Upon hearing the voice, both of them quickly shifted their gaze toward its origin.
Xu Lian had just arrived and saw the two of them sprawled on the ground, one on top of the other. She froze, her eyes wide with surprise as he held the basket of baozi.
She grinned at her little brother, who was holding the frightened Chan Chan. He looked guilty, like he had done something wrong.
"Well, well, looks like I stumbled upon quite the scene.."
The young master, still gripping a scared Chan Chan, glanced up at her with a bashful look. "Jie.." he called out slowly, sounding embarrassed "It's not what it looks like.."
…
'This kids are too shy to share their feelings with me,' she thought, a sly smile appearing on her face as they strolled down the path.
The mood was tense as Xu Lian was walking in the middle of the two, showing a smile on her face. She was accompanied by Xu Hanyu and Chan Chan, both munching on their baozi. There was an awkward feeling hung in the air, reminding them of what happened a while ago.
Breaking the silence, Xu Lian asked cheerfully, "So, what are you two planning for the Lantern Festival?"
"Um, I don't have any plans yet…" glancing to the side.
"Me neither…" Chan Chan added, her voice hesitant.
Xu Lian brightened up, saying, "I heard that father is hosting a banquet that day…"
The young master perked up at the mention of the banquet, asking, "A banquet? Jie?"
"Yes, he'll invite some guests, and Xu Rong will be there too…"
After hearing Xu Lian's words, the young master's expression suddenly darkened.
Chan Chan noticed the change and asked, "Who is that?"
"Oh, I forgot you haven't met him. He's our older brother. He left just before you arrived, so it makes sense you haven't seen him," Xu Lian explained.
"Ahh…" Chan Chan nodded, trying to grasp this new information.
Xu Lian then looked at Xu Hanyu, who was staring down, lost in thought. She said softly, "Hanyu'er, it's okay. Xu Rong ge-ge probably won't be difficult with you anymore…"
Finally, the three of them reached the back entrance of the Xu Clan quietly. A few clan members were around, and whispers began right away.
"I heard Xu Rong will return soon…"
"Yeah, I heard that too.."
"He must have grown now.."
Upon hearing this, Xu Hanyu's face went pale, and he looked noticeably worried. Noticing his unease, Chan Chan moved up to his side closer and softly held his arm, offering silent support.
'He's back… I really hope it won't be like that year..'
Xu Hanyu glanced up and met Chan Chan's eyes. Her warm smile encouraged him to return a faint smile.
I'm glad, I have you..'
…
The mysterious in dark green sat quietly with his head resting on his hand and eyes closed, while his follower, Pan Lan bowed his head in respect. Sharing information with an individual in his mid-thirties.
"Pan Lan, five years have passed. Have you found a trace of her?"
"My lord, yes we've found her."
"Where is she?"
"I found a trace of her in Tai Hua City."
The master turned to him with a piercing gaze upon hearing this.
"Tai Hua City, you say?"
"Yes..."
"Do you know the exact location in Tai Hua City?"
"Xu Clan's territory..."
The master paused for a moment as he listened to Pan Lan's words.
'Is this a coincidence?'
The lord looked at the person next to him and said, "Zhang Wei, head over to the Xu Clan and bring the lady back using the name of Gentle Wind Sect, no matter what it takes."
"Understood, my lord." The man named Zhang Wei formed a smirk on his face, spoke as he bowed his head.
He paused, standing up from his chair and moving closer to the man named Zhang Wei. "I heard that Xu Dan has a son who was cursed at birth. This might help lift it." He handed over a standard-sized rectangular box, its contents a mystery. "Deliver this to the Xu Clan as a token of gratitude for looking after my dear niece."
"Understood." Zhang Wei replied as the gift settled into his hands.
"You two can leave now.." the mysterious lord commanded, signaling them to leave.
"Yes.."
As his two men left the room, he approached the nearby window. He whispered softly, his fingers toying with two marbles
"Tai Hua City… Tai Hua City… A Crown in Tai Hua City…"
…
As the day of the Lantern Festival approached, the atmosphere in the Xu Clan was filled with excitement. Everyone was busy preparing for a simple celebration for the holiday.
Xu Lian, accompanied by Chan Chan and Xu Hanyu at her side, suggested they take a walk around the little city of Tai Hua. "Hanyu'er! Chan'er! Let's go! I asked father for permission to let us leave for the afternoon, but we have to return before the banquet starts!"
"Oh, alright.."
She hurriedly led them out of the Xu Clan's and dashed toward the bustling street filled with people.
When they reached the small festival, they were greeted by a sea of people, all in high spirits. Small stalls filled the streets, offering an array of products. Children dashed around, their laughter and shouts ringing through the air.
"Children's toys for sale!"
"Hey, young one! I have carved wood here, you might like it..!" The one vendor called out Xu Hanyu but he just gave him a slight bow as he passed the stall.
The enthusiastic calls of street vendors filled the atmosphere, each trying to attract customers.
"Tanghulu for sale! Fresh tanghulu!"
Xu Lian's attention was immediately caught by the mention of the tanghulu vendor, and she eagerly pulled them together toward the stall.
She called out, "Hanyu'er and Chan'er, come over and give this a try! I know you haven't tasted this one yet!" She then turned to the vendor and shouted, "Boss Yi!"
"Xu Lian! What a surprise to see you!" Boss Yi exclaimed, clearly excited to see her, as if they were old friends.
When Xu Hanyu looked at him, he noticed a short, chubby man with a big, friendly grin. He seemed proud as he promoted his goods, cheerfully calling out to potential customers.
"It looks like you've brought some new friends with you!"
"Haha! These are my siblings. This is Xu Hanyu," Xu Lian introduced, and Xu Hanyu nodded in greeting. "And this is Chan Chan," she added, introducing Chan Chan.
"Oh, they've bloomed so well..!"
"Yes"
Xu Hanyu couldn't help but get embarrassed by the comment and asked, "Jie, do you know him?" Xu Lian nodded in response.
"Ha! Young man, you have no idea! Your sister is one of my regular customers! She always talks about you two everytime I pack her baozi!" Xu Hanyu was surprised to learn that Boss Yi was the one who made the baozi they enjoyed.
"Oh, I've had your baozi before. Xu Lian always brings it for us."
"Hahaha! I know, she even sneaks out to your clan and even asks me to keep it a secret!" Then he laughed, forming a small grin into the young master's eyes.
"Boss Yi, you're exposing me too much!"
"Haha! My apologies, I couldn't help it. Since it's the lantern festival, how about I give you each one free tanghulu?"
Xu Lian's eyes lit up. "Really?!"
"Absolutely, take one!"
"Thank you so much!" Xu Lian said as she grabbed three tanghulu and handed them to Xu Hanyu and Chan Chan.
"Thank you!" then the two of them said, expressing their gratitude.
"Alright, Boss Yi, we'll keep exploring. Thanks again for the treat!"
"Haha! Anytime!"
With that, the three of them continued their stroll, leaving Boss Yi behind as they enjoyed their tanghulu.
"Phew! That was easy!"
Chan Chan who noticed her couldn't help but ask, "easy what..?"
"Easy free food..! Haha..!" She laughed, understanding Xu Lian, while Xu Hanyu gently shook his head, a slight smile appearing as he briefly closed his eyes.
…
In the midst of the festival, a young man in orange sat on a balcony by the street, relaxing as a girl massaged his shoulders.
"Young master Huo Ling… am I at the right spot..?" the woman massaging his shoulders inquired in a soft and seductive manner.
"Yes, like that… good," Huo Ling responded with a calm and satisfied voice.
He was relaxing in a chair when he spotted Xu Hanyu below, marked by a cursed birthmark on his left arm. Glancing further down, he saw Xu Lian with an unfamiliar lady, and a smirk crossed his face.
Then he signals for one of his men to come over.
"Yes, young master Huo Ling? Do you need something?" the rugged man beside him asks, stepping closer.
"Well, Fan Da, I have a question for you."
"Go ahead, I'm listening," he replies eagerly.
"Do you know that girl over there?" Huo Ling points to Chan Chan, who is sweetly interacting with Xu Hanyu while Xu Lian browses a nearby stall.
"Which one, young master?" Fan Da asks again, trying to identify the person he's talking about.
Huo Ling clarifies, "that pretty lady with the cursed kid down there."
Fan Da realizes he's talking about the girl with Xu Hanyu and says, "Oh! That girl! I heard she joined the Xu Clan five years ago after Xu Hanyu saved her. After all those years, it seems they've grown close now."
The young master was intrigued, slowly stroking his chin as if plotting something. "Interesting.." he muses.
"Are you interested in her, young master?"
"Yes, I am. I might need to go down there and charm her with my looks."
…
When Xu Lian finished looking around, she shook her head and said, "there's nothing interesting here, let's go check out another stall."
Both Xu Hanyu and Chan Chan nodded in agreement, and the three of them started walking towards the next stalls.
As they walked, Hanyu spotted a stall selling girls' accessories and left the others to check it out. Then the seller greeted him with a smile, asking, "Hey young man! Looking for a hair accessory for your girlfriend?"
Xu Hanyu quickly denied, "Oh, no..! I'm just browsing, and I don't have a girlfriend..!"
The vendor couldn't help but laugh at his reaction, "No need to be shy! It's normal for a young man like you to buy hair ornaments for the person they like..!"
"Well, um.. I don't have any money with me."
"Ha! No worries, I can offer you free if it's your first time buying in my stall..!"
"Really..?"
"Yes, no need to worry..! Tell me, is there anything in particular that caught your eye?"
The young master hesitated, "I'm not sure.."
"If you want to give something to a lady, I can suggest options. Can you tell me more about her? Different styles suit different people." Xu Hanyu paused to look at Chan Chan, who was with Xu Lian at a nearby stall. Whispering quietly, "she's pretty.."
The vendor broke into a smile, laughing, "Oh, I get it… you're starting to like her!" Xu Hanyu, lost in thought, was pulled back by the vendor's words.
"Hm, I think this…no, not that one either… I believe this one would suit her best." Unsure how to respond, he watched as the vendor picked up a delicate blue hairpiece with a unique flower design. Leaning in, he held it up for the young master to see.
"That's a free item for you..!"
"Thank you, sir."
"Not a problem! Best of luck with your little girlfriend..!" Xu Hanyu couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
He approached the loud stall where Xu Lian and Chan Chan sat and spotted Huo Ling, the Huo Clanhead's son, flanked by his smug follower!
His sister was trying to protect Chan Chan from Huo Ling by shielding Chan Chan behind her. "Huo Ling, what are you doing?! You're harassing people here!"
"I was just trying to help her get the item.." he said, then turning his gaze to his followers, "Right, Fan Da?"
"Yes, that's right!" Fan Da, a follower of Huo Ling looking in his thirties, said with a smug nod.
"She doesn't need your help! I can do that for her, and you shouldn't touch someone inappropriately when helping them!"
The young master rushed over, stood protectively in front of them, and asked his sister, "Jie, what's going on?"
"Tsk! That guy just grabbed Chan Chan's waist!" Xu Lian exclaimed then the young master glanced at Chan Chan hiding behind Xu Lian before turning to Huo Ling.
Then Huo Ling scoffed and said with a smirk, "What's the big deal? I was just trying to be helpful.."
…
Their argument caught the attention of people nearby and the carriages on the street, with some stopping to see what was going on.
At the same time, Zhang Wei and Pan Lan, who were ordered to pick up a lady from Xu Clan, were also in a carriage.
They could hear whispers from the onlookers.
"Who are these people? They're so loud.."
"Right, they're ruining the mood…"
Suddenly, the carriage came to a sudden stop, causing them to jolt forward.
"Why did you stop?" Zhang Wei asked, exchanging a skeptical glance with Pan Lan.
"There's a commotion ahead, it's causing a bit of traffic," the carriage driver replied from outside.
He sighed and shook his head.
Pan Lan then said, "I guess we'll just have to wait." Zhang Wei nodded in agreement.
"Please hurry! We need to get to the Xu Clan..!" Zhang Wei urged the driver.
"Understood..."
While they waited, they could still hear the argument outside.
"You weren't being helpful, you were being a creep. Back off!" Xu Hanyu's voice was clear.
"Oh come on, I was just having some fun!"
"This isn't a game, Huo Ling. Leave them alone."
"Oh, so you're their protector now? How noble for someone without a core!"
"I'm just defending them. You should know your limits! It seems your clan never taught you how to behave!"
"Ha! Watch who you're talking to! I'm Huo Liang's son! No one has ever spoken to me like that before, and you're the first! Do you want a serious beating?"
"I'm also a son of a clan, but I don't look down on others because of it! Being in a clan doesn't give you the right to hurt people."
Zhang Wei listened to the argument and quietly remarked, "Young people are always so aggressive," shaking his head slowly.
After a moment, the carriage finally moved.
…
"Or is it that you can't fight, so you can't hurt them? Hahaha!" Xu Hanyu clenched his fists and glared. "What's wrong? Angry? Want to fight?" Huo Ling signaled his follower, Fan Da, to intimidate him.
Just then, the senior lurking from the stalls interrupted with his loud voice. "Enough! You're young and reckless. If you want to fight, do it elsewhere. Keep this up, and you'll have to deal with me! You're ruining my business!"
Huo Ling paused, eyeing the senior and Hanyu. The tension was thick, but the senior's presence made them hesitate. Huo Ling sneered, "Tsk! You're a lucky fool. This isn't over, Xu Hanyu. We'll settle this next time."
The young master just silently observed as Huo Ling and his follower left, while Fan Da shot him a fierce cocky glare before moving on.
Xu Hanyu turned around to check Chan Chan, "Cha'er, are you alright?"
"Yes.. Thank you. You don't have to worry.." But Xu Hanyu couldn't help feeling worried.
'I'm glad you're alright, but I should have stayed by your side Cha'er..'
Xu Lian began to say, "You did the right thing by holding back. It's better that no fight occurs since you aren't ready to face him yet."
He nodded in agreement. Xu Lian continued, "We need to head back to the clan now. Dinner's nearly ready."
"Alright.."