It all happened so fast, Liu Ran did not even have the chance to speak. They were just a few meters away from Ye Xuan’s position when the bullock-cart took off under Ye Liu’s guidance.
It was clear that Ye Liu and Ye Mo had the same mindset. Neither of them liked Ye Xuan, so much so that even if they chanced upon him on the road they would find an excuse to walk away!
“Brother Xuan, see you tomorrow.” Liu Ran waved at him as they left, smiling innocently.
He was, after all, still young, so he could not tell that his two brothers-in-law with him right then, as well as the other two in the house, and even his sister, did not like Ye Xuan.
Ye Xuan just stood there as the bullock-cart sped off further and further away from him, the smile on his face slowly fading.
“Why isn’t Sister Duo taking him to Yuan Fang’s house?” he said in a volume only he could hear.
He had hoped he could take the opportunity, when Liu Duo was walking Liu Ran to his friend’s house, to have a moment alone with her.
He never had the chance because every time he went over to their house, Liu Ran and the brothers were always there.
He frowned, then reversed and walked towards home, deep in thought.
People were arriving one after another at Liu Duo’s house to sell their tomatoes. Liu Duo busied herself with the accounts and payment, while Ye Ling practiced his writing indoors.
Wang Xiangyun, on the other hand, woke up with swollen eyes that made her look even more pitiful. She had cried herself to sleep the night before.
“Little Tian, what should I do? My eyes are so puffy, how can I let Brother Ming see me like this. I look hideous.”
She stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror as she pouted and fretted.
Little Tian had already expected this would happen. She took a boiled egg, peeled off the shell, and wrapped it in a handkerchief before giving it to her lady, “Miss, I’m going to place this boiled egg over your eyes. It should subside in a moment.”
“Little Tian, what do you think Brother Ming is doing now? Has he taken his breakfast?”
She did not want him to see her with her eyes swollen like that. She looked ugly, so she did not look for him first thing after waking up.
Wang Xiangyun closed her eyes as she let the egg roll around the swelling.
Little Tian sighed soundlessly. When would her lady ever stop talking about Dongfang Ming?
Helplessly, she said, “Miss, I wouldn’t know that. I don’t have clairvoyance. I can’t see what Mr. Dongfang is doing! But I guess he should have eaten.”
Wang Xiangyun pouted even more and urged her to speed up, “Quick, help me get better. I want to keep him company.”
To Little Tian, Wang Xiangyun was like a sister. She poured all her love and admiration on Dongfang Ming yet was not reciprocated at all. Little Tian felt that the man was not worth the lady’s effort, but she could not do anything about it.
Dongfang Ming finished his meal and continued to imitate Liu Duo’s drawing on his desk, but he could never get the details right.
“I guess I should look for her and ask for guidance.” Dongfang Ming grinned and shook his head. For the first time, he admitted he could be quite foolish.
He headed to the door and opened it, only to find Wang Xiangyun raising a fist in the air, ready to knock.
At the sight of her, Dongfang Ming frowned slightly. He walked past her and continued down the hallway.
Wang Xiangyun would always be delighted to see him. “Brother Ming, where are you going? I’m coming with you.”
He ignored her, found his coachman and got him to prepare the carriage. He would wait at the entrance of the tailor shop.
Like a shadow, Wang Xiangyun followed him around and finally stood next to him. “Brother Ming, don’t be like that, can you? Say something. You’re making me look like I’m putting on a one-man show.”