Jun Yelan broke the silence under the umbrella. "The rain is getting heavier. Let's head back first." He started walking forward, Lan Yan following close beside him.
Lan Yan stole glances at Jun Yelan, remembering his sincerity from earlier. The thought warmed her face, and it felt as if fireworks were blooming in her heart.
Jun Yelan, however, wondered if he had been too forward. Lan Yan had appeared suddenly, and they weren't engaged. Perhaps she had no interest in him.
His brows furrowed. He couldn't bear the thought of Lan Yan not being by his side.
The rest of the walk was quiet. They reached his doorstep and put away the umbrella.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan, her hair dotted with raindrops. He took out a handkerchief and gently wiped them away. "Hurry inside and take a hot bath. I'll go make you a bowl of ginger soup."
As he spoke, he turned towards the kitchen, but his sleeve was caught. He turned back, puzzled.
Lan Yan followed the line of his sleeve and took his hand. She stood on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his cheek, smiling, "This is my answer. I do."
She ran away, her face flushed.
Jun Yelan stood frozen, touching his cheek where the warmth still lingered. He burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling with mirth, and a hint of tears welled up in the corners.
He looked towards Lan Yan as she entered her room, clenching his fist. He vowed to protect her, even if it cost him his life. He then walked to the kitchen to prepare the ginger soup.
At dinner, Lan Chuo, holding his rice bowl, looked at Jun Yelan, who wore a broad smile, and then at Lan Yan, who was quietly eating. His eyes were filled with confusion. "What's gotten into everyone today?"
"Yelan, did something good happen to you? And Lan Yan, you're usually the most talkative, why are you so quiet today?"
Lan Yan, recalling her earlier actions, felt a voice in her head screaming, "What have I done?" She knew she shouldn't have acted so impulsively. Impulsivity was the devil.
Jun Yelan, with a smile playing on his lips, said, "Brother, I performed well on my exam, and Lan Yan was simply working hard." The smile never left his face as he spoke.
Lan Chuo found it all rather baffling, but he declared, "Let's celebrate Yelan then! And sister, Yelan and I will help you from now on, so you can rest too."
"Thank you, Brother," Lan Yan replied, then stood up to return to her room. She was afraid her face would turn red again if she stayed any longer, so she made her exit.
Lan Chuo was still calling out, "Sister, why aren't you eating more?"
Only Jun Yelan remained seated, his smile threatening to overflow.
The next morning, Lan Yan was selling pastries at the shop when a middle-aged man walked in.
"Which one of you is the proprietor?" the man asked, his forehead high, eyes slanted, looking down his nose at the people in the shop.
Lan Yan replied coldly, "I am."
The middle-aged man cast a suspicious glance at her and announced, "My master wishes to speak with you about the pastries."
Lan Yan didn't look up, continuing to pack the pastries. "When you ask someone to do something, you introduce yourself first. It's the most basic courtesy. Have you not been taught this in your household?"
"You!" The man's face contorted with anger. Recalling the task his master had set, he announced again, "My master is Master Ming, and he is no ordinary person. It is your fortune to meet him."
Lan Yan paused, then sneered, "Unfortunately, I don't desire such ill-fated fortune. You should leave quickly. If he wishes to do business, he should come see me himself."
The thought of Jun Yelan's suffering made her grit her teeth in hatred for the Ming family, especially this Master Ming.
Seeing Lan Yan's defiance, the middle-aged man huffed and left, vowing to have his master deal with her.
"Get out quickly." Lan Yan even had a shop assistant sweep the floor, showing her disdain for anyone from the Ming family. This only further incensed the Ming family servant.
Upon his return, the servant immediately reported the matter to Master Ming.
Master Ming, with dark circles under his eyes and a sallow complexion, a result of excessive indulgence and his protruding belly, looked three parts human and seven parts ghost. He slammed his fist on the table, roaring, "This Lan Yan truly doesn't know her place!"
"If it weren't for the sudden surge in business at the Pei family's restaurant, I wouldn't have sent someone to investigate. They're selling new recipes and pastries. My business has plummeted. I must find a way to seize these pastries."
The servant added, "Master, what does a mere girl know? If you offer her more money, she will naturally obey."
"That's reasonable," Master Ming agreed, rising. He instructed the servant to prepare the silver and walked towards the pastry shop, smug. He arrived at the shop's entrance in his sedan chair, pleased with himself.
Lan Yan recognized him instantly. She took some salt and sprinkled it at the entrance. "The entrance is too unclean today."
"What is this?" Master Ming hadn't even registered what was happening before white specks landed on his head and face. He tasted it – it was salt. "You wretch!"
He pointed furiously at Lan Yan. Seeing her beauty, his expression softened considerably. "Since you are young, I shall not quibble with you."
Lan Yan laughed mockingly. "I already know why you're here. I will not sell my pastries to you. Leave at once!" She stood at the entrance with her hands on her hips, an unyielding demeanor.
Master Ming's temper flared. He beckoned his servants and said, "Little girl, watch your words. I am not a simple figure in this town."
"Heh," Lan Yan looked out at the street and cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting, "Help! Someone is harassing a respectable woman in broad daylight and threatening her! Kindhearted people, please report this to the authorities!"
This single shout drew the attention of the nearby people, who began pointing and staring at Master Ming.
Master Ming's face burned with shame, wishing he could disappear into the ground. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Lan Yan smiled triumphantly. "Little one, you think you can contend with me?"
"Yan'er." Jun Yelan had just returned from Master Du's and saw the crowd at the shop. He pushed through the throng and went to Lan Yan's side, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"
Lan Yan shook her head.
Jun Yelan breathed a sigh of relief, then shot a furious look at Master Ming. "You scoundrel! Master Ming, the constables are already on their way. With your health, I'm curious how many days you'll last in prison."
"You are..." Master Ming looked at Jun Yelan's face, finding it vaguely familiar. "Have we met before?"
Hatred flickered in Jun Yelan's eyes. He said coldly, "No." He wanted no further connection with the person before him.
Master Ming racked his brain but couldn't recall. Seeing the constables approaching, he decided to leave for now. He would return later, better prepared, to seize the business.
The crowd dispersed. Jun Yelan stood rooted to the spot, his hands clenched. Why was this person so persistent, coming to trouble the one he loved! He was just a child then, unable to protect his mother. This time, he wouldn't fail to protect Lan Yan!
Lan Yan saw Jun Yelan's hands bleeding and cried out, "Jun Yelan, let go quickly!" She took out her handkerchief and began to bandage his hand, her eyes filled with distress.
Jun Yelan finally came to his senses. He had more important things to do now. He turned and held Lan Yan's hand, shaking his head. "I'm fine. Your presence is enough."
This was all he needed!