The fifteenth of this month fell on a Saturday.
In the afternoon, just before the clock struck three, Feng Yan and Sang Lu arrived at the Feng family's ancestral home.
"Welcome, Young Master, Young Madam."
The elderly butler, Uncle Yue, bowed slightly and guided them toward the backyard. "The master is fishing in the backyard and has been waiting for you."
The Feng family's backyard featured a man-made lake, built for the old master's leisurely fishing.
After winding through a few corridors, the view suddenly opened up.
A refreshing breeze swept over them, and the lake shimmered under the sunlight.
By the elegantly crafted fishing platform, the old master sat with a relaxed posture, a wooden bucket and fishing gear beside him.
Hearing their approach, the old master turned his head.
At the sight of his eldest grandson and granddaughter-in-law, his face lit up with joy, and he called to a servant,
"Bring two more sets of fishing gear."
Sang Lu offered an awkward smile. "Grandfather, I don’t know how to fish."
"Don’t know how?" The old master waved a hand dismissively. "No matter. This is the perfect chance for Feng Yan to teach you."
With that, he shot his grandson a meaningful glance.
Sang Lu followed his gaze.
She saw Feng Yan already rolling up the sleeves of his shirt with deliberate ease.
Today, he wore a casual black shirt, the collar slightly open to reveal the sharp line of his throat. His sleeves were folded up several times, exposing pale, strong wrists—a picture of effortless charm.
Feng Yan took the two sets of fishing gear from the servant and turned slightly.
Just as he was about to hand one to Sang Lu, she swiftly pulled a chair beside the old master and sat down, completely ignoring the fishing gear. Instead, she beamed at the old man and said,
"Grandfather, I won’t learn today. I’ll just sit here, enjoy the sun, and chat with you~"
Feng Yan’s outstretched arm paused mid-air, his fingers twitching imperceptibly before he silently withdrew it.
Without a word, he sat down and cast his line.
The hook landed with a firm splash, sending ripples across the water.
Out of the corner of her eye, Sang Lu caught Feng Yan’s practiced motion.
She secretly congratulated herself.
Good thing she hadn’t agreed to learn—just casting the line required so much effort. Reeling it in would’ve been exhausting.
Chatting with the old master was much more her speed.
A perfect weekend shouldn’t involve unnecessary hardship.
Resting her chin in her palm, she took a sip of the orange juice a servant had brought her.
Bathed in the warm breeze, her mood was bright, her expression utterly relaxed.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she turned sharply to the old master.
"Grandfather, I almost forgot! I have wonderful news to share!"
The old man’s gaze flickered with interest. "What news?"
Before Sang Lu could answer, his eyes widened with sudden realization, and he glanced meaningfully at her stomach.
"Could it be… Lu, you’re—"
"Huh?" Sang Lu blinked, following his gaze downward before quickly shaking her head. "No, no, not that kind of news."
"Then what is it?" The spark in the old man’s eyes dimmed slightly—but only for a moment.
Sang Lu beamed. "Feng Yan spoke a few days ago!"
Holding up two fingers for emphasis, she added with pride,
"Twice!"
Though she hadn’t played any part in his breakthrough, being the sole witness still filled her with a sense of accomplishment.
The old master froze. "Truly?"
Every wrinkle on his face was etched with disbelief.
The fishing rod slipped from his grasp.
With a "plop," it fell into the pond.
But he had no mind for the rod now. His eyes widened as he turned to stare at his eldest grandson, who was quietly fishing beside him.
His gaze darted back and forth between his grandson and granddaughter-in-law.
Noticing the stare, Feng Yan lifted his eyes and gave the old man a calm, indifferent glance.
That single look startled the grandfather.
Feng Yan’s usually cold face was uncharacteristically gentle.
That expression—it was as good as an admission!
"Good! Good! Wonderful—just wonderful—"
Never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d live to hear the day Feng Yan would speak again.
Overcome with emotion, the old man’s lips trembled for a long moment before he could only manage to repeat, "Good."
After a pause, he turned his head away.
When no one was looking, he dabbed at the corners of his eyes.
By the time he turned back, his face was once again warm with a grandfatherly smile.
Chuckling, he steadied himself on his chair to stand up.
Seeing this, Sang Lu quickly handed him his cane.
The old man took it and waved it grandly behind him.
"Old Yue, come here."
The butler, Uncle Yue, hurried over and bowed. "Yes, sir."
"Help me inside. There’s something I need to find."
Impatient, the old man quickened his steps.
After a few paces, he turned back and beamed at Sang Lu.
"Lu, my dear, I’ll be right back. Wait for me, won’t you…?"
Sang Lu was utterly baffled. "…?"
Fifteen minutes later…
When the old man returned, placing a stack of documents and several exquisite pearwood boxes on the outdoor table in front of her, she was even more confused.
Sang Lu: ???
The old man lifted the lid of one of the pearwood boxes.
The light refracted off the pigeon-blood ruby inside, momentarily dazzling Sang Lu. She froze.
"Lu, these are for you," said Old Master Feng. "I don’t know what young people like these days, and I don’t have much worth giving you. So take these jewelry sets—just something to wear for fun."
Nothing worth giving…
Just for fun…
Sang Lu was speechless.
On the table, identical pearwood boxes were piled high—at least ten more.
Ten sets of pigeon-blood ruby jewelry… for fun?
Her heart pounded at the sheer extravagance of his words.
She couldn’t fathom why the old man would suddenly gift her something so precious.
Sang Lu waved her hands in refusal. "Grandfather, I can’t accept these… They’re far too valuable. I don’t deserve such generosity."
When they married, Old Master Feng had already transferred numerous properties to her name, along with bank accounts that held more money than she could spend in several lifetimes.
She loved wealth, but she wasn’t greedy.
Hearing her refusal, the old man’s expression turned stern.
"Nonsense! Do I need a reason to give my granddaughter-in-law a gift?"
Then, stroking his beard, he chuckled.
"Feng Yan speaking again—that’s all thanks to you. You’re the Feng family’s greatest blessing."
"…Huh?" Sang Lu blinked. "Grandfather, I really didn’t do anything."
She meant it.
If anyone deserved credit, it was probably those two Frenchmen.
She opened her mouth to say more, but the old man cut her off.
Pulling out a stack of documents, he slid them toward her.
"These are the deeds to an island. When you’re ready to learn fishing, have Feng Yan take you there. He’s quite the expert."
Sang Lu’s eyes nearly popped out of her skull.
He was giving her an entire island?!
Before she could recover, the old man fanned out the stack of papers.
Beneath one document lay another.
The old man tapped his finger on them.
"These two islands aren’t far from Jing City. A yacht ride will get you there in no time."
Sang Lu: Eyes wide with shock.jpg
Not just one—but two islands!?
Her mind buzzed in disbelief.
She must have forgotten to check the almanac before leaving home today.
What kind of auspicious, star-blessed day was this?
A deluge of riches had literally fallen from the sky.
And the old man showed no signs of stopping.
He slid another thick document toward her and spread it out.
"This here is a resort hotel. Not as exciting as the islands, but it’s convenient—close enough for you to visit whenever you please..."
Sang Lu’s gaze dropped numbly to the property deed, and she startled at the name printed on it.
She knew this place!
It was the most luxurious hot spring resort in Jing City.
When scouting locations for her new show, this had been her top choice—spacious, scenic, perfect for filming.
She’d even called the hotel to ask about renting it for an outdoor shoot.
They’d turned her down.
Left with no choice, she’d abandoned her ideal pick.
And now, the old man was giving it to her?
Her brain short-circuited.
She felt lightheaded, her thoughts scrambled.
Instinctively, she waved her hands in refusal.
Such extravagant gifts were too much to accept.
The old man watched her reaction with a doting, grandfatherly smile.
"Uncle Yue will handle the property transfer paperwork. You don’t need to worry about a thing."
His voice was warm, his tone earnest.
"Lu, my dear, remember this—you are the matriarch of the Feng family. Feng Yan’s grandmother and mother left this world too soon, so by all rights, you are the sole mistress of the Feng household..."
"These things are just trifles. Don’t give it a second thought. If Grandfather gives them to you, you take them."
Sang Lu blinked, dazed.
Trifles…
Ah, yes. Just trifles.
She was pretty sure she no longer understood the Chinese language.
