The voice from the intercom made Lan's heart tighten. She panicked like a child caught hiding a secret, quickly ducking behind Di. Her fingertips clutched tightly at the edge of his shirt, and even her breathing grew too timid to be heard.
Di, however, stood steady as a mountain. Not a trace of panic showed on his face. His voice was calm and measured as he explained their purpose clearly to the person on the other side. In that moment, he knew he was Lan's only support. He wanted to be the one who reached out to her in her weakness, just as his grandmother had once done for him.
The voice on the other end suddenly turned urgent: "Madam! Madam…" Then came a flurry of hurried footsteps.
Before long, the iron gate swung open. Di led Lan forward, one after the other, into the house.
At the entrance stood an elderly woman. Her bearing was dignified yet carried a touch of warmth. She studied Lan closely, her gaze moving from head to toe, before her lips curved into a gentle smile.
Lan still shrank behind Di, her cheeks tinged red, too shy to meet anyone's eyes—looking almost endearingly so.
"Come with me," the woman said, her voice soft and tender, like a breeze that drifted gently through the night.
The house was not extravagant, yet it radiated warmth. The furnishings were simple and elegant, every detail infused with care. Fresh flowers adorned corners and hallways, bright in color and faintly fragrant, adding a touch of romance to the home's gentle air.
Together, Di and Lan followed her through the bright living room, their footsteps falling lightly on the wooden stairs as they climbed to the second floor.
"Young miss, please go in. Madam is waiting for you inside," the woman said softly as she stopped before a door.
Lan froze, her heart pounding wildly as if countless voices tugged at her from within. Her feet felt glued to the floor, refusing to move forward.
The woman noticed her hesitation. A trace of understanding lit her eyes, and she added gently, "It's alright. You can both go in together."
Di did not hesitate. He gave a polite knock on the door, then turned slightly, taking Lan's hand in his and guiding her step by step inside.
With a soft click, the door closed, shutting out the world behind them. The elderly woman lingered in the hallway, her gaze resting quietly on the closed door. Her eyes softened with a gentle melancholy, as a memory from twelve years ago slowly surfaced in her mind…