The next morning, Xiao Mai especially took a taxi to return to the Huang Fu's mansion. Jin did not accompany her so as not to cause suspicions among Emp and the others and also, due to the work obligations, he has to report to his office early that day.
Upon reaching her present home, Xiao Mai felt slightly overwhelmed with emotions when she saw the familiar huge place and gardens she has been missing dearly while she was abroad.
Getting off the car and pulling along her heavy hand-luggage, Xiao Mai's attention was already right away distracted by the rushing footsteps of Emp, Yi Shen Chuan, Cai, Ling and Ying as well as other maids and guards of the residence.
"Xiao Mai!! Xiao Mai!! You're finally back!" Emp was all smiles although he sounded as if he would break down and cry any second.
"Grandpa!!" Xiao Mai too quicken her steps towards everyone despite the considerable weight she has to grab along with her.
The first warm hug between a one and only precious granddaughter and a yearning grandpa was just as expected and after that, everyone took turns.
"Xiao Mai, haven't seen you for quite a while, you're growing to be more mature by the day," Cai remarked, noticing she was indeed a graceful lady already.
She smiled in acknowledgement, "Come on, good old Master Cai, why saying as though you've not seen me in five years, when I was actually back for summer vacation the year before...But anyway, thanks for your compliments!"
Ling also chipped in quick, "Oh, Xiao Mai's indeed a sharp-minded graduate now, catching everyone's words fast unlike before!"
"Of course indeed! My granddaughter, Huang Fu Shan, can never be underestimated!" Emp supported whole-heartedly.
"Alright, alright," Ying couldn't bear them any longer. "Can't you all see the poor taxi-driver is busy unloading a truck full of stuff? Order the servants to go help him out, and Xiao Mai, why are you still holding that heavy thing when you could already put it down! Everyone, it's still summer and hot out here! Let's go inside!"
Everyone then smiled implyingly and Xiao Mai did not let go of the chance to comment how Ying never changed the least. They all followed his urge and went inside the mansion.
Flopping down on the familiar cozy sofa, Xiao Mai realised only how tired she has been. A random thought also struck her, "Hey, how come I didn't see Mo Li?"
Cai replied her, "She still has a class to teach flower-arranging to some kids. But Mo Li has told me to pass on the message that she missed you too and will be coming here once everything is done."
"Oh," Xiao Mai was glad for her buddy. "I bet she is doing very well...I miss her as much too..."
Yi Shen Chuan handed a cup of ginseng tea to Emp but was told by the latter to hold onto to that first. He obviously wished to talk more with Xiao Mai,"Granddaughter, since you're finally back, just take as much time as you want to get used back to the environment here and not rush yourself a bit to take on any job...Grandpa has read much on the so-called, so-called..."
Yi Shen Chuan hurriedly helped him finish, "Reverse Culture-Shock..."
Emp snapped, "Right, That 'Reverse Culture-Shock' - every youngster who lived for some time away from home sure experienced that more or less upon returning from abroad - so don't get pressurised at all, okay, Xiao Mai??"
She chuckled, "Grandpa, I don't feel that extreme really, I'm pretty okay with you all and the things, surroundings here!"
"Huh?" Emp was not convinced. "Come on, don't worry, grandpa understands...just like last night....."
Yi Shen Chuan abruptly cleared his throat. The others also tried their best to hide a smile.
"Grandpa...what about last night??" Xiao Mai sensed some words off-topic.
"Oh..." Emp appeared to have caught red-handed. "Nothing dear, only it's been hard for me to sleep thinking about you the whole night..."
"Really??" Xiao Mai eyed him closely, detecting a white lie.
Cai stepped back and spoke away from the two's earshot, "I'm right, Xiao Mai's intelligence quotient has indeed improved, it's hard for Emp to escape this time..."
Ling merely responded, "I do hope Emp has hid Xiao Mai and Jin's secret reunion photos taken tight enough away from her possibly finding them out...otherwise, our tiresome mission last night would all lay to waste..."
Ying added from the side, "You guys, that's just a small case compared to what we have to discuss about Jin's persistent problem later on. Knowing Xiao Mai, she wouldn't lecture Emp or get angry with him for too long!"
