He was about to speak with his father about the matter when footsteps sounded outside.
"Ning Xuesheng, your son is back. You didn't invite me over for dinner tonight?" a voice boomed from a distance.
"Oh, Shi Qing, you can't blame me for this. As soon as my wife saw Xiao Bao return, she was so anxious. From cooking to eating, it only took half an hour. You wouldn't have even had time to get here!" Ning Xuesheng was already getting up and heading out to greet him.
"Who told them I was back?" Ming Yi sidled up to his seventh uncle, confident his seventh uncle wouldn't lie to him.
"You shouldn't need us to tell you. The moment you returned, the entire Ning family knew. Someone would have told them. Our two families are old friends, and tomorrow is Shi Yiling's birthday. With the internet being so developed, it's hard for them not to know," the seventh uncle whispered, patting his nephew's shoulder. "Don't say I didn't tell you, that girl is indeed beautiful, gentle, and quiet. She looks like a good girl."
"What's that got to do with me?" Ming Yi rolled his eyes upon hearing his seventh uncle's words, saying unhappily.
"Then don't blame me for not telling you. If you miss this opportunity, there won't be another," the seventh uncle said, patting his shoulder before following him out to greet their guests.
Soon, a group of people entered the courtyard. Ming Yi, out of politeness, also stood up and walked over.
"Yo, is that Da Bao? We haven't seen each other for five or six years. You've gotten much stronger!" Shi Qing walked over with Ning Xuesheng. The moment he saw Ming Yi, he was pleased with his healthy appearance and began looking at him as if he were a potential son-in-law.
Beside him walked a young woman, dressed in a more fashionable style, who glanced at Ming Yi.
After secretly looking at Ming Yi twice, she blushed and quickly averted her gaze, too shy to look anymore.
The young lady was dressed very modernly, with a shirt layered over a white knitted sweater, a short black skirt, black stockings, and thick platform stockings. She wore light makeup, indicating she had also dressed up meticulously before coming.
Shi Yiling was already quite attractive, just as her seventh uncle had praised. With makeup, she appeared even more youthful and lovely.
Ming Yi's eyes met hers.
In that moment, countless possibilities flashed through his mind, along with memories of all the enemies he had faced. Yet, none of them had ever made his heart pound so intensely.
He didn't know if it was true affection or simply a result of his lack of experience with women that made him so easily moved.
Fortunately, his outward demeanor remained calm, his expression perfectly managed.
"Uncle Shi, long time no see," Ming Yi greeted Shi Qing calmly. Then he turned to Shi Yiling and smiled, "This must be little sister Shi Yiling."
"That's right, Lingling, go and chat with your fiancé. You haven't seen each other for so many years; catch up!" Shi Qing gestured for his daughter to approach Ming Yi.
Shi Yiling lowered her head and softly replied "Mm" before walking up to Ming Yi. Their eyes met once again.