Lan Yan ran into the study hall, slammed the money bag onto the counter, and shouted, "Bring me all the books on enlightenment!"
The shopkeeper, intimidated by Lan Yan's aggressive demeanor, instructed a shop assistant to fetch a set of books.
The books instantly piled up into a small mountain, higher than Lan Yan's head peeking over the counter. She suddenly felt she had bitten off more than she could chew, but how could she take back her words!
"Shopkeeper, do you have a cart I can borrow?"
Seeing Lan Yan buying so much, the shopkeeper offered to have an assistant help deliver them, saving Lan Yan the trouble of carrying the books.
Upon reaching the shop entrance, Lan Yan gave two boxes of pastries to the assistant, who then helped her move the books inside. After seeing the assistant off, she circled the books, squinting.
Jun Yelan emerged from the storeroom and saw the determined look in Lan Yan's eyes, as if she had made a firm decision. He noticed the books on the ground and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Enlightening you," Lan Yan said, hugging a stack of books and shoving them into Jun Yelan's arms. "I heard these are just beginner books. Read these first, and I'll buy more later."
With that, she patted Jun Yelan's shoulder, thinking how difficult studying really was, and walked towards the kitchen.
Jun Yelan stood frozen in place, realizing that Lan Yan had bought these books for him. He caressed the covers of the books, smelling the unique fragrance of paper and ink, his heart pounding.
But how could Lan Yan have known he loved reading!
When Lan Yan emerged from the kitchen, she saw Jun Yelan had already moved the books to the back, holding one in his hands. The corners of her lips curved upwards, and she suddenly didn't want to disturb him, so she continued making pastries.
However, by the time she came out with more pastries, Jun Yelan was already busy with the shop. With only the two of them, the shop was too understaffed to divide their attention.
But she couldn't find anyone suitable in the village. Perhaps she could buy someone from a matchmaking agency? As more customers arrived at the shop, she went to help, pushing the thought aside.
By evening, Lan Yan returned empty-handed, while Jun Yelan carried a basket full of books on his back. "Should I help you?"
Jun Yelan refused directly, "I can manage. You bought all these books for me, what do you want me to do with them?" He knew Lan Yan's maternal grandfather was a scholar, did she want him to become one too?
But he desired far more than that. He wanted to reach higher positions to control his own destiny, rather than be bullied by others at will.
Lan Yan clasped her hands behind her back and smiled. "Jun Yelan, I love making pastries, and my elder brother loves hunting. Everyone has something they want to do. I just hope you do too."
"Besides, the money was earned by both of us. You can use it to buy whatever you like, without considering me and my brother." Jun Yelan had been too repressed for too long, hiding everything in his heart, which was very taxing.
Jun Yelan's pupils quivered slightly. No one had ever spoken to him like this before. Sometimes he even forgot what he wanted and what he could have.
"I won't let you down," he thought. Lan Yan wanted a good life, so he wouldn't waste these books and would use them to advance further.
Lan Yan nodded and smiled, "Good." She believed Jun Yelan would do it more than anyone.
After dinner, Jun Yelan continued reading.
Lan Yan lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. What could she do to get Tutor Du to accept Jun Yelan? Perhaps she could bring him some pastries tomorrow; that would be the way.
Jun Yelan had just finished noting down a book when he turned and saw Lan Yan shifting. Why wasn't she asleep yet? He blew out the oil lamp and slept on the floor, listening to Lan Yan's movements.
Only when all sound ceased did he fall asleep.
The next morning, Lan Yan arrived at the shop and sold pastries for the entire morning. She called out, "Jun Yelan, I won't be eating lunch with you today, I have something to do."
She picked up a few boxes of pastries and rushed towards the school.
Jun Yelan frowned and murmured, "What has she been busy with lately?"
Lan Yan reached the school, panting, and stopped Tutor Du. "Tutor Du, these are pastries for you. Also, the family member I mentioned yesterday has already started reading, finishing two books in one day."
"I didn't lie to you, he's truly intelligent and shouldn't be buried here."
Seeing Lan Yan's persistence, Tutor Du sighed, "Girl, I have requirements for accepting disciples. It's not just about memorizing books, but having one's own thoughts!"
Lan Yan exclaimed, "Tutor Du, how do you know if he has these things if you haven't even met him! I remember reading that one shouldn't understand a person by hearsay, nor should one be prejudiced."
"Tutor Du, if you continue to think this way, I can only say you are not fit to be his tutor." She picked up the pastries and turned to leave.
Tutor Du shouted from behind, "Wait, you girl, why are you so temperamental. Alright, bring him tomorrow, and I'll meet him."
Lan Yan's lips curved into a smile, and she turned back, "Okay, Tutor Du, you said it." She placed the pastries into Tutor Du's embrace, "I was rude earlier, this is a gesture of apology."
With that, she quickly left, hurrying back to tell Jun Yelan the good news.
Tutor Du looked at the pastries in his hands, both amused and helpless. Who was the person this woman cared so much about? He became curious about the man he was to meet tomorrow.
Lan Yan remembered they were running low on ingredients and went to the market to buy more. She also saw a familiar face.
Li Erya was carrying a burden, also selling food in the alley, and her pastries looked very similar to Lan Yan's.
She knew Li Erya was after the same idea, but unfortunately, no one had shown interest for so long. Moreover, these pastries couldn't be stored for long, so all these ingredients would be wasted. She was very curious about what fate awaited Li Erya at home.
The Li couple had no money; they relied on Li Daya's earnings as a maid. With Li Erya having lost money, the Li family would surely not let her off the hook.
Lan Yan smiled triumphantly and leisurely took the ingredients back.
As soon as she entered, she smiled at Jun Yelan, "Jun Yelan, I have some huge good news. Tutor Du from the school we passed by before has agreed to meet you tomorrow."
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened, and he stared at Lan Yan. Tutor Du was known for his bad temper; why would he want to meet him? He thought of Lan Yan's actions in the past few days and his heart skipped a beat. He opened his lips slightly and said, "So it's because of me."
"What?" Lan Yan didn't understand at first and was suddenly embraced by Jun Yelan, leaving her stunned. She asked curiously, "Jun Yelan, what's wrong?"
Jun Yelan held Lan Yan close, not wanting her to see him in his current state, his eyes misting over. He asked tremblingly, "Why are you doing all this for me?"
Lan Yan smiled, "Because you're worth it. I didn't think too much about it, I just felt you were very smart, reading ten lines at a glance. It would be even better if you had a tutor. Of course, I also have my selfish motives; when you become successful in the future, remember to protect me."
Listening to these words, a slight arc formed on Jun Yelan's lips. At this moment, he made a firm decision in his heart to achieve everything Lan Yan desired, and murmured, "Okay."