[Fantasy] The Great Sage's Joyful Heaven (Complete) - 5

Chapter 42 Mid-Autumn Festival
: October 21, 10:16:47 Word Count: 3062

In the afternoon, Leng Xuanren publicly announced in the workshop that Yan Nange had become the head craftsman of Leng Yue Zhai! This was expected by everyone, and congratulations erupted.
After finishing work that evening, Yan Nange bought an astonishing amount of precious wood, jade, and carving gemstones on the street and had them delivered to his home. He ate a hasty dinner and then began carving. He hadn't slept
all night, and when it was fully light, Yan Nange finally put down his carving knife, stretched vigorously, and looked at the room full of carvings. He smiled with satisfaction.
Although he hadn't slept all night, he didn't feel tired; on the contrary, he was full of energy. After practicing his "Crazy Technique" in the courtyard, he washed up and ran to Leng Yue Zhai. He
saw from afar that Leng Yue Zhai was completely renovated, already open and being cleaned. He was delighted; it seemed his night's work hadn't been in vain. He returned home in high spirits.
Upon arriving at his doorstep, several servants from the Leng family were waiting, along with two carriages. They greeted him from afar.
With the servants' help, the group loaded two carriages with carvings and headed to Leng Yue Zhai.
Leng Xuanren had arrived early; he was already there when Yan Nange arrived. By the time all the carvings were on display, prices were set, and a list was compiled, it was nearly noon. Leng Yue Zhai opened for business.
Yan Nange, seeing there was nothing else for him, had already returned to his workshop. Leng Xuanren, however, sat in the shop pondering how to promote Yan Nange, this newly promoted master craftsman.
While Leng Xuanren sat lost in thought, Yan Nange's three carving counters were already bustling with activity. Yan Nange had carved a large piece, which was very eye-catching on the shelves, attracting almost every customer who entered and prompting them to stop and admire it, all praising it highly!
A customer exclaimed in surprise, "Whose work is this? It's simply divine!"
The shop assistant smiled and replied, "It's the work of our master craftsman from Lengyuezhai. His ornaments are even more exquisite!" This remark enlightened Leng Xuanren. Wasn't this the best form of advertising? No, I must get Nange to quickly create some exquisite pieces to showcase!
Leng Xuanren hurriedly ran to the workshop, only to find Yan Nange already handing him three sets of incredibly beautiful purple-gold ornaments. Leng Xuanren didn't say anything at the time, just patted Yan Nange's shoulder forcefully before running back to the shop. The shop assistants at Lengyuezhai were utterly astonished!
On the very first day Yan Nange's carvings entered Lengyuezhai, over a hundred pieces were sold, totaling over ten million taels of silver. This included the three largest pieces, each selling for two to three million taels of silver! Simultaneously, over twenty million taels of silver worth of carving work were secured for Yan Nange!
That wasn't all! In just one day, Leng Yue Zhai received nearly 100 million taels of silver in custom-made jewelry orders, and the three sets of jewelry on display were even reserved by a customer for 15 million taels of silver!
They were insane! Stunned! Completely dumbfounded! Everyone at Leng Yue Zhai thought they were dreaming! Before, they were never busy enough to earn more than ten million taels of silver a day, but now, it was more than ten times that!
And this was just the beginning. By the next morning, when Yan Nange's new products were on the shelves, every employee at Leng Yue Zhai was grinning from ear to ear!
In one night, Yan Nange's carvings sold out completely, with over 300 pieces selling for more than 20 million taels.
Leng Yue Zhai sold a total of 30 sets of jewelry made by Yan Nange that night, totaling 430 million taels! The total amount of custom-made jewelry received: 1.08 billion taels!
These employees calculated their bonuses—good heavens, hundreds of thousands in one night!
When Yan Nange and Leng Xuanwen heard the news, they almost fainted! Billions of taels of silver overnight! Wasn't this comparable to the top ten brands?
Leng Xuanwen immediately announced a price increase, doubling the price of the ornaments and sculptures crafted by Yan Nange.
From that day on, Yan Nange learned what it meant to make a fortune! He earned hundreds of millions, even billions, of taels of silver every day! He also learned what it meant to be busy; even with his abilities, he was busy from morning till night, getting less than two hours of sleep a day. The rest of his time was spent working! He was busy crafting ornaments in the workshop, carving at home, and creating sculptures for customers throughout Lantian City!
Time flowed by like water, and before he knew it, Yan Nange had been in Lantian City for four or five months.
Yan Nange had amassed enough wealth to redeem Xueying. However, regrettably, Xueying's employer had no intention of letting her go! His dream was shattered once again.
Furthermore, his brothers on Black Stone Island had been redeemed by someone. As for his father, he was said to have passed away long ago! This was an even greater regret.
Yan Nange realized that money couldn't change everything. At least, it couldn't make up for these regrets!
Today is the fifteenth of August, the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional festival in the Tang Dynasty, also known as the Reunion Festival, a grand celebration for the whole country.
Yan Nange finally has some free time today. It's not that his work has decreased, but rather that just the night before last, his speed of movement has broken through, more than doubling his previous pace, reaching an astonishing level, thus finally giving him a chance to relax.
Leng Yue Zhai has a day off today, but actually, he can rest anytime, because Leng Xuanren doesn't have a fixed work schedule for him; everything depends on his whim! Leng Xuanren is truly exceptional towards him—he wanted to give him a large mansion, but he refused; he was asked to buy one himself, but he refused, preferring to live in this small house! Leng Xuanren is very angry about this, calling him a miser! He just smiles and doesn't dare to refute!
When Yan Nange has free time, he calculates his assets: nearly two hundred billion taels of silver! He never dared to dream of it before, and now he doesn't even want to think about it! With so much money, the almost insane joy he felt when he first became rich is gone. He's numb!
Now he understood—for the wealthy in this world, tens of millions of taels of silver were nothing more than a casual fling! But for the poor, one tael of silver could buy enough rice to last three months! This enormous difference terrified him! Terrifyingly cruel!
He had been a slave for many years, and he knew the suffering of slaves all too well; he felt deep sympathy for them! The wealthy treated slaves like livestock, or even worse! He hated those heartless rich people!
He, Yan Nange, couldn't help the woman he loved or his brothers and benefactors, but he could help those suffering slaves!
This thought had gradually taken root in his heart, waiting for the right opportunity to sprout and grow into a towering tree! ... Of course, he also hoped to live a carefree and happy life, one that wouldn't be wasted!

Chapter 43 Reencounter with Xueying
: 10-21 10:16:48 Word Count: 2835

Just after washing up in the early morning, Leng Xuanwen sent several boxes of various exquisite mooncakes and some fruit, informing Yan Nange to go to the Leng residence to celebrate the festival that night. Yan Nange initially wanted to refuse, but his familiar servant, Leng San, smiled and left after speaking, reminding him not to forget to change into new clothes.
Yan Nange ate two mooncakes and two pieces of fruit, then picked up a piece of cloth and went out onto the street. He had learned etiquette during this time and naturally wouldn't do something as impolite as wearing old clothes to the Leng family.
Walking on Crescent Moon Street, Yan Nange attracted many women's secret glances, especially since he always wore a smile and had bright eyes, making many women's hearts flutter. However, seeing his tattered gray clothes, they were all disappointed, thinking how much better it would be if he were a wealthy young master!
Yan Nange often went out, mostly to work in the morning and evening, and on his way home. He was used to and even enjoyed the attention he received from women. Seeing those young, beautiful faces, their sparkling eyes, or their radiant smiles was undoubtedly a wonderful thing. He liked women, especially beautiful ones, and had a strong desire to possess them.
There was a famous tailor shop on Crescent Street called "Miraculous Hands Tailor Shop." It was a bit pricey, but the craftsmanship was excellent, so Yan Nange chose to have his clothes made there.
As soon as Yan Nange entered the exquisite tailor shop, a woman emerged from the measuring room. Upon seeing her, Yan Nange's heart stopped, his eyes fixed on her beautiful face.
Xueying was in a bad mood today, having declined invitations from the young masters and servants, and instead came out with her maid, Ming'er, to clear her head and have some autumn clothes made.
After leaving the measuring room, Ming'er tugged at her sleeve.
"Miss, look at that young man staring at you like a fool!" Ming'er chuckled mischievously. Xueying
looked up and saw a pair of burning eyes, so intense that her heart suddenly warmed, and her face flushed crimson. She couldn't quite make out his face. Just
as the two were staring at each other in stunned silence, a maid came running in.
"Miss... hurry back... that person is here... and... they're making a huge scene!" the maid gasped.
Xueying snapped out of her reverie, glanced again at Yan Nange who was staring at her, sighed softly, and gracefully left.
Yan Nange felt a void and sorrow in his heart, both because of Xueying's departure and because of the pity and disappointment in her eyes; she felt he was pitiful.
"Am I pitiful? Perhaps!" Yan Nange sighed inwardly, composed himself, and went inside to have his clothes measured.
This meeting was not as pleasant as their first, because it brought Yan Nange to the harsh reality. He suddenly realized that five thousand taels meant nothing to those noble young masters, so why hadn't Xueying redeemed herself? It seemed things weren't as simple as he had imagined. However, he would never give up; he was determined to have Xueying! She was his dream, and if that dream didn't come true, he would never have peace of mind.
Also, wasn't she supposed to go to the capital? Why was she still here? ...Strange.
Although he found it strange, Yan Xiangdao didn't follow to see what was going on. Looking would be pointless, so he might as well not look! Moreover, he suddenly felt foolish—you're willing to redeem someone, but is that person willing to redeem you? ...Wishful thinking.
Xiuxinfang, located on Crescent Street alongside the Skillful Tailor Shop, is a long-established clothing store. Its garments are priced mid-to-high range, but the workmanship is exquisite, the materials are excellent, and it has a stellar reputation. Yan Nange bought a silk robe at Xiuxinfang, changed into it, and when he emerged from the changing room, the women buying clothes were all struck by his handsome appearance!
Yan Nange smiled slightly, paid, and leisurely left with his wrapped-up clothes, leaving the infatuated women secretly speculating about his identity.
With nothing else to do, Yan Nange strolled through the streets, partly to dispel the melancholy he felt upon meeting Xueying, and partly to buy some gifts—he couldn't leave the Leng residence empty-handed on his first visit.
Lantian City has a population of over four million, encompassing seventy-two towns and ten mining areas, covering an area of over one million square li, with a total population exceeding ten million. Lantian City has ninety-nine streets, crisscrossing and connecting all areas of the city. Crescent Moon Street, located in the southern part of the city, is one of Lantian City's prime locations.
Due to its Black Stone Mine, Lantian City is the largest distribution center for black gemstones, one of the seven major gemstone producing areas of the Golden Stone Continent, and one of the five famous jewelry capitals. Furthermore, Lantian City and its surrounding areas boast beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate year-round, making it one of the nine major tourist destinations of the Golden Stone Continent. It is precisely because of the influx of merchants that Lantian City has become the premier city in the northwest of the Tang Kingdom, second only to the Tang capital, Shangjing, and together with Shangjing and Luodu, it is known as one of the three great cities of the Tang Kingdom.
Because it is a major festival, Lantian City is exceptionally lively and bustling, with Crescent Moon Street teeming with people, practically shoulder to shoulder. Yan Nange walked along Crescent Moon Street, attracting the affectionate glances of women and the envious stares of men. He paid no heed to any of this, walking slowly with a smile, casually glancing at the roadside shops, searching for suitable souvenirs for his trip to the Leng residence that night.
Yan Nange stopped at the century-old "Drunken Immortal Brew" shop. Leng Xuanwen was a connoisseur of fine wine, especially the fragrant and mellow "Mingdingzui." "Mingdingzui" was a specialty of the Drunken Immortal Brew shop, available only there—Yan Nange had spent his evenings wandering the streets for the past two months, so he was quite familiar with everything in Lantian City.
Yan Nange gritted his teeth and spent fifty taels of silver on a jar of twenty-year-old aged Mingdingzui. To be honest, he felt a pang of regret as he carried the jar out. It wasn't that he was stingy, but that spending those fifty taels would delay him from raising enough money to redeem Xueying by two more months. But Yan Nange thought of Leng Xuanwen's deep affection for her. Although she couldn't rule out the possibility that he was trying to win her over, Yan Nange cherished this affection and truly felt the warmth of family. She felt a constant sense of comfort in her heart, and considering Leng Xuanwen's kindness in recognizing her talent, what did fifty taels of silver matter?
After buying some dried plums to accompany her wine at Liu's dried goods shop, Yan Nange headed home.
She hadn't gone far when she saw a large crowd gathered ahead, bustling and noisy. Although Yan Nange liked lively atmospheres, she disliked joining in on this kind of pointless commotion. She figured it was either a stunt or a publicity stunt.

(Chapter 44: Rescuing an Orphan Girl
: 10-21 10:16:48 Word Count: 2784)

After walking quite a distance, she suddenly heard a piercing cry from within the crowd.
"Let me go, let me go... Father!" It was the struggling voice of a child.
"Come with me, what do we care about a dead body! Hahaha! Move aside, move aside, what are you looking at!" a shrill, hoarse voice yelled.
Yan Nange didn't like meddling in other people's business, and he was too weak to interfere, but the girl's voice was clearly that of a child, and that hoarse-voiced person was definitely not a good person; just hearing that voice disgusted him. He wondered how much suffering the girl would endure in the hands of such a bad person. Remembering the suffering he had endured before, Yan Nange suddenly felt sympathy for the little girl. No, he had to intervene!
The crowd parted, and a weasel-faced man dragged out a girl who looked to be about eighteen years old. The little girl struggled fiercely, but she was too young and weak to break free. She tried to bite the skinny man's hand, but he slapped her across the face, and her sallow little face immediately swelled up.
Yan Nange had long understood one principle: to live well, there were only two choices—either you swallow your anger, or you become ruthless and cruel. The skinny monkey in front of him was clearly no good; to deal with someone like that, you had to be ruthless and tougher.
So Yan Nange didn't even greet him, approaching from the side and punching the skinny monkey in the temple. With a thud, the skinny monkey was knocked unconscious.
"Little sister, hold this wine for me. Come with me." Yan Nange had already spotted the corpse of an old man nearby, and without caring about the dirt, he picked it up and carried it away. The little girl, clutching the wine, quickly followed him away.
People on the street were buzzing with gossip, all speculating about Yan Nange's identity. It wasn't until long after Yan Nange and the others had left that a group of people pushed through the crowd and woke the skinny monkey. Even now, the skinny monkey still didn't know who had beaten him. At this moment, the police arrived, saw that it was a group of hooligans, gave them a scolding, and then let them go.
This group of hooligans were the local tyrants of Crescent Street, calling themselves the Overlord Gang. They usually bullied the weak and feared the strong. Today, their deputy leader had been beaten, and the hooligans were filled with resentment. Unfortunately, no one told them what Yan Nange looked like, so they had no way of finding him. They could only swallow their anger.
Yan Nange took the little girl to a coffin shop and bought a fine coffin. They also bought a burial plot in the north of the city. That noon, the old man was buried. The little girl cried her heart out, and Yan Nange felt a pang of sorrow at her cries. Thinking of his own unknown origins and his lonely existence in this treacherous world, tears streamed down his face.
After crying and offering sacrifices, Yan Nange took the orphaned little girl home.
As soon as they entered the house, the little girl suddenly knelt before Yan Nange and kowtowed repeatedly. Yan Nange quickly helped her up and sat her down.
"My benefactor, my name is Zhu Ruoxi. I thank you for saving my father and burying him. If you don't mind my coarse and ugly appearance, I am willing to serve you for life, whether as a slave or a maid. If you dislike me, please keep me for a while, and when my complexion improves, sell me from that brothel so I can earn more money for you." As Zhu Ruoxi spoke, tears streamed down her face, her large, tearful eyes looking at Yan Nange with a sorrowful gaze.
"Ruoxi, my name is Yan Nange, and I'm a few years older than you. If you don't mind, you can call me brother from now on. I won't sell you, and I don't want you to be a slave. I'm also an orphan, so you can be my sister from now on. Is that alright, Ruoxi sister?" Yan Nange held her thin, bird-claw-like hand, stroked her disheveled hair, and asked with pity.
"Brother... Waaah!" Zhu Ruoxi threw herself into Yan Nange's arms and cried uncontrollably. Yan Nange held her close, his eyes red, but a warmth filled his heart. Ruoxi's cry of "Brother!" made him suddenly feel no longer alone in the world; he finally had family!
Zhu Ruoxi cried for a full hour before calming down. The exhaustion of the past few days suddenly subsided, and she cried herself to sleep in Yan Nange's arms.
Yan Nange carefully placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket. He wanted to leave to buy some things, but Ruoxi's small hands gripped his tightly, and he couldn't bear to pry them apart. He could only sit by the bedside and watch over her.
At dusk, Zhu Ruoxi slowly awoke. The first thing she saw was Yan Nange's smiling face. Overjoyed, she rushed into his arms, not saying a word, just holding him tightly. Yan Nange held her tightly in return. Though silent, in that embrace, they both felt a deep warmth and emotion. From that moment on, they were no longer alone; they could embrace and rely on each other!
After a long while, the two separated. Zhu Ruoxi was a little embarrassed, her pale face flushed red, and her heart was pounding. Yan Nange's warm embrace and masculine aura made her thirteen-year-old heart, just beginning to experience romantic feelings, flutter and flutter.
Yan Nange only felt warmth and comfort in his heart.
"Little sister, lie down first, brother will boil some water for you to take a bath," Yan Nange said affectionately, his words sounding very natural, as if it had always been like this.
"Brother, I can do it myself," Zhu Ruoxi sat up.
Yan Nange wanted her to rest, but Zhu Ruoxi was very stubborn, so in the end he had no choice but to let her, and the two of them boiled water together. While boiling the water, they chatted.
Through their conversation, Yan Nange learned that although Zhu Ruoxi looked no more than 10 years old, she was actually thirteen, the age of marriageable age. In the Jinshi Continent, girls could marry at fifteen, so thirteen was not considered very young.
The Zhu family was a renowned and prestigious clan in Luoyang, the third largest city in the Tang Dynasty. They were a famous family of scholars and merchants, owning the most famous silk trading company in the Tang Dynasty, "Sijinhang." The Zhu family also operated numerous shops throughout Luoyang and Shangjing. Zhu Ruoxi's father, Zhu Zhiyuan, was the current head of the Zhu family, and Zhu Ruoxi was his only daughter, born in his middle age.
Zhu Ruoxi lost her mother at a young age, but she was lively, cheerful, and exceptionally intelligent. From the age of three, she was known as a child prodigy and was the apple of the Zhu family's eye. Zhu Ruoxi was proficient in music and chess, and possessed a natural talent for business. At the age of ten, she began advising her father, earning the family considerable wealth. Her reputation as a talented woman spread quickly, and by the age of ten, suitors flocked to her door, all wealthy merchants and nobles. Zhu Zhiyuan, however, looked down on these纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who indulged in idle pursuits) and rejected them all.

Chapter 45: Past Events
(October 21, 10:16:49, 2836 words)

Zhu Zhiyuan had two younger brothers and a younger sister, and they always got along well. Her uncles and aunts doted on Zhu Ruoxi, and her cousins also spoiled her. So, although she lacked a mother's care, she was not lacking in love.
However, it was her beloved second uncle, Zhu Zhigao, who tried to kill her and her father on their way out. In the end, a servant whom Zhu Zhiyuan had saved years before saved them, sacrificing his own life and his daughter's in exchange for the lives of the Zhu family. The pursuit ended there.
Returning home was impossible. Zhu Zhigao, claiming the Zhu family had been murdered by a villain, became the current head of the family. The entire family underwent a complete overhaul, and all those loyal to Zhu Zhiyuan were replaced. The most vicious act was when Zhu Zhigao claimed that a villain was impersonating Zhu Zhiyuan and his daughter to swindle people, and offered a huge reward for their capture. The government also issued an arrest warrant, but the portrait on the wanted poster wasn't of a villain at all; it was clearly a portrait of Zhu Zhiyuan and his daughter. Left with no other choice, the father and daughter disguised themselves and went into hiding in a foreign land.
Overwhelmed with grief and exhaustion, Zhu Zhiyuan finally breathed his last in Lantian City. Even though Zhu Ruoxi was incredibly clever, she had no choice but to sell herself to bury her father. Later, she encountered the skinny monkey who tried to rob her, and Yan Nange came to her aid.
Speaking of this, Zhu Ruoxi was again in tears, and Yan Nange held her small hand, comforting her. Thinking of the many hardships this young lady had endured, the difficulties and sorrow she had suffered were unimaginable, and Yan Nange felt even more pity and love for her.
"Little sister, as long as your big brother has food to eat, I will never let you go hungry. When I arrive, I will surely make sure you can be a pampered young lady again and avenge your beastly second uncle." Yan Nange held Zhu Ruoxi's slender body in his arms, speaking softly but solemnly.
"Yes!" Zhu Ruoxi was still in tears, but her heart was filled with warmth. For some reason, she felt that what her big brother said would definitely come true. His embrace was warm, reminding her of her father. She hugged him tightly, wishing she could hug him like this forever, to be embraced by him.
Zhu Ruoxi came out after taking a bath, wearing the dress Yan Nange had bought for her. Her skin was flushed after bathing, exuding a faint fragrance. Only then did Yan Nange realize that Zhu Ruoxi was actually a little beauty. Especially her beautiful eyes, like autumn water, clear and deep, like a sweet dream, with long, curled eyelashes that fluttered gently, her eyes filled with countless beautiful emotions.
Zhu Ruoxi looked at Yan Nange with tenderness, seeing his infatuation, she felt happy and a little shy, and nestled into his arms, murmuring softly.
Zhu Ruoxi and Yan Nange ate their meal, enjoying it immensely, not because the food was particularly delicious, but because of the joy and warmth in their hearts.
After the meal, Yan Nange took Zhu Ruoxi to Crescent Moon Street. Zhu Ruoxi was vastly different from that morning; she had been disheveled then, but now she wore a white dress, her hair styled beautifully, and there was no trace of her former appearance. Yan Nange hadn't let the ruffian see his face, and since no one else recognized him, there was nothing to worry about. Yan Nange strolled confidently down the street, hand in hand with Zhu Ruoxi, the two of them attracting considerable attention. Those who had seen Yan Nange hitting someone that morning avoided him, thinking to themselves that this young master was truly audacious, but he was definitely no ordinary person.
After buying some clothes, daily necessities, and food for Zhu Ruoxi, it was already evening when the two of them, one big and one small, happily returned home carrying a large pile of things.
As they entered the alley, they saw Leng San, a servant of the Leng family, pacing back and forth outside the gate. Upon seeing Yan Nange, he hurriedly came forward.
"Young Master, why are you only just returning? Master and the others are waiting for you! Oh, and who is this young lady?" Leng San had quite the keen eye; it took him so long to notice Zhu Ruoxi.
"Ah, this is my newly adopted little sister. Third Brother, may I take her with me?" Yan Nange didn't mention Zhu Ruoxi's name for safety reasons.
"Of course, Miss is just worried about not having any playmates," Leng San said with a smile.
"Third Brother, please wait a moment, we'll be right out." Yan Nange said, unlocking the door and entering the courtyard with Zhu Ruoxi.
After putting away their purchases, the two tidied their clothes.
"Little sister, when we get to the Leng residence, you can't use your original name. I only know a few characters, so you'll have to think of a name yourself." Yan Nange picked up her small body and carried the wine jar and dried plums.
“Then let’s call her Yan Junxi. I hope my brother will always cherish and love Ruoxi.” Zhu Ruoxi’s face was flushed, and she looked at Yan Nange with gentle, watery eyes. A light kiss landed on his lips. After the kiss, she was shy but also extremely happy, so she hugged Yan Nange’s neck and pressed her hot face against his.
“Little girl.” Yan Nange felt a soft, tingling sensation in his heart from her gaze and kiss, a feeling he couldn’t quite describe.
Seeing Yan Nange carrying Zhu Ruoxi out, Leng San hurriedly helped him carry the wine jar and dried plums. Seeing Zhu Ruoxi’s flushed face and her eyes closed as she hugged Yan Nange’s neck, he thought she was asleep, thinking to himself that this little girl fell asleep very quickly. They traveled
quickly, and after a while, they arrived at the Leng residence on Haoyue Street.
Red lanterns hung high, and the high walls and vermilion gates, with two large stone lions in front of the gate, indicated that the owner’s status was extraordinary. In the Jinshi Continent, only nobles or prominent families used red gates and stone lions in front of them.
Yan Nange had initially thought the Leng family was merely wealthy merchants, but now it seemed they were more than that. However, these thoughts quickly faded from his mind, as they were ultimately irrelevant to him.
Passing through three courtyards, past pavilions, waterside terraces, artificial hills, and small bridges—a feast for the eyes—Yan Nange finally entered the inner courtyard.
Leng San led the way, with Yan Nange carrying Zhu Ruoxi as they followed briskly.
"Brother, this Leng residence is quite impressive. My family doesn't even have such grandeur," Zhu Ruoxi whispered in Yan Nange's ear.
"Yes, it must be impressive. But it has nothing to do with us siblings," Yan Nange said calmly. Deep down, he longed to one day own such a residence. It was a strong desire, but he hid it well, not wanting to show it… The prerequisite was to own it openly and honestly. While he was currently wealthy, he was still far from it!

Chapter 46 Leng Mansion Banquet
: 10-21 10:16:49 Word Count: 2915

"Brother, I know you really crave a mansion like this. Hehe!" Zhu Ruoxi nibbled on Yan Nange's ear, making him tremble.
"Little devil. How did you figure that out?" Yan Nange felt a tingling sensation in his heart from Zhu Ruoxi's delicate teeth. He wanted to tell her to stop fooling around, but then he realized he actually enjoyed being bitten, so he didn't say it aloud. A strange emotion was quietly growing within him, but he was completely unaware of it.
"Because I just saw a blazing fire in your eyes, which means you really want a mansion like this, and maybe even more!" Zhu Ruoxi said confidently, gently nibbling his ear as she watched him tremble. She understood a little about people's hearts, though not much, but enough to see through her brother's thoughts. He wasn't hiding them well enough.
"My little sister is quite the little imp, able to read my mind. But I like it. Hehe." Yan Nange said with a smile, and as he spoke, he saw Leng Xuanwen standing in the courtyard to greet him from afar. Yan Nange felt a surge of emotion and quickened his pace, his smile growing even brighter.
"Uncle Leng." Yan Nange only uttered three words, yet they contained boundless gratitude and affection. Leng Xuanwen wouldn't let Yan Nange call him "boss," saying it would be too formal, so Yan Nange called him "uncle.
" "Nange's here. Who's this?" Leng Xuanwen looked happily at Yan Nange and Zhu Ruoxi in his arms.
Zhu Ruoxi asked Yan Nange to put her down.
"This humble girl, Yan Junxi, greets Uncle Leng. Junxi is the little sister Nange's elder brother has recognized today, and elder brother is Junxi's benefactor in this life." Zhu Ruoxi smiled gracefully and bowed, her voice clear and sweet, her demeanor elegant.
Leng Xuanwen's eyes lit up, thinking to himself, what a lovely little girl.
"Good! Yan Junxi. What a nice name... Brother En? There must be a story behind this." Leng Xuanwen smiled.
"Uncle is right. Junxi was kidnapped after her father's death, and my elder brother rescued her out of righteousness, buried my father, and took her in. My elder brother is a good brother whom Junxi can never repay in her lifetime." Zhu Ruoxi said, tightly holding Yan Nange's large hand, looking at him affectionately, her eyes filled with tenderness and glistening with tears.
Yan Nange never expected Zhu Ruoxi to say such vow-like words at this moment, and he was deeply moved. He hugged her small body into his arms and gently stroked her back. Ruoxi wiped away her tears, hugged Yan Nange's neck tightly, and pressed her small face against his.
Yan Nange felt the little girl's attachment to him, and at the same time missed Yan Baobao. Baobao went back to the underground ant kingdom and hadn't returned for many days. She was probably playing so much that she had forgotten her father! ... If only he could bring Baobao with him.
“Uncle, Nan Ge has only prepared a jar of twenty-year-old Ming Ding Zui wine and some dried plums to accompany it. I hope you won’t find it too much.” Yan Nan Ge changed the subject, smiling as she spoke.
“Twenty-year-old Ming Ding Zui wine, that’s wonderful. The dried plums must be from the Liu family. Very good, Nan Ge truly understands me. Ming Ding Zui wine with dried plums, even a celestial being wouldn’t want to leave. Haha!” Leng Xuanwen, still moved, happily picked up the wine jar and dried plums handed to him by Leng San upon hearing Yan Nan Ge’s words. He sniffed them for a few moments, his heart breaking into a wide smile.
“What has made Master so happy? Look how cheerful you are!” A gentle figure rang out from the hall, and a middle-aged noblewoman in a blue dress slowly stepped out.
Zhu Ruoxi had Yan Nan Ge put her down and stood beside him.
This noblewoman was around forty years old, with a beautiful face and an air of nobility; it was clear at a glance that she was a pampered lady. The noblewoman’s smile was very kind, inspiring a sense of admiration in Yan Nan Ge and Zhu Ruoxi.
"Nange greets Aunt Leng."
"Junxi greets Aunt Leng."
Yan Nange and Zhu Ruoxi both guessed the woman's identity and bowed in greeting.
"Good, good. Your uncle often praises you. Nange, who is this lovely little girl?" Madam Leng asked with a smile, her eyes constantly scanning Yan Nange and Zhu Ruoxi.
"Aunt Leng, this is my little sister whom I've taken in today, Yan Junxi." Yan Nange replied with a smile.
"What a lovely little girl, now Ruyan has a playmate. Hehe. Don't stand here, come in quickly." Madam Leng invited, and everyone went into the living room together.
Upon entering the living room, Yan Nange saw four large round tables in the spacious hall, with dried fruits and fresh fruits on them. Around them stood about thirty or forty people, men, women, young and old, of all kinds. They were dressed in fine clothes and high buns, adorned with jewels, and their attire was incomparable to that of these people. A sense of inferiority inevitably arose in his heart. Just then, Ruoxi squeezed his small hand tightly. He looked down at her; her smile was radiant, her gaze gentle and tender. She was encouraging him. Although she didn't speak, Yan Nange sensed her feelings.
Yan Nange's heart warmed instantly. He thought to himself, "How shameful it is that I, a grown man, am inferior to a little girl!" He straightened his chest, his pride rising, feeling as if he were the richest man in the world. All his inferiority and timidity vanished.
Seeing Yan Nange's change, Zhu Ruoxi's smile became even more beautiful and radiant, mirroring his own radiant smile, creating a truly captivating scene.
Yan Nange glanced at the group. Among them was a noble and kind-looking old woman seated high in the center, whose face resembled Leng Xuanwen's. He assumed she was Leng Xuanran's mother, the Old Madam Leng.
Beside the old woman were six beautiful women. Two of them were twin sisters in blue dresses, around seventeen or eighteen years old, with incredibly graceful figures, identical delicate oval faces, bright eyes and white teeth, cherry lips and delicate noses, and skin as radiant as snow-white jade. They were both equally charming and alluring, captivating the heart. Most remarkably, they were truly identical, making it difficult to tell them apart.
Another beauty was a girl of thirteen or fourteen, dressed in red, with an oval face and clear, bright eyes. Just as Yan Nange looked over, she also looked at him, her beautiful eyes sparkling, her cherry lips parting to reveal pearly white teeth, and two dimples appearing on her cheeks with a smile. Yan Nange was instantly mesmerized and momentarily stunned.
Seeing Yan Nange's stunned expression, the girl laughed even harder, her beautiful eyes crinkling into crescent moons, breathtakingly beautiful.
Coming to his senses, Yan Nange nodded to the girl, guessing that these three stunning beauties must be Leng Xuanwen's daughters. (

Chapter 47 of the novel, Leng Family Banquet (Part Two)
: 10-21 10:16:50, Word Count: 2430)

There were also three beauties around sixteen or seventeen years old, beautiful but less striking. These were probably the daughters of the three middle-aged men on either side who looked remarkably like Leng Xuanwen. These people were likely Leng Xuanwen's brothers and nieces.
The rest were some beautiful women and handsome men, their gazes either curious or hostile, which Yan Nange ignored.
All of this happened in an instant. While observing these people, he followed Madam Leng and Leng Xuanwen towards the old woman.
"Mother, this is Nange, whom I often mention, and this is his younger sister, Junxi," Leng Xuanwen introduced.
"Nange greets Grandmother, wishing you a long and healthy life." Upon seeing the kind face and loving eyes of Old Madam Leng, Yan Nange was immediately inspired and uttered a refined blessing. Her five months of self-study had clearly paid off, Yan Nange thought to herself with a touch of pride.
"Junxi greets Grandmother, wishing you a long and happy life, and a constant smile." Zhu Ruoxi, having seen many occasions, was adept at etiquette and pleasantries.
"Good, good. Good children. Mingyan, go and fetch my treasure chest; I want to give these two filial grandchildren something." Old Madam Leng was delighted and gave the order.
Old Madam Leng smiled and went, returning shortly with an elegant wooden box placed on the table beside her.
Yan Nange and Zhu Ruoxi were about to politely decline, but Leng Xuanwen tugged at their sleeves from behind, signaling them to be quiet, so they swallowed their words.
Old Madam Leng opened the treasure chest, and the hall was instantly filled with dazzling, glittering light.
On top of the treasure chest sat seven fist-sized pearls, each a different color: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. Their dazzling brilliance transformed the hall into a dreamlike, magnificent world.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, gazing intently at the seven pearls. Even the children of these wealthy families had never seen such treasures.
With a gentle pull, the old lady revealed that the treasure chest was layered. The first layer, with its seven pearls, was moved aside. The second, third, and fourth layers were quickly revealed, their shimmering light obscuring their contents. The fifth and bottommost layer contained two items: a necklace of pearls as blue as the sky and as sparkling as the morning stars, and a purple, intricately carved ring.
Grandma Leng placed the blue pearl necklace around Zhu Ruoxi's neck, then lovingly stroked her little face, saying, "This is a necklace made of one hundred South Sea beauty pearls, called 'Beauty's Love.' I hope this necklace will protect you throughout your life with peace and happiness."
"Thank you for your blessing, Grandmother," Zhu Ruoxi said, moved by Grandma Leng's gesture, her eyes reddening as she kissed the old lady's cheek. Grandma Leng was even more delighted, holding Zhu Ruoxi on her lap with great affection.
Leng Xuanwen and his wife exchanged a smile, secretly thinking how adorable the little girl was. They were also secretly amazed that their mother would give such a precious gift to these two children they had just met.
Naturally, they weren't the only ones shocked; everyone in the hall was astonished, completely baffled by the gift, and filled with envy and jealousy.
Old Madam Leng placed the ring on Yan Nange's middle finger. The moment the ring touched him, Yan Nange felt a chill run through his body and trembled. Then, as the ring touched his finger, a sudden heat surged through him, causing him to tremble again. After that, he felt nothing more. Yan Nange was surprised and looked at Old Madam Leng with disbelief. Old Madam Leng smiled but remained silent.
"Thank you for the gift, Grandmother!" Yan Nange said, bowing respectfully.
"Good child! Hehe." The old lady affectionately patted Yan Nange's head and called him to get up.
"Grandma, I want one too!" Leng Ruyan said coquettishly.
"Little rascal. If you're always this good, you can choose any treasure from my treasure chest. Hehe." Old Madam Leng patted Leng Ruyan's little hand.
Madam Leng walked over, closed the treasure chest, and carried it away. Everyone watched with reluctance as Madam Leng's figure disappeared into the inner hall.
Leng Xuanwen pulled Yan Nange aside and introduced everyone in the hall. Yan Nange greeted them all with a smile and elegant manners, leading everyone to believe he was a young master from some noble family. Although his attire was ordinary, no one dared to underestimate him. Who would dare to look down on someone personally greeted by Leng Xuanwen and Madam Leng, and who was also favored by the Old Madam?
Yan Nange's guess was correct; the three who resembled Leng Xuanwen were indeed the Leng brothers. His guess about the six women was also spot on. The women were clearly very curious about Yan Nange, constantly scrutinizing him, which aroused the jealousy of the young men, who wished they could tear him apart.
The remaining people, besides members of the Leng family, were all sons of prominent figures in Lantian City.
These were the sons of the wealthiest or most powerful people in Lantian City, plus those slightly less so. Yan Nange unfortunately realized that the Old Madam Leng had harmed him; although these people were all polite to him, the hostility in their eyes made him feel a chill. Unintentionally, he had offended a large group of people, and all of them were not to be trifled with. Yan Nange couldn't help but feel a little worried about the future. But then he thought, "I don't do business, I have nothing to do with them. I'm just a jewelry craftsman, what do I have to fear?" He immediately felt at ease.

Chapter 48 of the novel, Leng Family Banquet (Part 3)
: 10-21 10:16:50 Words: 3006

After the introduction, Leng Xuanwen kept Yan Nange among the young masters. Although Yan Nange was unwilling, he had no choice.
Lan Tianhen, the son of the Lantian Mine owner, had long been resentful of Yan Nange and stepped forward to ask, "Young Master Yan, what kind of business do you run?"
All the young masters also stared at Yan Nange, wanting to know what he did that made Leng Xuanwen take him so seriously.
"I'm just a jewelry craftsman at Lengyuezhai," Yan Nange said calmly, his expression neither humble nor arrogant.
"What?" Lan Tianhen thought he had misheard, and everyone else was also surprised.
"You heard right, I am a jewelry craftsman," Yan Nange repeated.
"So he's just a décor craftsman." Lan Tianhen sneered and walked away. The young masters also scurried away as if they had seen a plague, as if approaching Yan Nange was an insult to them.
Yan Nange didn't care. Seeing Zhu Ruoxi chatting and laughing with the Leng sisters and Old Madam Leng, he quietly went outside alone, gazing at the beautiful moonlight.
The moonlight tonight was exceptionally beautiful and clear. Although he was still lonely, he was in a good mood because he now had family; he was no longer alone in the world. With Ruoxi, with the Leng family, and later with Xueying, his life would be complete.
Yan Nange looked at the bright moon, thinking about the bright future. He stretched lazily, let out a long, comfortable sigh, and then clenched his fist and waved it towards the sky.
"Yan Nange! You can do it!" he encouraged himself.
"Giggle!" A clear, sweet laugh came from behind him.
Yan Nange was startled and turned around to see the beautiful Leng Ruoyan. Realizing she had seen his childish actions, Yan Nange blushed and avoided her gaze.
Leng Ruyan walked over, her large eyes blinking as she stared at Yan Nange, and laughed, "Brother Nange, you're so funny."
Unable to bear her gaze, Yan Nange avoided her eyes and asked, "I... how amusing?" Yan Nange's face turned even redder. He generally couldn't stand seeing beautiful women; he would blush whenever he did.
Leng Ruyan had never seen such a shy man before and found it quite amusing. The more Yan Nange tried to avoid her gaze, the more she wanted to look at him.
She asked with a smile, "That action you did just now was so funny, and your shy look now is even funnier. Hehe, Brother Nange, how old are you this year?"
Yan Nange composed himself, but still didn't have the courage to look into Leng Ruyan's fiery eyes. Gazing at the night sky, he said, "Sixteen years old."
Leng Ruyan looked at his body in surprise. Sixteen years old and so tall? That was outrageous. So she asked incredulously, "Really?"
Yan Nange knew she thought he was a bit too tall, so he couldn't help but smile and said, "Really. Unbelievable, isn't it? I don't think it's anything."
Leng Ruyan covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide, and whispered, "This isn't anything? How tall is considered tall... Did you take some kind of magic pill to be like this?"
Yan Nange was amused by Leng Ruyan's naive thoughts and relaxed. Turning his head, gazing at her exquisitely beautiful and pure face and those dreamlike eyes, he smiled and said, "Sister Ruyan, you've probably read too many idle books. There are no magic pills or elixirs here. Actually, it's all because I eat and sleep like crazy whenever I have free time, and then I work like crazy when I get up. Before I knew it, I'd grown into this... And it's all thanks to my big belly. Hehe." After saying that, Yan Nange patted his belly, making a loud thumping sound.
Leng Ruyan found his words funny and his actions amusing, so she couldn't help but giggle happily and said, "Brother Nange, then aren't you almost like a little pig? Little Pig Brother, I'll call you Little Pig Brother from now on." After saying that, she found the nickname too funny, and laughed even harder, her body shaking with laughter, a truly beautiful sight.
"This isn't quite right... Sister Ruyan, your smile is so beautiful! I wish I could see you smile forever!... Uh..." Yan Nange originally intended to correct Leng Ruyan's way of addressing him, but Leng Ruyan's smile was so beautiful that he was captivated and unconsciously blurted out his thoughts.
Although Yan Nange spoke softly, she heard him clearly. She already felt a sense of warmth towards Yan Nange, and her heart was fluttering. Hearing him say such things, she was both embarrassed and delighted, completely flustered and unsure how to react. She could only stomp her foot and angrily say, "You... you're so mean! I'm ignoring you!" Then she turned and left.
Yan Nange thought Leng Ruyan was truly angry and felt secretly ashamed of himself for being so tactless. However, recalling Leng Ruyan's charming smile just now, his heart still pounded.
Leng Ruyan was indeed very beautiful, no wonder he felt this way... He tried to comfort himself.
Lost in thought, Leng Ruxian came out and called him in for dinner. Leng Ruxian was the eldest of Leng Xuanwen's twin daughters; a small red mole adorned her snow-white neck, the only difference between her and her sister, Ruxuan.
Yan Nange was destined to be the envy of many, as he sat at one table with Leng Xuanwen's family, while the young masters sat at three separate tables, accompanied by Leng Xuanwen's three brothers. Since things were already this way, Yan Nange didn't bother with them anymore.
The Leng family was a scholarly family, naturally indulging in refined pursuits and wordplay. Although Yan Nange had acquired a basic understanding of characters over the past five months, he was a complete novice when it came to wordplay. He simply drank with them, and his witty remarks amused everyone, so the Leng family didn't look down on him. The young masters, however, held him in contempt, but unfortunately had no opportunity to belittle him, leaving them all furious.
To everyone's surprise, Zhu Ruoxi, though seemingly no more than ** years old, spoke eloquently and fluently, her talent so remarkable that everyone admired her. Even the self-important young masters applauded and called her a child prodigy.
Yan Nange was delighted to see his younger sister's talent, but he felt that calling her a child prodigy was inappropriate; she should be called a talented woman.
Yan Nange had never understood why these young masters were here during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions. It wasn't until after the banquet that he understood their purpose.
The round table was cleared away, and everyone sat around the perimeter of the hall. Leng Xuanwen stood up from beside Old Madam Leng, coughed, and the hall fell silent.

Chapter 49 Fatal Encounter
: 10-21 10:16:51 Word Count: 3045

Leng Xuanwen looked around and said loudly, "You are all young masters from prominent families in Lantian City, and you have been pursuing my Leng family's daughters for a long time. However, there are so many of you, while my Leng family only has seven daughters. One is sickly, and another is not yet of marriageable age. Therefore, to reduce conflict among you, I have specially invited you all here today for a Mid-Autumn Festival poetry and painting gathering, giving you all a chance to showcase your talents. If any of you are interested in any of my Leng family's daughters, you can express your feelings through poetry and painting. If they agree, the marriage can be arranged immediately. If they do not agree, there is nothing we can do. Please do not waste your time on them in the future. What do you all think?"
The young masters of Lantian City understood Leng Xuanwen's meaning: this was a one-time opportunity, and it would not be available again. Although they felt helpless, they could still say "Okay."
The thought of having a beauty in one's arms made the young masters eager to try their luck. What had been a harmonious group now secretly turned into a competition.
"Since tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, let's have a poetry contest and a painting contest, each on the theme of the moon. Afterwards, you can present your poems and paintings to the pearls of the Leng family. Bring brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones!" Leng Xuanwen clapped his hands, and maids and servants placed writing desks and brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones in front of each young master.
"Let's start the poetry contest from the left," Leng Xuanwen gestured. The first young master seated on the left was Lan Tianhen.
Yan Nange had no interest in this. Amidst the surprised or disdainful glances of the crowd, he excused himself from Leng Xuanwen and left the hall to admire the moonlight.
Although this was Yan Nange's first time meeting the young ladies of the Leng family, everyone has an appreciation for beauty, and he naturally longed for beautiful women. However, he was too lazy to show off his poetry skills, finding it uninteresting, and disdained associating with these young masters.
Yan Nange wanted to go home and rest, but he had to consider the feelings of the Leng family. Coming out alone was understandable, but leaving now would be extremely impolite and disrespectful. Although he felt uncomfortable, he could only endure it.
People are often sentimental at night. Thinking of Xiangxiang's departure, Yan Nange felt a pang of depression and a profound sense of loneliness. Perhaps loneliness is inherent in human nature. Yan Nange thought to himself, and strolled forward.
The bright moon hung high, and a gentle night breeze blew. Being Mid-Autumn Festival, a chill was inevitable. Yan Nange didn't feel the night wind was particularly cold, but his mood made him feel a slight chill. He didn't try to cheer himself up; sometimes melancholy and loneliness allow one to reflect on the past and weigh gains and losses more clearly. The Leng residence
was vast and beautiful. Previously, he had only taken a cursory look, only seeing the scenery along the way. Now, delving deeper, Yan Nange realized that what he had seen before was merely a corner of the vast landscape, a small part of the whole.
At first, the moonlit scenery evoked a sense of melancholy, but as he delved deeper, breathtaking views unfolded one after another, and Yan Nange became truly captivated, oblivious to the passage of time.
Suddenly, Yan Nange heard the sound of a zither. The music was melodious and ethereal, as if carried by the wind from afar, or as if gently played beside his ear.
The music shifted between joyful and somber, but whether joyful or somber, soothing or light, it was all exquisitely beautiful. Yan Nange forgot the beauty before him, lost in the music. In a daze, he seemed to see a beautiful, delicate woman gazing from a railing, her expression constantly shifting—a sweet smile one moment, sorrow the next. The woman's face seemed to be snow-white, captivating, ethereal, like smoke, like Ruoxi, yet none of these. In
his dazed state, he followed the direction from which the music came, an action he himself did without realizing it, simply acting on impulse.
The winding corridor led to a secluded spot. After walking for an unknown amount of time, a small vermilion building appeared not far ahead. It had two stories, and through an open window on the upper floor, a woman's beautiful face was visible. The music was coming from that window.
Upon seeing that face, Yan Nange trembled violently, his heart stopping instantly. A strange, inexplicable surge of emotion overwhelmed him, a feeling a hundred times stronger than when he first met Xueying. To be precise, no woman had ever given him such an indescribable feeling... If he had to name one, perhaps only Xiangxiang had ever given him such a soul-stirring experience!
This woman had delicately drawn eyebrows and beautiful eyes like stars. She seemed frail, her skin pale, even her lips were a pale, delicate pink. But it was precisely this frailty that made her appear even more ethereal and delicate. She was so beautiful and fragile that she seemed unreal, like a beauty from a divine painting, a fairy from legend.
Her captivating beauty stirred a thousand tender feelings and ten thousand acts of reluctance in Yan Nange's heart. He only wanted to hold
this woman, who seemed sixteen or seventeen yet also appeared to have experienced countless hardships, in his arms, to cherish her, treasure her, pamper her, and spoil her, to love her forever and ever! Yan Nange's infatuated and burning gaze seemed to be sensed by the woman, for a tender gaze fell upon him, meeting his in mid-air. Both felt a sudden, explosive surge within them, a dizzying, mesmerizing gaze, filled with tender affection. That gaze, that deep affection, was not abrupt at all; it burst forth naturally, uncontrollably.
Tears streamed down their faces, and simultaneously, a knowing smile blossomed between them. With that smile, a string in their hearts was gently plucked, playing a melody that resonated deep within their souls. This was the sound of love!
The music continued, but without a trace of sorrow, filled only with joyful melodies. With a smile tinged with tears, Yan Nange walked into the fragrant boudoir as if in a dream.
It was but a fleeting moment, yet felt like an eternity; it was an eternity, yet felt like a single instant. Yan Nange approached the delicate woman from behind. The night breeze from outside the window drifted into the fragrant chamber, lifting a wisp of her black hair, which rose and fell gently, its movement as turbulent as his heart.
Gazing at the slender white figure, Yan Nange felt an overwhelming tenderness, his heart pounding. He slowly walked behind her, inhaling the faint fragrance emanating from her, and finally, unable to resist, embraced her frail body.
In that moment, he even temporarily forgot about the fragrance; his eyes were only on the woman in his arms.
The music stopped abruptly, and the ethereal woman rose and embraced Yan Nange tightly, gazing at him with tender, watery eyes. That gentle gaze instantly melted Yan Nange's heart. Then, her lips gently pressed against his full lips, a cool, moist sensation permeating his body and soul, causing him to tremble violently. He suddenly felt an intense longing for the warmth of her cool, fragrant lips, so he opened his mouth and kissed and sucked desperately.
The instant his mouth opened, a cool, soft tongue, carrying endless sweetness and fragrance, slipped into his mouth. As their tongues intertwined, he felt as if he had entered a wondrous world, a world of vibrant colors and boundless beauty. He was intoxicated, entranced, maddened, and stunned. In short, he was no longer himself, and the world was no longer the same; everything had been completely changed by that passionate kiss!

Chapter 50, Delicate and Frail
: 10-21 10:16:51 Word Count: 2674

For a very long time, Yan Nange and the beautiful, ethereal woman finally parted their lips. Their faces were flushed, from shyness, excitement, and breathlessness.
Despite their shyness, neither wanted to let go, so they stood there embracing. They held each other tightly, seeking warmth in each other's embrace.
"Little brother, were we lovers in our past lives, destined to meet and fall in love in this life?" the woman whispered in Yan Nange's ear.
Yan Nange was overjoyed and excited, and hurriedly said, "Yes, it must be so. Sister, I want to marry you and cherish you for the rest of my life."
The woman hugged him even tighter, first overjoyed, then her expression darkened, and she sighed softly, saying, "Brother, but my life is coming to an end. Perhaps the next moment, I will leave you. I don't want to hurt you." The woman finished speaking with endless sorrow, and tears quickly soaked Yan Nange's shoulders and neck. The tears were warm then cool, just like her heart.
Yan Nange hugged her tightly, and cried out excitedly, "No, sister, you won't, you won't with me here. I want to marry you, I want to cherish you and love you for the rest of my life. Sister, okay? Okay?"
The woman coughed because Yan Nange hugged her so tightly, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind, fragile and thin.
She said softly, "Little brother, you're hurting me."
Yan Nange quickly released her, holding her as he sat her down on a nearby chair. Her body was so light, almost weightless. Seeing her like this filled him with both pity and heartache. She was so fragile, as if a gust of wind could carry her away. No wonder her face was so pale, even her lips were a faint color. Tears welled up in Yan Nange's eyes.
Logically, people meeting for the first time shouldn't have such deep feelings, but many things defy common sense. Just like now, Yan Nange truly felt heartache for this woman's frailty, his heart aching, and tears naturally flowed. The woman gazed at him with boundless affection and tenderness, wiping away his tears with her cool, soft hands. But her tears also flowed, moved by his emotions and a sigh at the cruel twist of fate.
The woman let Yan Nange's warm hand wipe away her tears, and softly asked, "Little brother, what's your name?"
At this moment, Yan Nange forgot all other women; his heart and eyes were only filled with the woman in his arms. He loved her so much—her fragility, her beauty, her soft voice, and her gentle, watery eyes. Everything about her made his heart flutter, made him feel heartache, made him tender, made him sweet. So many feelings, words couldn't fully express them.
He gently stroked her pale, cold, beautiful face and softly said, "Sister, I am Yan Nange. And you, sister?"
The woman held his warm hand in one hand and stroked his warm face with the other, saying with utmost tenderness, "Little brother, I am Leng Ruxian. Little brother, how did you get here?"
Yan Nange then briefly recounted his acquaintance with Leng Xuanwen and his journey to the banquet that evening. For some reason, he just wanted to confide in her; with her listening, the process of telling his story became an incredibly beautiful thing. He even told her the fact that he had escaped slavery; in his heart, Ruxian was more important than his own life.
Xiangxiang's figure faded, Xueying's figure vanished, Ruyan's shadow faded, leaving only the delicate Ruxian filling his entire heart. He deliberately kept quiet about those women; he would surely forget them, he didn't want them to cause Ruxian even the slightest discomfort. After
Yan Nange finished speaking, remembering Leng Xuanwen mentioning at the beginning of the poetry and painting gathering that a daughter of the Leng family was sickly, he assumed this was his sister Ruxian and asked, "Sister, are you Uncle Leng's daughter?"
Leng Ruxian nodded gently and said, "Yes, I am Ruxian, Ruxuan, and Ruyan's older sister. Brother, I admire your courage so much. Brother, from now on, I will be your family, just like Ruoxi's father and mother, and I will definitely take good care of you. It's a pity that I'm not well, otherwise I would surely make you the happiest man in the world." Saying this, she couldn't help but feel sad; this frail body truly saddened her.
Yan Nange was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Sister, you said yes, didn't you? That's wonderful! Sister, with you, I am the happiest man in the world!"
Leng Ruxian's depression was also dispelled by his jubilant appearance. She couldn't help but smile, reached out and flicked his nose, and said in a pout, "What a cute little fool!" Then she laughed happily.
Leng Ruqian's smile was sweet and beautiful, so beautiful that Yan Nange was mesmerized, murmuring, "Sister, your smile is so beautiful!" In that moment, he forgot that he had said those words to Leng Ruoyan not long ago.
Leng Ruqian was stunned. Had she really smiled? She didn't even realize it. She had been tormented by illness for so long, and could count on one hand the number of times she had smiled. But thinking back, today she had smiled so much and cried so much—something she had never done before. It seemed she had truly fallen in love with this man two years younger than her, a love that was utterly uncontrollable.
Thinking of her age, she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive and asked, "Little brother, I'm already eighteen. Don't you think I'm too old?"
Yan Nange laughed and said, "Sister, you called me a little fool, but you're even more of a fool. What's the difference between eighteen and sixteen? Even if you were eighty, I would still love you deeply. Didn't you say we were destined to meet and fall in love in this life? We are destined to be together, as long as you don't mind that I'm a poor boy!" Thinking of his situation, Yan Nange was a little worried.
Leng Ruxian was overjoyed to hear Yan Nange's words. Seeing his furrowed brows, she knew he was probably insecure about his background. She held his hand tightly and said, "Little brother, I won't. I love you for who you are; nothing else matters!" After saying that, she leaned down and gave Yan Nange a deep kiss, making them both feel very comfortable.

Chapter 51: The Beauty's Background
(10-21 10:16:52, 3011 words)

The two embraced sweetly, chatting about Leng Ruxian's past and Yan Nange's experiences.
It turned out that Leng Ruxian was born weak and plagued by a chronic illness. When the illness flared up, her limbs were often ice-cold, and her whole body was in excruciating pain; each attack was so painful she wished she were dead. Countless doctors were consulted to cure her strange ailment, until she was three years old when a wandering physician diagnosed her with a rare "Heavenly Yin Meridian"—not an illness, but a constitution extremely rare throughout history. Women with this constitution were invariably beautiful and exceptionally intelligent, but because the Heavenly Yin Meridian would flare up frequently, causing unbearable pain, and those with it were too weak to tolerate strong tonics, they rarely lived long. He had a secret formula to prolong life, but it was very likely she still wouldn't live past eighteen.
Leng Xuanwen and his wife knelt and begged for a cure. The doctor, truly helpless, admitted there was a cure: if she could meet a man with a Fire Element True Body and unite with him, she would naturally recover her health in three years, with immense benefits. However, men with a Fire Element True Body were as rare as women with the Heavenly Yin Meridian, and he could do nothing but leave it to fate. After prescribing the medicine, the doctor vanished. Leng Ruqian, relying on that secret formula, has survived with immense difficulty to this day. To avoid upsetting her parents, Leng Ruqian endured unimaginable pain, struggling between life and death with unwavering willpower.
After hearing Leng Ruqian's story, Yan Nange felt immense admiration for her, and also felt even more pity and love
for her. Yan Nange asked Leng Ruqian if there were any characteristics of someone with a Fire Element True Body. Leng Ruqian said the doctor hadn't mentioned any. And even if there were, now that she had him, she wouldn't unite with someone else just to survive. Having his love made her feel incredibly sweet and happy; a fleeting moment of happiness outweighed endless years of suffering. After speaking, she embraced Yan Nange tightly.
Yan Nange was deeply moved by Leng Ruxian's words and also embraced her tightly. The two remained silently in each other's arms, feeling an endless sweetness of happiness. Time seemed to stand still at that moment, frozen into an eternal, unchanging moment!
Knowing that Leng Ruxian spent a fortune every month and day to nourish her body and combat her chronic illness, Yan Nange discussed with her the possibility of her recuperating at home first, promising to visit her often. He would marry her when he could support her. Their love was temporarily made public.
Leng Ruxian told him not to rush, that their career should be built slowly, and that haste makes waste. She was content as long as they could see each other occasionally. Yan Nange readily agreed, but inwardly he was incredibly anxious, wishing he could be wealthy immediately.
The two lingered sweetly for a while before reluctantly parting. As they separated, Leng Ruxian took off the pearl necklace from her neck as a token of their love and placed it around Yan Nange's neck. Having nothing to give as a gift, Yan Nange offered to give Leng Ruxian the ring Old Madam Leng had given him, but Leng Ruxian refused, telling him to give her something when he came again the day after tomorrow.
Reluctantly parting, under Leng Ruxian's tender and affectionate gaze, and to the strains of her cheerful yet melodious zither music, Yan Nange turned back every few steps, heading back the way he came.
Reaching a long corridor, he saw Leng Ruyan skipping and hopping towards him from afar: "Little Pig Brother, you're here? Father and the others are waiting for you to taste the mooncakes."
Leng Ruyan seemed to have forgotten her earlier accusation that Yan Nange was a bad person; seeing him, she was overjoyed, running over to grasp his large hand, still skipping and hopping, shaking Yan Nange's arm, humming a little tune. She looked like an innocent and adorable little girl.
To be honest, Leng Ruyan was the most beautiful of Leng Xuanwen's four daughters, especially now, with her radiant smile and hidden dimples, she was incredibly charming. Before meeting Leng Ruxian, Leng Ruyan's intimacy with him would have filled him with joy and made his heart race. But now, Leng Ruyan was just a younger sister to him. Seeing her so close to him without holding a grudge only made him feel happy and warm, without any other thoughts.
From the moment he met Leng Ruxian, his life was completely different; that moment was a turning point in his life.
"Ruyan, what's making you so happy?" Yan Nange asked curiously.
Leng Ruyan said happily, "I made a bet with my second and third sisters. Whoever finds you two first has to treat them to a big meal at Wufangzhai. This time, I'm going to have a good feast! The golden chicken wings and braised pork hock at Wufangzhai are so delicious!"
Ruyan swallowed her saliva as she spoke, making Yan Nange chuckle inwardly, thinking to himself that she was a little glutton.
Wufangzhai was the most famous restaurant in Lantian City, especially renowned for its golden chicken wings and braised pork hock. Although the dishes there were very expensive, those who could afford it were still willing to splurge. In Lantian City, anyone who hasn't been to Wufangzhai can't be considered a person of status, and anyone who has been to Lantian but hasn't visited Wufangzhai can't be considered to have truly been to Lantian City. This is a fact known throughout Lantian City and even the entire continent. The fame of Wufangzhai is evident from this.
Yan Nange teased Ruyan with a smile, saying, "Ruyan, I've won you this delicious meal, so don't forget your brother while we eat!"
Leng Ruyan readily agreed, saying, "Okay, Brother Nange. We'll find an evening when we go, and I'll definitely come to find you then."
Yan Nange saw that Leng Ruyan was serious, but how could he possibly go to eat with three girls, especially if they were paying? He didn't have that kind of nerve. He then said, "I was just joking with you. You can go by yourselves. Hehe."
Leng Ruyan stopped upon hearing this, forcefully shaking off Yan Nange's hand, her small face icy cold as she said, "I even called you brother. How can a man break his word? A person without integrity cannot stand in this world. I thought you were just dishonest with your words, but I didn't expect you to have character issues as well!"
Yan Nange was stunned by Leng Ruyan's sudden change of heart, speechless after being scolded by her, staring blankly at her.
Seeing his dazed expression, Leng Ruyan couldn't help but chuckle. Realizing she had gone too far, she took Yan Nange's hand again and said softly with a smile, "Alright, Brother Nange, I'll just tell you not to refuse."
Hearing her gentle voice and her radiant smile, Yan Nange found it impossible to refuse her. He could only say, "Fine, since Sister Ruyan has said so, it would be ungrateful of me to refuse. Brother has a big appetite, so don't blame me for eating a lot."
Hearing this, Leng Ruyan laughed even sweeter, coquettishly saying, "Look at what Brother Nange is saying, how could that be? Besides, if anyone's to blame, it's my two demon sisters! Brother Nange, don't be afraid, although my two sisters are demons, at most they'll give you a good beating. On that day, you must eat your fill, eat until they're broke and can't leave Wufangzhai, then let them become the bandit's wives for the owner of Wufangzhai. Hehe! Even if they manage to escape, you've eaten so much, a beating is just a way to digest, make them cry! Hehe..." Leng Ruyan spoke with great enthusiasm, it seemed she was very interested in provoking her two twin sisters.
Yan Nange found Leng Ruyan's words amusing and couldn't help but laugh as well.

Chapter 52 of the main text: Astounding Envy
: 10-21 10:16:52 Words in this chapter: 2637

"Little sister, what are you saying that's so funny? Are you talking badly about us?" A sweet voice came from behind the two of them.
Yan Nange and Leng Ruyan were startled by the sudden voice behind them. Turning around, they saw Leng Ruxian and Leng Ruxuan.
Leng Ruyan's pale face suddenly broke into a sweet smile, and she said in a sweet voice, "Second sister, third sister, how could I dare speak ill of you? Look at you, so gentle and kind, elegant and graceful, so beautiful, possessing such exquisite fragrances—truly beauties unparalleled in heaven and earth. As your younger sister, I am only proud and honored to have sisters like you. I'm too busy praising you to others, how could I possibly speak ill of you? Don't you agree, Brother Nange?"
Leng Ruyan took Yan Nange's small hand and tickled his palm twice. The strange, tingling sensation made Yan Nange's hair stand on end, and he couldn't help but shiver a few times.
"Yes—" His shivering voice was very strange, and combined with his trembling, it immediately made the three beauties burst into laughter, tears streaming down their faces.
Yan Nange awkwardly scratched his head and chuckled. He wanted to glare at Leng Ruyan, the little rascal, but she was laughing so hard he didn't get a chance. Feeling rather helpless, he could only laugh along with them.
After the laughter subsided, Leng Ruxian and Leng Ruxuan became acquainted with Yan Nange. Since they were both seventeen, he had to call them "sisters." These two "sisters" seemed very interested in their new little brother, constantly teasing him. Coupled with Leng Ruyan's mischievousness, Yan Nange suffered greatly on the way back to the inner courtyard from the corridor, while they were having a blast, laughing until their stomachs hurt.
Yan Nange secretly thought, "This is the painful consequence of using me as a source of amusement!" But he didn't dare say it aloud. To be honest, he was genuinely afraid of these three devilish beauties. From them, Yan Nange drew a conclusion: the more beautiful a girl appears, the more terribly mischievous she is! Leng Ruxian wasn't as beautiful as the other three, so she was the gentlest and most beautiful woman!
Upon returning to the inner courtyard, Yan Nange realized that the place was called "Ruyi She"—a common practice among wealthy families and scholars to give elegant names to things they could see. Yan Nange understood this.
The group was enjoying the moon and reciting poetry in the courtyard when they saw Yan Nange returning with three stunning beauties, laughing and talking. Especially the most beautiful, Leng Ruyan, who was holding his hand intimately. The young men were filled with resentment and jealousy, their eyes flashing with cold light, wishing they could kill Yan Nange!
Yan Nange saw their gazes and understood their thoughts.
He knew they had gained nothing that night and were furious. Seeing him so welcomed by the Leng sisters only fueled their anger. Yan Nange naturally noticed this, but he wasn't one to back down out of fear. Besides, he only considered these three young ladies family and had no other intentions.
The Leng Xuanwen couple were delighted to see their three daughters so close to Yan Nange, as this was exactly what they had hoped for. The Leng family was very curious about Yan Nange, the ornament maker Leng Xuanwen always mentioned. Seeing him get along so well with the three spoiled little devils only increased their curiosity about him. Especially the daughters of Leng Xuanwen's three younger brothers, Leng Rushi, Leng Rufei, and Leng Rumei, were particularly curious about him.
Old Madam Leng was talking to Zhu Ruoxi when she saw Yan Nange approaching. She smiled and called out, "Ge'er, come and have a mooncake."
Yan Nange looked apologetically at Leng Xuanwen and his wife, then took Leng Ruyan's hand and walked forward.
Zhu Ruoxi hadn't seen Yan Nange for a long time and was missing him terribly. Seeing him appear, she happily rushed to him. Yan Nange apologetically released Leng Ruyan's tightly held hand and picked up Zhu Ruoxi. The little girl was very clingy, hugging his neck and refusing to let go, making Yan Nange both touched and a little embarrassed.
Yan Nange took the exquisite mooncake offered by the maid, took a bite, and said, "This mooncake is delicious, thank you for the gift, Grandma. Ruyan, you should have a piece too." Seeing Leng Ruyan's displeased expression, Yan Nange guessed she was upset that he had let go of her hand. To express his apology, he broke the mooncake in half and handed it to her with a smile.
Leng Ruyan was indeed angry. In front of so many people, he had let go of her hand to hug another girl. Even though she was his sister, it was still incredibly embarrassing for her. She had never been so intimate with a boy before, yet today she had held his hand in front of so many people—it took so much courage! But he seemed oblivious, and she couldn't help but feel a little sad and depressed.
At this moment, Yan Nange handed her the mooncake. Seeing his gentle and apologetic gaze, her sadness and depression suddenly vanished, replaced by joy. She smiled sweetly, took the mooncake, and happily ate it.
Yan Nange tenderly stroked her head, smiling as he ate his mooncake. To everyone's surprise, Leng Ruyan, the notorious little devil, was not only not angry at Yan Nange's affectionate actions, but was actually quite pleased, her smile becoming even brighter and more radiant.
Thinking about the behavior of the three little devils earlier that day, the young masters felt incredibly oppressed; it seemed this ornament maker was going to have three beauties at once! Seeing the Leng family's attitude towards Yan Nange, they all felt things were going badly and secretly plotted how to deal with this rival. However, considering he was just an ornament maker, dealing with him would be a piece of cake, they couldn't help but sneer inwardly, thinking, "Let's see if you can laugh all night long!"
Yan Nange knew these young masters were plotting against him, so he was the first to leave the Leng residence.
When he left, Old Madam Leng was very reluctant to part with him, and she and Leng Xuanwen and his wife invited him to come and play often. Leng Ruyan told him not to forget his promise.
Zhu Ruoxi was very much loved by the Leng family, and they wanted her to stay in the residence for a while, but Zhu Ruoxi refused, promising to come often in the future, which lessened the Leng family's disappointment.
Yan Nange nodded repeatedly in agreement, declined the Leng family servants' offer to see her off, and went out into the alley. After turning left and right, she made many turns, and only returned home when she found no one was watching her.

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