Upon stepping into Lan Yan's chamber, Yin Xiaodao found herself immersed in a surreal, almost hallucinatory tableau. Within, figures of both sexes moved with languid abandon, their laughter merging with the pounding rhythms of the music that filled the air. The room was saturated with a dense haze of smoke, through which cascading lights created a mesmerizing play of colors.
The attendant leading Yin Xiaodao bowed reverently, his gesture directing attention to a youthful figure reclined in a secluded corner. "Allow me to introduce the Young patriarch of the Lan Family," , "young master Lan Yan."
Through the swirling haze of smoke and mist, the features of the young man remained somewhat obscured. Yin Xiaodao scrutinized him intently amidst the pulsating lights that flickered around them.
Lan Yan possessed a remarkable resemblance to someone from Yin Xiaodao's past. His visage was youthful yet sharply chiseled, exuding an exotic allure that defied easy categorization. However, the color of his eyes eluded her perception in the chaotic ambiance of the room.
In that moment, his visage blossomed with exuberance, his attention captured by the woman at his side whom he embraced with a tender extravagance. His gaze wandered, momentarily unfocused, before he nestled his head against her bosom, a rather impetuous display. When he raised his head, a beguiling smile played upon his lips.
Yin Xiaodao studied the contours of his face, which evoked memories from her own past, compelling her to offer a silent admonition: "Treasure life, steer clear of such indulgences."
Ultimately, though he was not that person whom she had known, Yin Xiaodao saw no need to intervene.
She stood silently by the doorway.
A few men in the chamber glanced at her briefly before returning to their debauchery.
Yin Xiaodao deduced they were still lost in euphoria. As she surveyed the room, she contemplated her ability to swiftly handle these miscreants with her current skills.
Yet, the harsh reality persisted: the Lan family was her employer.
The men remained deeply engrossed in their revelry, caught up in the frenzy of the moment.
The attendant had already closed the door and departed.
After standing in silence for over half an hour, one of the men suddenly snapped out of his daze. "Who's this?" he slurred, his words barely audible over the room's cacophony.
Furrowing his brow, he scrutinized Yin Xiaodao and demanded, "Who is she?" He then reached for the remote control and silenced the music, abruptly bringing stillness to the chaotic atmosphere.
The crowd glanced around, visibly disoriented.
He gestured towards Yin Xiaodao with a sweeping motion of his hand.
All eyes turned towards the doorway.
Yin Xiaodao responded calmly, "I am Yin Xiaodao."
The man appeared taken aback. "Who invited her?"
"Yin Xiaodao..."
"Lan Yan, ensconced in the dimly lit corner, cast a tired glance around with bleary eyes." After a moment, he shook his head in disbelief. "A woman...?!"
"Nice to meet you, Young Master Lan," Yin Xiaodao replied evenly, maintaining her composure. "I am Yin Xiaodao. "I eagerly anticipate our forthcoming collaboration over the next three months."
Lan Yan chuckled, the motion nearly toppling his glass. "Seriously, who talks like that these days?" His laughter carried a hint of disdain.
Yin Xiaodao remained composed. His face stirred a distant memory, though she couldn't recall the person's name, so she mentally dubbed him "Nameless"
Meeting her gaze squarely, Lan Yan set aside his glass, his demeanor turning icy. "With a name like that, you must be quite spirited. Three months? Let's see if you can last three days."
Yin Xiaodao gracefully lowered her eyes. "Thank you for your concern."
He regarded her with disdain before turning away, returning to his companions to resume their joys.
It wasn't until well past midnight that Lan Yan appeared to regain some sobriety. He pushed the woman beside him away with a careless gesture, then staggered toward Yin Xiaodao, his grip firm on her shoulder. "Come on, let's go home," he slurred, the sharp scent of alcohol lingering on his breath.
She steadied him with a nod. "Okay." When she caught a clear glimpse of his eyes, she was startled. His irises were... also blue.
Just like Nameless.
"Damn." Lan Yan grazed her shoulder, murmuring, "Quite the tomboy, aren't you?"
Yin Xiaodao discerned the underlying implication. Years of rigorous training had stripped away her femininity.
Lan Yan withdrew his hand and strode out the door.
It wasn't until they settled into the car that he reclined in the rear seat, his leadend eyes uncertain as he remarked, "A girl like you shouldn't be entangled in such affairs."
"It's the way of the world: accepting someone's money compels you to resolve their issues."
"If you forfeit your life, no amount of wealth will hold any significance." He paused, his tone turning glacial. "That's all I have to say. Should you meet your demise one day, it will be of no consequence."
Yin Xiaodao nodded. "Thank you for your concern."
Lan Yan fell silent. He reclined further and soon drifted off, his snores filling the car.
The driver remained impassive in the front seat.
Yin Xiaodao gazed out at the neon lights outside the window.
The atmosphere and air quality of this bustling city were markedly different from her hometown of Xijing Town.
----
Lan Yan's place wasn't a grand villa but a modest apartment with three bedrooms and two living rooms.
He flicked on the lights upon entering.
The living room was cluttered with assorted items, and the dining table was strewn with pots, pans, and dishes, appearing neglected.
Yin Xiaodao surveyed the apartment. Judging by the household items, it seemed he lived alone.
Ignoring her, Lan Yan busied himself with his tasks.
He disappeared into the bathroom for a shower.
Emerging in a bathrobe, he found Yin Xiaodao examining something in the living room.
Dismissing her, he retired to his bedroom.
Just as he settled into bed, a persistent knock sounded at the door.
He pulled the blanket over his head, feigning ignorance of the interruption.
The knocking persisted.
"Damn, this is infuriating." Lan Yan threw off the blanket, flung open the door, and made no attempt to hide his irritation. "I despise being disturbed when I'm trying to sleep."
Yin Xiaodao remained composed. "It's my duty to ensure your safety 24/7."
"Save it for your granny." He swung a fist at her, as if to strike her. "Go sleep, and don't bother me."
"Your concern is unwarranted. My grandmother is quite capable, but I appreciate your worry."
His punch felt like a brush of air. Judging by her serious expression, she appeared genuine in her remark.
He recalled what the old butler had told him.
Yin Xiaodao, born in Xijing Town's Xijing Village, was the top among the new generation in Hengguan.
Regarding Hengguan, Lan Yan couldn't recall its exact standing. Nevertheless, the Lan family had arranged a bodyguard for him—a person who frequently courted death.
To his surprise, it was a woman—a plain tomboy.
Lan Yan scratched his head. "If you're looking for trouble, be my guest. But let me warn you, don't even think about sleeping in my bed."
Yin Xiaodao glanced at the rather large bed. "I can sleep on the floor."
"Hope you don't get trampled to death by me in the morning," he quipped, then reclined on the bed and pulled up the blanket.
Silently, she fetched a blanket from the adjacent room and settled on the carpet.
Yin Xiaodao stared at the ceiling, contemplating her chances of falling asleep.
Lan Yan resumed snoring, the sound melodic with a gentle crescendo.
Years of rigorous training had sharpened her senses to a fine point, making it almost impossible to sleep under ordinary circumstances, let alone with such a disruption nearby.
She braced herself for the enduring sleeplessness for the next three months.
----
Lan Yan abruptly woke in the dead of night.
Yin Xiaodao opened her eyes and instantly sprang up, scanning the room intently.
Nothing seemed amiss.
Sweating, Lan Yan turned to her and asked, "Did you shower last night?" The question struck her as odd.
She frowned slightly. "I bathed at six in the evening."
"Excuse me" He pinched his nose and remarked, "I thought I caught a peculiar scent, somewhat masculine."
"I haven't received my luggage yet." Yin Xiaodao had only arrived in Cangcheng yesterday afternoon and was promptly escorted by the Lan family assistant to where Lan Yan was lounging. She hadn't had a moment to herself since.
Lan Yan shot her a contemptuous glance. "Then find another place to sleep. I don't tolerate untidiness in my room."
"I'm very clean," she asserted, moving closer.
"Stay back, you smell," he recoiled, regarding her as though she were an inconvenience. "You can sleep on the floor if you want, but keep as far away from me as possible."
"I'm committed to your safety 24/7," Yin Xiaodao reiterated calmly.
"Will you guard me on the toilet too?" he joked, a strange laugh tinting his tone.
"If you wish, I'll accompany you."
His eye twitched, glaring at her.
She remained impassive.
After ten seconds of a protracted stare, Lan Yan felt fatigued once more. "Go sleep by the door. Don't obstruct me."
"Very well." Yin Xiaodao complied, gathering her blanket and relocating to the door.
He lay on his side, silently watching her retreat.
Once she settled by the door, he pulled the blanket over his head.
Yin Xiaodao doubted she would find any rest tonight.
Lan Yan's snoring was accompanied by the faint yet unmistakable grinding of his teeth once he drifted off again. The delicate noise, heightened by her acute hearing, resonated through the otherwise serene night.
She sat up.
This Lan Yan bore an uncanny resemblance to someone she had known in the past. The similarity in their features might have been happenstance, but those identical blue eyes sparked suspicions about his true identity.
The grinding of teeth grew more pronounced, a relentless chattering noise. Yin Xiaodao rose and paced the room with silent, measured steps.
Approaching Lan Yan's bedside, she stood vigilantly observing him.
He slept fitfully, his brow furrowed with beads of sweat glistening.
She remembered her father's parting counsel as she left Hengguan: "Do what must be done."
Hengguan's ancestral lands had been in their family for generations. Recently, Xijing Town proposed appropriating it for a tourism venture.
Naturally, her father opposed this and had engaged in months-long negotiations with town officials.
The Lan family's intervention was evident—they sought Hengguan's martial support. If Lan Yan managed to survive until autumn, the Lan family would handle the complexities arising from the tourism project.
Initially skeptical of the Lan family, her father had been persuaded by assurances from a member of Hengguan's disciples with ties to them, reluctantly agreeing to their involvement.