"Where did this cloth come from?" Lan Yan asked impatiently.
The scarred man was somewhat puzzled, but he still answered, "It was from a man we salvaged from the river near our stronghold."
Lan Yan was startled; Jun Yelan might be here. Just as she was about to speak, the man continued, "This man is about to become my brother-in-law. He's a fortunate fellow."
Lan Yan almost squeezed the water pouch on the donkey dry. What was this scarred man saying? Jun Yelan was her husband! There must be something wrong. It seemed she had to go up the mountain.
"Esteemed brother, I find you quite dashing, forthright, and magnanimous. Would you mind taking me to your stronghold? I could use a brief rest. To be frank, I'm a good cook and can prepare your wedding banquet."
When she uttered the last two words, she could barely suppress her hatred.
The scarred man looked at Lan Yan, hearing for the first time someone volunteering to go with them. This woman was truly bold. "If you weren't looking for your husband, I'd have truly wanted you to be my wife here in the stronghold."
Lan Yan could only offer an awkward laugh. If she dared, she would have dealt with the man before her long ago. She put away her dagger and the medicinal powder she had brought specifically, having known the journey wouldn't be safe.
The scarred man introduced himself, "Just call me Lao Liu. Everyone on this mountain is my brother. We rob for wealth, not for women, so you can rest assured."
Lan Yan thought: What about Jun Yelan?
Lao Liu led the way, with Lan Yan following behind. Seeing that Lan Yan wasn't afraid at all, he grew a bit curious. "Miss, why did your husband leave you?"
"Misfortune," Lan Yan replied. "He encountered a great storm when he set out, and then he disappeared. I found a clue and traveled south, just to find him."
Lao Liu was moved. If a woman treated him like this, his life would have been worthwhile. "Miss, I still don't know your name?"
"Lan'er."
"A good name!" Lao Liu patted his chest and laughed. "Miss Lan'er, if your husband ever leaves you, you're welcome to come find me. A bold and dignified woman like you is perfectly suited to be here with us."
Lan Yan responded, "My husband treats me extremely well; such a situation is impossible. If it truly happened, I would abolish him and perish with him."
Looking at the smile on her lips, Lao Liu trembled, feeling that smile was rather terrifying and carried a subtle threat.
Lan Yan was never someone to be trifled with. This time, she was only here to find Jun Yelan and didn't want to cause trouble. "Lao Liu, you just mentioned your sister is getting married. When is it?"
"Tomorrow." Speaking of this, Lao Liu burst into laughter. He had kindly rescued a man, only for his sister to fall for him. It was fate! "Miss Lan'er, your presence is crucial for their wedding banquet."
The smile on Lan Yan's lips froze. After a long pause, she gritted her teeth and said, "Alright."
Soon, they arrived. The stronghold was located halfway up the mountain, occupying a large area with about twenty-odd dwellings and thirty or so people.
They called out, "Lao Liu, where did you bring this woman from? Is she your wife?"
"Don't talk nonsense, this lady has a husband," Lao Liu replied. He wished he could, but this woman clearly wasn't someone to be underestimated; she had a fiery spirit.
Lan Yan surveyed the surroundings and asked, "May I know which house your sister is in? Besides cooking, I'm also skilled at styling, especially for brides." She had always styled herself for her own weddings.
So, Lao Liu sent someone to escort Lan Yan.
Lan Yan arrived at a dwelling deeper inside and saw a plump woman with a very fortunate appearance walking out. "Miss, I'm here to do your hair and makeup."
The woman was Lao Liu's sister, named Xiao Qi. "My brother is so good to me, even inviting someone to style me. You must help me look beautiful tomorrow. I want to outshine everyone. More importantly, I want my beloved to like me."
She sighed again, "It's a shame he hasn't woken up yet, but the doctor says it'll be within these two days."
Lan Yan understood. Jun Yelan had been unconscious for days, and the so-called wedding was a unilateral plan by the two siblings. The most important thing now was to find him. "I have a way to help him wake up faster."
"Really!" Xiao Qi exclaimed with delight, pulling Lan Yan towards the adjacent dwelling.
Lan Yan entered the room and saw Jun Yelan lying on the bed. Her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She had finally found Jun Yelan. Clenching her hands, she said, "Miss, I need quiet to administer the medicine. Please wait outside."
Xiao Qi looked regretful. "Alright." She left.
Only Lan Yan remained in the room. She walked step by step towards the bed, her eyes filled with tears.
Jun Yelan lay motionless, his face pale, with a wound on his forehead.
"Yelan, I've come." Lan Yan knelt by the bed, holding Jun Yelan's cold hand. If he weren't still breathing, she would have worried he was no longer in this world.
She breathed onto his palm to warm his hand, murmuring, "Yelan, I'm here. You can wake up with peace of mind. You must strive, don't give up easily."
She recalled their past. No matter what she encountered, Jun Yelan would always be by her side. When she needed him, when she was in pain, when she was wavering, it was always Jun Yelan who found her.
Now it was her turn.
At this moment, Jun Yelan was in a fog. He traversed through it, seeing many scenes.
The people in those scenes were a man and a woman, with faces resembling his and Lan Yan's, but wearing different clothes and experiencing events they hadn't.
Moreover, he felt these scenes were very important, as if someone desperately wanted him to remember them. A voice also said, "You must remember all this, hold tightly to the hand of the one beside you."
That voice was his own, but he had never said such a thing. Just as he was trying to make sense of it, he heard another familiar voice, choked with sobs.
His heart skipped a beat. It was Lan Yan's voice. "Yan'er, what's wrong?" He desperately pushed aside the fog, chasing the direction of the sound, and a beam of light appeared before him.
Lan Yan saw Jun Yelan's eyelids twitch and joyfully wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes, tightening her grip on his hand.
However, Xiao Qi returned then and called from the doorway, "Lan'er, are you done? I need to come in."
"Almost," Lan Yan said. She had to leave for now, tucking Jun Yelan's hand back under the covers, and opened the door. Jun Yelan was so weak now, and it would be difficult to escape the stronghold with him. She could only plan further.
She left reluctantly.
After she left, Xiao Qi entered and, seeing Jun Yelan's eyes open on the bed, was shocked. "You're really awake! Miss Lan'er is truly amazing."
Jun Yelan looked at the unfamiliar woman before him and frowned. He had clearly heard Lan Yan's voice just now!