714: Chapter 79 Entering the Manor for Tea

The air here was purer than on Heart of the Sea Island; every breath felt like it was cleansing one's lungs.

"This truly is a wonderful place," Liu Hui couldn't help but exclaim.

Far removed from the mortal world, it was a realm unto itself.

One could only imagine the deep foundation of a family that could command such a location.

They followed the stone steps upward. Although the mountain path was steep, it was nothing for Shen Yan, whose physical strength far surpassed ordinary people.

He simply carried Youyou on his back. The little one clung to his neck, curiously observing everything around them.

After walking for about half an hour, the scenery ahead suddenly opened up.

A flat clearing appeared halfway up the mountain, and an ancient, elegant gateway stood before them.

However, before they could get close, two figures flashed out from the woods on either side of the gateway like phantoms, blocking their path.

The newcomers wore dark grey short martial arts uniforms, cloth shoes, and had stern faces with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

They looked less like bodyguards and more like martial arts masters guarding an ancient, prominent household.

One of them stepped forward, clasped his fists towards Shen Yan, his movement crisp and swift.

"This is the Lin Family's forbidden ground. Guests, please halt here."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an undeniable authority.

"We wish to visit the Lin Family," Shen Yan replied calmly.

"Do you have an invitation?" the man asked, sweeping his gaze over the three of them.

When his gaze fell upon Shen Yan's handsome face and Liu Hui's gentle demeanor, there wasn't much change in his expression.

But when he saw the exquisitely carved little girl on Shen Yan's back, his eyes softened for a brief moment.

Shen Yan shook his head.

"No."

As soon as those two words were spoken, the guard's expression instantly changed.

That hint of softness vanished completely, replaced by an icy coldness that pierced to the bone.

"No invitation, trespassing on Wuyin Mountain..."

His hand was already slowly moving toward a spot at his waist.

"According to the rules, you should be driven away on the spot..."

Before he could finish speaking, Youyou seemed frightened by his stern appearance and instinctively clutched the pet carrier she was holding tighter.

Inside the carrier, Snowball seemed to sense its little mistress's unease and let out a soft, "Meow."

This cat sound, though faint, was like a thunderclap splitting the ears of the two guards.

The guard who was about to speak and drive them away stopped abruptly, his eyes fixed tightly on the carrier in Youyou's arms.

Cracks appeared in the icy expression on his face; shock, doubt, and uncertainty were interwoven in his features.

"What... what is in this box?" His voice was somewhat dry.

Shen Yan gently lowered Youyou from his back, signaling her to open the carrier a little.

Youyou obediently pushed open a small window.

A small, snow-white head poked out from inside, its sapphire-like eyes curiously observing the two strangers outside.

"Snowball!"

The other guard, who had remained silent until now, cried out involuntarily.

The first man gasped, his body trembling slightly with excitement.

The way he looked at Shen Yan completely changed.

It shifted from cold scrutiny to a complex look reserved for a benefactor.

"You... you are here to... return the cat?" he asked tentatively, with a hint of deference he hadn't even noticed himself.

Shen Yan nodded.

"Yes."

Two simple words, yet they carried the weight of a mountain.

The guard's expression immediately relaxed, and his tense body loosened.

He bowed deeply to Shen Yan.

"Esteemed guest, please wait a moment. I will go report immediately!"

He turned to his companion urgently, "You entertain them properly here; I will go report to the Young Miss!"

With that, his feet seemed to fly as he turned and dashed toward the gateway, moving with unbelievable speed.

The remaining guard's attitude underwent a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree reversal.

He quickly stepped aside to clear the path, making a gesture to 'please' them forward.

"Honored guests, please proceed to the pavilion ahead to rest for a while. The Young Miss will be here shortly."

Shen Yan had anticipated some potential friction.

But he never expected that the power of a single cat could be this immense.

It could cause the Lin Family guards, who were highly trained and viewed rules as life, to instantly change their demeanor.

This Ragdoll cat named "Snowball" must hold a much higher status in the Lin Family than he had imagined.

Not long after, the sound of light, gentle footsteps came from behind the gateway.

Shen Yan looked up.

Contrary to his expectations, the person who arrived was not accompanied by a large entourage or grand display.

Only a single figure slowly emerged from the swirling mist and ancient architecture.

She was wearing a moon-white embroidered qipao, adorned with several lifelike cold plum blossoms embroidered in silver thread.

Her figure was graceful, her temperament cool and aloof, like an exquisite jade carving untouched by the mortal world.

Her face showed little expression; her eyes were calm as the depths of an ancient well, as if nothing in the world could capture her interest.

She descended the steps, her gaze sweeping over Shen Yan and Liu Hui without pausing at all.

It wasn't until her sight landed on the carrier by Youyou's feet.

It wasn't until it landed on the small white head peeking out and looking around.

In that instant, the seemingly still surface of her ancient well eyes finally showed a ripple.

It was as if the surface of a lake frozen for ten thousand years had finally been illuminated by a ray of sunlight.

"Snowball,"

She spoke softly, her voice crisp yet carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

Youyou looked up at the beautiful, fairy-like older sister and asked in a childish voice,

"Big Sister, are you Snowball's mother?"

Hearing this address, a corner of the cold frost on the woman's face seemed to melt away.

She slowly crouched down, her movements supremely elegant.

Snowball could no longer restrain itself, leaping out of the carrier and affectionately rubbing against her ankles, emitting a string of purring sounds of endearment.

The woman extended her slender jade hand and picked Snowball up into her embrace.

At that moment, all the coldness and distance she exuded transformed into the tenderness of something lost and finally recovered.

She gently buried her cheek into Snowball's soft fur and took a deep breath.

After a long while, she finally raised her head and, for the first time, truly and seriously looked at Shen Yan.

"It was you who sent it back?"

"My daughter found it by the seaside," Shen Yan replied neither subserviently nor aggressively. "Returning property to its rightful owner is the proper thing to do."

The woman's gaze shifted to Youyou, and her cool eyes finally held genuine warmth.

"Thank you,"

She said solemnly to Youyou.

Then, she stood up, holding the cat, and looked at Shen Yan.

"The mountain path is difficult, and the mist is getting heavier."

"If you don't mind, please come into the estate for a cup of tea."

"Please."

Lin Chuxue's voice was light, yet it carried an undeniable tone of invitation.

Liu Hui subconsciously looked towards Shen Yan.

This Wuyin Mountain exuded mystery everywhere, and the demeanor of the Lin Family members was unfathomable. She worried that venturing deeper rashly might be inappropriate.

Shen Yan nodded gently to her, his eyes warm and steady.

He was never one to pass up an opportunity.