He longed to join them yet dared not go forward. Slowly, he retreated and returned to the front yard. As he quietly watched the loving scene inside the house through the see-through window, he felt like a foreigner who had no place to call his home. Even though he wanted to be part of them, he wondered if he had the right to enjoy such love.

  He dared not imagine the suspicion, hesitation, or derision that might come his way when he walked in. The mere thought was enough to send him into fits of panic. He was too awkward and nervous to do anything more. He was not only afraid but also lost and dejected.

  Because of his anxiety, he could not muster up the courage to take a step forward. Turning around, he was about to flee from this place like a defeated soldier. Just then, a voice was heard from behind him.

  “Hua Jin!”


  He halted in his tracks and looked back with surprise.

  Unbeknown to him, Yun Shishi had appeared at the entrance with the door open. Her face had a look of pleasant delight as she exclaimed petulantly, “Why are you late!”


  “I—”


  He was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.

  He was here for some time, but a strange sense of cowardice had him pacing outside the house. Still, he was unable to pluck up the courage to enter the place.

  The lady walked toward him and held his hand. “Why are you so late? Everyone’s waiting for your arrival so that dinner can be served! Come in quickly!”


  “Shishi—”


  Before he could say anything more, the woman was already leading him into the house by the hand.

  “W-Wait……”


  The young man was still hesitant; he did not move despite her urging and even looked ill at ease.

  Startled, the lady host turned around and clearly caught his forlorn look; she could feel her heart aching for him instantly.

  “Will the rest…… accept me?”


  She was saddened by the wounded look on his face. Just then, the chap quickly added in a muted tone. “I’m afraid…… I’ll disturb your family…… so perhaps I should just leave—”


  “What are you talking about?” She squeezed his hand gently and flashed him a bright smile. “Everyone’s been waiting for you.”


  This one statement from her was sufficient to melt his heart.

  Staring at her in wide-eyed disbelief, he asked, “Really?”


  “Yes!” She eagerly affirmed it. “We’re just waiting for you. After dinner, we’ll go to the lake to light some fireworks. We’ve agreed to this long ago, so you must keep your promise.”


  Something broke through in his heart as he felt a gush of warmth flooding him from within.

  The lady did not wait to hear any more protest from the young man this time and just led him straight into the house.

  He followed her obediently without struggle or avoidance at this point.

  The heater was working well inside the spacious hall. As he was bathed in a sea of warm lights from this abode, his mind went blank at once. He did not know how to react to the people sitting around the dining table!

  “Hey, sorry to keep everybody waiting. Let me introduce my friend here; he’s called Hua Jin.”


  The older boy was the first to stand up and speak. “Oh, that’s right! Mommy mentioned that her friend would be joining us tonight. Are you referring to Brother Hua Jin, mommy? I know him! He’s the male lead in the period drama, ‘Lethal Beauty’!”


  The younger lad was somewhat surprised to hear that a friend of his mommy would be joining them but was friendly, nonetheless, greeting the visitor politely, “Brother Hua Jin!”