Jun Yelan wrapped the thin silk around his palm, his gaze fixed on Lan Yan’s slender neck. With a flick of his wrist, the sleeping Lan Yan would surely meet her end.
But he hesitated. He remembered that Lan Yan had helped him buy this very silk. And during their time together, Lan Yan had treated him differently. He sat by the couch, noticing the bracelet Lan Yan kept beside her pillow, clearly cherished.
He eventually rose, murmuring, "Since you are not the true Lan Yan, I will believe you this once." He walked to the bedside and fell asleep peacefully.
The next morning, Lan Yan awoke and stretched. Hearing sounds from the courtyard, she hurried out. Seeing Jun Yelan wielding a tree branch with practiced swings, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Jun Yelan’s eyes now held a brighter spark, a hint of pride, a significant change from when they first met. Observing this, Lan Yan couldn't help but smile.
Jun Yelan noticed Lan Yan's gaze from behind but continued his training. He refused to remain a powerless invalid forever; he yearned for strength, the strength to protect himself and others.
Every move, every stance, was filled with fierce intent. However, his wrists lacked the necessary power, causing cold sweat to bead on his forehead and soak the back of his clothes. Yet, he felt it wasn't enough!
Lan Yan stood by, feeling she couldn't let this continue. "Jun Yelan, that's enough for today," she called out. Meeting his intense stare, she added, "I mean breakfast is ready. If you don't eat, it'll be gone."
She turned and walked back into the room, touching her chest. Talking to Jun Yelan was proving to be quite difficult.
Jun Yelan put down the branch and followed Lan Yan.
After they finished eating and stepped out of the courtyard, they were suddenly met by Xiaoyi from next door, weeping.
Lan Yan walked over and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Elder Sister, my shuttlecock is gone," Xiaoyi sobbed, her eyes red and swollen, tugging at Lan Yan's sleeve.
Lan Yan comforted her, "Don't cry yet. Take me to where you lost it."
"Okay." Xiaoyi held Lan Yan's hand and led her towards a nearby thicket of trees.
Lan Yan looked at the dense bush before her, realizing this would be a challenge. She rolled up her sleeves and declared, "Alright, Elder Sister will help you find it." She entered the thicket, her head bowed, scanning for the shuttlecock.
Xiaoyi looked at Jun Yelan and said with a giggle, "Brother, please help Elder Sister. Elder Sister will have a hard time alone." She put on a pitiful expression.
Seeing this, Jun Yelan glanced at Lan Yan's retreating back and also entered the thicket. He walked forward, grasping the thorny branches on either side and crushing them with a single, forceful pinch.
Lan Yan, still looking down, noticed nothing. She parted the surrounding grass and spotted the shuttlecock ahead. "Found it!" she exclaimed.
She crouched down to retrieve it, her hand brushing against another hand also reaching for it. As their hands met, a warmth passed between them, and they both instinctively withdrew. After picking up the shuttlecock, she stood up quickly, only to bump her forehead directly into Jun Yelan's.
They found themselves locking eyes.
Jun Yelan gazed at Lan Yan's slightly trembling eyelashes, then down to her nose and lips. He continued to look, noticing the blush spreading across Lan Yan's cheeks and a faint curve appearing on her lips.
Being stared at so intently made Lan Yan feel shy. She chuckled awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I bumped into you." She then quickly stood up and saw the giggling Xiaoyi beside them.
"Wow, Elder Sister and little brother look so good together. Little brother, when will you be my brother-in-law?" Xiaoyi asked with a smile. She had heard from her second sister that after Elder Sister and little brother kissed and hugged, they would have babies.
Then she could play with the little baby.
Lan Yan had intended to sidestep the issue, but hearing Xiaoyi's words, she could no longer avoid it. She handed the shuttlecock to Xiaoyi and said to Jun Yelan behind her, "Xiaoyi is just a child; please don't take it to heart."
She quickly led Xiaoyi away.
Jun Yelan, however, was murmuring to himself, "Brother-in-law?" Although humans and snake-folk sometimes married secretly, they were shunned by society and could only live in hiding.
His eyes dimmed slightly as he walked ahead.
In the evening, Lan Yan sat by the window, propping her chin with her hands. "System," she murmured, "how is our mission progressing?" Without a progress bar, she had no idea.
The system replied softly, "Very good. Please continue to work hard, host."
"System, you once said that to be considered successfully saved, the mission target must be happy both in body and mind. I've already healed his body; how can I make him happy?"
The system proposed, "Don't humans always talk about love! Isn't it simple? Make him fall in love with you, and he'll surely be happy. When the happiness value reaches the top, I'll notify you."
"System, are you joking!" Lan Yan was stunned by the idea. While Jun Yelan didn't dislike her anymore, love was still a long way off, seemingly impossible.
The system stated, "Host, anything is possible. And it's currently the only method. Host, you can definitely do it." With that, it immediately went offline.
Lan Yan was speechless. She could only sigh, her mind constantly occupied with thoughts of Jun Yelan loving her, and she eventually drifted off to sleep, resting her head on the window.
When Jun Yelan returned from the bathroom, he saw this scene. Noticing Lan Yan yawn, he walked over, scooped her up by her legs, and carried her towards the soft couch.
He placed Lan Yan on the couch. Seeing her still smacking her lips, he thought she was truly an unfathomable person. He returned to his own spot to sleep.
The morning sun streamed in, accompanied by Chun Tao's anxious shouts. "Miss, it's bad! Miss Liu has brought many guards, claiming you've illegally detained her people!"
"What nonsense is this?" Lan Yan was completely bewildered. She got dressed and went outside, only to see Liu Tingting standing at the gate with a group of people, their demeanor aggressive.
Liu Tingting saw her emerge and demanded, "Lan Yan, hand over my people." She had thought about it more and more, realizing it was odd how those two snake-folk slaves had suddenly escaped. Someone must have helped.
And that person could only be Lan Yan, with whom she had argued!
So, that was the reason. Lan Yan found it amusing. "Liu Tingting, you lost your own people, why are you looking for me! I have no interest in your people. Besides, do you have any proof!"
"You!" Liu Tingting glared angrily. Of course, she had no proof. Lan Yan was with her at the time, but the snake-folk slaves were not! It must have been a conspiracy between the two of them.
She threatened, "If you don't hand them over, I'll report you to the authorities." She didn't believe Lan Yan had such backing.
Lan Yan smiled. "Go ahead and report. Conveniently, I also need to report you for trespassing and disturbing the peace!" Seeing Liu Tingting becoming increasingly flustered, Lan Yan felt even happier.
Liu Tingting had decided today not to let Lan Yan off easily. She instructed her guards to summon the authorities. Once the officers arrived, she immediately declared, "Sir, I am the daughter of Prime Minister Liu, and I accuse Lan Yan of intentionally releasing my slaves."