Amidst the sun's scorching rays, the car traveled along the highway.Perhaps due to Han YunXi's energetic playtime with the children, as soon as she settled into the car, Han YunXi dozed off.

Her head leaned against the side window, a smile on her face.

She seemed very happy.

HuMing's mouth curved up a bit as he glanced in the rearview mirror at her.

On the other hand, Ye QiuXue was quietly gazing out the window, lost in thought.

The silence that enveloped the car broke after they arrived at Ye QiuXue's house.

"My home is here. Sorry for the trouble."

Ye QiuXue got out of the car, ready to leave. HuMing immediately got out as well and called out to her.

The girl turned around in surprise to see HuMing giving a slight bow in gratitude.

"For what happened today, consider it a favor I owe you. If you need anything in the future, I'll do anything."

Ye QiuXue was about to dismiss it with a smile, but when she saw HuMing's serious expression, she couldn't help but sense that the young man before her was hiding many secrets.

He was never as simple as he appeared on the surface. It's rather absurd to think that Ye QiuXue had misjudged him.

"HuMing, let's do our best together!"

With that, she left him with a crisp and elegant silhouette, turning and walking away.

HuMing surveyed the surroundings.

In the heart of the building, a sizable square stood, encircled by a collection of neglected sports equipment.

Aged high-rise buildings surrounded the square. Whereas, at its heart, a banyan tree that had witnessed centuries of history loomed, its shadow a testament to the passage of time.

Often, an elder clutching a vibrant red plastic bag made their way down the hallway of the building.

As HuMing observed Ye QiuXue's figure fading into the distance, he settled back into the passenger seat.

LanJun turned to HuMing and said, "This area is an old urban village. Most of the young people have moved out, leaving only the old. I didn't expect your classmate to live in such a place."

"Yeah, I didn't expect it either."

The sky had grown ominously dark, the vibrant colors of the sunset fading into obscurity as a blanket of heavy clouds loomed overhead.

HuMing leaned against the window, his eyes slightly closed.

......

After dinner, HuMing was about to return to his room when Han LiTian called out to him.

Han ShuYi glanced up at the two, his gaze growing slightly dark. He could now only watch as the relationship between HuMing and Han LiTian deepened.

All of this stemmed from the banquet.

The incident at the banquet was a deliberate act; it was a known fact, with the waiter emerging as the prime suspect.

But, despite an extensive search, the waiter remained unknown. He seemed to have disappeared without a trace.

Consequently, the troublemakers could only accept the situation.

And the Han family had greatly profited from it. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴovᴇlꜰirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

However, this was not good news to Han ShuYi. The incident made Han LiTian's opinion of HuMing grow more favorable. And the scene before him was what he had feared.

"HuMing, let's step outside to talk."

HuMing wasn't surprised. After all, Han YunXi mentioned something similar to him, and Han LiTian eventually had to speak with him.

Han YunXi watched her father and HuMing's interaction, a happy smile gracing her face. But she then looked helplessly at her mother and said,

"Mom, I think you should also apologize to HuMing. The previous incident was too much. Even I felt angry after hearing it. If you wanted to make an announcement, you should have consulted HuMing first."

"I..."

Madam Han was at a loss for words, caught off guard by her daughter's sharp remarks.

After the banquet, Han LiTian became increasingly frustrated with her, saying she had been off track lately.

Madam Han originally planned to restore Han ShuYi's long absence by giving him compensation. Why was she in the wrong for doing this for her son?

However, HuMing had also been living with them for many years. Even though they were not related by blood, they shared an affectionate bond.

Madam Han had to admit that she had overlooked HuMing because she was too focused on Han ShuYi.

"YunXi, don't say that to your mother. I am also responsible for this matter and will apologize to HuMing!"

Han ShuYi's serious expression only added to Han YunXi's frustration.

That wasn't what she meant at all!

"Th...that's not what I meant!"

Han YunXi was at a loss for words when explaining the situation. She felt that if her mother apologized and treated HuMing better, it would help make amends. However, Han ShuYi's words completely altered the interpretation of what she had said.

"Forget it. I'm going back to my room!"

"Hey, YunXi!"

Madam Han felt awkward as she watched her daughter walk away in frustration.

Being rebuked by her daughter and given such a cold shoulder left her disheartened.

Han ShuYi placed a hand on Madam Han's shoulder and said,

"Mom, I am in the wrong for not handling this well. There were more tactful ways to resolve this, but I was blinded by profits."

Han ShuYi appeared brimmed with remorse, clearly burdened by the situation.

However, witnessing Han ShuYi's regretful expression intensified Madam Han's unease. After all, she was the one who had made the final decision on this matter.

She had taken it upon herself to make this decision, thinking that since Han ShuYi had such a good relationship with LiYue, she could use this approach to compensate for the years for her son's lost years.

"It's not your fault. I'll make things clear with HuMing. You should go and rest."

"But..."

Han ShuYi wanted to continue, but Madam Han cut him off.

She stood up and walked towards where HuMing and Han LiTian were.

Han ShuYi watched her leaving silhouette, already devising his plans.

Meanwhile, in the back garden:

HuMing and Han LiTian strolled side by side along a small pathway, serenaded by the gentle melody of the nearby fountain, which infused the garden with a sense of peace.

Han LiTian stood with his hands clasped behind his back, occasionally glancing at HuMing.

HuMing remained silent, seemingly waiting for Han LiTian to speak first.

The evening breeze was calm, accompanied by the gentle hum of insects.

Finally, the two of them stopped.

"HuMing, what are your real thoughts about the Han Family?"

Instead of discussing compensation, Han LiTian asked HuMing about his views on the Han family.

"I am very grateful for the Han family's upbringing. After all, it was the Han family that raised me. Given my so-called biological parents, whether I could even attend school normally was a question."

Han LiTian looked at HuMing, and at that moment, their eyes met.

Against the dark, empty sky, their figures stood out with remarkable clarity. Yet Han LiTian couldn't discern any emotion in HuMing's eyes.

'After what happened last time, doesn't he feel any anger?'