After Zhou Yi left, Liu Ming'an faced Lou Lianyu alone, feeling quite uncomfortable himself.
"Cousin, please come in and have a seat."
Liu Ming'an made a "please" gesture, then led Lou Lianyu into the house and sat down in the living room.
"Let me get you some water."
Liu Ming'an was about to move, but Lou Lianyu stopped him: "Ming'an, don't bother. I'm still on official business, so I'll just say a few words and then leave."
After Liu Ming'an sat down, Lou Lianyu got straight to the point: "Grandfather and Father asked me to come see you. Our last meeting was too rushed, and there are many people at home you haven't met yet, so they'd like to invite you back for a meal together... If you're willing, you could also stay at the mansion for a while."
Lou Lianyu paused, but remembering Lou Yuhuan's instructions, he continued: "If you'd like, that is."
Lou Lianyu thought Liu Ming'an would at most refuse the latter half of the invitation, but to his surprise, he shook his head and said apologetically: "Cousin, I'm sorry, but I can't leave here right now."
"Why?" Lou Lianyu didn't understand. What did he mean by "can't leave"?
Liu Ming'an didn't want to say much, only: "I'm waiting here for someone to return. I'm afraid if I leave, she won't find me when she comes back."
As he said this, there was a faint longing in Liu Ming'an's eyes. Seeing his expression, Lou Lianyu suddenly remembered his father mentioning that Liu Ming'an had said there was a girl he loved.
"I can have someone stay outside the courtyard. If she returns, they can inform you immediately. How about that?" Lou Lianyu suggested.
Liu Ming'an still shook his head, saying a bit embarrassedly: "I want to see her first thing when she returns."
Lou Lianyu pressed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He really hadn't expected his cousin to be such a romantic.
Just as Lou Lianyu was considering how to continue persuading him, Liu Ming'an spoke again: "Cousin, I'll be in the Capital City anyway. There's no rush, is there? We'll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future."
After Liu Ming'an finished speaking, he noticed Lou Lianyu staring at him intently, as if examining a suspect, seeing through him completely.
"Ming'an, how can one not be eager when reuniting with family?" Lou Lianyu sighed, the disappointment evident in his eyes. "You're not eager simply because in your heart, you don't really consider us family. If I'm not mistaken, you don't even want to be associated with the Lou family anymore, do you?"
These words, if acknowledged, would be too hurtful; if denied, would be too insincere.
Liu Ming'an chose to remain silent.
In this moment, silence spoke volumes.
Lou Lianyu also fell silent as he stood up and walked towards the main door, with Liu Ming'an following to see him out.
Just before leaving, Lou Lianyu turned back, looking at Liu Ming'an's face that so resembled a person from the past, his eyes a bit dazed: "You really are very much like Second Uncle, not just in appearance, but in personality too. You both seem gentle and kind, but when it comes to taking action, you're uncompromising..."
Liu Ming'an knew Lou Lianyu was referring to his father's departure from the family years ago. He smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.
"Here, take this."
Lou Lianyu took out a piece of paper from his sleeve. Liu Ming'an guessed it was the deed to this courtyard house and accepted it.
"This house is now in your name," Lou Lianyu explained, then after a moment's thought, added: "It's a small gesture from Grandfather, but it seems it might have been unnecessary. You and that Zhou fellow are much closer than you are to us."
Finally, Lou Lianyu waved his hand, said "I'm leaving," and stepped out of the courtyard.
"Take care, Cousin."
Liu Ming'an offered a polite farewell, closed the door, turned back into the house, put away the deed, and then took out a blank piece of paper to write:
Ning, I've gone to Jun Yue Restaurant to find Brother Zhou. I'll be back soon.
He placed this note in a conspicuous place inside the house, then locked the door and left the courtyard, heading towards Jun Yue Restaurant.
Lou Lianyu was right; compared to the Lou family, Zhou Yi was far more important to Liu Ming'an.
Just as he approached Jun Yue Restaurant, a waiter ran over from the entrance, smiling broadly as he said to Liu Ming'an: "Master Liu, the young master asked me to wait for you outside."
Liu Ming'an remembered this waiter; he was the one who had called for Zhou Yi the first time he and Jiang Ning came to Junyue Inn.
Liu Ming'an smiled gently at him and said: "Thank you for your trouble."
"Oh, Master Liu, you're too kind! It's nothing..."
The waiter, still smiling, led Liu Ming'an upstairs. Zhou Yi, who had been doing accounts, immediately tossed aside his abacus and ledger when he saw him, walking over to pull him to the table to sit down.
After the waiter closed the door and left, Liu Ming'an waited for Zhou Yi to ask him questions, while Zhou Yi was afraid of asking something he shouldn't and waited for Liu Ming'an to speak first. Thus, the two just stared at each other, neither saying a word for quite some time.
Finally, Liu Ming'an, unable to contain himself any longer – after all, he needed to hurry back in case Jiang Ning returned – broke the silence.
"Brother Zhou, if you have questions, just ask. We're brothers, there's no need for hesitation."
These words gave Zhou Yi more confidence, and he asked what he was most curious about: "Brother Liu, you're from the Lou family? Lou Lianyu is your brother?"
Liu Ming'an nodded and explained concisely: "My father is the younger brother of Grand Tutor Lou. He left home and changed his surname due to certain reasons. In terms of blood relations, I am a member of the Lou family. Lou Lianyu is my cousin, Grand Tutor Lou is my uncle, and the old Grand Tutor is my grandfather."
"My goodness..." Zhou Yi looked at Liu Ming'an in disbelief, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg due to his shock.
Liu Ming'an found his expression amusing but continued: "Brother Zhou, I only learned about these things after coming to the Capital City. Some past events are not convenient for me to share, please understand. In any case, I won't be returning to the Lou family. I will always be Liu Ming'an."
At this point, Liu Ming'an reached out and patted Zhou Yi's shoulder, just as Zhou Yi had done to him before: "Brother Zhou, I don't want things to become awkward between us. With Brother Zhang gone, you are my only friend in the Capital City."
Zhou Yi was deeply moved. He grasped Liu Ming'an's hand, his heart and mind full of loyalty: "Brother Liu, what are you saying? I was worried that with your newfound noble status, you might not want to associate with a mere merchant like me anymore. You're my favorite little brother! Since you put it that way, we'll be lifelong friends. From now on, I've got your back in the Capital City!"
Liu Ming'an smiled brightly: "Great, thank you, Brother Zhou!"
After saying this, Liu Ming'an added a reminder: "Brother Zhou, I don't want this matter to spread. Please—"
"Don't worry, I promise to keep it secret. I won't breathe a word of it, not even to my own mother!" Zhou Yi interjected.
"Thank you very much, Brother Zhou."
With matters clarified, Liu Ming'an stood up to take his leave: "Brother Zhou, I have something to attend to, so I must head home now."
"Oh?"
Zhou Yi was quite surprised. Why such a hurry?
"Brother Zhou, I know you're busy too, so I won't disturb you further. Farewell."
Liu Ming'an had reached the door when Zhou Yi, suddenly remembering another matter, hurried after him: "Brother Liu, are you still going to live in that house? If you don't want to, I can find another place for you."
Zhou Yi wasn't stupid; he could tell that Liu Ming'an wasn't too fond of the Lou family.
Liu Ming'an knew Zhou Yi was sincerely considering his welfare and looked at him gratefully: "Thank you, Brother Zhou. That place is quite nice, and I've gotten used to it. I'm too lazy to move. Let's leave it as is."
"Alright then."
Zhou Yi didn't say more. He accompanied Liu Ming'an downstairs and saw him off outside Junyue Inn, only returning to the accounting room to continue his work after Liu Ming'an had disappeared from sight.
Liu Ming'an hurried home, his heart full of anticipation.
Perhaps, he thought, when he pushed open the door, Jiang Ning would be standing in the courtyard, smiling and asking: "Liu Ming'an, where did you go?"
Just imagining this scene made Liu Ming'an quicken his pace.
However, when he actually pushed open the door, the courtyard was empty, just as he had left it. The note he had written was still in its original place, unchanged.
Liu Ming'an slowed his steps as he walked over, crumpled the paper into a ball, and repeatedly squeezed it in his hand.
"It's only been a few days, how could she be back so soon?"
Liu Ming'an laughed self-mockingly, sighed, and muttered to himself.
"But still..."
A moment later, a soft voice echoed in the quiet little courtyard, quickly dispersed by the wind.
"Ning, I really miss you..."