Old Madam Long watched in satisfaction as her grandson led Nan Hua to the garden. She had purposely asked for Nan Hua to check on her after triggering that old man so that she could make some time for her grandson to stay with her future granddaughter in law.
'How good would it be if they can get married earlier.'
Despite sighing, Old Madam Long still felt that this was good enough.
She had noticed that her grandson was somewhat gentler when he was facing Nan Hua. Even though the difference was faint, Old Madam Long was sure that it would surely grow now that Nan Hua had grown so much.
She didn't believe her grandson's heart wouldn't be moved.
'Now, I only need to wait for that old man to finish his scolding and come to search for me~'
While Old Madam Long was gloating over her successful little trick, Long Qian Xing led Nan Hua to a rather secluded place. He was glancing in the direction where the shadow guards were guarding them. Some of them were his guards while the others were Nan Hua's guards.
This had been in his mind for some time, but he noticed that there were more guards for Nan Hua compared to her twin brother and cousins.
Old Master Nan really treasured Nan Hua.
That was what was inside his mind.
"Hua'er, have you been well in Han Zhong City?" Long Qian Xing started the conversation.
"Yes. The city is colder than the Capital City, but it's a pretty good place." Nan Hua didn't elaborate more because she spent most of her time to train. There was only very little time when she could spend to enjoy Han Zhong City.
Long Qian Xing nodded. "Grandmother did say that the place is colder. There are some materials Lin Yuan bought that are more suitable for the cold. If you would like, I can tell him to send some to you."
"Would it be a bother?" Nan Hua still remembered that Lin Yuan was the merchant friend that Long Qian Xing had. She had met with him once during an accident where she saved his father's life.
"No, I'm sure he'll be happy to be of help to you."
"In that case, I'll trouble you to send a message to him."
Long Qian Xing chuckled. "It's not a trouble at all."
Nan Hua nodded while continued to walk in an unhurried pace. The two of them didn't really talk a lot, but the atmosphere was somewhat calm and peaceful. It was comforting to walk .
Looking on the garden, Nan Hua wondered whether she had the time to appreciate their beauty in the past. Even if she were to walk here, she would mostly pay more attention to whether there was any danger or not.
"I almost forgot." Long Qian Xing suddenly stopped. "Hua'er, happy 13th birthday."
Nan Hua's eyes flickered. "It's been more than 2 months ago, Brother Long."
"I had missed 3 of your birthdays." Long Qian Xing's tone sounded regretful. "Since the last one is just late by two months, I have prepared a present for you. I hope you will accept it."
As he spoke, Long Qian Xing took out a box from his sleeve. The box was not big; it was only around the size of a hand a bit more. He handed it to Nan Hua.
Taking the box, Nan Hua looked curiously and asked, "Thank you, Brother Long. May I open it?"
Nan Hua opened the box. Inside the box was a beautiful green colored jade hairpin. It was decorated with some beautiful flower engravings and decorations at one edge. Unlike the previous wooden hairpin that he made for her, this jade hairpin was crafted smoothly and more professionally done.
"Do you like it?" Long Qian Xing asked, a trace of anticipation lingered in his voice.
"Yes." Nan Hua nodded. It was beautiful.
"I'm glad." Long Qian Xing smiled wider. "You can use it on your hairpin ceremony in two years if you want to."
Women adulthood ceremony was called as hairpin ceremony and usually only consist of having a hairpin put on their hair. It was very simple, but it signified that a woman had reached adulthood.
"It's still a long time, Brother Long." Nan Hua raised her head. "Grandfather will surely custom made a new one for me."
Long Qian Xing nodded. True enough. There was no way Old Master Nan would want to use his gift for Nan Hua for her adulthood ceremony. It was not like Nan Family was so lacking in money that they couldn't buy a hairpin.
"I'll give you more hairpin in the next two years of your birthday, then. That way, you'll be able to choose which hairpin you want to use." Long Qian Xing decided on the spot.
Nan Hua was speechless. He wanted to give her hairpin in her every birthday?
Slowly, Nan Hua lowered her eyes and caressed the hairpin that Long Qian Xing gave to her. She could faintly feel the engraved words that was hidden beneath the decoration.
It was her name once again.
Nan Hua quickly retracted her hand, her eyes flashed some unknown light.
"Brother Long, I have missed your birthday three times too. What do you want as your present?" Nan Hua asked softly, her voice was unhurried but there was a tinge of warmth.
Long Qian Xing was still smiling. He thought about the present that Nan Hua gave to him not long ago, a dose of poison. She might be the only person who ever thought of gifting poison as someone's birthday gift.
"Your previous present is very useful," Long Qian Xing started slowly. "I used it against my enemy and it's very effective."
"Do you want more?" Nan Hua asked.
"Do you still have more?" Long Qian Xing had asked some doctors he knew and they said that the poison was quite rare. It was also very effective, making him like it very much.
"In that case, I would like to have some."
Nan Hua nodded and took out a bottle from her sleeve. The poison might be rare, but Nan Hua had prepared more than enough for herself. Giving one for Long Qian Xing was not hard.