When Zi Yi and Lu Jingye returned to the temple, Mrs. Lu was not resting inside her room. One of the bodyguards informed her that she had gone to meet Master Huihe.
Lu Jingye carried the cherries inside and got someone to submerge some of them in a bowl of saltwater. “Eat them only after they’ve soaked for a while.”
Zi Yi nodded. “Then let’s go find Auntie.”
Thus, the two of them headed towards Master Huihe’s yard.
When they arrived, Master Huihe seemed to have said something to Mrs. Lu, as her joyous voice could be heard from outside.
“Is that so? Then I can rest assured.”
Zi Yi and Lu Jingye met gazes before they continued making their way inside.
Just as they arrived in the middle of the yard, they encountered Mrs. Lu and Master Huihe coming out from the hall.
Master Huihe came up to them and greeted them by raising her clasped hands.
Lu Jingye followed her movements and returned a greeting.
Upon seeing them, Zi Yi also did the same.
Master Huihe looked towards Zi Yi and said, “You have an excellent face, and you’re someone blessed with wealth.”
Zi Yi’s lips curled up slightly and she asked, “Master, could you tell me when will Lu Jingye and I get married?”
“Ahem…”
Mrs. Lu did not expect Zi Yi to be so straightforward.
On the other hand, Lu Jingye understood her very well. She had obviously asked on purpose.
Master Huihe laughed in response. “Then it’ll depend on both of your intentions.”
Zi Yi nodded in satisfaction and did not ask further.
Mrs. Lu spoke up at that moment. “Master Huihe, we shall not disturb you then.”
Having said that, she turned to Zi Yi and Lu Jingye. “Let’s go.”
As such, the three of them left the courtyard.
Mrs. Lu sneaked a few glances at Zi Yi after they left. She seemed to have something to say but had no idea where to start.
Lu Jingye saw her behavior and said, “Mother, don’t worry. Yiyi doesn’t take it to heart about you lying to her.”
Zi Yi nodded and said, “That’s right. I like Auntie very much. Although I can’t call you Sister Song in the future…”
Mrs. Lu was amused by her. “Since Little Zi likes calling me as such, in fact, it doesn’t really…”
“No.” Lu Jingye interrupted her. “Yiyi cannot call you Sister Song.”
He was very insistent on this.
Zi Yi glanced at Lu Jingye’s old-fashioned personality acting up again and went over to hold Mrs. Lu by her elbow. “Auntie Lu, you and Lu Jingye look like you two are similar in age. Other people would think that you’re siblings when you hang out together.”
Mrs. Lu was delighted by Zi Yi’s words and reached out to pinch her cheeks.
The delicate skin under her fingers made her feel like touching it longer. At the same time, the awkwardness disappeared and what remained was her fondness for Zi Yi. “Our Zi Yi is good at speaking. Take a look at that brat over there, that mouth of his is hard to like.”
Speaking of him, she asked, “Little Zi, how did you start liking him?”
Zi Yi glanced at Lu Jingye and giggled. “I like his personality.”
Mrs. Lu’s fondness for Zi Yi increased upon hearing her answer.
“Auntie, Lu Jingye and I have plucked plenty of cherries, and they are soaking right now. Let’s eat them when we get back.”
“Sure,” Mrs. Lu said with a smile. “Aren’t you a couple? Why are you still calling Jingye by his full name?”
Zi Yi did not think of this point. She turned and looked at Lu Jingye.
“Then I’ll call you Jingye? No, it won’t do. I should have an exclusive name to call you by. I’ll call you Ah Jing then!”
Lu Jingye looked at her with a gentle gaze and felt that she could call him whatever she wanted.