The next morning, Lan Yan walked out of her room and saw the children making breakfast. She smiled and said, "Let me help you, so you can taste Sister Lan's cooking."
"That's great, we want to eat," the children exclaimed happily, eagerly assisting her.
Lan Yan couldn't help but smile. Looking at these young children, she felt a pang of sympathy. They should have been in school, but they were already learning to take care of themselves and others.
She made up her mind that at least for the time she was here, she would do more for them. She rolled up her sleeves and called out, "Xiao Hua, Xiao Yue, go get the vegetables, I'll chop them."
She was quite skilled at cooking, and soon she had several large dishes prepared.
The children nearby were stunned and discussed, "Sister Lan is too amazing, these dishes look so delicious."
"Sister Lan is really different from Brother Jun. Brother Jun always burns the food, he's worse than us."
"I know, Brother Jun must like Sister Lan, after all, Sister Lan is so good at cooking."
Listening to the children's words, Lan Yan smiled helplessly and served the last chicken soup. "Dinner is ready. Does anyone know where Brother Jun is?"
She had woken up early and hadn't seen Jun Yelan.
Xiao Hua and Xiao Yue sat beside Lan Yan, pointing to the path behind them and called out, "Brother Jun is coming."
Lan Yan looked behind her and saw Jun Yelan wearing rough cloth clothes, holding a bundle of firewood. It turned out Jun Yelan had gone to the back mountain to chop firewood. She shouted loudly, "Jun Yelan, it's time to eat."
Jun Yelan looked at the smiling person in front of him, his lips curved upwards, and his steps quickened. He put down the firewood and walked to the water缸.
Lan Yan stood there, holding a ladle, and said, "Wash your hands first, then you can eat."
"Okay." Jun Yelan's eyes were full of doting. He washed his hands with the water Lan Yan poured, then followed Lan Yan to the table. He stood beside Lan Yan, looking at the occupied seats on both sides, and sat down in another spot with a sigh.
It had only been half a day, and people were already competing with him for Lan Yan.
He picked up his bowl and chopsticks with a slight sense of loss. A piece of meat immediately appeared in his bowl, and he turned to look at Lan Yan.
Lan Yan, holding her chopsticks, served him more dishes and said with a smile, "These are all made by me, eat more, and don't waste anything." She knew Jun Yelan was a picky eater and only ate a little at the brothel before.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's serious expression, which only made him want to listen. He put the meat into his mouth and ate it quickly. As long as he thought it was made by Lan Yan, he was willing to eat anything.
Lan Yan nodded with satisfaction. It seemed her cooking skills were still as good as ever. She prepared to serve herself, but found the dishes on the plates piled up like a small mountain, blinking in confusion.
She looked at Jun Yelan. He was eating, not looking at her. But besides Jun Yelan, who else could it be? She smiled and slowly began to eat.
Jun Yelan looked over, his smile deepening.
After the meal, Lan Yan stayed with the children, telling them stories.
Jun Yelan chopped firewood nearby, sweat dripping from his forehead. But listening to Lan Yan's voice, he felt a deep contentment in his heart.
Xiao Hua and Xiao Yue brought water to Jun Yelan and giggled, "Brother Jun keeps secretly looking at Sister Lan."
Jun Yelan blushed and exclaimed, "Don't talk nonsense, you can't ruin your Sister Lan's reputation."
"But we don't think Sister Lan minds these things," Xiao Hua and the others said with a smile. "Brother Jun, the sunset in the back mountain is very beautiful, take Sister Lan there later. My mother once said that if you miss someone you like, they're gone."
After saying that, they hopped away with their water bowls, grabbed Lan Yan's sleeves on either side, and called out, "Sister Lan, Brother Jun wants you to go to the back mountain."
Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan in confusion, wondering why he didn't tell her himself. Seeing Jun Yelan's evasive eyes, she became even more puzzled.
Xiao Hua shook Lan Yan's sleeve and smiled, "Sister Lan, Brother Jun is too shy, so he asked us to tell you. We'll take care of things here, you go find Brother Jun."
She and Xiao Yue were the older children here and usually took care of the younger ones.
Lan Yan was pushed by Xiao Hua to Jun Yelan, and asked, "Jun Yelan, do you want to go?"
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's clear eyes and, for some reason, felt a little nervous. He nodded and walked forward, then slowed his pace to wait for Lan Yan to catch up.
Lan Yan walked beside Jun Yelan, always feeling that he was a bit strange today, a little stiff. "Jun Yelan, what's wrong?"
Jun Yelan didn't answer immediately; he was lost in thought. He had always seen Lan Yan as his benefactor, someone he needed to protect. But after the two children had exposed his feelings, he was a little confused about his emotions towards Lan Yan.
He unconsciously looked at Lan Yan and slightly parted his lips, "Lan Yan, I..."
"Wow, it's so beautiful here." Lan Yan looked at the mountain peak they had reached. The sunset painted the sky, filled with light.
Jun Yelan followed Lan Yan's gaze, but the image reflected in his eyes was Lan Yan's smile. He murmured, "Yes, it's beautiful." With Lan Yan by his side, everything else in the world lost its color.
Lan Yan said, "Jun Yelan, I understand. You wanted to bring me here but were afraid I wouldn't like it, which is why you were so strange just now. In the future, you don't need to worry so much, just tell me directly what you want to say or do."
"When I'm with you, I'm always at ease, and I hope you are too," she said, looking at Jun Yelan with a smile.
She knew Jun Yelan had suffered a lot and was used to hiding everything, but she had come for Jun Yelan, wanting him to be his true self openly.
Jun Yelan's pupils trembled slightly, and his heart beat faster. He wanted to express his feelings when he suddenly heard a commotion behind him. He turned and saw a fleeting figure, frowning.
"Lan Yan, you go back first. I'll be back later." He ran into the woods. People from the organization had arrived, and he couldn't let them discover Lan Yan's presence!
Lan Yan had no time to call out before Jun Yelan disappeared. She had no choice but to return, murmuring, "I hope Jun Yelan will be alright."
At this moment, Jun Yelan arrived at a hilltop in the forest and bowed to the black-clothed figure in front of him. "Pavilion Master."
The black-clothed figure turned around, wearing a mask, his eyes icy. He raised the whip in his hand and struck Jun Yelan heavily.
Jun Yelan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, but stood straight, his eyes showing no fear.
He just stared at the person in front of him. As long as they didn't harm Lan Yan, he was willing to endure anything.
"Jun Yelan, you've gotten bold, daring to not contact the organization for so many days." The Pavilion Master glared at Jun Yelan. Seeing his unchanged expression, his anger intensified, and he struck him with another whip.
Jun Yelan staggered back a few steps, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and continued to stand there. His eyes held determination, his fists clenched. He had to protect Lan Yan!