The next morning, Lan Yan handed over the shop’s affairs to Lin Yun, then went with Jun Yelan to the real estate agency.
The people at the agency were all familiar with Lan Yan. Upon hearing she wanted to buy a courtyard, they brought out the best property deeds they had. "These are all excellent courtyards on East Street. I'm only recommending these to you because we're acquainted."
Lan Yan and Jun Yelan headed out to see the courtyard the agency had recommended.
The courtyard was spacious, but it wasn't situated facing south, and walking inside gave a gloomy feeling.
Jun Yelan immediately refused, "The main courtyard must receive sunlight, the front and backyards should be spacious, and it needs to be close to the pastry shop." He knew Lan Yan liked to bask in the sun, tinker in the courtyard, and walk to the shop.
The agency personnel looked troubled; their requests were too numerous.
Lan Yan added, "What my husband wants is what I want. It also needs to be quiet." If it were too noisy, Jun Yelan wouldn't be able to concentrate on his studies.
The agency personnel started to sweat. These two, husband and wife, were even more demanding than the other. He looked at the property deed in his hand and sighed, "There's only one place left that meets your requirements."
"Alright, we'll go see that one," Lan Yan smiled at Jun Yelan, and the two followed the agency agent.
This courtyard was located in the deepest alley on East Street. Not only was it quiet, but there were also trees planted to provide shade. Three steps led up to the entrance. Upon pushing open the courtyard gate, a faint fragrance wafted out.
It turned out a osmanthus tree was planted in the courtyard, its small flowers in full bloom, some even falling to the ground and swaying in the wind.
Further inside were the houses. There were three to four rooms in the main house, along with east and west wing rooms, and a kitchen and utility room.
Lan Yan was momentarily stunned; this was exactly what she had always wanted.
Seeing Lan Yan’s expression, Jun Yelan knew the answer. He said to the agency personnel, "We'll take this place. Go calculate how much it costs."
The agency personnel, seeing their satisfaction, also smiled. "That’s wonderful! This place is truly excellent. It will surely bless you with early childbirth and a lifelong union."
With that, he went to check the property deed nearby.
Jun Yelan couldn't help but look at Lan Yan and murmured, "A lifelong union?" He had never thought about such things before, but now, it seemed he could.
Lan Yan turned and saw Jun Yelan in thought. She tugged on his sleeve and smiled, "Jun Yelan, do you like it here?"
Jun Yelan nodded. In truth, it didn't matter where he lived, as long as some people and things remained unchanged.
"I like it too." Lan Yan opened the window, through which she could see further away, where her pastry shop and Jun Yelan's school were located. "I can stay here whenever I have free time."
"Mm," Jun Yelan felt that all of Lan Yan's ideas were good.
Lan Yan placed her hands on the window frame, her eyes fixed on Jun Yelan. "But I still need to earn money to support the family, so I can't be here often."
"I'll earn money to support you from now on," Jun Yelan blurted out.
Lan Yan had only said it casually and didn't expect Jun Yelan to be so serious. She moved closer to him and teased, "Really? I'm very good at spending money, and I'm also very willful."
"It doesn't matter. Do whatever you want," Jun Yelan had never met anyone as carefree as Lan Yan, someone who thought so much of him. Such a person deserved the best.
He wanted to take the imperial examinations and become Lan Yan's reliance in the future.
Lan Yan immediately smiled, "Okay. I'll support you now, and you'll support me later." She took a step forward, hugged Jun Yelan's waist, and looked up at him with a smile.
Jun Yelan was stunned. He placed his hands on Lan Yan's back and embraced the person before him. He felt the warmth radiating from Lan Yan, which inexplicably melted his own cold heart.
He was looking forward to his future with Lan Yan.
"From now on, rest when you're tired. I'll handle everything."
"If you say so, then I'll take you at your word." Lan Yan's eyes sparkled, her eyes incredibly bright. Her heart felt warm now, and she felt her rescue plan was gradually improving.
She didn't need to consult the system; she already knew the outcome.
Jun Yelan gently hummed and couldn't help but reach out and tap Lan Yan's nose. "I won't lie to you." This was the first time he had said such things to someone, and yet Lan Yan didn't seem to believe him.
"Okay," Lan Yan buried her head in Jun Yelan's chest, their hearts drawing closer, conveying warmth. "Jun Yelan, from now on, you just study and follow your own path. I'll be responsible for the family business so you have no worries."
This was what she desired. While growing herself, she also watched another person grow.
Jun Yelan's lips curved, and he reciprocated with an "Okay." He knew that doing business also carried risks, and one could be harmed with a moment's carelessness, or bullied by those in power.
What he needed to do was protect Lan Yan completely. He would protect her no matter how far she ventured.
The two embraced each other, their hearts trembling more than ever before.
After the property deed was finalized, Lan Yan and Jun Yelan stayed to tidy up the courtyard. The sooner they finished, the sooner they could move in, and their elder brother would also be happy.
The two of them worked until afternoon. Thinking of checking on the shop before returning, they encountered the scholar Lu from before at the entrance.
Scholar Lu had come to buy pastries according to his mother's instructions. Seeing the two, he walked past haughtily. "With your shabby appearance, can you even afford our pastries?"
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened, and he felt the sharpened bamboo in his sleeve. It seemed this person still hadn't learned his lesson.
Lan Yan stopped him, narrowed her eyes, and said, "Leave it to me." She gave a signal to Lin Yun inside the shop.
Lin Yun naturally understood. She walked up to Scholar Lu and said, "Young sir, our shop has just launched a new gift box, and we haven't sold it to anyone else yet. Would you like to see it?"
Such novelty was highly favored by high-ranking officials and noblemen. Scholar Lu's family was in business, and his father was a renowned wealthy merchant. He said proudly, "Bring it for me to see."
Lin Yun went inside and returned a moment later with a box. "This gift box set costs one hundred taels. Can you afford it, young sir?"
"One hundred taels!" Scholar Lu touched his money pouch. All his money would be gone. "Your shop is too extortionate!"
Lin Yun smiled without warmth and said, "If you don't want it, young sir, we'll sell it to the next customer." She made a gesture as if to take it away.
Scholar Lu gritted his teeth and shouted, "I'll buy it." He painfully took out one hundred taels, leaving him penniless. As he carried the gift box past Lan Yan and Jun Yelan, he snorted and left.
"Heh." Lan Yan sneered, "For people like this, we should just take all their money and witness their foolishness." She walked into the shop and told Lin Yun to close up.
Jun Yelan looked at Scholar Lu's retreating back and said to Lan Yan, "Wait for me at the town entrance."
Lan Yan was a bit perplexed, but Jun Yelan had already left. She tidied everything up and headed to the town entrance. After waiting for a quarter of an hour, she saw Jun Yelan return with a gentler expression.
"Let's go," Jun Yelan walked beside Lan Yan, a faint smile on his lips. He had just made Scholar Lu fall again. He wouldn't let anyone who dared to trouble Lan Yan get away with it.