The evening breeze was gentle, stretching the summer dusk into a long, languid moment. Time seemed to slow down at the Autumn Water Pavilion.

Qinghe County had seen countless summer nights like this before.

Gu Xueqin served the meal, glancing at Li Mo and Ying Bing not far away.

Her son still carried the innocence and liveliness of his childhood in his eyes, listening to Old Li recounting stories of his wedding with his wife. Occasionally, he would playfully nudge the person next to him.