Yuan Shun arrived at the estate, at his childhood home.
Dishevelled, he walked in, finding his sister and his mother who walked down the foyer. He approached them with his clothes tousled and rumpled. "Where is she?" he asked.
"She's in the sunroom," his mother replied.
Yuan Shun widened his eyes.
Shi Yen was really here? He nearly stumbled. So she hadn't run away from him? Cruel and clever girl, he thought. He understood what her game was.
"Thank you," he said, kissing his mother's cheek before he took steps towards the sunroom. He could see Shi Yen through the small transom window of the door. She was reading a book, propped against the armrest of the blue velvet settee, and her legs were sprawled and crossed over.
Shi Yen swept her hair to the side, reading her book intently. Shizi was curled next to her, sleeping, and Shi Yen gently caressed her fur with one hand unconsciously.