Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

In a room on the second floor of Hongyun Restaurant, Dai You and Xia Lanyue stood back to back.

The two remained silent, not exchanging a word.

"Bang, bang, bang," someone knocked on the door outside, breaking the silence.

"Who is it?" Dai You asked.

"Waiter, sir, your medicine is ready and has been brought to you," the waiter said.

"Okay," Dai You said, turning around to open the door, taking the medicine from the servant and placing it on the table.

The waiter tactfully closed the door and left.

Dai You watched Xia Lanyue's retreating figure, not daring to speak. His lips twitched, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Xia Lanyue faced the window, remained silent for a moment, then turned around, walked to the table, picked up the medicine on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

Dai You stared wide-eyed in disbelief, then broke into a joyful smile.

He was about to speak when Xia Lanyue spoke first, "I'm drinking this medicine not to remember the past, but to say goodbye to it."

Dai You's smile froze on his face, but he quickly adjusted his expression and forced a smile, "Okay."

Xia Lanyue dared not look into Dai You's eyes, fearing that seeing his vulnerability would soften her heart.

Dai You sighed and silently left the room.

Xia Lanyue sat in the unlit room, lost in thought.

She pondered Dai You's words, reflecting on her past and contemplating her future.

She was heartbroken that her relationship with Xia Yao had come to this point. She really wanted to be with him, but she felt powerless to do so.

Should she back down and endure it? Will he cherish her?

She takes the initiative to approach him. Will he choose her? Will she be his only choice?

she does not know.

She didn't even have the courage to try again.

She was afraid of becoming more and more ridiculous.

She then realized that she had no confidence in the relationship.

Perhaps, quitting is the most dignified way out.

Finally, late at night, she made her decision.

She decided to break up.

At Xia Lanyue's insistence, she and Dai You embarked on their journey back to the city.

Xia Lanyue sat in the carriage, looking at the medicine packet placed beside her, feeling somewhat helpless.

Although she was reluctant, she drank the medicine without hesitation after Dai You prepared it for her, because she wanted to fulfill Dai You's wishes in this way.

Seeing that Xia Lanyue had taken the medicine, Dai You felt much better. He would occasionally ask Xia Lanyue about her memories, but each time he would only end up disappointed.

Xia Lanyue watched Dai You's lonely figure, feeling a pang of sadness. She was lost, unsure how to keep this only "family member" with her. She didn't have many people left, and Dai You was one of them!

If I had chosen Dai You back then, I would probably be living a peaceful and happy life now.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in life.

Fortunately, Dai You is still here. If Xia Yao can't give her what she wants, she can leave with Dai You and keep each other company, which is better than drifting apart.

With this thought in mind, Xia Lanyue seemed to feel more confident to turn back, and her mood improved.

Dai You seemed to sense Xia Lanyue's heavy thoughts and turned to look at her. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xia Lanyue smiled and said, "It's nothing. I'll be back soon. I wonder if everyone has changed?"

Dai You glanced at her sideways without saying anything; perhaps he didn't know what to say either.

Xia Lanyue suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, could you get me some croton seeds from Zhang Langzhong? I need them."

"This is for diarrhea, isn't it? What do you need it for?"

"Don't ask anymore, just get me some," Xia Lanyue said without going into details with Dai You.

Perhaps it was because of the favorable wind, but the carriage was running exceptionally fast. We had originally planned to arrive in town by evening, but we arrived at 1:15 PM.

Xia Lanyue was not happy; she truly felt that they were getting closer to parting ways.

The two returned the carriage first, and then went to Yunji Inn to settle in.

After that, Xia Lanyue took a bundle and wanted to go out.

"Where are we going?" Dai You asked knowingly.

“I have something to give him,” Xia Lanyue said.

“He shouldn’t be home right now,” Dai You reminded him.

"He's here," Xia Lanyue had already calculated; today was Xia Yao's day off.

“He…” Dai You hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Xia Lanyue knew that Dai You didn't want her to go, but he didn't know the purpose of Xia Lanyue's trip. If he did know, he would have dragged her there as fast as he could.

Actually, Xia Lanyue didn't want to go either; deep down, she didn't want to be separated from her lover.

However, their problems still need to be solved; running away won't solve them.

Xia Lanyue bypassed Dai You and walked downstairs.

Upon reaching the first floor, Xia Lanyue suddenly remembered something, walked up to the waiter, and asked, "Waiter, does Li Tao from upstairs still live here?"

"She hasn't lived here for a long time. What happened?" the waiter asked, puzzled.

"It's nothing, just asking casually," Xia Lanyue said, feigning nonchalance.

"You haven't heard that the young lady has been out of town for the past few days?" The waiter looked around and whispered to Xia Lanyue, "She had a miscarriage and went back to recuperate."

Xia Lanyue was stunned. Had Xia Yao's affair been exposed?! But seeing her calm expression, the waiter pretended to be surprised and asked, "What? She... is a widow, how could she... have a miscarriage?"

"Hey, she and Zhang Mazi secretly got together. If she hadn't lost the baby, nobody would have known she was having an affair with Zhang Mazi," the waiter said, raising his eyebrows.

Xia Lanyue vaguely sensed that something was wrong. "Didn't she say the child was Zhang Mazi's? Then how could she have miscarried?"

The waiter moved closer with interest. "How could she possibly say something like that? Everyone's just guessing. Li Tao got food poisoning, and that Zhang Mazi rushed over to fetch a doctor. It wasn't even his, so why was he so nervous? But it's no wonder Li Tao doesn't mention him; that Zhang Mazi really isn't good enough for her."

Xia Lanyue stood there, stunned. Her thoughts were in turmoil. Li Tao's child was gone, and she didn't know whether to be happy or regretful. It seemed that the distance between her and Xia Yao had lessened? But then she thought again, she had decided to break up with Xia Yao, so these things were no longer her concern. Why should she get involved in these matters?

"A-Yue?" Dai You's call came to Xia Lanyue's attention, who was in a daze.

"Huh?" Xia Lanyue came back to her senses and looked at Dai You. "Let's go."

Afterwards, Xia Lanyue and Dai You went to Xia Yao's house together.

Just as they were about to reach Xia Yao's house, Xia Lanyue stopped. She looked at the courtyard not far away, unable to take another step. The thought of having nothing to do with Xia Yao anymore suddenly made her feel reluctant to leave.

"Why aren't you leaving?" Dai You urged, startling her.

Not wanting to arouse suspicion, Xia Lanyue took a deep breath and continued walking forward.

However, as soon as she stood at the door, she saw a sight she didn't want to see. In the courtyard, Zhen was cleaning and Xia Yao was sitting at the entrance of the main house reading a book.

This harmonious scene looks quite like a young couple enjoying their leisurely days.

Xia Lanyue sneered. She hadn't even broken off her relationship with Xia Yao yet, and already a woman was living in her house! With that, the last trace of reluctance in her heart disappeared.

She stood awkwardly at the door, unsure whether to knock or not; she was so frustrated she could practically dig a hole in the ground with her toes.

Fortunately, Madam Zhen had good eyesight and spotted Xia Lanyue at the door, so she called out, "Miss Dai is back?"

Hearing the sound, Xia Yao looked up at the courtyard gate. When he saw Xia Lanyue, he was surprised and flustered, even a little evasive. He then gave a faint smile to cover up his fluster and walked towards Xia Lanyue.

Since Madam Zhen was closer to the entrance, she opened the courtyard gate first, saying, "Miss Dai, please come in."

Xia Lanyue gave Zhen Shi an awkward smile. Zhen Shi's behavior made her feel like an outsider.

She hesitated, wondering whether she should go inside.

Dai You acted as if nothing had happened, walking past Xia Lanyue into the courtyard and sarcastically asking Xia Yao, "Did we disturb you?"

"Brother Dai, what are you saying? I've been looking forward to your return every day," Xia Yao said as he walked to Xia Lanyue's side, took the bundle from her hands, and pulled her into the courtyard.

Xia Lanyue hurriedly withdrew her hand and whispered, "There are so many people here."

Xia Yao didn't mind at all, and just smiled and took her hand again, "It's okay, we're all family."

These words startled Xia Lanyue. Besides Dai You, only the Zhen family was present. If he wasn't referring to an outsider, could he be referring to the Zhen family?!

Xia Yao led her into the courtyard, turned around and smiled at her, "It's been a few days, and A-Yue's complexion has improved. It seems that Guangzhou really is a nurturing place."

"Hmm," Xia Lanyue forced a fake smile.

Xia Yao looked around the room and said, "I'll go put your bundle inside."

"No, we're staying at the inn. This bundle contains a gift for you," Xia Lanyue explained.

Xia Yao stepped back, looking puzzled. "I'm happy that A-Yue is thinking of me, but now that you're back, why are you still staying at the inn?"

Xia Lanyue stared into Xia Yao's eyes, "There's nothing I can't live here... It'll save us from having to move again."

Her voice grew softer and softer until no one could hear the last sentence.

"Why don't you stay at home? I've cleaned your rooms," Xia Yao said to Xia Lanyue.

Xia Lanyue had no intention of saying these things. She felt that now was not the time to talk about breaking up with Xia Yao, so she didn't want to stay any longer. "The things have been delivered, so Dai You and I will go back first." Xia Lanyue winked at Dai You, signaling him to leave.

To Xia Lanyue's disappointment, Xia Yao didn't try to stop her. "Alright, let's talk later."

Xia Lanyue left with Dai You, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

After their figures disappeared at the alley entrance, Xia Yao and Zhen Shi walked one after the other to the end of the alley.

When they reached the tree, Madam Zhen turned to Xia Yao and said, "Young Master Xia, please see me off here. I won't keep you from your business any longer."

Xia Yao nodded, "Take care, Miss Zhen."

After saying that, Xia Yao turned around and prepared to go back to the courtyard.

"Young Master Xia," Zhen called out to Xia Yao.

Xia Yao looked back.

"I...haven't affected you, have I?" Zhen asked.

"Miss Zhen, you are overthinking it. How could that be?"

"That's good. I don't want your relationship to be ruined because of me," Zhen said, lowering her head and speaking even softer.

Xia Yao chuckled lightly, "Miss Zhen, please don't worry. I have something to attend to here, so I won't see you off. Please take care."

“Ah…” Madam Zhen had more to say.

Xia Yao seemed not to hear, and strode back to the courtyard.