Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Gathering
Later that day, Yue Ning and Huo Yan were in the garden, arranging the last touches for the book gathering.
It wasn’t extravagant. It was just a few round tables draped in cream linen, small flower jars filled with daisies and baby’s breath, and paper lanterns swaying softly in the afternoon breeze. The faint scent of tea drifted from the open veranda, mingling with the sound of rustling leaves.
Huo Yan adjusted one of the ribbons on a chair, then sighed. "Sister-in-law, the invitations went out yesterday, but only five people confirmed they’d come."
Yue Ning glanced up from the table she was arranging, her tone warm but steady. "Five is just right. Small gatherings make better conversations."
Huo Yan frowned slightly. "But I thought since you’re hosting, more people would want to come."
Yue Ning smiled, her movements unhurried as she placed a stack of neat books in the center of the table. "It’s not about how many attend, Yan’er. People who want to come will and they’ll bring the right kind of energy."
Huo Yan blinked, then chuckled softly. "You make it sound so simple."
"It is," Yue Ning said with a calm smile. "A good gathering doesn’t need to impress, it just needs to feel sincere."
She stepped back, eyeing the soft glow that filtered through the lanterns. "Besides, every beginning starts small. One day, maybe this little garden will be full of people who love stories."
Huo Yan smiled, visibly encouraged. "You always know what to say."
Yue Ning gave a gentle shrug. "Experience, maybe." Then, with a playful glint in her eyes, she added, "Now help me with that last table before Huo Feng comes out and sees us still decorating."
Huo Yan laughed, her mood lighter. "Yes, ma’am!"
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, the first guests began to arrive. The faint hum of chatter drifted in from the gate, the soft laughter and graceful tones unique to young women born into privilege but drawn by genuine curiosity rather than status.
They came dressed in elegant pastel dresses, their movements refined yet eager.
"Mrs. Huo," one of them greeted politely as she approached. "It’s such a beautiful setting. You’ve outdone yourself."
Yue Ning smiled warmly. "I’m glad you think so. Please, have a seat anywhere you like. This evening isn’t formal. It is just us, some tea, and good stories."
Her tone was gentle, yet carried quiet authority. It was the kind that drew respect without demanding it.
As the women settled down, soft music played in the background, an instrumental piece that filled the pauses between conversation and laughter.
Soon, cups of jasmine tea were served, the faint steam curling in the air as Yue Ning began, her voice smooth and steady.
"Every story we read tells us something about ourselves," she said, her gaze drifting across the faces around her. "But sometimes, it also reminds us that strength doesn’t always roar, it sometimes simply endures."
The young women listened, drawn in by her poise and thoughtfulness. Huo Yan watched from beside her, admiration flickering in her eyes.
For a brief moment, the garden glowed softly under the lanterns. Laughter, literature, and warmth weaving seamlessly together.
A light breeze rustled through the leaves, and one of the young women dressed in soft lavender silk leaned forward slightly, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Mrs. Huo," she began politely, "if I may ask... what kind of stories do you enjoy most?"
Yue Ning paused, fingers lightly tracing the rim of her teacup. The lanternlight caught the delicate curve of her smile.
"I enjoy stories that aren’t afraid of pain," she said softly. "Not the kind that dwell on sadness, but the kind that turn it into something beautiful. Something that teaches you how to keep walking forward, even when the road feels endless."
She had thought that this was what the original novel was about... unfortunately, she had been disappointed.
The women exchanged thoughtful glances. There was something powerful in the way she spoke. She was not as someone reciting wisdom, but as someone who had lived it.
Another spirited girl with a ribbon in her hair tilted her head, and asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Then do you believe every story deserves a happy ending?"
Yue Ning’s eyes softened. "Not necessarily," she replied. "But I believe every character deserves peace—whatever that means for them."
Silence fell briefly among the circle. The women seemed lost in thought, their teacups held midway to their lips.
Huo Yan watched her sister-in-law, pride flickering in her gaze. Yue Ning wasn’t just hosting a gathering, she was quietly guiding them, weaving calm strength into every word.
The girl in lavender smiled faintly. "You make it sound as if stories can heal people."
"They can," Yue Ning said simply. "Sometimes, the right words find us before we even realize we needed them."
A faint chuckle rippled through the group, and the atmosphere lightened again. Someone began discussing a recent novel that had made her cry, another recommended a collection of poems she’d rediscovered, and soon the garden was filled with lively chatter once more.
Yue Ning leaned back slightly, listening, and filled with immense content.
In that moment, surrounded by soft laughter and the gentle glow of lanterns, she realized she had created something rare... a quiet space where even the most guarded hearts could breathe.
About an hour later, their discussion came to an end—however reluctantly.
Yue Ning and Huo Yan escorted them to the gates where their respective drivers were waiting.
"Thank you all for honouring my invitation." Yue Ning cupped her hands and bowed slightly, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "This means a lot to me."
"No, don’t thank us. We should be the ones thanking you for hosting us," one of the girls said as she stepped forward. "It’s not every day we get to spend time with people who share the same love for books."
"Honestly, I didn’t want to attend," another girl admitted with a shy laugh. "But I’m glad I changed my mind. Thanks to Mrs. Huo, I learned a lot today and I realised novels aren’t just for surface reading. They can heal, too."
Yue Ning’s smile deepened, her gaze soft. "It’s getting late," she said gently. "I suggest you all take your leave."
As the last of them departed, the garden fell quiet once more, the scent of tea and fresh blossoms lingering in the air.
For a fleeting moment, Yue Ning stood still beneath the fading light unaware that somewhere within the house, a pair of eyes had been watching her all along.