The next morning, Lan Yan prepared some pastries and placed them in Jun Yelan's school chest, instructing, "Today is your Tong Sheng examination, but don't worry too much. Just perform as usual."
Jun Yelan nodded, holding Lan Yan's busy hands, and smiled faintly, "Alright, you said it, and I've remembered every word." He looked at Lan Yan's red hands with deep affection.
"Winter has arrived. There are some things you don't need to do; just call the apprentices to help you. I'll help with the household matters when I return."
Lan Yan couldn't help but smile, "Actually, I'm fine, my hands just look a bit unsightly. You can't dislike me."
Jun Yelan lowered his head and kissed the back of her hands, enclosing them with his own and shaking his head, "I would never think that. You shouldn't have to endure this."
The Lan Yan of the past never did chores and never worried about such things. He knew the current Lan Yan was someone else, another intelligent and spirited woman.
And she was very good to him.
A little warmth spread from the back of Lan Yan's hand to the tips of her ears as Jun Yelan held them. "When my business grows even bigger, I won't have time for these trivial matters."
She never disliked doing these things; on the contrary, she quite enjoyed them because it felt like her most comfortable home.
"Good," Jun Yelan smiled, "I'll help you with them then." He reached out and touched Lan Yan's forehead, his eyes full of adoration, and moved closer to her waist.
However, Lan Yan remembered something and exclaimed, "I can't talk to you any longer; it will delay your examination. Hurry and go." She handed the school chest to Jun Yelan, which contained his brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, gently pushing him.
Jun Yelan moved to the doorway, looking back at Lan Yan helplessly, "I'm going." As he spoke, he leaned down slightly, approaching Lan Yan's ear, his warm breath brushing against her cheek, "My dear wife, your husband is truly leaving."
Lan Yan froze, her face completely flushed. She pushed Jun Yelan's chest with her hands, shyly saying, "Hurry up."
This made Jun Yelan chuckle, and he turned to walk out the door. Only when he was far enough away did he stop smiling. He would pass the examination and provide Lan Yan with a better life.
Lan Yan watched Jun Yelan leave and then went to her shop. She prepared a gift box filled with various pastries and headed towards the restaurant.
When she had given her recipes to the restaurant earlier, she had inquired with the shopkeeper. She learned that all the restaurants in town were owned by the Pei family, and the Pei family had a feud with the Ming family. Therefore, the Pei family was her preferred partner.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, the shopkeeper recognized her and said, "Our owner is upstairs. Miss Lan, please go directly up." Thanks to Lan Yan's recipes, their restaurant had achieved such good business.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper," Lan Yan said, carrying the gift box upstairs. She pushed open a door and saw a young man, with a refined appearance and dressed in white. She bowed slightly and greeted him, "Young Master Pei."
Pei Yuan looked at Lan Yan, surprised, "Are you the girl who gave us the recipes?"
"Indeed," Lan Yan placed the gift box on the table. "These are pastries from my shop. Young Master Pei, please try them first."
Pei Yuan glanced at the pastries, some of which he had never seen before. He curiously ate one. His eyes brightened, and he exclaimed, "I never thought these small dumplings could hold such wonders; they are quite delicious."
Lan Yan simply smiled. She had already found out about Young Master Pei's preferences. "Young Master Pei, do you think these pastries can be sold in the restaurant?" She wanted to promote her pastries and needed to collaborate with others; restaurants were a good choice.
Pei Yuan blinked, looked at the pastry in his hand, and suddenly smiled, "So, Miss Lan had this idea. I've also heard about your pastries; your business is doing very well now, why do you want to cooperate with me?"
"First, we already have a cooperation. Second, Young Master Pei is a businessman and naturally understands the pursuit of business. Third, like you, I dislike a certain family in this town," Lan Yan stated methodically.
The smile on Pei Yuan's lips deepened immediately. "I underestimated Miss Lan; you are truly interesting. Miss Lan, I gave you two percent of the profits for the previous recipes. How do you wish to cooperate this time?"
"I will sell my pastries in your restaurant on consignment. I will sell them to you at cost price. How much you sell and how much you earn is entirely yours." Lan Yan had already thought of this idea, which would allow her and Pei Yuan to achieve a win-win situation.
Pei Yuan found the woman before him increasingly intriguing; she was unlike any woman he had met before. "Miss Lan, since you have already made up your mind, let's sign a contract."
Lan Yan curved her lips, "Young Master Pei, as expected of a major boss, you are indeed decisive. Alright!"
The shopkeeper then brought paper and ink. After writing the contract, both parties reviewed it before signing and sealing it.
Lan Yan took her copy and carefully put it into her embrace. This was an important step in her business. "Thank you very much, Young Master Pei. I wish us smooth cooperation in the future. I will take my leave now."
"Wait, Miss Lan, would you be willing to stay and dine with me?" Pei Yuan still had some matters to inquire about, and he found Lan Yan to his liking.
Lan Yan directly refused, "No, I still need to pick up my husband to celebrate his successful examination today." After saying this, she left the restaurant and headed towards the examination venue.
Pei Yuan remained seated, murmuring, "To be married so young, it's a real shame."
Lan Yan had already reached the location and saw Jun Yelan walking out of the examination hall from afar. She waved at him. "Jun Yelan."
Jun Yelan was still at the entrance. Hearing the voice, he looked up, a faint curve appearing on his lips. He quickened his pace, walked to Lan Yan's side, saw that the sky was darkening, and opened the umbrella he was holding.
"It's going to rain."
Lan Yan looked at the sky, which was already covered with dark clouds, and said, "Then let's hurry home."
"Okay." As he spoke, raindrops began to fall. Jun Yelan moved the umbrella towards Lan Yan, and only when he saw that her shoulders were not getting wet did he feel satisfied. However, half of his own body was exposed to the rain.
Lan Yan listened to the increasingly loud sound of the rain and unconsciously moved closer to Jun Yelan. Her arm brushed against his, but she was oblivious. She asked, "Jun Yelan, how was your examination today? Let me guess, it must have been very good."
Jun Yelan smiled, "With your instructions this morning, of course, I did well. And you?"
"As for me, I've landed a big deal. From now on, I can earn even more money, so you can study with peace of mind." Lan Yan's eyes were filled with brilliance.
Jun Yelan was captivated and smiled along, "Good, my wife is naturally the best." He also needed to become better to be worthy of Lan Yan.
This address again made Lan Yan a little embarrassed. She murmured, "We aren't married yet."
Although her voice was soft, Jun Yelan still heard it and stopped. "Then, are you willing to marry me?"
Raindrops fell on the umbrella, sliding down the rim and mixing with the puddles on the ground. Inside the umbrella, Lan Yan froze, looking at the incredibly sincere person before her.