Lan Yan didn't notice the change in Jun Yelan's expression, and kept saying, "After you left, I was really worried. Then I ran into Ruan Yuan, and I couldn't stand it, so I came to find you."
"Oh, why did the Emperor summon you?"
These words gently entered Jun Yelan's ears, and the tremor in his eyes grew larger. He shook his head, "It's nothing important." The Emperor had just asked him about some matters concerning the priests and then invited him for a game of chess.
This Emperor was deeply thoughtful. He couldn't help but look at Lan Yan. Could someone with such a disposition survive here?
Seeing Jun Yelan staring at her, Lan Yan touched her cheek and asked, puzzled, "Am I too anxious? Are there beads of sweat on my forehead?" She took out a handkerchief and aimlessly wiped her face.
Her wrist was grasped by Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan took the handkerchief from her hand and gently wiped Lan Yan's forehead.
Lan Yan was stunned. She tilted her head slightly, gazing at Jun Yelan's face. Her heart beat faster than usual. When Jun Yelan handed her the handkerchief back, she quickly averted her gaze.
"I... let's go back quickly." She walked forward directly.
Jun Yelan watched Lan Yan walk with her hands and feet moving in unison. His eyes deepened, and he put on his veil and followed her.
Along the way, silence fell between the two.
Lan Yan took a deep breath and raised her hand to brush away the scene in her mind. Meeting Jun Yelan's confused gaze, she smiled and said, "Jun Yelan, there's something I have to tell you."
Jun Yelan remained silent, staring intently at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan tried her best to put on a serious expression, clenching her fists. "I'm sorry, I lied to you before. I thought it was dangerous for you to walk alone in the wilderness, and I couldn't defeat you, so I had to resort to this."
Her head drooped, truly knowing she was wrong. However, if she had to do it again, she would still do the same.
Jun Yelan had never seen Lan Yan so disheartened. Was it because she cared about his feelings? He clenched his sleeves, shook his head, his eyes dimming slightly. "I lied to you too. We're even now."
"What?" Lan Yan suddenly looked up, her eyes brightening. She unconsciously reached for Jun Yelan's sleeve and grinned, "Then you're not angry anymore! That's great."
Jun Yelan was stunned. Why was she so overjoyed, just because of him?
Lan Yan was immersed in her joy. Seeing some pastries on the street, she quickly ran over. "Jun Yelan, I'm going to buy some food." She ran to the stall and called out, "Boss, I want this, and that."
Jun Yelan was still standing in his original spot, looking at the smiling face not far away, a change occurring in his heart. He thought that since he couldn't understand what Lan Yan was thinking, he would stay like this for now.
As long as he didn't think about it, he wouldn't have any improper thoughts. What he had to do now was to survive here, to live longer than those who had hurt him.
Lan Yan, holding a pile of things, turned to call Jun Yelan, but saw him lost in thought. She closed her mouth. Thinking of Jun Yelan's state of mind, she suddenly wanted to do more for him.
She was doing it for her mission, and also for her own selfish reasons, wanting this person to be genuinely happy.
She raised her hand and called out again, "Jun Yelan, there's delicious osmanthus cake here, come quickly."
Jun Yelan's thoughts were pulled back by the shout. Looking at Lan Yan's bright eyes, he unconsciously took a step forward. Suddenly, someone ran back and bumped into him, knocking off his veil.
The person immediately exclaimed in terror, "A ghost!"
A fierce glint flashed in Jun Yelan's eyes as he coldly stared at the people gathering around. His anger surged, and he gripped the dagger hidden in his sleeve.