Yes, those three intoxicating and chaotic days have passed.

  On the fourth morning, Han Yan woke up and found that Pei Wen was no longer in bed.

  She sat up in surprise, looking around while softly calling out, "Pei Wen! Pei Wen!" There was no response. She put on a morning robe and got out of bed, but she immediately noticed a piece of paper under the vase on the bedside table.

  She took it out, and it was written in Bai Peiwen's handwriting:

  "Han Yan,You slept so sweetly; I couldn't bring myself to wake you. Manager Zhao called; there are many things to be done at the factory, and I will have a very busy day. I won′t be home for lunch, and I′ll probably return around five in the afternoon.Kiss you! Hope you′re dreaming of me!Pei Wen"

  Han Yan couldn't help but smile, bringing the note to her lips, lightly pressing a kiss on his signature. She had slept so deeply that she didn't even notice his departure! He must have left quietly, tiptoeing away. She sighed contentely and stretched zily.

  Without Pei Wen by her side, she didn′t know what to do with her day. She had already started thinking about him. Waiting until five in the afternoon to see him felt so long!

  After freshening up, she went downstairs, scissors in hand, and walked into the garden to cut some roses. The ones in the room needed to be repced. It was another sunny day, and the rising sun shone through the treetops, casting countless rays of light on the ground.

  Han Yan was very fond of the few ancient Banyan trees in the garden. Their dense branches and leaves formed an umbrel-like canopy, the sturdy trunks were strong and vigorous, and the hanging aerial roots swayed in the wind, adding a lot of charm to the garden. There was also the willow tree at the garden gate, which she loved dearly.

  Every evening, as dusk fell and the garden became a blur of vibrant colors, the scene was softly hidden beneath the towering trees and willow branches. This made her think of Ouyang Xiu′s lines,

  "The courtyard is deep, how deep it is;The willows pile up like smoke,and the curtains are countless."

  The poetry and imagery filled her heart.

  Walking through the willows and flowers, she strolled along the little path covered with gravel. The morning dew on the petals hadn't dried yet, and the grass was still damp. She wore a pair of soft-soled embroidered shoes, and the shoe surface had become wet from the dew.

  She cut a rge bouquet of yellow roses, humming the song "We are together, swearing to never part" as she worked. Then, she noticed Gao Lide, standing under the old banyan tree, talking to the gardener, Lao Zhang, about something. When he saw Han Yan, he looked at her with an appreciative gaze, admiring the youthful energy radiating from her, the happiness glowing on her face, the girl walking through the dewdrops, holding a bouquet, singing softly, and strolling leisurely. It was a picture, a moving picture.

  "Good morning, Mrs. Bai," he smiled and nodded at her.

  "Pei Wen has told you several times to call me Han Yan, and you always forget," she said, smiling.

  "What are you doing?" she asked.

  "Dealing with aphids!" he replied, taking a rose from Han Yan′s hands to inspect it.

  Then he pointed out some small white spots to her. "Look, these are aphids. They′re quite annoying. I was just telling Lao Zhang how to get rid of them! The ants brought them here."

  "Ants?" Han Yan asked, surprised. "Why would they bring bugs here?"

  "Aphids secrete a sweet liquid, and the ants eat it. So, they bring the aphids here, and they even protect them! The animal kingdom is really fascinating, isn′t it?"

  Han Yan′s eyes widened in innocent surprise, her expression so charming and lovable.

  "Pei Wen has started getting busy again, hasn′t he?" he asked.

  "Yes," Han Yan said instinctively, picking the thorns off the dried rose stem with a faint, wistful expression. "He won′t be back until the afternoon."

  "If you're bored, you might as well come watch us pick tea," he suggested eagerly.

  "It′s actually quite fun."

  "Has tea picking started?" she asked.

  "Yes, we′ll be busy for a while," he replied.

  "I′ll join in," she said with a childlike excitement. "You can teach me how to pick, and I′ll do it really well."

  "You?" he chuckled. "It′s quite tiring! You might not be able to handle it."

  "How do you know?" she asked. "Are we starting today?"

  "Yes," he gnced at his watch. "I′ll be leaving soon."

  "How many women are picking tea?"

  "Dozens."

  "How many days will you pick for?"

  "Four or five days. If you're interested, we′ll start with the area in front of the bamboo grove. You can come anytime!"

  "I′ll definitely come!" She ughed, about to say more when their maid, A Lan, walked out from the house and approached her, saying:

  "Madam, the old madam asked for you. She′s waiting for you in her room."

  Han Yan felt a bit surprised and uncertain. Pei Wen′s mother had asked to see her. This was the first time since the wedding. What could it be about? She felt a slight unease, but then she quickly reassured herself. Of course, there was nothing wrong. It was completely natural; now that Pei Wen was back at work, it was a good opportunity for her to spend some time with Pei Wen′s mother and get closer.

  So, she fshed a quick smile at Gao Lide and said, "See you ter!" Turning around, she walked briskly into the house, upstairs. She pced the roses in her room, tidied herself up, and then made her way to Pei Wen′s mother's door. She knocked, and she heard Pei Wen′s mother's voice from inside: "Come in!"

  She pushed the door open and entered, her face full of gentle smiles. Pei Wen′s mother was standing in front of the rge floor-to-ceiling window, facing the garden, with her back to Han Yan. When she heard Han Yan′s footsteps, she didn′t turn around, remaining standing still. Han Yan felt a little nervous and softly called out, "Mom!"

  "Close the door!" Pei Wen′s mother's voice was commanding, cold, and distant.

  Han Yan′s heart sank, and the smile quickly faded from her face. She closed the door and timidly looked at Old Madam Bai. Old Madam Bai turned around, and her cold gaze fell on Han Yan′s face, making her shiver. The look was as sharp as two daggers, and Han Yan felt as if she had been struck. Old Madam Bai pulled a chair over and slowly sat down, her gaze still fixed on Han Yan, cold and stern.

  "I think it′s time for us to have an honest conversation," she said. "Come here!"

  Han Yan walked forward reluctantly, her face turning pale. She lifted her eyeshes and gazed into Old Madam Bai′s eyes, her rge eyes wide open, filled with a mix of confusion and fear.