Cui Lingyao complained inwardly for a moment, but explained aloud, "Mother is craving some Lotus Cake, so I was heading to the Lotus Pond. I was walking too quickly and bumped into you, Cousin. I'm terribly sorry."
...Lotus Cake.
As if he'd remembered something, Shen Tingyu's gaze faltered for a second. He let go of her shoulder and said, "It's fine. I was actually looking for you. I'll walk with you."
As soon as his hand left her shoulder, Cui Lingyao realized how close they had been. She instinctively took a step back. Hearing his words, she looked up in astonishment. "What could you possibly need to say to me, Cousin?"
'In the original owner's memories, this cousin of hers had never once actively sought her out in three full years.'
'Even when she had first arrived at the Duke Mansion, before she had revealed her affections, he had always been very careful to maintain his distance.'
Shen Tingyu didn't speak, just lowered his gaze to stare at her.
