Lin Che turned just in time to see Nan Lu, her loudest and nosiest friend, practically bouncing down the path.
"Nan Lu, you scared the fish," Lin Che said, laughing. "What is it now?"
Nan Lu skidded to a stop, breathless, eyes wide with excitement. "You won't believe this. The whole village is talking about it! Fancy cars—real ones! Black, shiny, like mirrors! They came to Old Zhang's house!"
Lin Che frowned, tilting her head. "Old Zhang's house? What for?"
Nan Lu leaned in, lowering her voice to a dramatic whisper that could still be heard a mile away. "The woman inside—she said Zhang Rui is her long-lost son! Can you imagine? The lost son of the Gong family!"
The bucket slipped from Lin Che's hand and splashed into the river.
Nan Lu grinned, oblivious to her shock. "Everyone's saying Madam Gong will take him to the city! And you know what that means, right? If Zhang Rui becomes a young master, then you, Lin Che, will be the fiancée of a rich man! Hah! You'll be the young mistress of the Gong family soon!"
She clasped her friend's hands, eyes sparkling with mischief. "When you're living in a mansion, don't forget your poor Nan Lu, okay?"
Lin Che just stared at her, mouth slightly open, the words echoing in her head.
Madam Gong. The Gong family. Zhang Rui… her Zhang Rui?
Her pulse quickened. "What… what did you just say?"
Lin Che was in disbelief when she heard what Nan Lu was saying. Her mind couldn't seem to catch up. Zhang Rui, the lost son of the Gong family? That couldn't be real. It had to be some kind of mistake.
But as Nan Lu spoke, something tugged at her chest — a strange, uneasy feeling that she couldn't name. It was as if something precious was slipping out of her grasp, and she didn't even know what it was yet.
"Come on!" Nan Lu grabbed her arm, eyes sparkling. "You should hurry before the Gong family people leave! They're already heading toward their cars!"
"Nan Lu—"
"Let's go! I want to see those shiny cars!"
Nan Lu didn't wait for permission. She had always dreamed of the city — of tall buildings, bright lights, and rich people who smelled like perfume instead of smoke. So seeing a fleet of luxury cars parked right here in their dusty little village was more thrilling than a festival.
Before Lin Che could protest, she found herself being half-dragged down the path, her bucket forgotten by the riverbank.
They reached Old Master Zhang's courtyard just as the last of the cars started their engines. The air was heavy with dust and murmurs. Curious villagers crowded the gate, craning their necks to catch one last look.
Lin Che stopped at the edge of the crowd, her breath catching. Sleek black cars gleamed under the sun, lined up like an army. The Gong family's bodyguards, in sharp suits and dark glasses, moved with military precision.
"So many cars," she whispered.
"I know!" Nan Lu bobbed her head eagerly, her eyes wide. "Each one could buy this entire village! Che Che, imagine living like that. You'd never have to wash clothes again!"
But Lin Che wasn't listening anymore. Her gaze had drifted to the small house at the center of it all — Old Master Zhang's home. She had been there countless times. It had once felt warm and familiar, almost like her second home.
Now, it felt distant.
Taking a quiet breath, she stepped forward, past the whispering villagers and the curious stares. Her heart beat faster with every step she took up the worn wooden stairs.
Inside, the courtyard was nearly empty. The Gong family's entourage had left, but the air still felt charged, heavy with something that didn't belong in a humble village home.
Lin Che moved toward the inner room.
Two figures sat there — one old, one young.
Old Master Zhang sat slumped in his chair, eyes dull and empty, as if the strength had drained out of him. Across from him sat Zhang Rui, head lowered, hands clasped tightly together.
The air between them was thick and silent.
Lin Che's voice came out soft, almost uncertain.
"Rui… Grandpa Zhang…"
Lin Che's voice was soft, hesitant, as she stepped into the room.
Both men turned to look at her.
For a brief second, there was a flicker of surprise in their eyes — a trace of warmth mixed with something heavier, something unspoken.
"Che Che," Zhang Rui said finally, stretching out his hand toward her. "Come here."
Without a second thought, she walked over and took his hand, sitting down quietly beside him. His palm felt cold, his fingers trembling slightly.
Grandpa Zhang's weary eyes softened as he looked at the two of them. "Did you hear?" he asked, his voice rough with exhaustion.
Lin Che nodded, her brows furrowed. "I heard… they want you to go back to the capital in a week." She hesitated, her voice lowering. "What will you do?"
The old man let out a long, tired sigh. "What can we do, child? The Gong family… they are people of great influence. Once they've decided something, there's no changing it. Even if I wanted to keep him here, what strength do I have to fight against them?"
His words hung in the air like smoke, thick and bitter.
Lin Che turned toward Zhang Rui, searching his face. "And you? What do you think about all this?"