Jun Yelan placed Lan Yan on the ground of the pavilion, a slight smile gracing his lips as he watched her joyous expression. He released her.
Lan Yan immediately ran to the edge of the pavilion, leaning on the railing with both hands, gazing at the magnificent river before her. "It's so beautiful here," she exclaimed.
She loved the night scenery, the gentle breeze, and the people around her.
Jun Yelan stood by, his heart fluttering as he gazed at the smile on Lan Yan's face. He felt an emotion he had never experienced before, a change brought about by Lan Yan.
He took the pouch from his waist and released the fireflies within, which instantly filled the entire pavilion.
Lan Yan extended her hand, watching a firefly land on her palm. "Little firefly, do you like it here too?" she asked with a smile.
As she spoke, the firefly flapped its wings and flew away from her palm, slowly ascending into the sky.
Lan Yan waved goodbye. "See you later." She watched as more fireflies gathered around her, spinning in place as if dancing like a butterfly.
Her laughter echoed throughout the pavilion.
A hint of amazement flickered in Jun Yelan's eyes. He longed to engrave this moment forever in his mind. He wanted to walk over, to be closer to Lan Yan.
But the pain in his chest served as a reminder of his physical condition. He clenched his fist, remaining rooted to his spot, watching the person before him.
The fireflies in the pavilion gradually dispersed. Lan Yan sat down, opened the food box, and picked out a piece of meat for Jun Yelan. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, City Lord. I will never forget it," she said with a smile.
Jun Yelan was taken aback, his thoughts mirroring hers. He dared not delve deeper, turning his head slightly without a response, his ear tips turning red.
Lan Yan noticed Jun Yelan's awkwardness. Though he didn't say anything, her heart felt warm. As she ate, she found the food even more delicious in this setting.
After dinner, they headed back. As they disembarked, they saw a couple by the river releasing river lanterns and embracing each other.
Lan Yan, however, was more interested in the river lanterns, thinking they could release them together with Jun Yelan next time.
Jun Yelan, seeing them embrace, recalled when he and Lan Yan had been like that, wondering if they were the same. He returned, filled with a sense of bewilderment.
Back at their residence, Lan Yan yawned and fell asleep immediately upon lying down on her bed, exhausted from a day of exploration.
Jun Yelan, however, did not sleep. He stayed by Lan Yan's bedside, gazing at her head, where only the flower he had given her adorned her hair.
He summoned Lv Qi and asked, "What do women like?"
"Ah?" Lv Qi thought she had misheard. Meeting Jun Yelan's gaze, she replied, "Every woman likes different things. I only know what people around me like; clothes and accessories?"
She wasn't certain.
Jun Yelan recalled the words of the old flower vendor. "Prepare some exquisite clothes and accessories and place them by her bed."
Lv Qi looked at the sleeping Lan Yan on the bed and immediately understood that the City Lord was smitten. "Yes, City Lord," she said with a smile. Seeing Lan Yan, who resembled her own sister, she naturally wished her happiness.
"Also, City Lord, she would like it even more if you delivered them personally," she added before retreating.
Jun Yelan remained by the bed, muttering, "Deliver them personally?"
The night was deep, with only the chirping of cicadas outside to answer him.
The next morning, after Lan Yan woke up, she saw that Jun Yelan had already gone to the main hall. She went to the room behind and woke up Bai Hu. "Little Bai Hu, I'm taking you out for some sun."
Bai Hu opened its droopy eyelids, yawned, and reluctantly lifted a paw to follow Lan Yan.
In the garden, Lan Yan placed raw meat on the ground, feeding Bai Hu first. While Bai Hu ate, she stroked the fur on its back and head, exclaiming, "So comfortable."
She had only petted kittens before, and now she was petting a Bai Hu.
Bai Hu: "..." It lay by Lan Yan's feet, too lazy to move.
Lan Yan tossed a ball of yarn, calling out, "Here, play with this."
Bai Hu was speechless again, trying to prove it wasn't a cat. It nudged the yarn with its paw and moved to the side.
Seeing that Bai Hu wasn't interested, Lan Yan took out other items and placed them before it one by one. However, Bai Hu didn't even glance at them. She stroked its head and complained, "You are more difficult to please than your master."
Bai Hu finally raised its head and looked behind Lan Yan.
Lan Yan, thinking it was Jun Yelan, quickly added, "No, *you* are difficult. The City Lord is not difficult at all. He's not picky about food, he likes the flower tea I make, and he takes me out to play."
"He is the best City Lord in the world."
A burst of laughter came from behind. It was Lv Qi's voice. "Lan Yan, the City Lord isn't here. But he would surely be delighted to hear these words." Smiling, she placed the medicine bottle in her hand on the table, ready to teach Lan Yan again today.
Seeing Lv Qi, Lan Yan breathed a sigh of relief. "Lv Qi, you startled me! You didn't make a sound." She had thought it was Jun Yelan and had blurted out everything she just said.
"I didn't see you startled; you looked quite comfortable instead," Lv Qi quipped as she prepared the medicine bottles on the table. As an observer, she had seen everything clearly.
She had never seen the City Lord show other emotions before, yet he changed for Lan Yan time and again, and now he spent all his time with her.
Lan Yan was unsure how to respond. She wasn't afraid of Jun Yelan and quite enjoyed his company.
At first, she was worried about Jun Yelan's condition because of the system. Later, when she could smoothly help Jun Yelan recover, and every time she saw him suffer an episode, only a trace of heartache remained in her heart.
She felt Jun Yelan shouldn't have to endure this, nor should he bear it alone. Therefore, she wanted to help him in any way she could, to bring him happiness. This was not only her mission but also her personal desire.
She kept these thoughts to herself and said to Lv Qi, "Lv Qi, I'll learn the art of disguise."
"Here you go." Lv Qi, seeing Lan Yan lost in thought, stopped talking and began introducing the medicines to Lan Yan. She felt that the path ahead for Lan Yan and the City Lord was long and sincerely wished them well.
Afterward, Lan Yan followed Lv Qi's instruction, mixing suitable medicinal pastes and mastering simple disguises. She looked at the darkening sky, the bright moon becoming more prominent. Tomorrow was the full moon night again.
She wondered if Jun Yelan had obtained the medicine and if he could get through it tomorrow!
At this moment, Jun Yelan was in his chamber within the main hall, holding a tray with the latest clothes and accessories. Not seeing Lan Yan, he placed the tray on the bed.
Thinking he would have to spend another day in the dark room, he wrote a note and placed it on the clothes. He then went out, receiving medicine delivered by people from the Sacred Maiden Sect at the entrance, and headed to the dark room.
This time, he wanted to survive.