Chapter 11: Welcome Back

The servant led her behind a pavilion and stopped, bowing slightly as he spoke, “Miss, the path ahead requires you to go alone. We cannot cross the boundary.”

She paused for a moment, expressionless, then entered quietly. From the corner of her eye, she caught the flicker of doubt in the servant’s gaze. This was only the beginning.

Beyond the pavilion, a path paved with warm-toned cobblestones stretched straight to the main house. Each stone was full and smooth, gleaming softly in the sunlight. On either side, the garden bloomed with rare and precious plants, a tapestry of lush beauty.

Reaching the main house, she slowly pushed open the door. Inside, the hall exuded an antique charm. At its center stood a grand official’s chair, flanked on both sides by guest seats. Though unfamiliar with woodwork, she could sense these were no ordinary pieces.

She stood in the center of the hall for several minutes, but no one appeared. Her gaze swept calmly around the room before settling on the guest seat to the right. There she sat, eyes fixed ahead, lost in deep thought, oblivious to the outside world.

“Old master, is that you?” Chu Wentian, head of the Chu family, emerged from behind a screen, watching her intently, his eyes alight with joy. “Mutou, what do you make of this?”

“Old master, is the young lady well now?” The man called Mutou, of similar age, responded with a hint of doubt.

“Mutou, your eyes may be old, but your vision is still sharp!” The old master patted his shoulder with a pleased smile, gripping his cane with hands that trembled slightly. After a brief pause, he stepped into the hall.

The moment she entered, she sensed another presence inside. After a short moment of reflection, she resolved to wait and see.

“The girl is here!” The old master said with a beaming smile. His kindly face, round and rosy, resembled a jovial Buddha.

She turned toward the voice, rose slowly, and stood respectfully at his side, silent.

“What’s this?” His smile faded, eyes sharp as he stared at her. “So many years, and you don’t recognize me?”

“I was only three.” Since he said so, she might as well satisfy him.

His stern expression cracked. That little girl, just awakened, was already defiant toward him—just like in her youth. Surely she had learned mischief from that rascal boy. Surely.

He closed his eyes briefly, masking the ache beneath. For fifteen years, he had worried ceaselessly. If one day she never returned, what would he do? Countless nights he knelt before the statue of the ancestral grandmother, praying and chanting—not for peace of mind, but for her safety.

Seeing Chu Wentian lost in thought, the steward clenched his fist, brought it to his lips, and cleared his throat twice, drawing him back.

The old master’s gaze returned to her, shadowed with concern. He had never uncovered the mastermind behind the events fifteen years ago. Growing older, fearing he no longer had the strength to protect her, perhaps that rascal boy could take his place as her eternal guardian. While he still lived, he would test the boy—if unfit, it would be time to find another protector.

“Welcome home, girl.” His words made Chu Yitong’s heart tighten. What did he mean by “home”? Where had she been?

She lifted her head sharply, eyes burning as she searched his face for any clue.

“Go to your room and rest well,” he said plainly, gripping his cane and turning to leave.

“What do you mean?” she demanded loudly. He knew the answer, and she needed to know it too.

“Girl, calm yourself.” He glanced at her coolly and, together with the steward, walked out of the hall. Near the door, he suddenly added, “Call me grandpa.”