The next morning, Lan Yan continued her patrol of the village, smiling contentedly as she watched everyone gradually adapt to their new surroundings.
Seeing many children playing nearby, she murmured, "It's time to set up a school."
Xiao Hua and Xiao Yue, who were looking after the younger children, ran over and giggled, "Sister Lan, come play with us."
"Alright." Lan Yan, wanting to relax for a bit, was pulled into the crowd of children by the two girls, and they began playing hide-and-seek. Listening to the children's carefree laughter, her heart felt much lighter, and she also reflected on her earlier thought.
Upon returning, she shared her idea with Jun Yelan, who naturally agreed.
Ruoniang, upon hearing of this, also had no objections.
Thus, the three of them gathered everyone. After discussing the matter, both Pavilions dispatched people to construct the school.
When it came to selecting instructors, people from both Pavilions began to voice their opinions. "Our Assassin Pavilion knows various weapons; we should be the ones to teach."
"You are mere butchers. Unlike our Flower Pavilion, which excels at gathering intelligence and mastering concealment."
The members of the two Pavilions started arguing loudly.
Lan Yan, seeing this, placed a hand on her forehead, thinking she was never free from trouble. "Everyone, please focus here first." She brought out a board on which the school's curriculum was written.
The members of the Assassin Pavilion were satisfied upon seeing the martial arts class.
The members of the Flower Pavilion, catching sight of subjects they were skilled in, fell silent.
Lan Yan glanced at Jun Yelan, raising an eyebrow triumphantly.
Jun Yelan couldn't help but smile, standing beside Lan Yan, "Our Pavilion will select suitable individuals to impart these lessons, teaching them self-defense and tracking, enabling them to protect themselves at critical moments."
He silently held Lan Yan's hand, looking at everyone with a commanding gaze.
The members of the Assassin Pavilion unanimously shouted, "We obey the Pavilion Master."
Lan Yan then turned to Ruoniang, asking, "Do you have any objections?"
"No," Ruoniang said. She had carefully examined the curriculum, which not only included intelligence gathering but also a medical class. "What is this medical class for?"
Lan Yan smiled, "I've noticed everyone often suffers from minor ailments, but we lack sufficient doctors here. I want to select a few children who are inclined towards medicine to learn from the doctors."
"Their place of instruction will not be in the school. I plan to establish a medical clinic near the school. In the future, when we seek medical attention there, they will also have a quiet environment for their studies."
She decided to address all necessary arrangements at the outset, as it would be difficult to mobilize the members of the two Pavilions later on.
This resolved Ruoniang's confusion, and she couldn't help but praise, "Lan Yan, your idea is excellent and has solved many of our problems. In the future, if the Flower Pavilion faces any issues, I will consult you."
"Yan'er is my wife; she must help me manage the Assassin Pavilion," Jun Yelan stated coldly, putting an arm around Lan Yan's shoulders.
Sensing an unusual shift in their demeanor, Lan Yan intervened helplessly, "Alright, I will assist both of you. Next, it will be up to the Pavilion Master and the楼主 to organize everyone."
Jun Yelan then withdrew his gaze and offered Lan Yan a faint smile.
Ruoniang snorted but ceased her complaints.
Lan Yan sighed slightly, thinking the road ahead was long and arduous. "Then, after breakfast today, we will begin constructing the school." With that, she quickly departed, considering it a place of potential contention.
Jun Yelan, after assigning his tasks, followed Lan Yan.
Ruoniang also wished to leave but was detained by the others, who argued that the place could not be without a supervisor. She stamped her foot and called out, "Lan Yan, Jun Yelan, you two come back here."
There was no response.
At that moment, Lan Yan and Jun Yelan were already having breakfast, serving each other dishes.
A month passed, and the school began its lessons.
Lan Yan possessed knowledge in many areas, but none with mastery, so she took on the responsibility of selecting students. She occasionally visited the school and happened to see Jun Yelan teaching the children archery, so she stopped to watch.
Jun Yelan stood there, his demeanor ice-cold, holding a bow and arrow. With a single shot, he hit the bullseye. He then tossed the bow to Xiao Hua beside him and said sternly, "You try."
Xiao Hua's face contorted in a look of distress. She strained her arms to lift the bow, nocked an arrow, but it slipped from her grasp. She looked at Jun Yelan even more nervously, beads of sweat forming on her brow.
The scene fell silent. Lan Yan was about to step forward when she saw Jun Yelan walk over to Xiao Hua, smile, and retract his foot.
Jun Yelan stood behind Xiao Hua, held her bow, and guided her step by step.
This eased Xiao Hua's tension, and she successfully loosed her first arrow, exclaiming excitedly, "Thank you, Brother Jun!" She handed the bow to Xiao Yue, who was next.
Xiao Yue stepped forward, her small face flushed and beaming. She grasped the bow and arrow, "Brother Jun, I want to try first."
Jun Yelan nodded.
Xiao Yue stood in the center and, following Jun Yelan's earlier instructions to Xiao Hua, attempted to shoot the arrow. The arrow went wide, and she looked disappointed.
"You've already done very well." Hearing Jun Yelan's words, she smiled again and nodded, "Brother Jun, I will work hard."
Jun Yelan continued to instruct the other children.
The children, no longer fearful as they had been at the start, excitedly gathered around him, each one shouting, "I want to learn, I want to learn too!" Igniting their desire to learn.
Jun Yelan, calm and unhurried, divided the children into groups, having them learn together while he offered guidance individually.
Lan Yan, watching silently, curved her lips upwards. Seeing that Jun Yelan had things under control, she found a comfortable spot to sit. It was the school's courtyard, surrounded by flowers, with a set of tables and chairs nestled amidst the blossoms.
Sitting there, she could enjoy the fragrance of the flowers and also watch Jun Yelan teach, a perfect combination.
The sun overhead cast a warm glow. She propped her head on her hand, her eyelids growing heavy.
When Jun Yelan approached, he saw the picture of a beauty leaning against a table. His eyes conveyed adoration as he squatted before Lan Yan and called out, "Yan'er, it's time to go back."
"Don't want to," Lan Yan mumbled drowsily, placing her hands on Jun Yelan's shoulders. "Carry me."
Jun Yelan smiled. "Alright." He lifted Lan Yan onto his back, grasped her legs, and walked forward with a smile.
Lan Yan, her eyes half-closed, rested on Jun Yelan's back and whispered, "Yelan, I haven't taught you how to cook yet."
Jun Yelan's lips curved upwards, pleased that Lan Yan remembered. "Will you teach me tomorrow, alright?"
"Hmm, depending on my mood," Lan Yan murmured, shaking her head, her eyes completely closed.
The smile on Jun Yelan's lips deepened, his face filled with joy. "Whatever you say." He carried Lan Yan, walking towards their home under the moonlight, step by step.
In the past, he would never have dared to imagine such a life. He had believed he would either be killed by others or perish at the hands of the White Pavilion Master. But now, he had Lan Yan by his side, and these peaceful days.
He no longer kept his sword perpetually ready, nor was his mind perpetually tense.
By Lan Yan's side, he was the most relaxed, the most content. He enjoyed doing everything with her: cooking, picking fruits in the mountains, fishing in the water, and all other activities.
"Yan'er, what I wish for now is for these days to last longer, and longer."
Lan Yan, behind him, smiled upwards and murmured, in a voice only she could hear, "As do I."