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Han Li finally settled down in one of the side rooms in the rear courtyard of the Mo Estate. Mo Caihuan, being tactful, didn’t stay long and soon took her leave. Her sudden transformation into a picture-perfect demure lady caught Han Li off guard.
Still unsure of the Mo family’s attitude towards him and whether he was still in danger, Han Li didn’t truly sleep all night, only dozing off briefly on the bed.
The next morning, while Han Li was still half-asleep, a «bang! bang!» knock came from outside the door.
«Could it be that little vixen again?» Han Li frowned but then lightly shook his head. «That steady knocking doesn’t suit Mo Caihuan’s style at all. But not many people should know I’m staying here.»
With a hint of curiosity, Han Li found a towel, washed his face, and opened the door. Standing outside was a young man in his twenties, with thick eyebrows and big eyes.
As soon as the young man saw Han Li, he sized him up, then clasped his fists and greeted him very enthusiastically. «You must be Junior Disciple Han! I am Yan Ge. I suppose you could call me your senior martial brother!»
«Yan Ge!» Han Li recalled the information about this person. He was Doctor Mo’s first disciple.
«Haha! Although I am the master’s first disciple, my aptitude isn’t very good. I haven’t inherited much of the master’s true teachings. I bring shame to our master!» Yan Ge said very frankly to Han Li.
Seeing that this young man was so open, Han Li couldn’t help but feel goodwill towards him, and promptly returned the greeting. «Senior Martial Brother Yan, good morning! Please, come in and talk!»
«No need. The madams sent me here. They have some business with you, Junior Disciple Han, and ask you to come see them.» Yan Ge waved his hand and said with a smile.
Han Li was taken aback for a moment but quickly nodded in agreement. He closed his door and walked side by side with Yan Ge.
Yan Ge was very interested in Han Li’s affairs and asked him all sorts of questions without any reservation. He was also curious about the customs of Yue Prefecture and asked a lot about them.
When the two of them passed through the garden in the rear courtyard, they unexpectedly encountered a young man and woman. It was Mo Yuzhu and Wu Jianming, whom Han Li had only seen from afar yesterday. They were walking side by side in the garden, looking very much like a pair of lovers. This sight made Han Li feel very displeased, as if something of his was being stolen.
The opposite pair also noticed Han Li and the others and took the initiative to approach them. When they got closer, Mo Yuzhu merely swept her gaze over the unremarkable Han Li without saying a word. However, Master Wu skeptically sized up Han Li.
«Senior Martial Brother Yan, good morning! This young brother looks very unfamiliar. May I ask whose esteemed disciple he is?» Wu Jianming asked with a smile.
Han Li expected Senior Martial Brother Yan to take the initiative to cover for him and answer the question. However, after waiting for a long time without hearing a sound from the person beside him, Han Li was startled. He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Yan Ge.
The result rendered Han Li speechless with anger.
Senior Martial Brother Yan at this moment had a completely smitten expression, staring blankly at the eldest Miss Mo, Mo Yuzhu, entirely lost in his own world. How could he possibly respond to Wu Jianming!
«I am a distant nephew of the Third Madam. My parents sent me to visit her, and I was also hoping to ask her to find me a job!» Han Li had no choice but to step in himself. He put on a shy and embarrassed look, speaking humbly.
«Oh, I see!» Wu Jianming’s interest in Han Li vanished without a trace after hearing his first sentence. This was hardly surprising. Han Li’s appearance was too unremarkable, and he didn’t even have the look of a martial artist. How could Master Wu not overlook him?
At this moment, Master Wu instead turned his displeasure towards Yan Ge for his infatuated staring at Mo Yuzhu. His face darkened. After all, the beauty beside him was his nominal fiancée.
Han Li was now relatively close to Mo Yuzhu, so he could clearly see the expression on her face. She was frowning slightly, with a hint of displeasure. It was obvious that she was annoyed by Yan Ge’s blatant admiration.
«Senior Martial Brother Yan, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave with Master Wu.» Mo Yuzhu parted her cherry-red lips slightly, gave Yan Ge a cold, perfunctory bow, and then turned her graceful body and left the place. Wu Jianming snorted at Yan Ge and followed her without saying a word.
Han Li watched their receding figures, a strange smile curling at the corner of his mouth. He then turned back to look at Senior Martial Brother Yan, only to find that the man was still standing there, staring straight in the direction they had gone.
Han Li sighed. This guy was a real lovesick fool! However, it didn’t seem like Mo Yuzhu had any favorable feelings towards him. She probably found his persistent pestering exhausting.
Han Li heavily slapped Yan Ge on the shoulder, making him jolt. The dazed expression on his face instantly disappeared as he finally returned to his senses from his stupor.
«My apologies, I’m afraid I made a fool of myself in front of Junior Disciple Han!» Yan Ge, now back to his senses, blushed deeply, feeling extremely ashamed of his blunder.
«It’s nothing. ‘A graceful lady makes a fine mate for a gentleman.’ It’s a man’s nature. What’s there to be ashamed of?» Han Li said with a smile, trying to console him.
Yan Ge didn’t feel relieved by Han Li’s words. Instead, he gave a bitter smile and slowly said, «To tell you the truth, Junior Disciple Han, I grew up with Yuzhu. Although we weren’t exactly childhood sweethearts, we shared a deep bond. But unfortunately, as we grew up, Yuzhu seemed to see me only as a brother, with no other feelings. After she rejected me several times, I gave up all hope. I only wish for her to find a good husband, someone who can make her happy for the rest of her life! But when I see her now, I still can’t help myself. I unwittingly make a fool of myself like this!» Yan Ge’s last words carried a hint of self-mockery.
Han Li fell silent after hearing his words. Instead, he looked at Yan Ge again, this time as if examining a rare artifact. He had only ever read about such lovesick fools in books and stories, never imagining he would one day witness one in person.
If Yan Ge was being sincere, Han Li didn’t know whether to admire his devotion or simply call him an idiot!
For the rest of the walk, Han Li deliberately steered the conversation towards other topics, allowing Yan Ge’s mood to return to normal. The two chatted and laughed as they made their way to the small building where Han Li had stayed the night before. There, Doctor Mo’s several madams were waiting for Han Li’s arrival, ready to give him a big surprise.
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(Chapter End)