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Han Yan looked at Lin Xin, genuinely surprised he had actually voiced his suspicions about the sudden changes in his behavior. Lin Xin, who rarely expressed himself even when he was overwhelmed, had just… said it. And the way his eyes flickered with curiosity, soft but searching, made Han Yan feel… exposed, in a way he didn't entirely dislike.
But could you really blame him? Han Yan thought. It was only natural that someone who had always quietly handled the Han household chores without a single complaint would seem… suspicious from the very moment he suddenly separated from the Han household.
The two of them stood outside the courtyard, the night breeze carrying the faint scent of damp earth and smoke from nearby stoves. The lantern hanging by the gate swayed softly, its light tracing golden ripples over Lin Xin's face, where quiet worry lingered.
