"Who is Tong Zizhu?" Su Zimai asked suspiciously, "Grandpa, why did you react so strongly? Is she your... little, little lover?"
"Xiaomai, don't say such nonsense, or Grandpa will spank you," Gu Qiye said in response, but his gossipy interest burned intensely, and he tilted his head curiously, watching Su Wei's profile.
Su Wei lowered his head in silence, his expression somewhat heavy, not immediately responding to their questions.
The group in the yard fell into silence, with only the sound of rushing water from the wooden horse fountain.
Ke Qirui bit her pipe, looking surprised. She hadn't expected her casual mention of that name to cause such a stir among them; perhaps this was fate.
Su Wei pondered for quite a while before finally breaking the silence.
"Tong Zizhu..." he mused, "That child is now joining the White Crow Travel Brigade?"
Mentioning "Xia Pingzhou," Su Wei could pretend to be unaware - in truth, he had long since heard about Xia Pingzhou from Ke Qirui.
