"Master, didn't you bring back any gifts?" Qiao Yushan suddenly realized something was amiss. Huo Rou had left so abruptly, and empty-handed!
"I brought one." Huo Rou looked at the faint light emanating from the house's windows and spoke softly.
Qiao Yushan looked at her, puzzled. As he watched, Huo Rou opened her hand, revealing a small, roughly polished jade piece in her palm.
The faint streetlight at the entrance shone on the jade. Its luster was so pure that its beauty was evident even without any embellishments.
Qiao Yushan, who had dealt with jade for years, could immediately tell the value of this piece, and it wasn't just its external appearance…
"Is this from the same stone as An An's pendant?" His gaze deepened.
"Mm." Huo Rou tightened her fingers, a faint smile on her face. "It shouldn't be considered impolite, right?"
How could it be impolite? Qiao Yushan's eyes gleamed. Even a small piece like this was worth a fortune, let alone one whose craftsmanship came from Huo Rou.
How could a gift worth a fortune be considered impolite?
"Why..." Qiao Yushan paused. "Why would you want to give this?"
This jade was Huo Rou's favorite, and he had spoken of it fondly for years. Apart from An An, he had never seen Huo Rou use this jade for anyone else.
Huo Rou's footsteps faltered. She shifted her gaze from the building, looked at the soft moonlight, then at the jade in her hand. "It's just a coincidence."
As they reached the building below, Yao Jian had just finished disposing of the trash in the yard and was coming out after thanking someone.
"Huo Rou? Why have you come?" He saw Huo Rou and Qiao Yushan approaching side-by-side, and a hint of his smile faded. He felt an indescribable sensation.
At his question, Huo Rou looked back at the dimly lit yard behind him. A gentle breeze rustled by, and she hesitated to step forward.
"We've come to give a return gift on behalf of my master," Qiao Yushan replied.
Yao Jian frowned, his lips parting slightly as if to ask something, but his gaze met Huo Rou's calm, placid eyes, making it difficult for him to speak.
"Mm..." Yao Jian said softly, "The host doesn't seem to like interacting with people much. His butler has always dealt with me. Ah Rou, if you're giving a return gift... it might not be easy."
He could sense the other party's coldness and didn't want Huo Rou to face that.
"Is the return gift for that gift box the butler brought down earlier?" Yao Jian suddenly recalled seeing the person come down from upstairs carrying a very exquisite gift box that glittered even in the night.
Huo Rou nodded. She didn't know what to say.
She looked up slightly at the faint light on the second floor, and her palm, she didn't know when, had begun to sweat.
"Do you have to give it back?" Yao Jian looked at Huo Rou and asked softly.
"If you must, I can go in and find the butler to ask. He's quite easy to talk to."
For some reason, looking at Huo Rou's eyes, which were like tranquil water, Yao Jian seemed to detect a hint of melancholy.
He wanted to help her achieve what she wished.
Huo Rou nodded. "Thank you."
She was clearly relieved. Looking at the darkness at the entrance of the corridor, she sighed.
Upon hearing this, Yao Jian immediately turned and went inside. "Brother, I need to bother you with something else."
"Wait!" Huo Rou suddenly called out to him. "Yao Jian, wait."
Qiao Yushan's eyes held an unreadable expression. Yao Jian turned to look at Huo Rou. "What is it?"
"Please take it in for me." Huo Rou stepped forward a couple of paces, and in front of Yao Jian, placed the small jade piece in her hand into his. "I won't go in. Please deliver this gift to them for me and say thank you."
Entrusting the item, she turned and left without lingering.
On the second floor, Qin Ning sat in the moonlight, finishing the last noodle in his bowl. He then heard a voice from his subordinate at the entrance of the corridor, "Young Master Qin, they've come to return the gift."