Returning home, Lan Yan discussed moving with her elder brother. "Brother, I've seen the courtyard. We'll set up a wooden post in the front yard for you to practice martial arts."
Lan Chuo trusted his sister's judgment and patted his chest. "I believe you, Sister. Once we move to town, I'll help you move goods." He had heard that Lan Yan's shop was booming and assumed she would be too busy.
"Okay, Brother," Lan Yan smiled. She was planning to open a branch store and hand the management over to her brother.
Lan Chuo's spirits lifted. "Today, I caught a wild rabbit and a pheasant. We won't sell them; let's celebrate for our family." He felt immense pride in having such a capable sister.
Lan Yan rose and said with a smile, "Then I'll go prepare them." She walked towards the kitchen, her mind already sketching out recipes.
Jun Yelan followed, but Lan Chuo called him to a halt. "Brother, is there something you need?"
"Nothing, just feeling emotional," Lan Chuo said, watching the busy figure in the kitchen. He sighed, "A few months ago, Lan Yan was so immature. After enduring hardship, she has finally grown up."
Tears welled up in his eyes; he truly felt his sister had gone through too much. "As you know, Lan Yan's parents died when she was young, and I, as her elder brother, raised her. But I was too busy working to properly care for her, so I entrusted her to the Li family's care."
"But the Li family bullied her, and I never knew, which allowed her to develop that previous temperament. I know you resent her and didn't want to marry her, but I was thinking of you..."
"Brother, there's no need to persuade me. I am willing now," Jun Yelan interrupted Lan Chuo directly.
Lan Chuo didn't immediately react, still speaking, "Please don't resent Lan Yan. She's not inherently bad. What? You're willing to marry my sister!"
His face was filled with shock. He wanted to praise his sister again, not only for being good at making money but also for changing Jun Yelan's opinion of her.
Jun Yelan also hadn't expected this of himself. He simply wanted to repay Lan Yan for her current kindness. Lan Yan was completely different from before; she genuinely cared for him, and he was willing to accept this marriage.
He thought that in this world, he wouldn't find anyone who treated him better than Lan Yan. She had suddenly appeared in his life, and then made it impossible for him to forget her.
Lan Chuo patted Jun Yelan's shoulder and called out, "Yelan, you have good taste. Don't worry, my sister will definitely treat you well." As the elder brother, he firmly believed this.
Jun Yelan nodded. "Brother, I'll take my leave." With that, he headed to the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, and began tending the fire for Lan Yan.
Lan Chuo watched his sister and future brother-in-law from outside, listening to their conversation. He sighed, "This is wonderful. It makes me, this elder brother, want to find someone too."
Lin Yun's image appeared in his mind. After moving to town, it seemed he would see her more often.
The next morning, Lan Yan and the two men packed their belongings and loaded them onto the donkey cart. Most of the items in the house were old; some were kept, while only the important ones were taken.
Regarding how to handle the house, Lan Chuo offered an idea. "Let's entrust it to our neighbors to look after, paying them a small amount each month. Big Brother will also come back to check on it from time to time."
Having lived there for so many years, they had developed feelings for the place.
Lan Yan agreed; this house was originally meant for her elder brother. She cast one last look at the house before getting onto the donkey cart.
Jun Yelan and Lan Chuo sat at the front, pulling the donkey's reins, and slowly drove out of the courtyard gate.
However, a group of people emerged from ahead, the Li family. They had heard that the Lan family was moving and were both shocked and excited. "Lan Yan, where are you moving to?"
Lan Yan suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "Auntie Li, this is none of your business."
"This child has a misunderstanding with Auntie." The Li couple, seeing they couldn't get through to Lan Yan, turned to Lan Chuo. "Da Lang, do you have a betrothal with our Da Ya? Don't rush off; it's not too late to get married to Da Ya before you go."
Li Da Ya specifically came forward and gave Lan Chuo a seductive glance.
Lan Yan was almost nauseated to the point of vomiting. She stepped out of the donkey cart, put her hands on her hips, and shouted loudly, "Fellow villagers, please come and see how shameless the Li family is."
"They were the ones who broke off the engagement, looking down on my elder brother for his disabled leg and despising our poor Lan family. Now that our Lan family can barely make ends meet, they come to harm us again. Oh heavens, how can there be such immoral people in this world!"
It was about making a scene; who couldn't do that?
Lan Yan's words attracted nearby villagers, who looked at the Li family of four with disdain.
"The Li family has benefited greatly from Lan Chuo over the years. As soon as they saw Lan Chuo's leg was disabled, they immediately broke off the engagement without any regard for him. Now they have the nerve to reconcile."
"Exactly. Their family treated the Lan siblings poorly since childhood. They took Lan Da Lang's money but didn't take good care of Lan Yan, letting her go astray."
Lan Yan even lowered her head, wiping her eyes, with occasional sobs.
At this, Jun Yelan's eyes darkened, and anger flared on his face. He clenched his fist and shielded Lan Yan. "Get out of the way!"
The simple two words caused a chilling aura to emanate from him, his eyes carrying a murderous intent.
Lan Chuo also shouted, "Hurry up and leave. Our Lan family has no relationship with your family anymore."
The villagers also began whispering among themselves, completely embarrassing the Li family, who then scurried away in shame.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"
As he spoke, Lan Yan looked up, her eyes filled with smiles, her lips curling upwards. "I'm happy."
Jun Yelan couldn't help but smile. This was indeed Lan Yan's true nature. He reached out and stroked her hair. "That's good."
"Mm," Lan Yan looked at the smile on Jun Yelan's lips, and her heart felt sweet. "Let's go."
Jun Yelan helped Lan Yan into the donkey cart and resumed his seat at the front, the smile on his lips never fading.
Lan Chuo beside them watched the two, feeling as though he was being shown off to.
An hour later, they arrived at the new courtyard and moved all the belongings inside, placing them in the backyard.
After tidying up, this would be their new home.
To celebrate, Lan Yan called the shop's employees and set up a barbecue stand in the courtyard for everyone to enjoy.
The employees arrived after closing the shop, helping to prepare the ingredients, skewering meat with bamboo sticks, and grilling them over charcoal. They were all grateful to Lan Yan, knowing they couldn't find a better employer.
The three people they had bought from the employment agency looked much better, with smiles on their faces every day.
Lin Yun was becoming increasingly proficient in managing the shop and had become the supervisor for this group.
Lan Yan looked at everyone's contented faces, feeling a sense of fulfillment. She raised her cup and announced, "Let us celebrate our housewarming and wish everyone a better life."
"Alright!" Everyone else looked in other directions, but only Jun Yelan's gaze remained fixed on Lan Yan.
Lan Yan turned her head and met Jun Yelan's gaze. Amidst the surrounding hustle and bustle, only the two of them accompanied each other.