The sun was out and shining brightly, the birds were chirping happily. Luo Lan was laid on a bed, he shifted around the bed slightly as he slowly opened his eyes, then he quickly sat up and looked around frantically for Xiao Fan. He was worried about what had happened to Xiao Fan more than himself, he couldn't help but feel a pit in his stomach.
When the wooden door opened which revealed Xiao Fan wearing a villager's hanfu, she had a bamboo basket on her and bamboo colander in her hand. She also supported elderly women and let her sit down on a stool. Then she placed the materials she had collected.
" Luo Lan it's good to see that you're awake. " Xiao Fan looked at him and smiled, all of a sudden Luo Lan thought she was a goddess. Luo Lan felt relieved that Xiao Fan was fine and the moment she smiled he felt his heart fluttered slightly. Xiao Fan helped him up and gave him a glass of water.
' No, I don't like her. Besides, we barely even know each other. This feeling would come and go. ' Luo Lan thought.
" Luo Lan this is Aunt Ling, her grandson found us by the river bank and brought us here. Aunt Ling, this is Luo Lan. " She said as she broke Luo Lan out of his thoughts. She gestured towards the women sitting on the stool. Smiling lovingly at Xiao Fan as if she was her daughter, then turned to Luo Lan and gave him the same smile. Aunt Ling resembled Luo Lan's mother so much that he thought back to his home.
Luo Lan wondered how was his mother doing and whether or not was his Yi Ge safe. He knew his mother was ill with this news that one of her sons was here somewhere protecting a princess and another that had caused destruction in the Zhang Market. She might pass out for a day or two.
Luo Lan moved his blanket away as he moved his leg to touch the ground. He stood up but fell forward, Xiao Fan turned around just as she had just placed a glass jar on the counter to catch Luo Lan. There was some silence after a while, Luo Lan then looked Xiao Fan with his expressionless face, Xiao Fan was staring at him.
" Did you gain weight? " She plainly asked him.
" Did you become weak without any military training? " He shot back at her. Who shuddered at the thought of military training especially training from the Zhang Clan.
' As if I'd ever miss that training. ' Xiao Fan thought as she rolled her eyes, then let go Luo Lan who fell onto the floor face first.
Xiao Fan smirked then resumed to what she was doing, she washed the dandelions. Then she started the fire under the wok, she poured some water into the wok and placed the dandelions into the wok to boil along with a pinch of sugar.
" What are you doing? " Luo Lan asked as he got up and looked over her shoulder.
" Preparing lunch since it's going to be lunchtime soon. Unless you don't want to eat, I'm fine with that. I mean more food for the three of us then. " Xiao Fan said as sliced the apple into thin shavings with a cleaver.
" Aren't dandelion greens bitter? " Luo Lan asked as he raised his eyebrow.
" If you prepared it properly. " Xiao Fan replied, before placing the sliced apple into a wood bowl. She carefully took out the boiled dandelion green and drained the water away. She then proceeded to mix it with the apples. Since dandelions greens are bitter the apple would help sweeten the dish and also adds the crunch.
She then began to cook sweet and sour fish along with many more mouth-watering dishes. After all the cooking she went back outside while Luo Lan followed Xiao Fan around like a lost puppy. Since he didn't like interacting with new people, plus Aunt Ling looked like she was busy with something else.
" Luo Lan, why don't you prepare the table? All the eating utensils are in the kitchen. There's a small cabinet, inside there. That's where everything is. " She told Luo Lan, he nodded and walked back to the kitchen.
While Xiao Fan went to the clay oven and moved the cover. She took out a chicken, it had been marinated with roses. She then took the chicken over to benches and tables . This place was in the garden that Aunt Ling had. They always had their breakfast, lunch and dinner there.
" Ah-Ma! I'm back! " A voice rang throughout the entire household. Then a male entered the garden as he carried some firewood, he set them down under a hut.
" Xiao Fan, what's for lunch? Glad to see that you're awake too. " He said as he had a charming smile on his face.
" Li Jie, this is Luo Lan. Luo Lan this is Li Jia, the person who rescued us. " Xiao Fan said as she placed the chicken on the table.
" Don't overwork yourself Li Jie. " She scolded him as she noticed he had some scratches on his arms. Aunt Ling hit his head with her walking stick for getting hurt. He looked at his grandmother and rubbed the back of his head
Li Jie was very buff, he helped the villagers nearby the area as much as he could. Now with Xiao Fan at home, he was slightly relieved his grandmother wasn't alone.
" Wah! Rose fermented chicken?! Xiao Fan, did you come down from heaven or something? " He asked Xiao Fan with a cherry voice as the aroma of home cooked food hit his face. His mouth watered and stars appeared on his face.
" What if I was? And stop exaggerating about everything I do, no one is perfect. Come let's eat. " She said as everyone got seated.
" How was the village Li Jie? " Aunt Ling asked her grandson, while Xiao Fan deboned her chicken for her.
" The usual, nobles disturbing the villagers. " Li Jie replied.
Then lunch proceeded in silence, it was peaceful. Then the environment around them was refreshing. The scent of the earthy and mint-like smell lingered everywhere. The garden was filled with all kinds of plants from medicinal herbs to rare flowers like la xian de la or known as the lansiandra.
This garden was Aunt Ling's most treasured place, she had grew up here. This place held many precious memories for Aunt Ling, this was a place she would never trade anything for, money, fame whatever. This was her place of comfort.
After lunch, Luo Lan and Xiao Fan had gone to wash the dishes and clean everything up. Li Jie had helped his grandmother to get her to bed. He then walked out of her room to go and see Xiao Fan and Luo Lan.
" Xiao Fan? " Li Jie shouted softly.
" I'm here. " Xiao Fan replied, Luo Lan, glared at Li Jie as he came into view.
Luo Lan felt a small pang of jealousy when he saw Xiao Fan and Li Jie interacted. Li Jie was too close to Xiao Fan, way too close for Luo Lan's liking.
" Luo Lan you will be following Li Jie to a village near us tomorrow. If that is fine with you. " Xiao Fan asked Luo Lan.
" OK. " Luo Lan replied.
Xiao Fan smiled and carried some firewood in her hands, Li Jie offered help which she gladly accepted. None of them noticed the gloomy Luo Lan behind them.