The Secret Door

"Alright, it's getting late. I should head back."

As Lin Mo spoke, he stood up from the sofa, his movements crisp and decisive.

His sudden movement made Jiang Yunlu's heart skip a beat. The feeling of reluctance was instantly amplified, making her want to ask him to stay.

But the words reached her lips only to be swallowed back down.

She knew that Lin Mo absolutely couldn't stay the night.

Leaving aside Lin Mo's own thoughts, her family situation simply wouldn't allow it.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between Lin Mo and her aunt. Finally, she cast a pleading look at Jiang Chengyue, her voice taking on a slightly coquettish tone.

"Auntie... look, it's almost dark. It's hard to get a taxi on Sansha Island..."

Jiang Chengyue was holding her teacup. Hearing this, she paused mid-sip, lifting her eyelids to glance at her niece.

She knew immediately that she was being conscripted as a chauffeur.

After all, Uncle Zhao had already gone home.

Seeing this, Lin Mo immediately waved his hand, a gentle smile on his face.

"There's really no need to trouble you. It's rare for me to visit Sansha Island; I actually wanted to take a walk along the river. The scenery should be nice."

"No."

Jiang Chengyue blocked him with a single word, her tone leaving no room for argument.

She set down her teacup and stood up, instantly exuding the aura of the head of the household.

"I invited you here. If I let you walk back in the dark, what would become of the Jiang family's reputation if word got out?"

She looked down at her casual home attire—loose shorts and a T-shirt—and frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Wait here a moment. I'll go upstairs and change."

Without waiting for a response, she walked straight toward the stairs, her slippers making a crisp clack-clack sound on the floor.

It was just a car ride; did she really need to change outfits?

Lin Mo watched her figure disappear around the corner of the stairs, a look of amusement in his eyes as he turned to Jiang Yunlu.

Jiang Yunlu leaned in closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret.

"My aunt always maintains a proper appearance when she goes out. After all, she prides herself on being a decent and proper reporter."

Lin Mo found it funny, but he also thought this aunt was quite an interesting character.

After all, she was the one who had secretly come to scope him out just to see who her niece liked.

A few minutes later, footsteps sounded on the stairs again.

Jiang Chengyue had changed into a dark green maxi dress. The cut was perfect, accentuating her tall, slender figure and outstanding temperament.

The casual woman from moments ago was gone, replaced by an elegant, capable urban beauty.

Truly a reporter; her execution was indeed swift.

"Alright, let's go."

It was only then that Jiang Yunlu suddenly remembered her father, who was still in the tea room. Her expression turned hesitant.

"By the way, my dad should still be in the tea room. Should we go say goodbye?"

Hearing this, Lin Mo smiled half-jokingly. "I think we'd better skip it. Let's not disturb Uncle Jiang's mood for tea tasting. I've already troubled him enough today."

Although Jiang Yunlu was a bit worried, she thought about her father's personality. It was true that he didn't like Lin Mo.

Having her dad host Lin Mo was already pushing her luck, so she nodded and didn't insist.

"Then I'll go with you guys. I can keep Auntie company."

Jiang Chengyue glanced at Jiang Yunlu. She didn't expose the girl's true intentions, simply remarking dryly, "At least you have a conscience."

Aunt Qiong saw the three of them to the entryway.

As the engine roared to life, the headlights cut through the evening tranquility.

The heavy front door slowly closed, shutting out the world outside.

Aunt Qiong turned around with a calm expression. Instead of returning to the living room, she walked straight toward the tea room deep in the hallway.

Others might not sense anything wrong, but she knew clearly.

Pushing the door open, she saw Jiang Chengshan sitting limply on his chair.

The look of powerlessness on his face surprised Aunt Qiong.

She hadn't seen the master of the house look like this in a long time.

"Sir, did something happen?"

Jiang Chengshan finally snapped out of it. He sighed.

"That Lin Mo... he might also be from the Hidden Sect."

Aunt Qiong paused slightly, though her expression didn't change much.

"Impossible. I didn't sense any True Qi on him."

However, Jiang Chengshan turned to look at Aunt Qiong, saying helplessly, "But he saw through you."

Aunt Qiong jerked her head up. "Impossible! I've achieved the state of Concealing Qi within the Meridians. He's just an eighteen-year-old boy; no matter how powerful he is, he couldn't possibly see through me."

At this moment, Aunt Qiong lost her initial gentle, water-like demeanor, resembling a bristling lion instead.

It was precisely because of Aunt Qiong's presence that Jiang Chengshan hadn't needed to worry about safety all these years.

Jiang Chengshan raised a finger and pointed at a pile of white porcelain powder on the tea table.

"Do you see that?"

Aunt Qiong's gaze swept over it, her eyes narrowing.

"He crushed it. I know you can do that too, but you couldn't see his depth. That only proves he is more powerful than you."

Aunt Qiong shook her head. "Not necessarily. Concealing Qi within the Meridians doesn't mean his True Qi is stronger than mine."

"But he is indeed from the Hidden Sect. Didn't Ah Qin run away from the Hidden Sect at that same age?"

"Miss was different. I will go investigate and see which family in the Hidden Sect sent a disciple out for experience."

Then, Aunt Qiong suddenly remembered something. "Sir, did that kid make a move on you?"

"No, he didn't. But don't provoke him. Absolutely do not."

Jiang Chengshan was filled with worries and a sense of powerlessness.

He remembered a sentence: If Nannan gave up on Lin Mo, Lin Mo wouldn't harass her.

But this also meant he couldn't interfere in these matters.

Yet, he really didn't want to watch his daughter sink step by step into the abyss.

At least in Jiang Chengshan's view, if Jiang Yunlu continued to like Lin Mo, it was tantamount to sinking into an abyss.

Seeing Jiang Chengshan's rare display of weakness, Aunt Qiong knew very well how much he loved Jiang Yunlu.

So, she secretly made a decision.

Sitting in the back seat, Lin Mo watched the river view, while Jiang Yunlu sat in the passenger seat.

"I might as well drive you all the way home. It won't take much more time anyway."

Lin Mo didn't refuse Jiang Chengyue's suggestion.

However, watching the listless Lin Mo through the rearview mirror, Jiang Chengyue couldn't help but speak up.

"Actually, I support you two dating. As for Little Yunlu's dad—my brother—he's a stubborn one and a bit hard to deal with. But you don't need to be afraid. True love is invincible."

Hearing Jiang Chengyue say this, Jiang Yunlu couldn't help but shout, "Auntie! Stop talking nonsense."

Lin Mo knew that Jiang Chengyue was actually roasting him over the fire with these words.

So, he asked calmly, "Were you this brave in love back in the day too, Auntie?"

Jiang Chengyue choked on her words instantly.

Lin Mo chuckled softly. "Many things require a gradual approach. Don't you agree, Student Yunlu?"

Jiang Yunlu suddenly remembered the kiss in the room.

Unconsciously, she murmured a soft "Yeah."