The next morning, seeing Jun Yelan's improved complexion, Lan Yan took him out to bask in the sun.
She deliberately found a lush, large tree and placed two lounge chairs beneath it, then helped Jun Yelan lie down.
A smile played on Jun Yelan's lips as he watched Lan Yan busily moving about. "Yan'er, it's alright now. I can manage by myself," he said, not wanting Lan Yan to work too hard.
"It's nothing. I'm very strong," Lan Yan straightened up, rolled up the outer layer of her sleeves, and flexed her arms. "If you don't believe me, I'll show you."
She looked around, walked behind the lounge chairs, where a large stone lay.
She crouched down, grasped the bottom of the stone, but could only hold it for a moment before it fell. She felt a little wronged; this was not like her usual self!
Jun Yelan, torn between amusement and concern that Lan Yan might get hurt, smiled. "Yan'er, I believe you. You can come over now, leave the stone."
Lan Yan, who had been about to try again, gave up. Reluctantly, she walked over and sat opposite Jun Yelan. "I'll move it every day from now on. I'll get it under the tree eventually." This was the goal she set for herself.
Jun Yelan smiled helplessly, his eyes filled with doting affection. "Okay, when I'm better, I'll help you." He could move this stone with just a pinky finger.
However, for Lan Yan's happiness, he would pretend he couldn't.
"Mhm," Lan Yan nodded happily. "Oh, right, while we're soaking up the sun, let's peel chestnuts." She then bustled back into the kitchen and returned with two basins of chestnuts.
She handed one basin to Jun Yelan and started peeling the other herself.
Jun Yelan had never peeled chestnuts before, but if Lan Yan liked it, he would do his best. He watched Lan Yan's movements and tried to peel, becoming more adept as he went.
Halfway through peeling, he couldn't help but look up at Lan Yan. She was dozing off.
Lan Yan's head drooped with each moment, her eyes closed, still clutching the basin of chestnuts. She looked inexplicably cute.
Jun Yelan whispered, "Yan'er?"
"Mhm?" Lan Yan looked up, her eyes slightly misty. She rubbed her eyes with her fingers, looking at Jun Yelan in confusion.
Jun Yelan was startled. The drowsy Lan Yan was even more captivating than before! "Yan'er, do you want to take a nap?" His hand rested gently on the lounge chair.
Lan Yan's eyes lit up. She ran to Jun Yelan's lounge chair and lay down. She rested her head on his lap, grabbed his sleeves with her hands, and closed her eyes comfortably.
Jun Yelan: "..." He hadn't meant it quite like that, but it was alright. He looked down at Lan Yan sleeping so soundly, and his worries temporarily vanished, his lips curling into a smile.
He stroked Lan Yan's hair, tucking stray strands from her forehead behind her ear. He murmured, "Yan'er, I wish you could be by my side like this, simple and carefree, every day."
The thought of the frail Lan Yan carrying him such a long distance and driving the carriage back and forth filled him with only heartache.
Lan Yan smacked her lips, dreaming of pleasant scenes.
Jun Yelan smiled and placed his hand above Lan Yan's eyes, shielding her from the direct sunlight. With his other hand, he continued peeling chestnuts, so she could eat them when she woke up.
Lan Yan slept for a long time. The first thing she saw upon waking was Jun Yelan's face. She grinned and said, "Jun Yelan, you know, just looking at you makes me hungry."
As soon as she finished speaking, something sweet was placed in her mouth. She chewed, and it was a chestnut, making her laugh even more heartily.
Jun Yelan watched Lan Yan's cheeks puff out as she ate, his eyes filled with deeper amusement. He waited for her cheeks to deflate before feeding her another one.
Lan Yan ate like a little squirrel, continuously stuffing herself until she was full. Only then was she willing to sit up, pat her stomach, and shake her head. "I can't eat any more. Let's stew the remaining chicken for tonight's dinner."
"Alright. Whenever you want to eat more, I'll peel them for you," Jun Yelan said with a smile.
Lan Yan couldn't help but hug Jun Yelan. "Jun Yelan, since you've said that, you can't just leave easily." Although Jun Yelan had promised her before, what if he got better and secretly left again!
This time, Jun Yelan could firmly tell her, "I won't." He wanted to hug Lan Yan again, but she had already moved away from his embrace.
"I heard it all and I've remembered it. Mission accomplished," Lan Yan said, taking the basin of chestnuts with a smile and heading towards the kitchen to stew the chicken.
Jun Yelan, left behind, immediately smiled. He stared at Lan Yan's retreating figure until she was out of sight. Only then did he let his smile fade. He looked towards the back mountain, clenched his fist, and thought, Bai Gezhu will arrive soon.
He already had a plan. Now, he just needed to prepare himself to welcome this battle!
At this moment, two groups of people were in the back mountain.
Bai Gezhu of the Assassin Pavilion, wearing a mask and wielding a whip, glared at the three people in front of him wearing bamboo hats. "Who are you people, and what are you doing here?"
He had originally come to retrieve the list from Jun Yelan, but his path was blocked by these three mysteriously appearing individuals.
Those three were Ruo Niang's party. She had finally found Lan Yan's whereabouts and was also looking for her when she encountered the man before her. Judging by his attire, he was clearly no good!
"Ridiculous. This place isn't yours, why can't we come! My great aunt is blocking your way today, and I absolutely won't let you pass!"
"Seeking death!" Fury ignited in Bai Gezhu's eyes. He swung his whip, lashing it towards Ruo Niang.
These people appearing here must have a purpose, likely also for the list. They couldn't be spared!
Ruo Niang, clad in red, drew an iron umbrella from behind her and blocked the whip. She then spun the iron umbrella, sending it flying towards Bai Gezhu, but he dodged it.
"You have some skill. Judging by your sneaky appearance, you're from the Assassin Pavilion, aren't you? Only people from that organization act like this, hiding from the light."
Bai Gezhu, his identity revealed, became enraged. "Since you know, you won't live." His whip moved faster, striking Ruo Niang's iron umbrella and forcing her to retreat.
Seeing this, Ruo Niang shouted, "Xiao Yi, Xiao Er, come on." As she spoke, the two black-clad figures behind her stepped forward to help.
The three of them joined forces, surrounding Bai Gezhu and making him spin in circles.
Bai Gezhu closed his eyes, raised his whip to find an opening, and escaped. He ran at full speed, glancing back only once. He would have to find Jun Yelan another time.
"Nothing special!" Ruo Niang disdainfully retracted her iron umbrella and looked at the black-clad men beside her. "You all split up and search for Lan Yan. I have a feeling she's nearby."
The black-clad men left, while Ruo Niang remained in the back mountain, continuing her search.
Not far from them was the village where Lan Yan and Jun Yelan resided. Lan Yan was busy in the kitchen, and Jun Yelan was helping her peel garlic, completely unaware that someone was closing in.