After flirting with the aloof prince, the concubine ran away pregnant.

"This is our 'Half-Leisure Residence's' unique signboard," Afu said with a smile. "From now on, every customer who deposits money to become our member will receive one as a gift."

About five or six days later, the entire shop was completely transformed.

That day, Xie Yun finally finished moving and rushed over with her husband, Wei Changsheng.

The moment she pushed open the door and stepped onto the second floor, she was completely stunned.

"Oh my god..." She covered her mouth, unable to believe her eyes.

The afternoon sun filtered through the thin curtains, casting dappled shadows on the gleaming wooden floor. A faint, fresh scent of grass and trees filled the air, and everywhere you looked, the colors were soothing and gentle. The tables and chairs, scattered here and there, were arranged in a pleasing, staggered fashion, each spot resembling a meticulously composed painting.

"Afu, this...this is absolutely stunning!" Xie Yun exclaimed, pulling Afu's hand and praising her beauty all the way. "If my close friends saw this, they'd go crazy!"

Wei Changsheng followed behind his wife. He was a calm and composed scholar, but even he was amazed. His gaze fell on a "sofa" by the window, where a rag doll wearing a pink dress and with big, round eyes sat.

He walked over, picked up the small doll, and looked somewhat dazed.

Seeing that he liked it, Xie Yun teased, "What, do you look like one of your confidantes?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Changsheng's eyes dimmed. He stroked the doll's soft body and said in a low voice, "She looks like my sister who died young. She also loved wearing pink dresses and had such big, round, and adorable eyes."

He paused, a lingering sadness in his voice: "When she was little, she choked on a piece of pastry because she was greedy, and she couldn't be saved..."

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

A hint of regret and heartache flashed across Xie Yun's face as she weakly said, "If... if you like it, then take it back."

Afu looked at them, and a thought struck her. She stepped forward, took another kitten plush toy from the shelf next to her, and handed it to Wei Changsheng.

"It's too lonely leaving her alone," Afu said softly. "Why don't we bring a kitten back to keep her company? I'll also have Ning Su make a few more pretty dresses for her to wear in her spare time."

"Yes, yes, we can also change her clothes!" Xie Yun seemed to have been enlightened and quickly chimed in.

Wei Changsheng was amused by this unexpected childlike fun, and the gloom in his eyes dissipated considerably. Holding the doll in one hand and the kitten in the other, he solemnly nodded to Afu, as if accepting some precious treasure.

As she left, Xie Yun quietly lagged behind, winked at Afu, and mouthed silently, "Thank you, sister."

After seeing Xie Yun and his wife off, Afu was about to have Granny Hua take stock of the supplies purchased that day when she looked up and saw that Xie Xun had been standing at the bottom of the stairs at some point.

He was still dressed in a black casual suit, his posture upright. Just by standing there quietly, he added a touch of coldness and hardness to the entire gentle and warm space.

Afu's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stepped forward to bow: "Young Master."

Xie Xun's gaze swept across the entire second floor, the novel tables and chairs, the unique decorations flashing by before finally settling on Afu.

"Not bad," he said, a rare compliment from him.

That simple "Not bad" made Afu feel more at ease than Xie Yun saying "So beautiful" a hundred times.

He wasn't there to watch the spectacle. He stepped down to the first floor and carefully examined the open kitchen designed by Afu, scrutinizing everything from the ventilation ducts to the fireproof brick partitions, the water tanks, and the sandbags for firefighting.

"Have you found enough people?" he asked.

"Your Highness, they were all chosen from the sons of the Marquis's household. We know their backgrounds well, they have signed contracts with them, and there are rules in place. They would never dare to talk nonsense outside," Granny Hua replied respectfully from the side.

Xie Xun nodded, clearly satisfied with the arrangement. He wasn't here to admire Afu's whimsical ideas, but to check if there were any hidden dangers in her affairs that could cause him trouble.

He only felt slightly relieved after confirming that everything was under control.

Just then, Xie Yun, who had returned, peeked in and saw his elder brother there, his eyes lighting up.

"Brother, you've come at the perfect time!" Xie Yun clapped his hands immediately upon seeing this and suggested, "You've made me so hungry! Come on, let's go, to celebrate the semi-leisurely residence taking shape, my treat, let's go get something good to eat!"

Xie Yun's suggestion was met with a mild agreement from Wei Changsheng.

Afu subconsciously looked at Xie Xun and saw that he had no expression and only gave a faint "hmm", so she knew that this matter was feasible.

The group went to Wangjianglou, one of the most famous restaurants in the capital.

Xie Yun was a regular customer here, and the waiter courteously led them to the best riverside private room on the third floor. The room was elegantly decorated, and by opening the window, one could see the bustling street scene below and the shimmering river in the distance.

The dishes were served quickly, like a flowing stream.

Xie Yun greeted her husband and brother excitedly, while Granny Hua and Ning Su tactfully stood guard outside the door. Inside the private room, only the four of them remained.

Wei Changsheng and Xie Xunyi took their seats according to their status as the head of the household, while Xie Yun sat next to her husband.

Afu naturally stood behind Xie Xun, ready to serve him food as usual. This was the duty of a maidservant, especially in the presence of men; she had to strictly adhere to the rules.

"Afu, what are you standing there for?" Xie Yun was the first to notice something was wrong and looked at her strangely. "Sit down quickly, all the dishes are served."

Afu looked troubled and whispered, "Young Miss, this is against the rules..."

"sit."

A cold, low voice interrupted her.

It is Xie Xun.

"Brother is right, sit down quickly." Xie Yun urged as well, "We're not outsiders, why be so formal?"

Afu glanced at Xie Xun's cold profile before moving over to sit down.

Xie Xun's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He remembered that the last time they dined together, she had also shared a table with him. Back then, although she was a little reserved, she seemed at least comfortable. Why was she so distant today?

He wanted to watch Afu eat at her doorstep, so he used his chopsticks to put the glistening shrimp into the small white porcelain bowl in front of her.

"You're too thin." He looked at her, his tone still flat. "Eat more."

Xie Yun, sitting opposite, had a sudden flash of light and almost burst out laughing. She quickly nudged her husband with her elbow and winked at him.

Wei Changsheng picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and concealed the knowing smile on his lips by using the rim of the cup as a cover.

His brother-in-law was known throughout the capital for his ruthless and merciless actions, earning him the reputation of a cold-faced devil.

He had never seen Xie Xun ever serve food to a woman, especially a maidservant with an awkward status.

It seems that the rumors circulating outside are not unfounded.

However, this brother-in-law himself probably doesn't realize just how much he cares about this maid named Afu.