Lan Yan and Jun Yelan arrived at the village and the first thing they did was build a house. They did not choose the old residence, but instead selected a new plot of land near the back mountain as their future living space.
Jun Yelan called many villagers from nearby villages and personally supervised them to build according to the design blueprints.
The villagers were initially confused, but only needed to follow Jun Yelan’s instructions to fetch wood, saw wood, and erect the house.
Lan Yan, carrying a food box, walked over. She looked at Jun Yelan, dressed in coarse cloth clothes with a wooden hairpin in his hair, completely unlike the powerful official of the imperial city. He was now an ordinary villager.
She walked up to Jun Yelan, took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, and then took out water and steamed buns. "You haven't stopped all morning. Rest and eat something."
Jun Yelan smiled, put away the blueprints, and went to the side with Lan Yan. While drinking water and eating steamed buns, he said, "Yan'er, I've already added what you wanted to the blueprints. Is there anything else you need?"
Yesterday, when he was drawing the blueprints, Lan Yan had offered many ideas that surprised him.
Lan Yan looked at the blueprints. A piece of land had been designated as a courtyard, and a spring was shown how to be channeled down from the mountain. "No, I think it's perfect."
"There are only three of us living here now, with three bedrooms, a main hall, a kitchen, and a storage room, and finally a renovated toilet and bathroom," Jun Yelan had thought of everything, making her much more at leisure.
Jun Yelan nodded with a smile, "Yan'er, your design for channeling the mountain spring is excellent. We will have a clean and cool water source from now on. And this courtyard, according to your request, has been doubled in size. You can do whatever you want with it."
He knew Lan Yan couldn't sit idle.
Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan's smile and said, "I only made a few changes. Without your blueprints, I couldn't have done anything. So, you should praise yourself."
Jun Yelan reached out and pinched Lan Yan's nose. "You never let me suffer a loss, but I want to do this for you." He took Lan Yan's hand, interlaced their fingers, and looked at the empty plot of land still under construction. "From now on, this will be our home."
"You are my Jun Yelan's wife, and of course, I will dote on and protect you."
Lan Yan nodded and leaned close to Jun Yelan's ear. "Okay, then you continue building the house. I'll give you a reward when we get back." They were temporarily staying in a villager's house.
Jun Yelan's eyes brightened, and the corners of his mouth curved up. "Then I'll get back as soon as possible." He didn't want Lan Yan to go back, but it was dirty and messy here, so he let go of Lan Yan's hand.
"Yan'er, go back and rest."
"Then I'm leaving." Lan Yan tidied the food box, walked forward, looked back and kissed Jun Yelan's cheek, then ran off with the food box.
Jun Yelan was slightly stunned, watching Lan Yan's retreating figure, a slight curve on his lips.
He then continued to organize the villagers to build the house, accelerating the pace.
Lan Yan returned to the villager's house and busied herself making a feast. She made a roast duck, some grilled meat, and finally, several scallion pancakes.
The aroma attracted Jun Xiaoyao from next door. She helped set the plates and sat at the table, exclaiming, "Sister Lan, I really love your cooking. I want to learn when I grow up."
"Okay." Lan Yan, worried that Jun Xiaoyao would be hungry, let her eat the pancakes first, while she looked towards the door. "Yelan will probably be back in a while, so I'll go and make some soup."
She hurried to the kitchen again, and when she lifted the pot lid, her hands were scalded. She exclaimed, "It's scalding!"
"Yan'er." Jun Yelan put down the package in his hand and quickly pulled Lan Yan's hand into the water basin, washing it worriedly. "Does it still hurt?"
Lan Yan shook her head and smiled, "Yelan, I'm fine now, just a little scalded."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's hand and said helplessly, "Yan'er, I've told you to wear gloves when you take off the lid." He took a pair of gloves from the cabinet and placed them in Lan Yan's palm. "Don't forget again."
"I will." Lan Yan smiled sheepishly, blaming her habits.
Jun Yelan stepped forward and took the soup outside, preventing Lan Yan from taking it.
Lan Yan followed him out and sat with Jun Yelan, but was stopped when she tried to pour the soup.
"I'll do it." Jun Yelan placed the soup and spoon in front of Lan Yan, then put some dishes into a small plate.
Lan Yan didn't have to lift a finger. She rested her chin on her hand and smiled, "My husband is truly wonderful."
"Because my wife is good, I have such a good husband." Jun Yelan handed the chopsticks to Lan Yan. "Eat."
Lan Yan nodded. Seeing that Jun Yelan could even praise himself, the smile on her lips deepened. She also picked up food for Jun Yelan. The three of them happily finished the meal and then ate the candy that Jun Yelan brought back.
Jun Xiaoyao, who was with them: It's just about eating, anyway, she has to witness public displays of affection every day.
The next morning, Jun Yelan went to supervise again, while Lan Yan was responsible for bringing him meals.
Half a month later, the house was officially completed.
Lan Yan couldn't wait to move in and start decorating the new house. She pushed open the main door and saw spacious courtyards on both sides. One side was for cooking, and the other was for playing, where they could build a swing.
Passing through the courtyards, there were kitchens on both sides, with the main hall and bedrooms in the middle. She and Jun Yelan slept in one room, Jun Xiaoyao slept in another, and there was one room left for guests.
She chose a room on the east side. Opening the window, she could see the back mountain and breathe in the fresh air.
Jun Yelan hugged her from behind and asked, "Yan'er, do you like it?"
"I super like it." Lan Yan turned around and hugged Jun Yelan like a doll. "Yelan, you're amazing."
Jun Yelan's lips curved upwards; he loved hearing Lan Yan praise him the most. He stroked Lan Yan's hair and said with a smile, "Let me show you the kitchen."
Lan Yan nodded and was led by Jun Yelan to the kitchen. She found that everything was already prepared. "Yelan, you've even thought of this place."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan and replied, "You like the kitchen, so I've focused on decorating it. However, the bedrooms still need your touch."
"No problem." Lan Yan loved this feeling, of two people managing a home together. She said, "Then let's go shopping tomorrow to buy some things."
Jun Yelan naturally agreed, listening to Lan Yan in everything.
Lan Yan smiled and pulled Jun Yelan to tour other areas, walking through them twice. After getting tired, she lay down on the new bed. Smelling the warm scent, they embraced each other and had sweet dreams.
The next morning, they entrusted Jun Xiaoyao to the care of the villagers and went to the market together to start selecting items to better furnish their new home.