"Unfortunately, we only have four pieces in stock that would fit everyone's figures..."
"Boss, there are seven of us, and two are still in the hospital. However, we can tell you our measurements. Please help us."
Guan Ying's eyes pleaded with the proprietress, who, seeing her sympathetic expression, deliberately coughed as if summoning something.
As everyone was bewildered, a veiled woman emerged from behind a Hanfu, graceful and possessing an extraordinary aura.
"Ye... Ye Lan?"
"Hmph."
Ye Lan snorted, deliberately ignoring Ren Yuanhao. Instead, she swept her gaze over the five women and said coldly, "My place does have many sizes, but it's a bit far from here."
"We don't mind the distance; we have a car."
Ren Yuanhao scratched his head, looking somewhat awkward.
"Hmph, who cares about you."
Ye Lan lowered her head to ponder, but the proprietress, seeing this, pulled Ye Lan aside.
"Sister Lan'er, your expression is a bit off."
"What's off about it?"
"Well, you and that guy... could it be~"
"Don't talk nonsense."
"Oh, I see, is it a lovers' quarrel?"
Ye Lan looked defeated and didn't bother to explain. She returned to the five women and said softly, "Alright, you wait here."
After speaking, Ye Lan walked out of Gu Yun Fang like a wisp of smoke, completely ignoring Ren Yuanhao. Ren Yuanhao let out a meaningful sigh and followed her out.
"Ye~"
Ren Yuanhao was about to call out but then feared revealing Ye Lan's identity and causing unnecessary trouble. He immediately fell silent and caught up with Ye Lan in a few steps.
"Ye Lan, I~"
"Hmph, what about you? Five women, and you can handle them all?"
"No, you've misunderstood."
— Damn it, why am I explaining? I'm upright and honest!
Ren Yuanhao didn't understand his own actions. However, since Ye Lan was angry, as a man, he had to do something.
"By the way, you like Hanfu so much? Are you interested in participating in the performance by those girls tonight?" Ren Yuanhao offered a gift, taking out an admission ticket from Guan Ying.
Ye Lan was initially disdainful, her expression as cold as ice, exuding an aloof queenly aura. However, she seemed to suddenly think of something and asked with a hint of joy, "Does this count as a date?"
"Uh..."
Ren Yuanhao was taken aback. He thought to himself, "Miss, I'm working! With my current status, I have a girlfriend. A date? If this goes on, the system fairy will surely beat me up!"
However, how could Ren Yuanhao refuse Ye Lan's expectant face?
Seeing his slight hesitation, Ye Lan's expression turned displeased again. Ren Yuanhao, unable to do anything about her, could only explain truthfully, "Miss Ye, you know the nature of my work. If I neglect you then, you'll blame me again, won't you?"
There was no other man who could make Ye Lan lower her stance so much besides Ren Yuanhao. She wasn't like Yang Lingxue, who liked to make a fuss (at least, that's what Ye Lan thought). After a moment of thought, she said, "You're just teasing me, it won't cost you anything. Forget it, meeting you, I've truly been defeated utterly."
She took the admission ticket and followed Ren Yuanhao, driving towards the mountain apartment she hadn't returned to for a long time.
On the way, Ren Yuanhao explained things to her. Instead of getting angry, Ye Lan greatly praised Ren Yuanhao's actions.
"Our nation's Han style is elegant and has a long history, unlike the barbarian tribes. In recent years, foreign cultures have invaded greatly, which is quite sorrowful. Your approach is very correct. I will definitely help these young ladies."
Tree shadows quickly receded, and the wild grass on both sides pierced the sky like sharp swords. The sun blazed, casting dappled yellow light spots that painted the entire winding mountain road in the colors of old film.
Although Ren Yuanhao was looking straight ahead, he could still feel Ye Lan's burning gaze.
"These girls are not having an easy time. Persisting in one's dreams is very difficult. Seeing them is like seeing myself back then."
"What you're saying makes you sound very old."
"Am I not old? I'm 27, and still a single dog~"
"Yes, yes, you're old, Uncle. But I'm also a single dog. Why don't we just make do with each other? What do you think, Uncle?"
— Damn it, is this considered a confession?
Ren Yuanhao blushed, but he heard Ye Lan chuckle, "Alright, I was just kidding. You're too picky, I wonder who can subdue you."
If this had been in the past, Ren Yuanhao would have only taken this as mockery. If not for his lifespan, and a goddess-level woman like Ye Lan throwing him a leash, he would have already been drooling and happily putting it around his neck.
— Seven years, what will happen to me seven years later?
Ren Yuanhao never doubted the system fairy's words, but one question always lingered in his heart—where did the system fairy come from, and were his previous ten lives truly as a miserable single dog?
Tree shadows continuously cast into the car. The wind on the mountainside was refreshing. Ren Yuanhao glanced at the shimmering pond at the foot of the mountain and the not-too-high waterfall. His body and mind felt cleansed, extremely comfortable.
For him, instead of thinking about these things, it was better to seize each day. This was the best reward for life.
...
When the two returned to Gu Yun Fang, it was already three in the afternoon. The proprietress had made some adjustments according to the measurements provided by everyone, estimating that the delivery could be made before five o'clock.
"Now that the clothing and props are not a problem, the next step is to build momentum." Ren Yuanhao sat firmly in the command tent, assigning tasks like a strategist.
"Ye Lan, building momentum, I don't think it should be difficult for you, right?"
"Yes, probably not."
Ye Lan, without any expression, led two girls out.
"Alright, for the rest, come with me back to the venue to clean up."
After Ren Yuanhao finished giving orders, the plump Wei asked with some doubt, "Who exactly is Sister Ye Lan? Will building momentum be a problem?"
"If it were anyone else, I wouldn't dare to say, but if she makes a move, everything will be fine. Guan Ying, it's three o'clock now. You need to find out Qing Luo's situation. If it's not possible, you'll need to find a way in advance."
Ren Yuanhao's tone was unmistakable. The others didn't ask further, as time was running out for them.
Guan Ying looked at the sunlight projected through the glass door. The fading hope seemed to ignite fiercely at this moment, but soon, more critical news arrived.