Lan Yan, remembering she needed to deliver a recipe to the restaurant today and anticipating that Jun Yelan wouldn't behave, decided to bring him along. It was also an opportunity for her to show how much she had changed.
Jun Yelan had been a bit skeptical about their contract the last time he saw it, but after Lan Yan directly led him into the restaurant's kitchen, he began to trust her more.
Upon entering, Lan Yan was warmly greeted by the manager, who said with a smile, "Manager, my fiancé and I had some business in town, so I brought him here with me. He won't be a bother."
"Miss Lan, you are now a partner in the restaurant, so of course, that's fine," the manager replied, beaming. The recipes Lan Yan had left previously were a huge hit with the customers, and the restaurant's business had flourished.
Lan Yan presented the recipe she had prepared earlier and handed it to the manager.
The manager accepted it eagerly and said, "Miss Lan, that Elder Hu came again, specifically requesting your cooking. Now that you are here, perhaps..."
"I'll be cooking," Lan Yan replied. Since she was now supplying recipes to the restaurant, she naturally wanted their business to do well. She then looked at Jun Yelan, "Jun Yelan, there are tables and chairs outside. You can sit over there."
Jun Yelan nodded, realizing he wouldn't be of much use here. He walked outside and stood by the window, catching sight of Lan Yan cooking. The expression on her face was different from what he had seen before, filled with confidence and joy.
He thought to himself that Lan Yan must truly enjoy cooking.
Lan Yan was more familiar with the kitchen this time. In less than fifteen minutes, she had prepared one dish, which was also exuding a rich aroma. She proceeded to cook a few more dishes before taking off her apron and heading outside.
"Jun Yelan."
Lan Yan, with her eyes sparkling, stood before him, causing Jun Yelan to pause for a moment.
The manager and the kitchen helpers came out and looked at the two of them, praising, "Miss Lan has so many good ideas and such excellent skills. If she were a head chef, her future would be boundless."
"Miss Lan is so capable; it truly would be a waste if she only stayed in the kitchen."
As they said this, they glanced at Jun Yelan, hoping to make him appreciate the woman before him more. After speaking, they didn't disturb the young couple further and went back to their work.
Lan Yan covered her cheeks. Being praised so much by so many people today had made her blush.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she looked at Jun Yelan, leaning slightly forward and asking, "Jun Yelan, do you think they're telling the truth?"
When Jun Yelan looked down, he saw his own reflection in Lan Yan's eyes. His own eyes flickered, and his body stiffened. He reached out and placed a hand on Lan Yan's shoulder, "Mm."
It was a simple word, yet he saw the smile in Lan Yan's eyes deepen, as if his answer was incredibly important, more so than anyone else's.
This must be his imagination, he thought. He quickly let go and turned away awkwardly, "It's time to go. We still need to buy things today."
"Okay," Lan Yan followed, walking beside Jun Yelan. She looked at his hands, noticing their well-defined knuckles, fair and slender, covered in fine lines from hard work.
The reason for their fairness was Jun Yelan's weak constitution; sometimes, even his face was pale. "Jun Yelan, you haven't been eating enough lately. When can we fatten you up?"
Jun Yelan's steps faltered slightly. He turned to look at Lan Yan, whose eyes were still so innocent. "Lan Yan, why are you like this? I'm just a purchased child groom."
"But you are my child groom," Lan Yan replied, a smile forming on her lips. She tugged at Jun Yelan's sleeve, "I have three big goals right now: one is to get you fatter, one is to help my elder brother recover, and the third is to earn money."
Jun Yelan was momentarily captivated by her words, his steps stopping completely. He believed Lan Yan was telling the truth, and in a low voice, he said, "I will help you."
With that, he pulled his sleeve back and quickened his pace, his heart beating as fast as his footsteps.
Lan Yan remained standing where she was, a faint smile on her lips. She called out, "Jun Yelan, I heard you. You're not allowed to go back on your word!" The person in front didn't respond, but his ear tips had turned red.
With a smile, she followed him, feeling as though she had reaped a great harvest today.
Upon returning home, the villagers had already left. Lan Chuo, leaning on his crutch, closed the chicken coop.
Lan Yan put down the things she was carrying and reheated the steamed buns she had bought. The three of them ate casually. They were all tired from a day of work and looked forward to resting early.
"Brother, wait a moment. I have something for you," she said mysteriously before running into her room.
Lan Chuo looked at Jun Yelan with confusion. Seeing Jun Yelan's calm expression, he thought, he truly is his sister's future husband.
Lan Yan returned with a bundle in her arms. She opened it and handed two garments to Lan Chuo, "Brother, these are for you. This one is a padded coat, and the other is made of grey coarse cloth for working."
She had made two sets of clothes for everyone – one for everyday wear, and another for more important occasions.
"Sister, your needlework is too good! Brother is so pleased," Lan Chuo exclaimed, holding up the clothes and trying them on. "I'll go back to my room to try them on!"
Lan Yan and Jun Yelan were left alone in the room. She took out two more sets and handed them to Jun Yelan, "These are for you."
Jun Yelan accepted them with both hands, his gaze darkening as he looked at a set of blue garments. He looked up at Lan Yan, having never told her his preferences, wondering how she knew.
Lan Yan, thinking Jun Yelan was simply overjoyed, said with a smile, "Look at the stitches; they are much better than when I tried to embroider before." She added that her skills had been honed over several lifetimes.
Realizing she might have let something slip, she quickly waved her hand, "I mean, when I was practicing embroidery before, and now I have finished products. Try them on quickly to see if they need any alterations."
Jun Yelan nodded and stood up, looking at Lan Yan again.
Lan Yan, who had been sitting, felt awkward under Jun Yelan's steady gaze and said with an embarrassed laugh, "Alright, I won't disturb you while you change." She returned to her room to try on her own clothes before putting them back in the wardrobe.
As she turned, Jun Yelan returned. He was momentarily stunned by the sight of the handsome figure standing at the doorway. "I knew you would look good in them."
Jun Yelan seemed a little uncomfortable, his eyes shifting away. "I don't need to wear such fine clothes for my work. This is a waste." He had never owned anything so exquisite before.
Hearing this, Lan Yan walked up to Jun Yelan and stood on her tiptoes.
She reached out and pinched his cheeks, smiling at his stunned expression. "Jun Yelan, whatever I give you, you should use it well. You deserve the best things in this world."
She had come to save Jun Yelan, not just to improve his life, but also to pull him out of his past nightmares and teach him to love himself first.
Jun Yelan's eyes trembled. Standing beside Lan Yan, all he could hear was the beating of their two hearts, rising and falling in unison, their sources indistinguishable.