When entering the living room, Song Yansheng was nowhere to be seen. Aunt Hui emerged from the dining room direction, saying someone had been sent to call him, and he would be down shortly.
Having learned her lesson from noon, Aunt Hui planned to keep a close eye on Ye Mingmei to prevent her from sneaking into the dining room for food.
Under such close watch, Ye Mingmei gave up on her mischievous ideas.
On the coffee table in the living room was a fruit platter filled with strawberries.
Aunt Hui said they were freshly delivered to the Song Mansion this afternoon and invited them to try some.
Ye Mingmei, peeling strawberries, said, "Brother Yu loves strawberries the most; he’d better come down quickly, or I’ll eat them all and leave none for him!"
Aunt Hui laughed, "A plate was already sent upstairs earlier, so feel free to eat to your heart’s content, Miss Ye. But strawberries are cold by nature, so it’s better to eat them in moderation!"
Shi Nuan sat to the side, a bit surprised to learn that Song Yansheng loved strawberries. Though she had been at the Song Mansion for a few days, fruit platters occasionally appeared, but strawberries were rare.
No more words were exchanged; they ate the strawberries while waiting for Song Yansheng.
Yet, after nearly ten minutes, there was still no sign of Song Yansheng.
Ye Mingmei was the first to lose patience, saying, "What’s wrong with Brother Yu? He’s taking so long!"
Aunt Hui was also puzzled. At this moment, a maid came downstairs, and Shi Nuan remembered her name was Xiao Shuang.
Aunt Hui immediately asked, "Xiao Shuang, where is Mr.?"
Xiao Shuang looked troubled and said, "Mr... Mr. is sleeping. I waited at the door for ten minutes, but he didn’t wake up. I don’t know what to do!"
Shi Nuan was slightly puzzled after hearing this; hadn’t Song Yansheng slept with her for half the afternoon nap? How could he still be asleep!
She stood up and said, "I’ll go upstairs and take a look!"
Of course, Xiao Shuang hoped so; while she dared not call Mr. to wake him up, the lady dared!
Ye Mingmei also jumped up, saying, "Little sister-in-law, I’ll go with you!"
Aunt Hui immediately pulled Ye Mingmei back, "Miss Ye, the lady has gone; Mr. should be down soon. Let’s wait downstairs together!"
Ye Mingmei thought about it, nodded in agreement, and continued eating strawberries.
Shi Nuan went upstairs, with maid Xiao Shuang following her.
Their destination was the study.
Xiao Shuang said, "Mr. is sleeping in the resting room of the study... I don’t dare wake him!"
Shi Nuan nodded, lifted her foot, and entered. The study was very quiet, with a plate of strawberries on the table; some were eaten, but not much.
She glanced at it lightly and then turned towards the resting room.
The door was closed. She walked in lightly and indeed saw Song Yansheng lying on the bed.
With his back to the door, Shi Nuan couldn’t see his expression, but his posture indeed looked like he was asleep.
She walked over softly, hesitated for a moment, then reached out and patted the man’s arm, calling him, "Second Uncle..."
The man’s body moved but did not turn back, only muttering lowly, "Go out first..."
Shi Nuan was stunned for a moment and called again, "Second Uncle, you..."
"Go out first..." The man said again, raising his voice slightly.
Shi Nuan bit her lip, suppressing a trace of disappointment in her heart, and turned around to leave the room.
At the door, Xiao Shuang was still waiting. Seeing Shi Nuan come out, she asked, "Lady, where is Mr.?"
Shi Nuan bit her lip, feeling something wasn’t quite right!
It felt as if Song Yansheng was angry... or avoiding something?
She lowered her head and thought for a moment, then asked Xiao Shuang, "He... I mean your Mr., how is his health usually?"
Xiao Shuang said, "It’s pretty good... But Mr. has a bad stomach; it’s an old problem, but it’s mostly sorted out over the past couple of years, so it should be fine now..."
Shi Nuan recalled the plate of strawberries on the table, frowned slightly, and quickly turned back to run into the room.