----
With that, the three of them set off.
Han Yan stood at the doorway, watching their figures gradually disappear down the path.
Only after they were completely out of sight did he step back inside.
The evening breeze brushed past him as he turned and pulled the wooden gate closed behind him. After securing the latch, Han Yan walked across the courtyard toward the house.
His footsteps were quiet against the ground as he reached the doorway and pushed open the half-closed door.
Inside, he immediately caught sight of a familiar figure waiting for him.
Lin Xin was sitting quietly, his slender figure illuminated by the warm glow of the oil lamp.
His blonde curls fell softly around his face, with a few loose strands resting against his cheeks. The light caught his green eyes, making them appear even brighter in the dim room.
The moment their eyes met, Lin Xin quickly lowered his gaze.
