Sophie Mo could see it too—Rona Muir was trying to cheer Cecilia Gu up, to help her take her mind off things.
After all, anyone would feel miserable knowing they'd been abandoned from birth, right?
And what's worse, she was abandoned by her own grandmother.
Poor thing—her own parents didn't even know the truth.
So Sophie Mo added, "Yes, I've heard Pagoda Blossom Tea is excellent this time of year! Let's go take a look together!"
Jane Gu, also hoping to help Cecilia Gu relax, quickly said, "It's not far. Let's take our time walking. If we get tired, we can just grab a cab."
Cecilia thought about it and agreed.
As they walked outside, Rona Muir noticed Cecilia Gu was still silent and couldn't help asking, "Cici, are you still upset?"
She was only here to buy Pagoda Blossom Tea, not to spend money like this!
Jane Gu looked at Cecilia, feeling a bit uneasy too.
How could she be upset? Was she even allowed to be upset?
Did she even have the right to be angry anymore?
How was she supposed to make sense of this mess?
It felt like her whole life had been a mess from the start.
She didn't even know if her father was aware of any of this, or what her grandmother was really thinking—why did she want her dead?
Wasn't there already enough chaos right now?
How could she possibly have time to think about anything else?
Cecilia Gu shook her head and said, "I'm just curious why I look so much like Nora Yun and Zixiao Yun, and why Nora feels sad when I'm suffering. Now I finally understand—I have Yun Family blood. It's no surprise I resemble Zixiao Yun. Nora and I are twins, so telepathy and looking alike aren't rare at all."
"No, I mean, will you go back to the Yun Family and change your surname to Yun?" Rona Muir pressed.
Sophie Mo shot Rona Muir a reproachful look.
But Rona Muir ignored her and kept staring at Cecilia.
Cecilia's lips curled into a faint smile. "I'm fine with being a Gu."
Just six simple words, but they said it all.
Looks like Cecilia wasn't planning to pursue the matter any further.
She didn't want to go back to the Yun Family and reclaim her status as their second daughter, nor did she want to dwell on the pain of being abandoned by Madam Yun.
Sophie Mo could only sigh inwardly.
"Cici, let's step out for a bit," Rona Muir said softly.
After all she'd been through, who would she cry to if she wasn't strong?
Seeing Cecilia pull herself together, Rona Muir finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Jane Gu was actually a neighbor in this community.
This aunt kept praising Cecilia, Rona Muir, and Sophie Mo. She could tell these three girls were definitely not ordinary.
Yeah, I mean, who else has four or five assistants trailing behind them?
Cecilia asked curiously, "Mom, isn't the season for picking pagoda blossoms already over? Why are we still picking out Pagoda Blossom Tea?"
Jane Gu didn't answer, but the aunt jumped in to explain, "This batch of Pagoda Blossom Tea is special—it's picked from the mountains. It's colder up there, so the blossoms mature later, about three months after the ones on the plains! But because they take longer, the quality is better. Lots of people are rushing to order it now! That tea shop is amazing—they only sell ten pounds a day, no more! So you have to order ahead! I waited with your mom for over a week just for this batch. My son is bringing his girlfriend home next month, so I need to get ready!"
Seeing how happy the aunt was, Cecilia couldn't help but feel better too. "You should definitely get everything ready."
"Exactly! Girls, tell me, what do young people like these days? I want to prepare well. Young folks all want to be unique, right? I'm afraid if I mess up, they'll laugh at me." The aunt enthusiastically grabbed Cecilia's hand. "Hey, if my son's girlfriend is even half as pretty as you three, I'd be thrilled!"
As soon as those women saw Cecilia and her friends, they bowed. "Second Miss, Miss Mo, Vice President Muir. Please, come in."
Rona Muir thought, with a mouth that sweet, it's no wonder her future daughter-in-law might not like her.
Sophie Mo replied with a smile, "There's nothing special, Auntie. Just the Pagoda Blossom Tea you've prepared already shows so much thought! As long as you're sincere, that's what matters most."
The aunt praised them again, "People from the big city really do talk different—so pleasant to hear!"
Cecilia couldn't help but laugh at the aunt's words.
Jane Gu wasn't exaggerating about the three stops—it was really just two blocks before they reached the tea shop.
Cecilia looked up—the tea shop was actually pretty big, three floors tall.
The whole place was decorated in an old-fashioned style—not just the furniture, but everything was made to look vintage.
Unlike most tea shops that try for an antique look but just have fresh paint, this one actually felt authentic.
As soon as they walked in, they were greeted right away.
Jane Gu and the aunt asked as soon as they entered, "Has our Pagoda Blossom Tea arrived?"
The receptionist, a cheerful young girl, replied, "It's all ready! But my boss said you should try the new tea before you leave. Please, this way."
With that, the girl led Cecilia and the others up to a private room on the third floor.
As soon as Cecilia entered the room, she couldn't help but praise it. "This room is really nice! But the decor looks kind of familiar…"
The girl smiled, "Yep, our boss personally designed the style."
Sophie Mo froze, standing there without saying a word for a long moment.
This style… it's more than just familiar…
Cici, you're way too chill, aren't you?
This was clearly the Yun Family's decorating style…
Could it be that the owner of this tea shop is…
Cecilia really hadn't noticed.
The Yun Family has three treasures: books, medicine, and tea.
It's said you can find all three at the Yun Family, even though they're nearly impossible to collect anywhere else.
And for this tea shop to offer Pagoda Blossom Tea from the mountains, it clearly isn't just any ordinary shop.
Rona Muir walked around the room and froze too.
She'd noticed it as well.
Cecilia sat at the square table, watching as a pretty girl in a cheongsam came over to perform the tea ceremony for everyone.
She focused on the girl's hands, completely missing what was so familiar about the room.
Soon, the girl finished making tea, her hands moving gracefully as she poured a cup of clear tea for each guest.
"Please enjoy," the girl said with a bright smile to Cecilia and Sophie Mo. Sophie was sure the girl recognized both her and Cecilia.
The aunt from the neighborhood was starting to get restless.
This room cost three hundred yuan an hour!
She was only here to buy Pagoda Blossom Tea, not to spend money like this!
Jane Gu looked at Cecilia, feeling a bit uneasy too.
Cecilia picked up her teacup, took a gentle sniff, and her eyes instantly sharpened.
If Cecilia still couldn't figure it out now, she'd really be clueless.
She'd spent so many days at the Yun Family—of course she knew what kind of tea they drank.
This was definitely the kind of tea the Yun Family always drank, and it was specially blended for her health.
Not only was it good for her body, but most importantly—it helped protect her pregnancy.
"Who's your boss?" Cecilia asked softly. "Since I'm here, I assume they want to see me, right?"
Cecilia fixed her gaze on the tea ceremony girl.
"Yes, Second Miss." The girl didn't deny it at all, and even called Cecilia 'Second Miss.'
Jane Gu finally realized what was happening, her face suddenly turning pale.
All she wanted now was to leave and never come back to this place.
But before Jane Gu could say anything, Cecilia spoke up: "If someone's looking for me, maybe it's better if everyone else leaves?"
"Yes, Second Miss," the girl replied again.
Jane Gu immediately stood up and said to the aunt, "Let's go after we finish our tea—it's way too expensive here!"
The aunt was just waiting for that.
Worried the bill would end up on her, she hurried out of the room with Jane Gu.
"So, who wants to see me?" Cecilia asked bluntly. "It's not my parents, is it? I just came from the Yun Family—they wouldn't go to all this trouble to meet me here. If they want to see me, they can do it anytime."
"Cici, let's step out for a bit," Rona Muir said softly.
"No need," Cecilia replied coolly. "There's nothing here I can't face."
Rona Muir and Sophie Mo exchanged a look—Cecilia was still upset!
Well, can you blame her?
It'd be weird if she wasn't mad.
First they tossed her out, and now they're coming to see her—what's that supposed to mean?
"Ladies, this way please," the tea ceremony girl said, standing straight and making a welcoming gesture. She clearly expected Cecilia to react this way.
Cecilia set down her teacup and followed them out of the room.
They walked down the corridor and turned into another room.
Outside the room stood several women dressed in elaborate, dark red Tang jackets embroidered with Shu patterns, all wearing matching black embroidered pants.
As soon as those women saw Cecilia and her friends, they bowed. "Second Miss, Miss Mo, Vice President Muir. Please, come in."
Cecilia frowned slightly.
Since when was she 'Second Miss'?
She'd never said she wanted to be a Yun!
Rona Muir gave a gentle smile and said, "Sorry to bother you!"
Sophie Mo subtly squeezed Cecilia's hand, tracing the character 'Yun' in her palm.
Cecilia paused, confused. What did that mean?
She already knew this was a Yun Family business, right?
Why remind her again?
Wait a second.
Her aunt was definitely in N City right now—she couldn't be here.
Her parents were in K City, so they couldn't come either.
So, the only person with this kind of status and influence must be—
Their identity was almost obvious now.
Cecilia nodded at Sophie Mo, letting her know she'd figured it out.
This suite had a living room outside and a mysterious inner room hidden behind curtains.