Courtyard House: Wudang Disciple Sweeps Through the Compound

"Um."

Upon hearing this promise, Hua Youlin's face broke into a smile again, and she nodded vigorously.

"By the way, what dishes would you like to eat next time? Let me know in advance, and I'll make them and bring them over for you."

Chen Wenqi thoughtfully added another sentence, as if afraid of missing anything.

"Wouldn't this... be too much trouble for you?"

Hua Youlin looked a little embarrassed when she heard him say that.

"It's no trouble at all. I'd be happy to do these things for you."

Chen Wenqi's voice was so gentle it could melt your heart, and his eyes were full of doting affection.

"Okay, I like anything you make yourself."

Hua Youlin secretly hoped to have more opportunities to see Chen Wenqi; at this moment, her mind was filled with his image.

After leaving Beihai Park, Chen Wenqi leisurely mounted his bicycle parked by the roadside and rode slowly towards Baiwanzhuang Street with Hua Youlin on his back.

As she approached the entrance of the villa community, Hua Youlin got out of the car, turning back every few steps, her every step filled with deep longing.

"I'm going in first. Be careful on your way back, ride your bike slowly."

Hua Youlin turned around and gave him some words of advice with concern.

"Hmm, this is for you."

As Chen Wenqi spoke, he took out a homemade jade flute from the bicycle basket and carefully handed it to Hua Youlin.

Hua Youlin carefully took the flute with both hands, as if holding some rare treasure, and solemnly placed it into her small bag.

"I watched you go in and then leave."

Chen Wenqi stood still, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure, not looking away for a long time.

Upon hearing this, Hua Youlin suddenly lightly tapped her toes and quickly pecked Chen Wenqi's cheek on tiptoe.

Then, like a startled fawn, she turned around abruptly and ran frantically towards her home.

Chen Wenqi subconsciously raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing against the cool, damp touch on his cheek.

An indescribable sweetness, like spring water melting in a stream, slowly spread from the bottom of my heart, surging through my limbs and bones.

Until Hua Youlin's figure completely disappeared behind the heavy door, she leaned half her body out of the second-floor window and waved goodbye to him vigorously.

Chen Wenqi slowly raised his hand and waved gently in her direction. Under her reluctant gaze, he rode his bicycle slowly and gradually disappeared into the distance.

As soon as she got home, Hua Youlin couldn't wait to take the jade flute out of her pocket.

The flute was crystal clear and had a very unique texture. It looked like bamboo but wasn't bamboo, and it felt like jade but wasn't jade.

The surface of the flute is also carved with exquisite and intricate intertwined floral patterns, and on one side, the character "风" (wind) is neatly engraved in ancient and vigorous seal script.

She held her breath, carefully held the flute, and put it into her safest and most secret little box.

Just then, with a soft creak, the half-closed door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

Hua Youlin was startled and looked up sharply in the direction of the sound. When she saw that the person who came in was her mother, Ning Juan, she patted her chest and said in a slightly reproachful tone.

"Mom, you came in without making a sound! You scared me to death!"

"Where did you go all day and have so much fun?"

As Ning Juan bent down to change her shoes, she asked a question, her tone carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"I... I went out for a casual stroll with Han Qing."

Hua Youlin's voice carried a hint of guilt as she gave a vague and ambiguous answer, hastily making up a name to appease her mother.

"You dare lie to me? I saw you two together with my own eyes."

Ning Juan, who was bending down to change her shoes, suddenly stopped. Her sharp gaze locked onto her daughter's eyes, and her tone instantly turned serious, carrying an unquestionable solemnity.

"Who exactly is that young man? What kind of business does his family run?"

"Mom, what are you doing? It's like you're checking my census! You're being way too serious!"

Hua Youlin pouted in dissatisfaction, muttering complaints to her mother while unconsciously stomping her toes.

"You're still young and inexperienced. I'm afraid you'll be fooled and end up helping them count their money."

Ning Juan gazed at her daughter, her tone full of earnest advice, her eyes revealing a hint of unconcealed worry.

"Mom, Chen Wenqi would never lie to me, he..."

Hua Youlin was only halfway through her sentence when she suddenly realized that she had inadvertently let slip Chen Wenqi's real name.

"Hmph, it hasn't been long and you're already siding with someone else? Don't think you can fool me. Tell me honestly, what's going on between you two?"

Seeing that she had inadvertently revealed a flaw, Ning Juan immediately seized the opportunity to press her advantage, her sharp eyes relentlessly pressing forward without any intention of backing down.

"Okay, I'll tell you, just stop staring at me."

Hua Youlin knew she couldn't win against her mother's stubbornness, so she had no choice but to relent and tell the whole story of how Chen Wenqi had saved her from danger in the lake.

When talking about those thrilling and exciting parts, she couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth and praise Chen Wenqi's many advantages and extraordinary qualities, her eyes full of undisguised admiration.

After hearing her daughter's story, Ning Juan's heart immediately went into overdrive—oh no, her daughter had clearly fallen for that poor boy of unknown origin!

She had to quickly find a way to thoroughly investigate the boy's background; she absolutely couldn't let her daughter get caught up in it without knowing what was going on.

Although they did save her daughter's life, it was only right and reasonable for them to visit her with some money to express their gratitude afterwards.

But if it were to let her daughter fall in love with a poor boy of unknown origin, she would absolutely not agree to it, without any room for discussion.

When her husband, Hua Zhongqun, came home from get off work that evening, she insisted that he immediately send someone to thoroughly investigate the boy named Chen Wenqi.

We must thoroughly investigate his family background and ancestors for three generations, leaving no stone unturned and no detail overlooked!

"Me? I learned medicine from my mother since I was a child, and I learned to identify the properties of various herbs. Later, I was fortunate enough to study under a famous master, specializing in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts."

A gentle smile graced Chen Wenqi's face as he answered slowly and calmly, his tone carrying a hint of composure.

"In my spare time, I also like to paint a few ink paintings or play some folk music, just to pass the time in a leisurely way."

"Wow, you know so many things! No wonder you're so amazing, you can easily drive away those bad guys."

Hua Youlin's tone was full of undisguised admiration and worship, her eyes sparkling as if filled with starlight.

"It's just a superficial understanding, nothing worth mentioning, not worthy of serious consideration."

Chen Wenqi waved his hand gently, his tone still humble, but then his tone suddenly changed, and he earnestly gave instructions, his eyes showing a hint of seriousness.

"By the way, in the future, when you go out, try not to go to secluded or sparsely populated places, as those places are prone to hidden dangers."

"This city of Beijing is a melting pot of all sorts of people, and there are still quite a few wicked and malicious individuals hiding here. We must be very careful."

"Yes, I've remembered what you said. I'll definitely be more careful in the future."

Hua Youlin nodded solemnly, then seemed to remember something and tilted her head curiously to ask.

"So, do you plan to become a doctor who heals the sick and saves lives?"

"Maybe so. Actually, I yearn for a more carefree and spontaneous life, and I want to see more of the world outside."

Chen Wenqi wore a helpless smile, his voice soft, as if he were expressing a wish hidden deep in his heart.

"However, the current conditions do not allow it—you need a letter of introduction to go on a long trip, and if the reason is not sufficient, you may be stopped at the checkpoint and unable to move an inch."

With a soft "pfft".

Hua Youlin couldn't help but laugh out loud first, her eyebrows curving as she looked at the other person, a sweet smile playing on her lips.

I've always felt that you're quite special, unlike anyone else I know.

What's so special about it?

Chen Wenqi raised an eyebrow, his tone full of inquisitive curiosity, with a hint of barely perceptible curiosity hidden in his eyes.

I can't quite put my finger on what's so special about you, but I feel that your thinking is quite different from that of many people around you; it's exceptionally insightful.

Hua Youlin tilted her head slightly, pondered seriously for a moment, and then slowly gave her answer, her tone carrying a hint of certainty.

What about you? What are your hobbies and interests? Is there anything you particularly enjoy doing?

Chen Wenqi smoothly changed the subject, gently tossing the topic to her with a tender, probing look in his eyes.

I've loved music since I was a child, and I even studied violin and piano for a while, but unfortunately, I got busy with my studies and gradually put it aside.

Hua Youlin's voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of nostalgia for the past, and her eyes were filled with a faint tenderness.

In that sense, we do have some common interests—I'm also somewhat skilled at the violin and piano, and can play a few pieces.

However, if I had to say what I'm better at, it would be our own traditional musical instruments, like the guqin and the dizi and xiao, which suit my taste better.

Chen Wenqi took over the conversation with a smile, his tone tinged with a hint of smugness, his eyes brimming with a hearty laugh.

Really? When can I hear you play a piece? I can't wait!

Hua Youlin's eyes lit up instantly, as bright as if a sky full of stars had fallen, and her tone was full of anticipation.

Anytime is fine, but I only brought a flute with me today. I'll play you a piece I wrote myself in a bit.

Chen Wenqi spoke casually, as if it were just a trivial matter, with a gentle smile always on his lips.