One peaceful night passed without incident. The next morning, Lan Yixuan woke up early and opened his door, only to see the snow-white Xianyue sitting by the railing, gazing at the green mountains outside the corridor. The rising sun illuminated her face, and from this angle, her lips seemed slightly upturned, her curves gentle, exuding tranquility.
Lan Yixuan paused in his movements, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. A faint smile appeared as he walked towards her.
As soon as he stood beside Xianyue, who had been leaning quietly against the railing, she suddenly turned around and jumped down from the railing. She spun around in front of Lan Yixuan, asking, "Am I not pretty?"
As she spoke, she leaned closer to him, her eyes sparkling like bright agate. Their noses almost touched.
Caught off guard by her sudden closeness, Lan Yixuan froze for a moment. Her skin was delicate as snow, her eyes clear and bright, and her lips glistened. The warmth of her breath brushed against his nose, making him feel as if, with just a slight lean, he could steal a kiss from her. It was like tossing a small stone into a still lake, creating ripples in his previously tranquil gaze.
"How could that be?" Xianyue chuckled lightly, her finger pointing at Lan Yixuan's face, about to reach out. "How could a woman who makes Lan Gongzi blush be mere powder and rouge?"
Without thinking, Lan Yixuan swiftly brushed Xianyue's hand away, his face slightly flushed as if she had seen through his thoughts. His usual calm and elegant smile faded, replaced by a hint of annoyance as he shot her a glare.
Xianyue laughed, retracting her hand, a look of great satisfaction on her face.
"If I were really a beauty, why didn't anyone come to pick me up when I flaunted myself yesterday?" Xianyue pouted. "Those who can't recognize beauty shouldn't even be called flower thieves. Once I capture him, I'll definitely give him a good eye exam."
She clapped her hands and took a few steps forward, just in time to bump into Lei An and Lei Yun, who were approaching. She turned back to Lan Yixuan and smiled, saying, "Maybe I didn't flaunt enough yesterday, so he didn't see me."
With that, she pushed past Lei An and Lei Yun, returned to her room, and immediately locked the door.
"Lei Yun, what's wrong with her?" Lei An looked at the tightly closed door, puzzled. "Isn't she supposed to be shouting at us that she's hungry?"
From his understanding of her, she was all about eating and sleeping. After waking up, she should have been looking for food soon after.
"Lei Yun, remember to bring breakfast to my door."
As soon as Lei An finished speaking, Xianyue's voice suddenly came from inside, causing him to look at Lei Yun and burst into laughter, pointing at the door.
"Prepare her breakfast."
Lan Yixuan walked past Lei An and Lei Yun, glanced at the direction of the door, and instructed them before turning back into his room and closing the door.
The entire morning, Xianyue didn't step out of her room. Lei An initially thought she would come out for lunch and stood at the door during the meal time. However, as the hour passed, he still hadn't seen her.
With a creak, the door opened, and Lei An, leaning against the railing, immediately straightened up. The sun was setting, casting deep shadows, and the scene should have been one of melancholy. However, the figure that emerged was dressed in purple, smiling slightly, a hint of vermilion at the center of his brow. The shimmering light created an instant spring-like atmosphere.
"Lei An, so it was you who has been guarding the door all this time."
The voice was both clear and cold, yet carried an enchanting allure. A light smile stole the vibrant colors from the sky behind.
Her features were indeed exquisite, but in terms of beauty, she could not be called stunning. Her demeanor was somewhat crude, making it hard to feel any fondness. Lei An stared at Xianyue, and at this moment, he even felt that the world's most beautiful woman had turned into nothing more than makeup and powder.
With another creak, another door opened, and Lan Yixuan stepped out, glancing at Xianyue as he called softly, "Lei An."
Returning to his senses, Lei An looked at Lan Yixuan standing at the door, sensing nothing unusual, but still feeling that he seemed a bit angry.
"People are dressed up beautifully; that's how one looks like a lady."
Lan Yixuan maintained his usual demeanor, taking in Xianyue from head to toe. She wore a long, deep purple dress, cinched at the waist with a jade belt, highlighting her exquisite curves. Her neck exposed a vast expanse of white skin, as if made of smooth white jade.
Xianyue pressed her lips together, smiled slightly, and gracefully walked toward Lan Yixuan, her figure long and graceful, exuding a subtle fragrance with every step, radiating countless charms and elegance.
"Lan Gongzi, how do you think this purple dress looks on me?" Xianyue pointed at the purple outfit Lan Yixuan was wearing.
"The dress is beautiful, but it can't compare to you." Lan Yixuan replied with a smile.
"The sun is setting, the scenery is breathtaking; how about you accompany me to flaunt ourselves a little?" Xianyue invited, pointing at the evening clouds.
"It is an honor for Xuan to enjoy the scenery with a beauty." As he spoke, Lan Yixuan elegantly extended his hand toward Xianyue.
"Lan Yixuan, I can't take it anymore." Xianyue unapologetically slapped away his outstretched hand, wrapping her arms around herself, poking her shoulders vigorously. With her eyes closed, she took a deep breath and pulled back the sleeves of her dress, saying to Lan Yixuan, "Look, I have goosebumps all over."
Lan Yixuan stared at Xianyue, who was looking down and poking her arm, a smirk on his face. "What's wrong? Not calling Lan Gongzi anymore?"
Xianyue shot him a glare, knowing he was doing it on purpose. Every time she called him Lan Gongzi, it made her feel like she was covered in goosebumps just like now.
"Hypocrite."
Xianyue huffed, turning to head downstairs. Lan Yixuan chuckled softly and followed her.
As dusk deepened and the sunset turned blood-red, golden light shimmered, and the streets bustled with people. If one didn't know better, they would think that Fan City was as lively as ever.
As Xianyue and Lan Yixuan stepped out of the inn, they were bathed in the warm glow of the evening sun.
"Lan Gongzi, you look like a chivalrous hero with great righteousness and a compassionate heart."
Lan Yixuan smiled, took a few steps forward, and suddenly turned around. "Xianyue, you are sacrificing so much to capture the flower thief; it truly makes me feel ashamed."
His smiling eyes pierced through Xianyue's heart like a sharp blade, and the upward curve of his lips bore no trace of lewdness.
Xianyue looked down at her outfit and couldn't help but laugh. In their eyes, it might have been revealing, but for her, who had worn a bikini before, it hardly counted.
I was in the light while the enemy lurked in the dark, with no trace whatsoever. I had to take the initiative to draw him out.
"Where are you going? Slow down."
Seeing Lan Yixuan already walking away, Xianyue hurriedly called after him.
"I haven't had lunch, and I'm out of strength."
Xianyue ran up to Lan Yixuan, tugging on his arm.
Lan Yixuan stared at her for a while, sighed, and shook his head. "Even if you wear a dragon robe, you still don't look like a prince."
"What did you bring me here for?"
As night deepened and the lights began to shine, the most famous brothel in Fan City, Li Yan Pavilion, was bustling with visitors, and the sound of silk and bamboo instruments occasionally floated out from inside, mixed with decadent laughter.
On the second-floor corridor, beautiful women were dressed in revealing outfits, their red lips bright and their fragrant handkerchiefs fluttering. Men couldn't help but stop and stare, and in the next moment, a woman from the building would wrap her arms around his neck, pulling him inside.