Farewell, Eldest Young Lady.

The young girl of the past has grown up.

Tears fell from the man’s face.

Watching the man who had just seemed like some hidden master suddenly start shedding old tears, droplets falling in streams, his expression both gratified and sorrowful, Lin Han momentarily did not even know where to begin retorting.

But if he had to say one thing, it would definitely be—

This scene may be very moving and heartfelt, but could you let go of my hand before crying?! Isn’t your grip a little too strong?!

Lin Han let out a muffled groan, feeling like his soul was about to leave his body.

It was no exaggeration to say that if the other party used even a bit more strength, the bones in his hands would start wailing!

Crack!

…Did he just hear a very ominous sound?

I don’t want to be rude, but please let go of your hand!

Because of the pain, trash talk began constantly popping up in Lin Han’s mind.

And Uncle Bai had completely immersed himself in his own world. The strength in his hand was also subconsciously growing heavier and heavier.

Just as Lin Han felt as though “Rosy Palm’s five sisters,”1 who had accompanied him for twenty years, was about to leave him—

“Uncle Bai.”

Like a savior, Shen Qingshu finally spoke up.

Hearing Shen Qingshu’s voice, Uncle Bai finally seemed to regain his senses, and the strength in his hand relaxed.

Lin Han immediately pulled his hand back, feeling as though he had just shaken hands with a hydraulic press.

Uncle Bai lowered his head in apology.

“…I became somewhat emotional. This is a lapse in duty for a servant such as myself.”

He paused for a moment before continuing:

“Please forgive me for speaking out of turn. I watched Miss grow up, but her life at home has never been… particularly happy.”

A series of past memories seemed to flash through his eyes as he said in a sentimental tone:

“This is the first time I have seen Miss like this. Not only does she have a friend her own age, but she finally looks a bit more like a young person should. I suspect that much of this is likely thanks to you.”

Lin Han didn’t know how to respond for a moment, so he could only mutter vaguely:

“Um… well… ah, I see…”

Not really.

Did Shen Qingshu really look like a girl her age now?

He instinctively wanted to glance at her, but he was worried that her sharp intuition would pick up on his rude thoughts, so he ultimately restrained the impulse.

A girl who barely even knew how to use a smartphone?

And he couldn’t take the credit; he hadn’t even managed to teach her how to use Excel yet…

Uncle Bai, however, seemed to grow more moved as he spoke. His eyes welled up again, and his voice began to choke with emotion.

He grabbed Lin Han’s hand once more.

Lin Han’s expression froze.

Again?

“So…”

“I can no longer accompany Miss on her journey… Therefore, I’m entrusting Miss to you. Please… please make sure she continues to be happy…”

Uncle Bai continued to ramble on.

But the more Lin Han listened, the more off it felt.

Was this still the polite small talk phase?

Why did it sound more and more like…

…Giving away his daughter?

“…Uncle Bai!”

Shen Qingshu’s voice rang out again.

This time, her tone was raised a few notches, which was rare for her.

Though it was only slight, for Shen Qingshu, it was already quite significant.

Uncle Bai snapped out of it as if waking from a dream. Wiping away his tears, he finally put some distance between himself and Lin Han.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingshu looked completely drained. She leaned back against the sofa, one hand supporting her forehead, her chest heaving with ragged breaths.

Usually, it was Shen Qingshu who seemed like a mind reader, easily seeing through Lin Han’s thoughts.

But this time, Lin Han could actually tell what Shen Qingshu was thinking—

On the other side, in the blink of an eye, Uncle Bai had returned to normal, once again the image of a perfect butler.

—But even though he still exuded the aura of a powerful expert, after witnessing that scene just now, it was truly difficult for anyone present to associate him with “majesty” anymore.

Ignoring, or perhaps failing to notice, the awkward atmosphere in the room, Uncle Bai produced two exquisitely wrapped bags from behind him like a magic trick.

“Young Lady mentioned last night that she would be attending the banquet with Mr. Lin. Therefore, I have prepared two sets of formal wear on short notice.”

Uncle Bai looked at Lin Han and said in a humble tone:

“I prepared this set for Mr. Lin by estimating his measurements from photos in public records. If anything doesn’t fit well, please let me know as soon as possible.”

“Time was short, so I couldn’t prepare more appropriate formal attire. Please forgive me.”

Lin Han looked down at the ordinary shirt he was wearing.

It was true.

He had overlooked this point; this outfit was fine for an office building, but its quality was a bit lacking for a banquet. He was afraid he would attract everyone’s attention the moment he stepped inside.

Uncle Bai continued, “When you head to the banquet this afternoon, please be sure to contact me. At least let me give Miss and Mr. Lin a ride.”

At this point, his expression darkened slightly, and he said with a sigh, “Normally, when Miss attends this kind of banquet, I should be accompanying her as protection…”

Shen Qingshu said calmly, “This is enough for now.”

She looked up at Uncle Bai. “And even just by doing this much, Uncle Bai, you’ll be scolded by ‘those people,’ won’t you?”

Uncle Bai shook his head and didn’t answer the question, merely bowing once more.

“It is my honor to be able to do something for Miss.”

Shen Qingshu closed her eyes.

Uncle Bai did not stay any longer.

“Then, now that the invitations have been delivered, please allow me to withdraw.”

With that, he turned and left.

His footsteps remained silent, and his figure quickly disappeared at the end of the hallway.

Inside the hotel room.

Everyone looked at each other.

Every face was written with the words: “I have many questions but I’m embarrassed to ask, someone please start.”

Lin Han looked at the bag Uncle Bai had left behind and took out the formal wear to examine it.

After a moment, Lin Han’s expression became very subtle.

“Qingshu.”

“Yes.”

“What exactly did you say to him?”

Shen Qingshu lifted her eyes, her gaze flickering slightly.

Lin Han pointed at the two sets of formal wear that were clearly prepared as a matching pair, then thought back to Uncle Bai’s obviously strange remarks from earlier…

“Under what identity did you tell him I’d be attending the banquet with you?”

Shen Qingshu fell silent for a while. Then, as if explaining—or perhaps defending herself—she said:

“I told Uncle Bai that this is just a form of disguise and roleplay. Since the invitation holder can only bring relevant persons into the venue, it was necessary for the mission. But he seems to have misunderstood my meaning…”

Lin Han felt a bit of a headache coming on.

“And so?”

Shen Qingshu slowly exhaled, as if giving up, and finally said:

“Boyfriend.”

The room went silent for a second.

Gu Xinglan: “Huh?!”

Lin Han opened his mouth.

Before he could say a word, Shen Qingshu looked up.

Her gaze was sharp, and her expression remained as cold as ice.

However, the faint blush on the tips of her ears completely undermined that sharpness.

“Boyfriend,” she repeated, her eyes narrowing slightly, her tone unfriendly.

“So, do you have a problem with that?”