Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

They chatted and worked at the same time, and a large basin of clothes was quickly washed clean, mainly because Du Hongxue helped with the work.

This young master was doing these chores completely unconsciously—when Nan handed him a bucket of water, he would fetch water; when Nan handed him clothes, he would unscrew them and put them in the wooden bucket; when Nan carried the bucket to hang them out to dry, he would immediately help carry the bucket and help with the drying.

They worked together quite well. Zuo Jinyue came out, glanced at them, smiled, and didn't say anything. It's good for men to do the work.

Du Hongxue unknowingly gained his fiancée's approval and continued to playfully tease Tingnan.

"Uncle, remember this: Teacher Zuo is under my protection. I'm growing up, but you're slowly getting old!"

"Ting Nan, are you serious? I'm in my prime, and you...you say I'm old? That hurts, that hurts so much! You're ruthless, so ruthless, hurting people without them even realizing it!" Du Hongxue exaggeratedly, stabbing himself in the chest and staggering backward.

"Hahaha...hahaha..." Gao Haoran and Zuo Renxin came out of the room and happened to see this scene. They looked at each other. A smile appeared on their somewhat gloomy faces—the problems that their generation could not solve, the next generation would continue.

Gao Haoran looked at Tingnan with affection, and said, "Wait a little longer, until she's a bit older."

A lunch filled with memories and love, laughter and conversation drifted far from Gao Haoran's secluded home. The two generations connected amicably; life was so beautiful that even the winter chill wasn't felt.

As lunch was drawing to a close, Gao Haoran noticed Ting Nan and Du Hongxue exchanging glances and asked, amused, "What are you two up to?"

“Master, it’s Uncle who needs to see you.” Ting Nan introduced Du Hongxue without hesitation.

"Is that so? Du family boy, speak freely if you have something to say." Gao Haoran put down his wine glass.

"Yes, yes, Uncle Huo, are you from 'Dark Night'?" Du Hongxue finally asked.

Gao Haoran glanced at Zuo Renxin, who shook his head. He had only just found out himself.

"Why do you ask that?" Gao Haoran looked at Du Hongxue.

Under Gao Haoran's direct gaze, Du Hongxue became a little nervous and confessed the truth, "I... I guessed. I sparred with Tingnan and narrowly won. I've been practicing martial arts for over ten years, while she's only been learning from you for a little over a year. I thought you were highly skilled in martial arts and had served in the military and gone on missions, so I guessed that you might be a member of 'Dark Night'?"

"No!" Gao Haoran denied it, as it was inconvenient to discuss his affairs at the moment. "How do you know about Dark Night?"

"Oh! I want to join Dark Night, but I didn't pass the exam. Uncle Ah Huo, can Ting Nan join Dark Night?" Du Hongxue was still determined to take Ting Nan away.

"I can't decide that, and besides, Ting Nan is still young." Gao Haoran didn't want Ting Nan to show herself so early; she still had a lot to learn. He also didn't want Ting Nan to go there; it was too tough and tiring, and she would have to live under an assumed name, only having a code name.

Ting Nan glared at Du Hongxue, "Don't drag me into this."

Du Hongxue smiled and changed the subject: "Uncle Ah Huo, when I marry Xiaoyue, can you bring Tingnan along?"

"I can't be sure right now. Let me know as soon as the date is set. Xiaoyue, wherever you are, Uncle Ah Huo will always wish you happiness and joy!" Gao Haoran then instructed Du Hongxue, "Du family boy, you must treat Xiaoyue well, otherwise..."

"I know, I know, I promise I'll treat Xiaoyue well, you don't need to travel all the way over there to beat me up!" Du Hongxue immediately promised. These two, master and apprentice, are really the same. They use the same tactics to threaten people. Du Hongxue was scared.

This brief gathering ended amidst laughter.

Counting the days, if Song Xiuying and the others were to arrive, they should arrive tomorrow. Based on the journey, Ting Nan invited Gao Haoran to have dinner together tomorrow.