Walking along the small path before the courtyard, passing a few houses, they arrived at the village's only river. Many people were by the river, washing clothes and vegetables.
Jun Yelan, familiar with the route, found a spot by the riverbank, placed the basin down, and prepared to wash clothes, completely ignoring Lan Yan.
Lan Yan was left to the side. When she stepped forward to help, she heard a mocking voice from nearby.
"Isn't this Lan Yan! What brings you to the river today?" The speaker was her neighbor, Li Erya, with a sharp and spiteful appearance.
Li Erya had always disliked Lan Yan because Lan Yan's elder sister, Lan Chuo, was betrothed to her since childhood. However, she disdained the Lan family and always sought trouble.
Lan Yan turned to look, her expression cold. "Are we familiar? Why do you meddle so much!" She looked at the laundry basin, wanting to find a washboard to make washing clothes easier.
Seeing her reaction, Li Erya became enraged and blocked Lan Yan's path. "Lan Yan, you used to have a mother who was the daughter of a scholar. That's why the villagers respected you a little."
"But now, your parents are dead, your elder brother is crippled, and you yourself can't do anything. To tell you the truth, when my sister returns from working in a wealthy family in town, she will break off the engagement with your family. Don't think of currying favor with us."
She spoke with great smugness, finally able to step on Lan Yan.
Lan Yan had found a suitable wooden stick by then, thinking it could be used for washing. She also brandished the stick, saying, "Families like yours are not worthy of my elder brother. I'll wait for you to break it off."
"And although I can't do anything, you know what I'm best at!" She had already raised the stick.
Li Erya flinched, stepping back slightly.
She glanced behind Lan Yan and saw Jun Yelan, then shouted, "You, who abuses your child groom, what right do you have to lecture me! Just give me your child groom, and I won't bother you anymore."
She intentionally or unintentionally looked at Jun Yelan, a hint of shyness in her eyes.
Lan Yan finally understood why Li Erya was always causing trouble. It wasn't for her own sister, but for herself. And this woman dared to set her sights on Jun Yelan! "I'll hit you!"
"Ah, my hand. Lan Yan, what are you doing!" Li Erya clutched her hand, feeling like it was about to be ruined. Was this Lan Yan crazy!
Lan Yan placed the wooden stick by her feet and declared imperiously, "I'm telling everyone, Jun Yelan is my fiancé, and no one can covet him. If you dare say such things again, I'll tear your mouth apart."
She snorted coldly, picked up the stick, and went to wash clothes nearby.
"Lan Yan!" Li Erya stomped her foot unwillingly, gritted her teeth, and left. She refused to believe Lan Yan could be with Jun Yelan forever!
Meanwhile, Jun Yelan was pounding clothes not far away and had heard everything. His brows furrowed, and he looked at Lan Yan with even more bewilderment. Seeing Lan Yan still smiling at him, he quickly turned his head away.
What kind of scheme or trick did she have up her sleeve!
Lan Yan saw Jun Yelan turn away again. There would be time later. She beat the clothes, then looked down at the fish swimming in the river. An idea struck her to improve their meals.
She set aside the clothes, took off her shoes and socks, and walked into the river. The coldness from the water spread to her feet; the riverbank was truly icy. She rolled up her sleeves, pinpointed a fish below, and scooped it up.
"Yes, the first fish!" She tossed the fish into the laundry basin and moved forward to catch more. Suddenly, her foot stepped on a patch of moss, and she stumbled backward. Water rushed into her mouth and nose. "Wuwu, help."
Jun Yelan heard the faint sound, turned his head, and saw Lan Yan struggling in the water. His eyes turned cold, and he directly entered the water, pulled Lan Yan out, and coldly tossed her towards the bank.
"Cough cough!" Lan Yan shook her head, water splashing from her face and hair. When she saw Jun Yelan standing in the water, the river only reached below his knees, the atmosphere became somewhat somber.
Jun Yelan walked over, passing straight by Lan Yan.
She wiped the water from her face and grabbed Jun Yelan's wet sleeve. "Jun Yelan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Thank you for saving me."
"No need. Don't cause me any more trouble in the future," Jun Yelan said coldly, then picked up the laundry basin and left. He was repaying Lan's elder brother's kindness, not doing it because of Lan Yan.
Lan Yan's head drooped. It was her own carelessness. She picked up her basin, inside which lay two lonely fish, and then gathered some gromwell before returning.
When she got back to the courtyard, Jun Yelan was already hanging clothes, not even looking at her. What else could she do but continue to change things. She went to the kitchen, prepared the two fish, and made a pot of steaming fish soup.
The aroma wafted out, surprising both Jun Yelan in the courtyard and Lan Chuo next door.
Lan Yan smiled triumphantly, brought out the fish soup, and looked at the rice jar which had only a little rice left. Today would be their last proper meal. Later, she would set a trap on the mountain and sell the catch in town tomorrow.
She first brought a bowl to Lan Chuo, calling, "Elder Brother, it's time to eat."
"Sister, where did this fish come from?" Lan Chuo had thought the aroma was from a neighbor's house, and was astonished it was made by his sister. He felt like he was dreaming!
Lan Yan smiled, "Elder Brother, I caught it in the river today. Your body needs nourishment, drink it quickly." She took the last packet of medicine to decoct, planning to bring it to her elder brother later.
When she returned to the kitchen, Jun Yelan was also there, but he hadn't touched the fish soup.
Lan Yan, filled with confusion, poured herself a bowl and placed the rest in front of Jun Yelan. "You've worked hard during this period. You should eat more. I know what you're going to say, but let's talk after you eat."
She didn't want to hear Jun Yelan refuse again.
Jun Yelan stared at the fish soup before him. His stomach rumbled, and he looked down and began to drink. His eyes brightened slightly, then he frowned. The fish soup tasted different from usual, but Lan Yan wouldn't know how to cook.
He looked up at Lan Yan, puzzled. Seeing Lan Yan eating happily, he didn't probe further. No matter what Lan Yan intended to do, she would eventually reveal her true colors.
Lan Yan was immersed in her joy, finally getting Jun Yelan to finish the soup. After she finished eating, Jun Yelan was already washing the dishes. She then went to the mountain to set her traps.
When she returned, Jun Yelan had already left. She washed up and went to her room.
Jun Yelan lay on the floor, clutching the thin quilt at his chest with both hands, his brows still tightly furrowed, as if having a nightmare.
Seeing this, Lan Yan squatted down, touched Jun Yelan's forehead, and called out, "May nightmares all go away!"
She saw Jun Yelan calm down, then lay down on the bed contentedly, murmuring, "Jun Yelan, I will no longer be your nightmare." She would change him little by little.
With that, she fell asleep.
Below, Jun Yelan opened his eyes, his gaze deepening.