After dinner, Fu Shinian didn't leave immediately. He sat in his original spot, staring at something, lost in thought. Auntie Lin stood at the kitchen doorway, hesitating whether to come over and start cleaning. Su Mu saw her and signaled.
"Everyone's finished eating, you can clear up now."
Auntie Lin responded and began to clean up. Su Mu also got up to help, and Fu Shinian's gaze just briefly swept over her, but he still did not move.
By the time Su Mu finished helping Auntie Lin clean up the kitchen and came out, Fu Shinian was no longer in the dining room, and he was nowhere to be seen in the living room either. Su Mu figured he must have gone upstairs.
On the second floor, as Su Mu passed the study on her way back to the master bedroom, a voice came from behind the slightly ajar door. He said,
"Su Mu, come in."