After staying in the living room for a while, Qin He returned to her room.
She called Ming Xue. Ming Xue had recently lost her boyfriend and gone through the previous events, leaving her feeling dejected for a while.
Qin He had been worried about Ming Xue's mental state. Fortunately, Gu Ranran, a good sister, had been accompanying her.
When she called recently, she could already hear some laughter.
It was nearing the eve of the Spring Festival.
Before the Spring Festival, Qin He left the Qin family. She first visited Liu Xing'an to pay respects to her master and then checked the pulse of Madam Liu.
"Teacher's wife's previous illness has completely recovered," Qin He said with a smile. "Your body is now even more robust than Master's."
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu immediately became worried. "Is your master not in good health now?"
Qin He chuckled. "I was just making an analogy."
Unlike the Qin family, the small alley where Liu Xing'an lived had a strong festive atmosphere.
Liu Xing'an had not celebrated the Spring Festival in China for a long time, and it seemed like he wanted to make up for all the missed celebrations.
The entire small courtyard was decorated with red lanterns.
Even the two water vats in the courtyard had red paper couplets pasted on them.
Every few meters along the courtyard wall, there was a "Fu" character.
Qin He stood at the courtyard gate, warming her hands and looking around.
"Master, your decorations don't look like a New Year's celebration, they look like a wedding."
Liu Xing'an was in the courtyard, sanding wood.
He had been working and didn't feel cold, his forehead even showing a bit of sweat.
Upon hearing Qin He's words, Liu Xing'an sneered. "I think you're too idle lately. Ever since you returned from Hai City, you haven't touched wood properly. I initially thought you were busy taking care of Lele after giving birth, but half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. What, don't you want to learn anymore?"
Qin He quickly said, "I do!"
She paused and then added, "But it's cold now, and I don't want to expose my hands."
Qin He spoke with such conviction that Liu Xing'an became angry, his beard bristling.
Madam Liu brought out two cups of tea and offered one to each of them at the doorway.
She smiled gently, watching the master and disciple bicker. Although they had no children, Madam Liu had already regarded Qin He as her own.
A disciple is like half a child; Qin He would eventually take care of her master in his old age.
After sitting under the eaves and drinking some tea, she watched the steam from the tea dissipate in the air and suddenly spoke.
"Master, I have a question for you."
Liu Xing'an glanced at her. "Go ahead."
"You know about me and Gu Qichen, right?"
Qin He looked at the dissipating steam in the air. "When I first recovered my memory, it felt like raging waves were crashing in my chest, with surging love and surging hatred. I was worried I might have developed schizophrenia. But in the past half-year, that feeling has gradually disappeared."
Qin He turned to look at Liu Xing'an. "Instead, during the time I spent in the West District afterwards, the pleasant interactions with Gu Qichen gradually suppressed those previous emotions."
Liu Xing'an squinted. "And then? Are you planning to give Gu Qichen a chance now? Since your memory has recovered, if you give him a chance this time, you can't go back on your word. You need to think carefully."
Qin He frowned, her lips pressed tightly together.
"I don't know. Although the past has faded, there's still an old knot there obstructing me."
"Then don't think about it. Life, just go with the flow," Liu Xing'an said with a smile.
Qin He took a deep breath.
Yes, life should go with the flow, but she couldn't stop Gu Qichen from haunting her dreams at midnight!
Ever since the matter with Ming Xue was resolved, Gu Qichen had called her every three to five days to check on her safety.
He timed his calls perfectly; any more frequent, and she might have blocked him directly.
Qin He pursed her lips and looked up at the sky.
Now, she could feel Gu Qichen's caution and carefulness, and her heart was wavering.
But without resolving that knot, she would probably never be able to accept Gu Qichen.
As for those old knots, she didn't know how to untangle them.
"Forget it," Qin He said with a凉薄 smile.
Liu Xing'an looked at Qin He. "Time will give you the answer. Don't rush."
Qin He nodded.
She had lunch at Liu Xing'an's place before driving away.
The next day.
The twenty-ninth of the lunar month.
When Qin He went downstairs, she saw Ming Yuzhu in the living room holding Lele, dressed up like a red lucky baby.
"The New Year is almost here, why have you been running out these past two days?"
"I have to visit Master for the New Year, it's a tradition," Qin He replied with a smile.
Ming Yuzhu nodded. "That's right. Your cousin sent some tea yesterday. Doesn't your master love tea? Take it to him."
Qin He took the tea and got into the car.
When the car reached the entrance of the Gu family's old residence, Qin He took a deep breath.
She had not set foot in this place for half a year.
The security guard at the gate still recognized Qin He and let her through.
She drove all the way to the villa. Upon alighting, Qin He was greeted by the butler and entered the living room.
Unlike the bleak winter outside, the living room was warm.
Qin He saw Madam Gu sitting on the opposite sofa, her hair completely white.
A blanket was draped over Madam Gu's lap.
"He'er has arrived. Come here, let me have a look." Madam Gu's voice was even weaker than half a year ago, and she extended her hand towards Qin He.
Qin He felt a prickle in her nose and walked to Madam Gu's side.
"Grandma Gu."
"Come, sit by Grandma," Madam Gu said, holding Qin He's hand.
When Qin He had visited Madam Gu before, if she was a little late, Madam Gu would pretend to be angry and grab her.
But this time, she hadn't visited for half a year, yet Madam Gu smiled and didn't mention anything.
Qin He's lips trembled slightly as she carefully looked at Madam Gu's snow-white hair.
Half a year ago, Grandma Gu still had some black hair; now, not a single strand could be seen.
For the elderly, time and the speed of aging are much faster than for the young.
Qin He suddenly felt a strong sense of regret.
Regardless of her relationship with Gu Qichen, she shouldn't have avoided coming to see Grandma Gu for so long just to avoid him!
Grandma Gu loved her so much, how could she be so heartless! Qin He scolded herself in her heart.
After chatting with Madam Gu for a while, Qin He helped her up.
"Grandma Gu, I saw the plum blossoms in the courtyard were blooming when I arrived. Let me help you to the window to see them."
Madam Gu's expression froze for a moment.
Then she smiled gently and benevolently. "I won't look. If He'er wants to see them, go to the courtyard and pick a few branches. Grandma will have someone arrange them in a vase and put them in the bedroom."
Qin He leaned against Madam Gu. "If you don't go, I won't go either."
Her coquettish demeanor made Madam Gu's eyes even more tender.
When it was time for lunch, Madam Gu said she wasn't hungry. Qin He's brow furrowed.
Her gaze fell on the blanket draped over Madam Gu's lap, and a sense of foreboding surged in her heart.