Rui, a handsome and strong young man from Vichanese, had traveled to the village for trade and to explore new opportunities after his family business had taken off. His sharp eyes caught sight of Yan as she worked at her family's market stall, tending to customers with a grace and determination that stirred something deep within him.
She stood out, not just because of her beauty but because of the fierce look of independence in her eyes. Rui couldn't help but smile as he watched her from a distance. He decided he needed to introduce himself, but how? His heart raced as he approached her stall.
"Excuse me, miss, are you selling these beautiful fabrics?" Rui asked, trying to hide the nervousness in his voice.
Yan looked up, her gaze meeting Rui's. She raised an eyebrow but smiled politely. "Yes, we are. Would you like to take a look?" Her voice was calm but carried an underlying strength.
Rui could barely focus on the fabrics. His eyes were on her the whole time. "I would love to, but honestly, I came here for something else." He paused, then continued, "I'm Rui, from Vichanese. I've heard about the hard work you and your siblings have done to build this market."
Yan blinked, taken aback. Most people who came to the stall talked only about business. No one had ever acknowledged their struggles like that. "Thank you," she replied, her tone softening slightly. "But it's not just me. My brothers and I work together."
Rui chuckled softly. "Still, you seem to be the heart of this. It's admirable." He paused for a moment, then, with a grin, added, "Maybe you could show me around the village?"
Yan laughed, a bit surprised at his boldness. "I'm afraid I'm too busy for that. My siblings and I have much to do. But perhaps another time."
From that moment on, Rui became a frequent visitor to the village, always finding an excuse to come to Yan's market stall. He admired her persistence and beauty from afar, but it wasn't long before his feelings grew deeper.
Shu, Yan's protective brother, noticed Rui's interest in his sister and wasn't pleased. He could see the way Rui looked at Yan, and it made his blood boil. He warned Yan to be careful of outsiders, but Yan brushed off his concerns.
However, Shu didn't stop there. He went so far as to gather some local boys to confront Rui one evening. They surrounded him on a quiet road leading out of the village.
"Stay away from my sister!" Shu growled, pushing Rui back.
Rui stood his ground, his fists clenched, but he didn't fight back. He looked Shu straight in the eye and said, "I'm not here to harm her. I care about her."
But Shu wasn't having it. With a swift motion, he ordered the boys to attack. Rui fought back with skill and precision, though he never struck Shu. Even as he took blows from the group, he refused to give up his feelings for Yan. In the end, the fight left Rui bruised but standing tall.
That night, Yan found Rui sitting by the village well, his lip bleeding and his clothes torn. She rushed to him, her eyes filled with concern.
"What happened to you?" she asked, kneeling down to check his injuries.
Rui smiled through the pain. "Your brother... he doesn't like me much."
Yan sighed, shaking her head. "Shu is overprotective, but he means well. You shouldn't have to deal with this."
Rui gazed at her, his expression softening. "It's worth it. I'd endure anything for you."
Yan's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected to feel anything for Rui, but as she looked into his eyes, she realized her own feelings were beginning to grow. She was falling for him, despite everything.
A few weeks passed, and Yan and Rui's bond only deepened. They would meet in secret, talking about their hopes, dreams, and their struggles. Yan shared her fears about her family and the weight of their responsibilities. Rui, in turn, told her about his life in Vichanese and the opportunities it offered.
One night, under the cover of darkness, they made a decision. They couldn't stay in the village any longer—not with Shu constantly interfering and the weight of responsibility suffocating them. They needed to leave.
"Let's run away," Rui whispered one night as they stood near the old oak tree at the edge of the village. "We can go back to Vichanese together. Start a new life."
Yan hesitated. "But what about my family? I can't just abandon them."
Rui took her hands in his, his voice gentle but firm. "You've given them everything, Yan. It's time you live for yourself. We can make a future together."
Her heart pounded in her chest. It was a reckless decision, but something inside her told her it was the right one. "Alright," she finally agreed. "Let's do it."
The very next night, Yan and Rui packed whatever little belongings they had and slipped away into the night. The journey to Vichanese was tough, but with Rui by her side, Yan felt stronger than ever. They arrived in the city exhausted but filled with hope.
Life in Vichanese was not as easy as they had imagined. With no money for rent, food, or clothes, the two of them struggled to make ends meet. They slept in small, rundown inns and spent their days searching for work. It wasn't the dream life they had envisioned.
One day, as they wandered through the busy streets of Vichanese, they came across a notice: **Job Opportunities at the Palace.**
Rui's eyes lit up. "This could be it! If we can get jobs at the palace, we'll be able to support ourselves."
Yan looked at the notice, her heart racing. "But working at the palace... it won't be easy. They have high expectations."
Rui grinned, pulling her close. "We've faced worse, haven't we? Together, we can do anything."
And so, they made their way to the palace, determined to prove themselves worthy of the opportunity. As they entered the grand gates, hand in hand, they knew their journey was far from over—but they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as they were together
Meanwhile, inside the palace, Xiang had returned, now a strong and respected prince. He had heard rumors about a young woman named Yan who had recently arrived in the city with her lover. Something about her captivated his attention. He had longed for true love, something he had never experienced, and when he saw her for the first time, he felt a strange pull.
But Xiang was no ordinary prince. He had grown into a man of action, determination, and wisdom, trained by Master Zhi. When he set his eyes on Yan, he knew his life was about to change once again.
However, he had no idea that Rui, Yan's lover, would stand in his way, leading to a confrontation that would test not only their strength but their hearts as well.