Lan Yan and Jun Yelan supported each other, finally arriving at the village as night fell.
Then, exhausted, they both collapsed.
Ruoniang, who was organizing everyone in the village, called out, "Take them to the rooms and tend to their injuries." She sent for the doctor from Hua Ge.
Lan Yan was led to a room and closed her eyes to recover. Jun Yelan lay in the room next door. She slept for a long time, and when she woke, she saw Ruoniang sitting by her bedside. She wanted to speak, but her throat ached.
"That's enough, don't talk. Drink some water," Ruoniang sighed and brought a bowl of water.
Lan Yan gulped it down, and her throat immediately felt much better. Unable to speak, she used gestures to inquire about Jun Yelan's condition.
Fortunately, Ruoniang understood and said helplessly, "You're in this state, and you're still worrying about others. Don't worry, he won't die. The children are taking care of him."
Lan Yan was relieved, a slight smile touched her lips, and she nodded gratefully.
Ruoniang brought another bowl of medicine and placed it by the bedside. "Since you're awake, take the medicine yourself. I won't bother with you anymore. If you had stayed put in Hua Ge, none of this would have happened."
Having taught Lan Yan herself, she truly didn't understand why Lan Yan acted this way.
Lan Yan smiled, watched Ruoniang leave, and then lay alone on the bed. She looked at the familiar bed curtains above her head, feeling content, a smile on her face.
She and Jun Yelan were finally back, able to live a peaceful life.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but summon the system. "Stupid system, you've been quiet lately?"
A voice echoed in her mind, "Host, I saw you were having a hard time, so I didn't bother you." The more this bystander observed, the more other emotions arose in his heart.
"Oh, system, did you take the wrong medicine?" Lan Yan said. Seeing that the system remained silent, she smiled again. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Let's talk about business."
The system came back online, no longer arguing with its injured host. "Host, you have now met the minimum requirements. The rest is up to you."
Lan Yan guessed that by resolving Jun Yelan's emotional block, the progress had naturally accelerated. "System, let's make a deal. Let's have an easy one next. If I get injured again, I really want to hit you."
Whenever she got injured, Jun Yelan would get even more seriously hurt.
This was not something the system could control. It replied, "Host, I'll do my best. Host, you should focus on recovering. I'm leaving now."
"Go ahead." Lan Yan knew the system was hiding something from her but had never asked, waiting for the final moment. She closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
In the room next door, Jun Yelan had already woken up. Not seeing Lan Yan, his first instinct was to get out of bed. He walked unsteadily to the bedside and hurried towards the door.
Xiao Hua and Xiao Yue were waiting by the door. Seeing Jun Yelan like this, they cried out, "Brother Jun, you're not well yet, you can't go out."
"Where is Yan'er?" Jun Yelan frowned, his face full of worry.
Xiao Hua and the others had no choice but to lead the way.
Jun Yelan pushed open the door and froze when he saw Lan Yan lying on the bed. He rushed to the bedside, knelt on the ground, and anxiously grasped Lan Yan's hand.
Only when he heard her steady breathing did his heart finally settle. He gently placed Lan Yan's hand back under the covers.
Then, without a word, he leaned against the headboard, quietly gazing at the person on the bed.
Xiao Hua and the others giggled and quietly closed the door, not wanting to disturb Brother Jun and Sister Lan.
Lan Yan turned over and made a smacking sound with her lips, directly facing Jun Yelan.
A slight smile appeared on Jun Yelan's lips, and he murmured, "Yan'er, you sleep well. I'll stay here and watch over you." It was like the first night they met, when he was saved by Lan Yan and they shared the same room.
At that time, he had been wary of Lan Yan, but when he heard her nightmare sounds, he couldn't help but move closer, wanting to comfort her.
Perhaps it was from then on that he felt differently about Lan Yan, the person who would later be the one he cherished most, immensely important.
Now, all he wanted was to stay by Lan Yan's side; his remaining life would be fulfilled.
Silence fell upon the room, broken only by the sound of two breaths.
The next morning, Lan Yan opened her eyes and saw Jun Yelan's sleeping face. Without making a sound, she quietly reached out her hand. She touched Jun Yelan's cheek, pulling it gently from side to side, stifling a laugh.
"You look so well-behaved when you sleep." She couldn't resist pinching him again; his face felt so good.
However, Jun Yelan suddenly opened his eyes, startling Lan Yan. He cupped the back of her hand and smiled, "Yan'er, as you wish."
Lan Yan was about to pull her hand away, but now she became bolder, continuing to stroke Jun Yelan's face. Seeing his eyes crinkle with a smile, she also laughed, "I won't tease you anymore. I'm afraid your face will turn bright red."
She withdrew her hand, but Jun Yelan held it tightly.
Jun Yelan put his arm around Lan Yan's shoulders, and they leaned back against the wall together. He said, "Yan'er, it's alright. I like it." As long as Lan Yan was by his side, he was happy with anything she did.
Lan Yan tilted her head slightly and rested it on Jun Yelan's shoulder. "I know, but I can't bear it. From now on, only I can treat you like this."
"Naturally," Jun Yelan replied with a gentle smile. If it were anyone else, he would have already killed them.
Lan Yan's smile widened, wishing she could stay like this with Jun Yelan a little longer.
But a commotion from outside the door interrupted them. Ruoniang kicked the door open, her face etched with anger. "Jun Yelan, your people from the Killer's Pavilion are going too far. They're about to fight with our Hua Ge members."
"What?" Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan. With both factions in the village, it was indeed easy for trouble to arise. "I'll go with you to see."
Jun Yelan nodded, helped Lan Yan out of bed, and followed Ruoniang.
When they arrived at the scene of the fight, Lan Yan looked at the people from both factions and the chicken in the middle, momentarily speechless. "So, you're fighting over a chicken?"
Ruoniang explained, "Lan Yan, this chicken was originally a wild chicken that flew into our Hua Ge's courtyard. But today, this chicken disappeared and was found on Killer's Pavilion territory."
"They must have stolen it. The people of the Killer's Pavilion are always sneaky," a Hua Ge member fumed.
The Killer's Pavilion members also became agitated. "I think you're the ones who don't know good intentions. You've been bothering us all day long."
"It's because your usual conduct is poor," a Hua Ge member retorted and lunged forward.
The Killer's Pavilion members had already drawn their swords. With a single move, they could kill the person before them.
Lan Yan quickly ran forward to stop the two. "What are you doing? You fought together just two days ago, and today you're causing such a fuss over a chicken. Calm down. Your阁主 and楼主 are still here."
Jun Yelan and Ruoniang stood behind Lan Yan, watching her handle the situation. One was skilled at killing, and the other at gathering intelligence, but faced with such a conflict, they were utterly helpless.
They both looked at Lan Yan, placing all their hopes on her.
Lan Yan felt their intense gazes and the eyes of everyone from both factions upon her. Filled with helplessness, she took a deep breath and parted her lips.