"There used to be a lot of expensive roses and peonies, but you didn't like the former and the latter had bad symbolism, so I thought about it and had them all replaced with Chinese medicinal flowers." Penn's voice sounded in my ear.

I looked up and saw Penn standing directly across from me, on the other side of a pathway, walking towards me with a deliberate pace. As he approached, I couldn't help but feel nervous and even had the urge to run away.

The three little ones seemed to sense my thoughts and held onto my hand tightly, not letting me take a step back. I could only...