The old storyteller, despite his age, had a wonderful voice. At the tense moments, his narration flowed thick and fast, gradually lifting the audience’s hearts with rising tension. When the story reached calmer sections, he would narrate gently, like a gentle stream flowing smoothly.

Everyone in the tea house was captivated, with applause and cheers resounding.

Yu Wanru was so absorbed that she hardly blinked, holding her cup of tea for a long time without raising it to drink. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes wide open, her red lips slightly pursed, completely focused on the sounds from downstairs.

Xiao Anlan watched her and increasingly felt she resembled a squirrel he had seen during his time studying abroad, holding a pine cone with its tiny paws, its tail raised high, and its little head cocked in rapt attention to the surrounding sounds. It was both silly and cute, making one’s heart melt.

Watching her made him feel a bit restless, and he was tempted to pinch her soft, rosy face.

However, seeing Aunt An’s watchful gaze beside him, he suppressed his impulsive feelings.

It wasn’t until the old storyteller said, “To know how the story unfolds, please stay tuned for the next part,” that Yu Wanru finally let out a small sigh of satisfaction, coming back to her senses, looking a bit reluctant to leave the story behind.

Xiao Anlan called for the waiter and placed five silver yuan on the tray, saying, “For the storyteller.”

The waiter quickly thanked him, and then shouted down from the balcony, “The gentleman in the private booth on the second floor has tipped five silver yuan!”

This announcement caused a commotion in the main hall below, with many people craning their necks to see which wealthy gentleman was so generous.

It’s important to note that a single silver yuan could buy thirty pounds of rice or eight pounds of pork. A typical family of five could live comfortably for a month on just ten silver yuan.

Now, the gentleman on the second floor had tipped five silver yuan at once, nearly equivalent to a month’s wages for the waiter.

However, the private rooms upstairs were all screened off, so no matter how much those below craned their necks, they could only see a few blurry figures, unable to discern who exactly was there.

Yu Wanru was also a bit surprised and glanced at Xiao Anlan.

Xiao Anlan rubbed his nose. He didn’t intend to show off; he was just used to being extravagant.

Afraid Yu Wanru might misunderstand, he quickly explained, “I saw that old gentleman is quite elderly, and storytelling is hard work. I wanted to treat him to a cup of tea to soothe his throat.”

Yu Wanru gently nodded and softly said, “Young Master Xiao, you’re really a kind-hearted person.”

Xiao Anlan grinned and said, “We didn’t finish the story today. Wanru, shall we come back tomorrow to hear the rest?”

Yu Wanru was tempted, but considering that going out with Xiao Anlan today was already unlike her usual behavior, she hesitated. Although they were engaged, they weren’t married yet, and going out with him frequently made her feel uncomfortable. So, she shook her head and said, “No need to trouble you, Young Master Xiao. Today’s visit is enough. Thank you for your kindness.”

Xiao Anlan felt a bit disappointed, but after thinking it over, he realized he couldn’t expect a young lady to accompany him out every day. So, he nodded, “Then we’ll come back another day if you feel like listening again.”

This time, Yu Wanru neither explicitly refused nor agreed. She merely nodded slightly.

Aunt An, watching from the side, pushed a plate of lotus pastries forward and said, “Young Master Xiao, Miss, try this—it’s the specialty here.”

Each of them took a piece, and after sitting a while longer in the tea house, they got up and left.

By then, the sun was setting, and pedestrians hurried home. Xiao Anlan tentatively offered, “Aunt An, Wanru, how about I treat you to dinner at a restaurant?”

Yu Wanru said nothing, but Aunt An politely declined, “No need, Young Master Xiao. Madam instructed us to return home for dinner.”

Xiao Anlan had no choice but to nod, “Then let me escort you home.”

He dropped them off at their house. Knowing it was dinnertime, he didn’t want to intrude, so he returned home as well.

At the Xiao family dinner table, everyone was already seated. As he entered, a servant quickly set his place.

Xiao Anhui teased, “Ge went to see Sister-in-law, huh?”

Xiao Anlan loosened his tie and tossed it onto the sofa, smiling, “Even dinner can’t keep you quiet.”

Xiao Anhui stuck out her tongue and said, “You are just embarrassed, Ge!”

Xiao Anlan shook his head helplessly, greeted the family, and pulled out a chair to sit.

Madam Xiao asked, “Where did you and Wanru go today? Why didn’t you invite her to dinner?”

Xiao Anlan replied, “We went to a tea house to listen to some stories. Madam Yu wanted Wanru home for dinner.”

Madam Xiao nodded thoughtfully.

After dinner, she called Xiao Anlan aside and said, “The Yu family is very strict. It’s already fortunate they allow Wanru to go out with you. Asking her to dine with you now might be too forward. Don’t overthink it.”

Xiao Anlan nodded, “I understand. Don’t worry, Mother, I’m not overthinking.”

Madam Xiao smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll discuss with your father to set a date for the matchmaker to visit the Yu family and officially announce your engagement. Once we choose an auspicious day for the wedding, Wanru won’t refuse you anymore.”

Xiao Anlan playfully bowed, “Thank you for your hard work, Mother.”

Madam Xiao chuckled and lightly slapped his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Madam Yu was asking Aunt An about the day’s events.

After hearing everything, Madam Yu pondered for a moment and asked, “What do you think of Young Master Xiao?”

Aunt An replied, “Madam, I think Young Master Xiao is quite good—upright and kind-hearted. When he was out with Miss today, he behaved very properly.”

Madam Yu nodded gently, remaining silent.

She had only one daughter and, if possible, would have preferred to find the best match for her. But given the current circumstances, they had no choice but to cling to the Xiao family. As long as Young Master Xiao was of good character and wouldn’t mistreat Wanru, she would be content.

That night, Xiao Anlan lounged on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, while the gramophone played softly.

After a while, he suddenly got up and went to his father’s study.

Master Xiao was reading when Xiao Anlan entered and said, “Father, can I borrow your copies of The Three Kingdoms, The Legends of Sui and Tang, and any other heroic tales?”

Master Xiao put down his book and glasses, wiping them with a cloth. He looked at Xiao Anlan with curiosity and asked indifferently, “What’s gotten into you? You’ve always disliked these old classics.”

Xiao Anlan leaned in, grinning mysteriously, “Father, don’t you want to know which jewelry Mother has her eye on lately?”

Master Xiao leaned back in his chair, feigning indifference, and asked casually, “Which one?”

Xiao Anlan wagged a finger, “Lend me the books, and I’ll tell you.”

Master Xiao looked at him suspiciously, “You little rascal, don’t trick me.”

Xiao Anlan laughed, “Even if I do, you won’t lose out. If Mother doesn’t like the jewelry, one of your other wives surely will.”

Master Xiao glared at him, exasperated, and threw a few books from the shelf at him, waving him off like a fly, “Go, go, go…”

Xiao Anlan mentioned a store name and left.

He planned to quickly read these books in the next two days so he’d have something to talk about when he saw Wanru again.