Lan Yan felt pain in her arms and legs before she could even process what was happening. She glanced sideways and saw a bruise on the inside of her arm.
She then looked around and realized she was on a hillside, with a figure standing with its back to her not far away.
The figure was a thin man, who now turned his head to stare at her with eyes full of hatred. He was holding a large stone in his hand.
Lan Yan was startled. She saw killing intent in this person and quickly recalled the plot.
The original host was a small peasant girl from a remote mountain village. Her parents had died early, and she had an elder brother who doted on her, but he was idle and loved to spend money on food and drink.
After her elder brother broke his leg while hunting on the mountain, the original host, desperate with hunger, came up the mountain with her child-groom. Unexpectedly, they rolled down the hillside, and now she was in this situation.
The person looking at her now was her mission target, her child-groom, Jun Yelan. Jun Yelan's first half of his life could be summarized in one word: tragic. He grew up in a brothel and was later bought by the original host's elder brother, becoming a child-groom who was bullied at will.
Lan Yan really wanted to sigh, but she wanted to survive more. She swallowed and stared at Jun Yelan, then immediately cried out, "Ouch!"
As soon as she spoke, Jun Yelan hid the stone in his hand behind his back but did not let go. He looked at Lan Yan coldly and said, "If you're not dead, get up."
He tightened his grip on the stone, suppressing the anger in his eyes. This Lan Yan suddenly coming up the mountain with him today must have some malicious plan. He had felt someone behind him earlier and dodged to the side, only for Lan Yan to fall.
This was called retribution.
Seeing how fierce Jun Yelan was, Lan Yan thought that considering what the original host had done before, this was actually pretty good. However, Jun Yelan was her mission target, and she couldn't have such animosity with him!
She rolled her eyes, hugged her small leg, and said, "I can't, my leg hurts."
She then looked at Jun Yelan pitifully.
Jun Yelan turned around, and just as she thought he was leaving, he returned with a branch.
Alright! She reached out, a hint of disappointment appearing on her face.
Jun Yelan handed over the branch and happened to see Lan Yan's small expression, full of confusion. What was this Lan Yan up to? Was she feeling wronged because her plan had failed!
He knew Lan Yan wanted to harm him.
Lan Yan grabbed the branch and stood up. As she looked up, she saw the hatred in Jun Yelan's eyes and thought she hadn't done anything. She was completely confused. Jun Yelan walked ahead, and she had no choice but to follow.
She moved her small leg behind him. It didn't actually hurt that much, and her arm was just a graze that would heal in a few days.
Jun Yelan accelerated down the mountain, not wanting to be with Lan Yan at all.
"Slow down, I'm really injured," Lan Yan called out helplessly. Seeing that Jun Yelan didn't respond, she thought she'd just let it go. But then she felt Jun Yelan slow down slightly, and her lips curved upwards. Jun Yelan was just cold on the outside.
However, when they reached the entrance of the house, they saw a woman in a padded jacket staring at Lan Yan.
"Oh, Miss Lan, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you for ages." As she spoke, the woman looked at Jun Yelan with satisfaction in her eyes.
Jun Yelan's gaze grew colder.
Lan Yan clapped her hands, suddenly remembering. Ever since her elder brother had an accident, the original host had lived poorly. She had also taken a fancy to a hairpin at the market, so she had set her sights on Jun Yelan.
She had gone to the matchmaking agency, the place responsible for buying and selling servants, intending to sell Jun Yelan there, and had called the agency over. Damn it, she had transmigrated now, so she couldn't sell Jun Yelan.
Seeing Lan Yan remain silent and being scrutinized by the woman, Jun Yelan coldly let go of the branch and walked into the yard. No matter where he was, he suffered the same treatment.
Sooner or later, he would become powerful and control his own destiny.
The woman tried to stop her, but Lan Yan quickly pulled her aside and whispered, "Auntie, it's like this, I've changed my mind."
"What!" The woman was the matron of the matchmaking agency, known as Aunt Li. "Miss Lan, we had an agreement before. There's no going back on it."
Lan Yan sighed, "I must have been out of my mind to do such a thing back then. But you know, my fiancé and I have been together for a year, so we must have developed some feelings."
"Moreover, my elder brother is lying in bed now, and it's not good for me, a weak woman, to be alone in the house! So, Jun Yelan will stay. Auntie, you should leave now."
Damn the original host for leaving her such a huge mess that could bury her.
Aunt Li looked at Lan Yan hesitantly. She was from the same village as Lan Yan and didn't know Lan Yan was capable of thinking like this! She glanced into the yard. Jun Yelan did all the washing and cooking, as well as raising chickens and weeding.
It was no wonder Lan Yan had changed her mind. "I'll leave this time, but there won't be a next time."
Lan Yan smiled, "Don't worry, Aunt Li. Jun Yelan and I will live well from now on." She quickly saw Aunt Li off and walked into the yard. The moment she stepped inside, she saw Jun Yelan's deep eyes.
She smiled awkwardly, "Jun Yelan, that auntie just now was asking for directions. I've already sent her away."
Jun Yelan frowned, his face showing disbelief. He had grown up in a brothel and had met many people, so he could naturally tell that the woman was not ordinary and was clearly acquainted with Lan Yan.
He said nothing, turned, and walked towards the rice bin beside him. Today, he had been delayed by Lan Yan and hadn't had dinner yet.
Lan Yan could only watch him silently. Seeing that the rice bin was almost empty, she realized they were running low on food. She then looked around. This was the kitchen and dining area, with only a set of broken chairs and tables and a pot.
As for the walls, they were all dark. A touch of her hand caused dust to fall from the walls. The other two bedrooms and the kitchen were much the same, with the addition of a bed and a cabinet.
This was all the fault of the original host, who was greedy and lazy, always asking her brother for money for whatever she wanted. The family's finances had been ruined by her. Now that her brother was injured, Jun Yelan was doing all the household chores, and the thought of buying a hairpin was simply beyond saving.
She also had a premonition that her task would be difficult, as her relationship with Jun Yelan was too poor.
She had to find a way! Seeing Jun Yelan preparing to wash the rice, she stepped forward, grabbed the large bowl in his hand, and called out, "Jun Yelan, let me do it."
Jun Yelan took it without hesitation, avoided her, and went to the side to continue washing the rice.
Lan Yan: "..." "Jun Yelan, is there anything else you need to do? I feel like I've recovered now and can work with you." She even raised her arm to indicate that she was really fine.
Jun Yelan glanced at Lan Yan, unsure what had prompted her behavior today, and simply found her to be a nuisance. "Go take care of your elder brother."
"Understood." Lan Yan saw that Jun Yelan was willing to speak to her, picked up the teapot from the table, and walked smilingly into the adjacent room.
Jun Yelan turned his head to look at Lan Yan, then shook his head and chuckled self-mockingly. She was probably just devising another way to torment him.