Chapter 446

The thick snow obscured Lily's memories of this place, perhaps because of the comforting presence of the person beside her. The courtyard felt unfamiliar, despite being the same one she knew.

"Are you cold? Do you want to go back?" Alexander asked, concerned, holding her shoulders.

Lily smiled. "It won't be much warmer inside. If we run around, we'll stay warmer."

Their room was indeed chilly, especially now, deserted. "If you're uncomfortable, we don't have to stay. Let's go home," Alexander offered thoughtfully. He found it hard to imagine Lily enduring such conditions for years.

He'd had limited business dealings with the Lodge family, and was unaware of their old-fashioned ways.

"I grew up like this, so it's no big deal. I'm more worried about you being uncomfortable." It wasn't that she was unused to it; rather, it had been a long time since her last visit, requiring some adjustment. After prolonged comfort, returning to hardship was always difficult. "If you can get used to it, I will be fine," she added. Alexander started to speak, but Lily hushed him with a raised hand, her gaze directed diagonally forward.

Stunned, Alexander followed her line of sight and faintly discerned a figure. The Lodge family courtyard, filled with trees and plants, had a grove of fruit trees diagonally across, now heavily laden with snow. Someone stood among them, their face obscured.

"Do you know them?" he asked.

He couldn't see the person clearly, but Lily's reaction indicated familiarity. It wasn't unusual to encounter acquaintances or old friends in the family courtyard, so he didn't initially worry.

Still, Lily said, "I think it's someone I want to see. Wait here."

Waving, she approached cautiously, moving delicately, as if afraid of startling the person. Alexander had never seen this side of Lily. He frowned and followed. Silent movement in the snow was impossible, especially for two people. The sound alerted the figure, who turned.

"Is that really you?!" Lily exclaimed joyfully, clapping her hands as she recognized the person's face.

The person was surprised. "You"

"Haha. I wondered where you were! Fancy meeting you here," Lily laughed, running towards them.

The person was speechless, as was Alexander.

"What's going on? Why are you here?" the person asked, surprised by the unexpected encounter. "I should be asking you that!"