Suddenly thinking of something, his heart plunged to the bottom of the valley, thoroughly chilled.
He also instantly understood, he had no chance at all!
"Sister Jinnian has become quite daring now, actually daring to walk alone in Huguo Temple. I wouldn’t have the courage!" Dai Hanmi said as she took the teacup and sipped lightly, "This tea is so fragrant!"
Looking at Dai Hanbo, she saw he was spacing out and asked in confusion, "Third brother, why aren’t you drinking?"
"I’ll drink now!" Dai Hanbo hastily picked up the tea and drank.
The tea was indeed fragrant, better than any he had tried, but it was also exceptionally bitter.
With a single gulp, he felt utterly bitter, especially in his heart.
"The taste is good, isn’t it!"
"Yes, it’s very good!"
Dai Hanmi chuckled as she looked around Yun Jinnian’s meditation room, which was bigger than the average one and also more compact. Along the wall, the shelves held Buddhist treasures, all carved from roots or precious woods, yet there were no Buddha statues of any kind.
In the incense burner, the sandalwood emitted a faint fragrance, very pleasant to smell.
The entire room was simple and elegant, yet had a touch of warmth.
On the pathway, Chu Yu was slowly walking, holding Yun Jinnian’s hand and carrying a lantern to light the way. Neither of them spoke.
The silence was particularly entwining.
Upon hearing the voice, Yun Jinnian turned toward Henuan, "What’s the matter?"
"Miss Dai from the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence has come, she’s currently in the monastery. And with her is the Third Young Master Dai!"
Yun Jinnian looked slightly taken aback, "Sister Hanmi and Third Brother came together?"
"Could it be that the dowager is ill?" Yun Jinnian muttered, feeling a touch anxious inside.
Chu Yu, however, was listening to Yun Jinnian calling Dai Hanbo ’Third Brother’.
Especially after learning of Dai Hanbo’s intentions, Chu Yu found this "Third Brother" quite odd, quite unpleasant to his ears.
"You call Dai Hanbo ’Third Brother’?" Chu Yu asked, his voice sharpening.
Yun Jinnian hadn’t thought deeply about it; she didn’t think she was particularly likable, "I’m as close as sisters with Sister Hanmi, is there a mistake in calling him ’Third Brother’?"
"There’s no other meaning?" Chu Yu pressed.
Inside, he was both nervous and a bit gleeful.
Yun Jinnian didn’t like Dai Hanbo, and no matter how many thoughts he had, it was futile.
"What other intentions?" Yun Jinnian retorted, taking the lantern from Chu Yu’s hand, "I’m going back first. You should go back too. Let’s not meet for the next couple of days, lest Sister Hanmi notices something!"
Chu Yu felt extremely wronged. Why couldn’t he meet openly with her?
"I’ll miss you too. Maybe I’ll find a chance to come clean with Sister Hanmi, and we’ll talk in detail then!"
Chu Yu nodded vigorously, feeling delighted inside, "It’s dark, and the road is difficult to navigate, be careful!"
"I know, you be careful on your way back too!" Yun Jinnian said, then followed Henuan back.
Chu Yu stood there, watching Yun Jinnian walk away.
He sighed deeply, "When can we appear before others openly and honorably?"
By that time, no matter how he treated Yun Jinnian, no one could say anything, they would only envy her for having such a good husband.
To love her, cherish her, spoil her!
Yun Jinnian returned to the monastery. Dai Hanmi, hearing the footsteps, came out of the meditation room, "Sister Jinnian, you’re back!"
"Sister Hanmi!" Yun Jinnian called softly, stepping forward to take Dai Hanmi’s hand, "Why have you come? Is the dowager ill?"
"Tut-tut, grandmother is well. I came with Third Brother to pray and chant for her good fortune. We heard you were here, and I immediately came to find you, but you had gone out!" Dai Hanmi spoke as she pulled Yun Jinnian into the house.