The next morning, Lan Yan woke up lying on a pile of straw, covered by the cape from the previous night. She rubbed her eyes and suddenly realized, "Did Jun Yelan leave again!"
She anxiously looked towards the door and, seeing the person entering with fruits, breathed a sigh of relief. "Jun Yelan, where did you go so early in the morning?"
Jun Yelan handed the fruits in his hand to Lan Yan and, seeing her worried expression, smiled faintly. "I went to the back mountain to pick fruits for you to eat."
"Oh." Lan Yan nodded, took the fruits, and began to eat them.
Seeing that Jun Yelan wasn't eating, she asked, "What's wrong? Aren't you hungry?" She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday and was very hungry now.
Jun Yelan shook his head and placed all the remaining fruits in front of her. "You eat first, I'll go to the back mountain to catch a wild rabbit." He looked at the strands of hair sticking up on Lan Yan's head, couldn't resist reaching out, and smoothed them down.
Lan Yan was taken aback, her cheeks flushing slightly. She softly hummed in response. Then, she ate the fruits in her hand, not even daring to look up at Jun Yelan.
After last night, her relationship with Jun Yelan had progressed by leaps and bounds.
Seeing Lan Yan like this, Jun Yelan's lips couldn't help but curve upwards slightly. He felt that letting Lan Yan stay was the best choice he had ever made.
However, since he had chosen to take her away, he had to take good care of her. He went out of the cave again, heading towards the back mountain to hunt.
Only Lan Yan was left alone in the cave. After finishing the fruits, she thought about fetching some water, which would be needed later. She walked out of the cave and searched for a river nearby.
"Where is the river here?" She was unfamiliar with the path and had walked around a few times but couldn't find it. She walked further away and finally saw the stream, rushing towards it.
"This way, when Jun Yelan returns, there will be water to drink."
At this moment, Jun Yelan returned to the cave with a wild rabbit, and seeing no one inside, he became flustered. "Lan Yan?" His heart skipped a beat, and he anxiously searched everywhere, afraid that Lan Yan might be in trouble.
He searched all the nearby areas and then flew to the treetop. Seeing the person by the stream, his heart finally relaxed. He quickly flew to the stream and pulled Lan Yan, who was near the bank, shouting, "Lan Yan, how dangerous is it for you to come out alone!"
His tone had intensified due to his worry.
Lan Yan's movements stopped. She turned around and saw the anxious Jun Yelan, lowering her head slightly. She felt like she had done something wrong. Seeing that the person above wasn't speaking, she reached out and tugged at Jun Yelan's sleeve.
She said softly, "Jun Yelan, I didn't mean to make you worry."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan, who was unharmed, and his anger had long since dissipated. He said, "After we finish eating, I'll take you somewhere."
"Ah?" Lan Yan looked up and saw Jun Yelan staring at her, thinking she had gotten into trouble. She had finally managed to stay by Jun Yelan's side, and now she was being sent away, her face full of disappointment.
Jun Yelan thought that he couldn't let Lan Yan live rough forever and wanted to take her to a safe place. However, seeing Lan Yan like this, she didn't seem very happy.
He thought of his own identity, would Lan Yan regret her previous choice? His voice dropped a few tones as he said, "Let's go."
Lan Yan nodded and followed Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan prepared the rabbit and roasted it for Lan Yan to eat. He saw Lan Yan eating slowly, unlike her usual demeanor, and asked, "Is it not tasty? When we reach the next town, we'll buy some more food."
"No, it's very delicious." Lan Yan shook her head, her mind racing with how to get Jun Yelan to let her stay. The act of feigning weakness from yesterday had already been used; what should she try today?
In Jun Yelan's eyes, it just meant Lan Yan was even unhappier. He clenched his fist slightly, worried that Lan Yan truly regretted it, especially since he knew nothing but killing.
Even roasting a rabbit was his first time.
After a few bites, Lan Yan got up and said, "It's getting dark, let's go." She would think of a way on the road.
Jun Yelan didn't speak, following Lan Yan with his sword. He glanced at Lan Yan from time to time, seeing her deep in thought, his eyes growing dimmer.
He asked himself if he would be willing if Lan Yan asked him to send her back now.
As Lan Yan walked, she thought of a good idea and smiled, "Jun Yelan, I..."
Just then, a group of people appeared on the road, all fierce and menacing. The leader shouted, "This road belongs to me. If you want to pass, leave your toll."
"You court death!" Jun Yelan stepped in front of Lan Yan and drew his sword.
Lan Yan instinctively grabbed Jun Yelan's sleeve and looked at the people in front of them. There were only five of them, not Jun Yelan's match, so she felt reassured.
Jun Yelan turned to look at Lan Yan, his tone softening, "Don't be afraid, leave it to me." He told Lan Yan to step back and defeated all five men with a single move.
The five men immediately knelt and begged for mercy, shouting, "Mercy, great hero, we were just passing by. Don't kill us, we will pray for you and the young lady."
"If your hands are stained with too much blood, you cannot grow old together with that young lady."
Jun Yelan was stunned, and his movements slowed down.
However, the leader among the five men grabbed a handful of sand from the ground and flung it towards Jun Yelan's eyes. While Jun Yelan was dodging, he picked up a sword from the ground and thrust it forward.
"Jun Yelan, be careful!" Lan Yan behind him immediately shouted and rushed forward.
Hearing Lan Yan's worried voice, Jun Yelan raised his sword and killed the charging man with a single thrust. Then, he waved his hand again and killed the remaining four.
Lan Yan ran over and saw the sand in Jun Yelan's eyes. She said, "Jun Yelan, I'll help you wash it." She took Jun Yelan's hand and walked slowly behind a safe tree, taking out the water pouch she carried.
Jun Yelan couldn't open his eyes, but he could feel the warmth in his palm, making him reluctant to let go.
Lan Yan opened the water pouch and looked at Jun Yelan, who was half a head taller than her. She stood on tiptoe and said, "Jun Yelan, lower your head and turn your face slightly."
Jun Yelan complied, and then felt a stream of clear water fall onto his face, flowing down from his eyes.
The clear water washed away the sand, and Lan Yan took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Jun Yelan's face. She said with concern, "Jun Yelan, they were all lying to you just now, and they took advantage of your soft heart."
"Next time, look them in the eyes. If they flinch, strike them down with your sword."
Jun Yelan opened his eyes and looked at the pouting person in front of him, feeling an inexplicable urge to laugh. He realized that the only reason he didn't want Lan Yan to leave was that she was the only person in the world who cared about him.
He continued to hold Lan Yan's hand and smiled faintly, "It won't happen next time." He felt he had found his answer; at least Lan Yan was willing to stay by his side now.
He shouldn't overthink it; just being with Lan Yan was enough.
Seeing Jun Yelan suddenly smile, Lan Yan reached out and cupped his face, examining him carefully. "Are you injured anywhere else?"
"No, they can't hurt me." Jun Yelan pulled Lan Yan's hand and said, "Let's go to the town ahead and buy you some food."
"Okay." Lan Yan's smile immediately bloomed, and she felt that Jun Yelan was no longer angry with her and likely wouldn't send her away.