Chapter 968: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 968: A Visitor from the Cui Family in Chang’an (1)
Liking someone you’re not supposed to like—Mo Yan didn’t know whose fault that was, nor did she know how to comfort Da Ni-er, who had fallen into such a painful one-sided love. How could she help her climb out of that pit that was Yan Junyu and find true happiness that belonged to her?
The only consolation was that Da Ni-er could still see reality clearly. She wouldn’t lose her head and do something that would hurt herself. With time, maybe those unanswered feelings would slowly fade away. One day, she would meet someone who could truly make her happy.
When she returned home, Yan Junyu was already back. He was behind the kitchen, hugging half a watermelon with no concern for appearances, scooping out mouthfuls of it with a spoon while bossing Cui Ping’an around as the latter struggled to clean the large deer he had hunted.
The deer really was huge. The scrawny Cui Ping’an was having a hard time handling it and wanted nothing more than to chuck it right into Yan Junyu’s smug face. But he couldn’t beat Yan Junyu in a fight, couldn’t win in a war of words, and was miles below him in status. All he could do was miserably suffer the bullying.
Maybe their personalities just didn’t mesh. Ever since Yan Junyu arrived, he had taken a disliking to Cui Ping’an and nitpicked at everything. Cui Ping’an wasn’t his match and was almost driven to tears by a few sharp jabs.
After a few days, Cui Ping’an had basically become Yan Junyu’s little sidekick. While he didn’t have to serve his food and clean up after him, he still couldn’t refuse any task Yan Junyu gave him.
Mo Yan had never interfered in their squabbles before. But this time, seeing the way Yan Junyu was lazily bullying Cui Ping’an, she couldn’t help but speak up for him: “Do your own tasks. It’s not like you’re missing any limbs.”
But Yan Junyu picked up on the fire behind her words. He mentally reviewed everything he’d done lately and found nothing that should’ve made her angry. He was only more confused. “What’s with you today, girl? Did you eat too many chili peppers? Why are you so fiery?”
Mo Yan choked on her words. Looking at Yan Junyu’s baffled expression, she suddenly snapped back to her senses. This man had no idea about anything. Even if he knew, could she really expect him to return Da Ni-er’s feelings? No matter how close she was with Da Ni-er, she couldn’t force someone into love.
Besides, this wasn’t someone she could pressure.
“I didn’t eat anything spicy. I just don’t like seeing you bully people all the time. And honestly, what’s so amusing about picking on a kid?”
A kid?
Yan Junyu’s gaze shifted to the equally speechless Cui Ping’an, and the corner of his mouth twitched. “Pretty sure he’s older than you. I happen to find bullying him quite entertaining. Otherwise, how boring would life be?”
“Boring?” Mo Yan gave him a side glance, already regretting starting this. Her tone chilled as she issued her eviction notice again, “I suppose someone like you, raised among the pleasures of high society, just can’t stand how plain things are here. Since you’re so bored, why not go back to where the fun is?”
So he wouldn’t keep showing up in front of Da Ni-er and stirring her feelings.
If Yan Junyu knew what she was thinking, he would’ve cried injustice on the spot. Every time it was Da Ni-er who showed up in front of him—not the other way around. He never sought her out. And even when they ran into each other, he was on his best behavior out of respect for Mo Yan—just a polite nod and hello, never once flirtatious. He couldn’t have been more proper.
But of course, Yan Junyu didn’t know that. He just assumed Mo Yan was fed up with him staying at her place and was trying to kick him out. He quickly tried to salvage the situation with a thick-skinned grin: “Liuyang Village is amazing. There’s no place more beautiful or peaceful than here, and no host more generous or pleasant than you. I’m really enjoying my stay. I was thinking of staying a few more months.”
A few more months would take them to the New Year. By then, even if he didn’t want to return, he’d have no choice.
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