great abilities. He usually lives in the mortuary on the west side of the town."

"I see, thank you for informing me, Miss Ren." Li Xiao nodded slightly, his tone humble and polite.

After a brief chat, the room fell into a short silence.

A faint blush crept onto Ren Tingting's cheeks, and the flutter in her heart grew stronger. After hesitating for a while, she couldn't help but softly probe, "I wonder how long Mr. Li will be staying in Renjia Town this time?"

"I've temporarily booked this courtyard and will be staying here for a month," Li Xiao replied truthfully.

Upon hearing this, a fleeting hint of disappointment flashed across Ren Tingting's eyes. A month had passed in the blink of an eye, and such an outstanding person was ultimately just a passerby. If she missed him, it might be a lifelong regret.

She stared blankly at Li Xiao's incomparably handsome, almost perfect face, and finally mustered the courage to ask the question that had been on her mind most: "I wonder if Mr. Li... is he married?"