Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"The Lantern Festival?" Shen Chuning asked doubtfully.

Zhou Lin's facial muscles twitched slightly. Although there was no obvious change on the surface, his pupils trembled noticeably.

This subtle reaction didn't escape Shen Chuning's attention. "On the Lantern Festival, Fifth Brother said I suddenly fainted outside and he happened to find me and brought me back to the mansion. But I do have scars on my neck, so something must have happened that day."

Shen Chuning stared straight at Zhou Lin.

Zhou Lin avoided Shen Chuning's gaze, his hands unconsciously clenched. "That's not true, don't overthink it."

His voice was low and hoarse, with an unspeakable helplessness and bitterness.

Shen Chuning refused to give up. She approached Zhou Lin step by step, staring at his face, trying to find a flaw in his expression.

"You were injured because you saved me." Her tone was full of certainty, as if she had seen through everything.

Zhou Lin's face turned pale. He wanted to avoid Shen Chuning's gaze, but found that he had nowhere to escape.

Shen Chuning suddenly reached out, grabbed Zhou Lin's wrist, and lifted up his sleeve.

Suddenly, a long scar came into view. The scar was hideous and terrifying, and it was shocking.

"So you stopped going to the Shen family to study because you couldn't pick up a pen and write?" Shen Chuning's eyes were red.

Zhou Lin pulled back his arm and stretched out his sleeve.

His voice was calm, as if he was discussing a perfectly ordinary matter. "Don't blame yourself. This has nothing to do with you. Those bandits were after me, and you, on the other hand, have suffered this misfortune for nothing."

Zhou Lin looked at Shen Chuning's fair neck as he spoke. His eyes softened, and his tone was filled with a hint of guilt and relief. "Fortunately, there are no scars left. Otherwise, I would be blamed for it."

"Then your wrist now..." Shen Chuning looked at Zhou Lin's hand, frowning slightly, her eyes full of worry.

Zhou Lin quietly clenched his right fist and then released it.

He smiled casually and consoled her, "I have no problem living a normal life now. It's just that I feel a little unsteady when I hold a pen or sword. But I've trained my left hand well, and I'm planning to take the imperial examination this year."

Shen Chuning's eyes widened in surprise, a bright smile blooming on her face. She said excitedly, "Really? That's great! I wish Brother Zhou Er the best of luck in winning the championship."

Zhou Lin was slightly stunned, then a warm smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

His gaze fell on Shen Chuning, with a gleam in his eyes.

After a moment's silence, Zhou Lin asked softly, "You...you said you like scholarly airs like Mr. Xie?"

Shen Chuning frowned slightly, feeling puzzled, not understanding why he suddenly asked this.

But she still answered honestly: "I just feel that I prefer scholars to military commanders. I didn't specify anyone in particular."

Hearing this answer, Zhou Lin's body, which had been tense since they met, finally relaxed, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his face.

He said softly, "Oh, so that's how it is. I see. So you're almost reaching marriageable age?"

Shen Chuning nodded slightly in agreement.

She would be fifteen in less than a year and officially become an adult.

Zhou Lin then asked, "It's less than a year, right?"

Shen Chuning nodded again and asked curiously, "What's the matter? Is there any problem?"

Zhou Lin quickly changed the subject and explained, "Nothing, just asking casually. By the way, after I brought Nian Nian out, I haven't found a suitable place for her to stay. I can't let her stay locked up forever. And it's not convenient for her to stay with me. After all, she is a girl. I have observed her carefully, and she has good character and has not contracted any diseases. So, I wonder if you have a suitable place for her?"

After thinking for a moment, Shen Chuning replied, "It just so happens that I left a maid in the capital. Now I'm short of people, so I can let her come to my side. But is it easy to handle the identity documents?"

Zhou Lin: "I have obtained the identity documents for her in the Northland, and also arranged the identity of Concubine Hui."

Shen Chuning looked up in surprise, "Did you also get Aunt Mo's identity documents?"

Zhou Lin nodded, "It's just a matter of convenience."

Zhou Lin didn't take credit for this, but continued, "It's not like you don't have useful people around you. I've trained a group of secret guards myself, and among them are several women with good skills. I'll send them to you along with Nian Nian when the time comes."

Shen Chuning didn't expect that Zhou Lin could remember her complaint.

Her face flushed slightly, and she said a little embarrassedly, "I have to get on the boat now. I'm sorry for keeping you all waiting."

Zhou Lin nodded and said, "I'll take you there."

After saying that, he took Shen Chuning to the side of the boat.

Shen Chuning turned around and talked to him as they walked.

Zhou Lin noticed a protruding piece of wood on the shore, but Shen Chuning didn't seem to notice it.

He walked silently to Shen Chuning's right side.

When they reached the shore, as expected, Shen Chuning tripped over the protruding piece of wood.

She lost her balance instantly and her body fell forward involuntarily.

At this critical moment, Zhou Lin seemed to have been prepared. He quickly stretched out his arm to stop Shen Chuning, preventing her from falling directly into the lake.

Shen Chuning reacted instinctively and immediately opened her arms to tightly grasp Zhou Lin's outstretched arm, but the wooden doll in her right hand fell into the lake.

When Xie Xiuqi, who was standing at the bow, saw this scene, his face changed and he quickly jumped off the boat, trying to support Shen Chuning.

But Shen Chuning had already stood firm with the help of Zhou Lin.

She looked at the doll in the lake, a trace of regret and pity flashed in her eyes, and then she said to Xie Xiuqi apologetically: "I'm sorry, Master Xie, I accidentally dropped the wooden doll you gave me into the lake."

Xie Xiuqi glanced at Zhou Lin with a complicated expression, but he quickly regained his smile and said gently to Shen Chuning, "It's okay. If Miss Shen likes it, Xie will give you another one."

After Shen Chuning thanked the two of them, she prepared to head towards the boat.

But when she reached the shore, she saw Zhou Lin and Xie Xiuqi extending their hands at the same time. She hesitated for a moment, then lifted her skirt and stepped onto the bow of the boat.

When Xie Xiuqi saw this, a look of embarrassment appeared on his face. He nodded to Zhou Lin and then followed him onto the cruise ship.

Zhou Lin didn't lower his raised arm for a long time, letting the sleeve with a missing button sway gently in the wind.

His eyes followed Shen Chuning until her figure disappeared in the cabin.