Lin Yuan’s mind quickly turned, and looking back at the maid who had been leading the way, she said, "This garden is so vast, I doubt Ying Tao could find it alone. So, I am in no rush to return, and it would trouble you, Miss, to help Maternal Aunt Liu look for it. I’m sure that once it is found, Maternal Aunt Liu will definitely reward you."
The maid had initially been reluctant to help, but upon hearing about a reward, she briskly agreed. She set the gift she was holding onto the corridor beside her and joined the search party for the earring.
Lin Yuan’s lips curved into a smile as she looked at Mrs. Liu, "Maternal Aunt Liu, did you seek me out for something?"
Mrs. Liu was startled, then gave a self-deprecating chuckle, "Ying Tao had mentioned Miss Lin to me before, but I didn’t believe her at the time. Now, though, I am convinced."
Lin Yuan found a random spot to sit down and laughed, "What are you convinced of?"
Mrs. Liu also sat down next to her, "Miss Lin, you are extremely clever, brave and resourceful. Even though we come from similar backgrounds, you are much stronger than I am."
It seemed that Mrs. Liu had learned quite a bit about her. Lin Yuan glanced at where she was sitting, at the edge of a small flower bed. Since the flowers in the bed had mostly withered, they would not prick them. But there were still plenty of grass clippings and dust around the flower bed. She had always been quite careless and did not mind these things, unlike Mrs. Liu, who seemed to share her disposition. If Lin Siyu were here, she would definitely scorn her for not caring about appearances, and if it were Jin Yuyu, she would probably use a handkerchief to wipe the spot before sitting down.
With this thought, Lin Yuan’s smile broadened, and she felt a greater sense of closeness to Mrs. Liu.
Perhaps sitting down together had lessened the distance between them, and Mrs. Liu spoke with fewer reservations. She rubbed the handkerchief in her hands and said softly, "Miss Lin, I, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Oh?" Lin Yuan looked at Mrs. Liu with surprise.
Mrs. Liu bit her lip, seemingly in a dilemma, "Ying Tao, her brother...is he working at your shop? I, I would like to ask you to look after him."
"Why?" Lin Yuan asked with a smile full of interest.
Mrs. Liu almost bit her lip to the point of bleeding, her neat teeth almost stained red, "Well, Ying Tao was with...when she was at Chunfeng Building. I, I want to help her. Besides, her brother is a good person, very honest and works diligently. Miss Lin, please..."
Lin Yuan’s eyes sparkled, which made Mrs. Liu feel somewhat guilty, and she struggled to continue.
Seeing her , Lin Yuan set aside her playful mood and did not want to tease her further; she patted Mrs. Liu’s hand, her voice soft but her tone firm, "Don’t worry, I will."
Mrs. Liu was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Lin Yuan to agree so readily, and she thought there would be...
Time had almost passed, and Ying Tao looked over at them. That’s when Mrs. Liu returned to her senses and gave her a nod.
Ying Tao understood the cue and casually scattered something onto the lawn near the maid, which was followed by the maid’s excited cry, "Ah, found it! I found it!"
Lin Yuan pressed her lips together in a smile, thankful that it was not Zi Yu who accompanied her today; otherwise, their little ruse would have been discovered by Zi Yu long ago.
Mrs. Liu joyfully received the earring, and of course, Ying Tao also gave her a Silver piece. The maid happily thanked them and picked up the gift that had been set on the corridor, then led Lin Yuan away.
Watching the retreating figures of the two, Ying Tao asked anxiously, "Miss, how did it go?"
Mrs. Liu nodded her head, "She agreed."
Mrs. Liu herself was somewhat puzzled; she had not expected Lin Yuan to agree so easily. It was also quite apparent that she had figured out that Shen Dajun was not really Ying Tao’s brother, but rather her poor childhood friend who had always been steadfastly by her side.