Shen Yelan sat cross-legged on her bed with a purple laptop on her lap. The back of the laptop was decorated with multiple cute stickers. The afternoon sun filtered through the lace curtains, casting soft patterns on her.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Shen Yelan said without looking up.
The door opened, and Aunt Li stepped inside and stared at Shen Yelan nervously, unsure how to begin. Noticing she was not talking, Shen Yelan looked up.
Aunt Li opened her mouth, then closed it again.
Finally, she managed to speak.
"Butler Wang called earlier. He said..." She paused for a moment before speaking again, "he said the Master Shen wants to bring you back."
"Oh?" Shen Yelan raised an eyebrow.
This was fast. She thought it would take them at least a couple of days to make a decision, but they'd called just half a day after the article was published. Well, she wasn't complaining.
"When?" Shen Yelan asked.
"Someone will come tomorrow," Aunt Li told her.
"Okay, you can make the preparation," Shen Yelan told her and turned her attention back to her laptop, but after a few seconds, she realized Aunt Li was still standing there. She looked up again. "Is there something else, Aunt Li?"
"Forgive my intrusion, Young Miss, but I don't think it is wise for you to return to the Shen family. Why don't you say that you have not recovered yet an-"
"It's okay, Aunt Li. They can't harm me," Shen Yelan cut her off.
"Young Miss..."
"I know what you are worried about, but you should also know I can not stay here forever."
Aunt Li stared at her for a long moment. She wanted to argue, to convince her to stay. But looking into Shen Yelan's eyes, she knew it was pointless. The girl had already made up her mind.
Finally, Aunt Li let out a soft sigh. "I understand, Young Miss. I'll go pack your things."
She turned to leave, but before she could reach the door, Shen Yelan called after her.
"Aunt Li, just pack one bag for me. As for the rest of my things, someone will come later to pick them up."
Aunt Li nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
.
.
Later that day, just as Shen Yelan had said, a truck arrived at the village. Two men got out and started loading Shen Yelan's things into the back. By then, word had spread through the village that Shen Yelan was leaving. One by one, the villagers came to visit Shen Yelan. Some brought food while others brought small gifts.
That evening, the villagers threw a barbecue in her honor. They set up tables in the courtyard under the maple tree and cooked meat and vegetables over an open fire. Shen Yelan stayed with them until late before they all left.
The next day, an expensive white Sedan came to pick up Shen Yelan and Aunt Li. The villagers came out of their houses to send them off.
"Do you think Little Ye will come back?" Someone asked once the car had left.
"Of course, she would come back. Even if she forgets about us old people, she needs to check up on her farms," an old man replied.
Hearing him, the others realized he made sense. Thus, their moods improved a lot, though they still felt a little sad. Slowly, they all went back to where they were supposed to be.
.
.
Inside the car, the driver kept stealing glances at the rearview mirror, looking at the girl sitting in the back seat.
He had to admit, the eldest young miss had grown into a truly beautiful woman. She had always been a beauty, but everyone had assumed that years in the countryside would rough her up.
But looking at her now, she looked even more refined than before. Her skin was pale and smooth. Her long dark hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders. She wore a simple black shirt and jeans, but somehow it made her look more refined than the ladies of elite families.
Shen Yelan could feel his eyes on her, but she didn't care. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to someone. Then she put it away, leaned her head back against the seat, and closed her eyes. No one could tell if she was asleep or simply resting.
Beside her, Aunt Li sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap. She was worried, even though she tried to hide it. But she also knew Shen Yelan was no longer the girl she used to be years ago. Returning after a decade, the Shen family was up for a big surprise.
A couple of hours later, they finally entered South City.
Shen Yelan opened her eyes and looked outside. It was drizzling lightly. Tiny droplets of rain dotted the car window.
She rolled down the window, and immediately, cool, damp air rushed in, along with the smell of rain. She rested her arm on the window ledge and placed her chin on top of it, letting the rain fall on her face.
Aunt Li glanced at her but didn't say anything. She'd always known about the young miss's love for rain.
When their car stopped at a signal, another car pulled up beside them. To most eyes, it would have looked inexpensive, but Shen Yelan recognized it at first glance. This low-key car was from one of the most exclusive car brands in the world. Judging by the exterior, she could tell it was modified.
In the back seat of the car sat a man. He was reading a file in his hand. Beside him was a little boy with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, staring out the window with a deep frown on his face.
Ever since the kidnapping incident, Huo Ziyan had refused to let the boy leave his sight, much to Huo Mingzhe's disappointment. He'd pulled him out of school and hired tutors to come to the house instead. And when Huo Ziyan couldn't be there personally, he assigned a dozen bodyguards to follow him around.
After days of living under constant surveillance, Huo Mingzhe had tried to sneak away but was caught by Huo Ziyan himself before he could even reach the elevator. As punishment, he'd confiscated his tablet. Hence why Huo Mingzhe was currently sulking.
Suddenly, Huo Mingzhe straightened. His eyes locked onto the car beside them.
It was her!
Noticing his reaction, Huo Ziyan also looked outside and immeditly found out the reason for his behaviour.
If their car window was down, Shen Yelan would have noticed them too. Huo Mingzhe hurriedly reached to lower the window, but before he could do that, the signal turned green. The two cars pulled away from each other and headed in opposite directions.
Huo Mingzhe could only turn around in his seat and watch the car disappear in disappointment.