LC chapter 28

 

It rained early in the morning. The light rain pattered on the flower branches and knocked down many of the newly blossomed petals. From a distance, the rain looked like mist surrounding the tall trees.

Aunt Cao made huoshao with sesame. This process was much more labor-intensive than making ordinary huoshao: the dough was rolled layer by layer with oil and salt, first pan-fried, and then baked. The finished huoshao puffed slightly in the middle, its golden-brown surface sprinkled with sesame seeds—both delicate and fragrant.

Lin Ruan held a huoshao in one hand and a bowl of porridge in the other. Aunt Cao smiled when she saw him. “Xiao Ruan, did something good happen? You’re eating so happily.”

Lin Ruan pressed his lips together with a smile. “It’s because what you made is delicious.”

A few simple words made Aunt Cao beam with joy. Zhan Xi glanced at Lin Ruan but didn’t speak. Like a little rabbit secretly rejoicing, Lin Ruan couldn’t hide the smile in his eyes and brows. Though Zhan Xi remained silent, it was clear to everyone that he was in a good mood.

After breakfast, Lin Ruan picked up his schoolbag and left. Zhan Xi called after him, saying, “I’ll take you.”

Lin Ruan was stunned. Shi Ning was also a bit surprised.

But Zhan Xi didn’t explain further. He put on his coat, walked over to Lin Ruan, and left with him.

Shi Ning was left behind, thinking, “Am I about to lose my job?”

Lin Ruan sat in the passenger seat. Zhan Xi started the car and slowly drove away from the Lan Residence. Ginkgo trees lined both sides of the road, their tender green leaves swaying slightly in the fine rain.

“Sir, why are you taking me to school?” Lin Ruan looked at Zhan Xi and tentatively asked, “Does this count as a boyfriend’s privilege?”

Zhan Xi seemed to chuckle. “It does.”

Lin Ruan laughed, his ears turning red at the tips. Though their interactions hadn’t changed much, everything felt different now. He rolled the word “boyfriend” around on his tongue, savoring each syllable’s sweetness.

When the car stopped at the school gate, Zhan Xi ruffled Lin Ruan’s soft hair. “Go on.”

Lin Ruan got out, holding a black umbrella. He waved at Zhan Xi and walked into the school.

Zhan Xi parked on the side of the road and watched Lin Ruan walk through the school gate. In Zhan Xi’s circle, Lin Ruan was always quiet, listening to all kinds of stories as if they were from another world. But outside that circle, he was clearly an exceptional person. Among so many students, his temperament made him stand out immediately.

Leaning his head against his hand, Zhan Xi watched Lin Ruan’s departing figure. Several girls walked by the car, chatting and laughing about him. Unbeknownst to Zhan Xi, Lin Ruan was also the subject of many conversations.

The afternoon class was Western History, but the professor was on leave, so Lin Ruan left early.

Meng Zhen left with him and said, “Li Mingwen paid me back for the bracelet.”

Lin Ruan was surprised. “Eight hundred yuan? Where did he get the money?”

“No,” Meng Zhen said. “He gave me three hundred and twenty. He said he asked at a jade shop, and it’s worth six hundred and fifty. Since he only takes half the blame, he’ll pay half.”

Meng Zhen pouted. “I didn’t even want to take it, but he’s been looking at us like we’re villains, afraid we’ll ask him for money. The other day, I overheard some classmates gossiping that we had bullied him. Otherwise, why would he avoid us?”

So I thought it best to end it quickly. “Otherwise, who knows what people will start saying again.”

Lin Ruan comforted him. “Getting angry over someone like that isn’t worth it… But where did he get the money anyway?”

“No idea,” said Meng Zhen. “But I think he’s gotten rich recently. He has new clothes and new shoes. I even heard that he’s treating people to dinner.”

Meng Zhen sighed. “To be fair, Li Mingwen is pretty good at earning money on his own. If I can be like him after graduation, I won’t have to rely on my family.”

After daydreaming for a bit, he asked, “What about you? What do you plan to do after graduation?”

Lin Ruan looked at him, and Meng Zhen quickly realized something. “Right, you already have a job. With how well the Lan Residence treats you, I guess you don’t plan on changing jobs.”

Lin Ruan looked a little helpless. “You sure think far ahead.”

When Lin Ruan got home, Zhan Xi hadn’t returned yet. Gu Ji had invited Zhan Xi to become the director of the finance bureau and help implement paper currency. Zhan Xi hadn’t agreed; staying out of politics was a rule he’d set for himself. However, he still had to assist with the paper currency project in principle.

Uncle Tong carried a pot of hydrangeas from the backyard into the house. When he saw Lin Ruan, he asked, “Why are you home so early?”

“The professor took a leave of absence, so there was no afternoon class.”

Uncle Tong nodded and told Aunt Cao to prepare food for Lin Ruan. Then he went back to tending his plants.

“Oh, right,” Uncle Tong said. “Master had some satin brought back to make clothes for you. Go pick out a few pieces.”

“Alright.” Lin Ruan agreed as he headed upstairs.

After eating, he went to the small sitting room, where he found the tailor waiting for him. Ayue came along, too. “Didn’t you just have clothes made? Why are you having more done?”

Before Lin Ruan could answer, Ayue exclaimed, “Oh my, these are such fine silks!”

She sat down, smiling at Lin Ruan. “Master really treats you well.”

Everyone in the Lan residence knew about Lin Ruan’s background. Though they didn’t say it outright, they often speculated about his relationship with Zhan Xi. Ayue thought Lin Ruan was a good person. Having him as Master Zhan’s partner was better than bringing in a stranger with an unknown temper.

Like Uncle Tong, Aunt Cao thought Lin Ruan’s status wasn’t high enough. Although people outside talked about free love, the older generation still valued a proper match.

“Not just me,” Lin Ruan said. “Sir’s having clothes made, too. He’s busy, so I’ll choose for him.”

Ayue nodded and helped Lin Ruan pick out fabrics. “It’s spring, so you should wear something colorful to brighten your look.”

Lin Ruan shook his head. “Men don’t wear bright colors.”

“That’s only because they don’t suit them.” Ayue held up a pale lavender fabric. “This one’s good—not flashy, but elegant.”

She put it down and picked up an ochre silk embroidered with silver-blue patterns. At first glance, it looked printed, but it was actually embroidered.

Holding the fabric, Ayue looked at Lin Ruan and asked, smiling, “Did you wear the red cheongsam I gave you last time?”

Lin Ruan gave her a look. “I knew it was your doing.”

“Did you wear it?” she urged.

Lin Ruan lowered his head. “No.”

Ayue chuckled. “You really should try it on. These days, women’s clothes come in so many styles, but men’s clothes are plain, just black, blue, or gray. On such a fine spring day, how dull is that? If you ask me, you should make a few bright ones for lounging around the house. What’s wrong with that?”

“Uncle Tong will scold me if he sees.”

Ayue laughed. “As long as Master likes them, Uncle Tong won’t say a word.”

She pulled over a bolt of navy satin embroidered with silver threads. Its glossy surface shimmered with a golden sheen, looking luxurious. Handing it to the tailor, she said, “Use this one for a set.”

Ayue picked several more rich, striking colors: silver-red and black-and-gold. She was skilled at matching fabrics and chatted lively with the tailor.

Lin Ruan couldn’t compete with her, so he changed the subject. “How are you and your boyfriend doing?”

Ayue paused, then smiled shyly. “We’re good.”

Lin Ruan looked at her. “What do you two usually do together?”

Ayue lowered her head, embarrassed. “Go to the park, watch movies, see plays, eat…just the usual. But really, it doesn’t matter what we do. It’s being together that matters.”

Lin Ruan nodded thoughtfully.

Fang Cheng had given him a lot of architectural materials, so he stayed in his room that afternoon studying them. The table was covered in his sketches.

Hearing movement outside, he looked up and saw Zhan Xi and Shi Ning returning.

Joy rose in his chest. He put down his pen, opened the door, and hurried downstairs—but stopped halfway. Uncle Tong came out, glanced at him, and said nothing.

When Zhan Xi entered, he immediately saw Lin Ruan standing on the stairs. Lin Ruan came over and took his coat. Zhan Xi didn’t say anything, but as he adjusted his cuffs, he glanced at Lin Ruan. His features were finely shaped, and when he looked down, the lift of his eyes carried an indefinable meaning.

Lin Ruan followed Zhan Xi upstairs.

Uncle Tong watched them and said to Shi Ning, “It’s rare to see Lin Ruan so eager.”

Shi Ning smiled and helped Uncle Tong sit down. “You’ll see—he’ll be even more eager.”

The sky stayed gloomy all day, with light rain coming and going. Lanterns hung along the wide corridor outside, and their glow made the raindrops visible. Near bedtime, Uncle Tong did a final check around the house. When he returned, everyone else had gone to their rooms. He was just about to turn off the living room lights when he heard a sound from upstairs. Zhan Xi was coming down.

Uncle Tong quickly went over. “Master, do you need something?”

Zhan Xi didn’t need anything. He handed Uncle Tong a list. “I remember we had these items before, but I don’t remember the details. Take a look.”

Uncle Tong accepted it. From top to bottom, it looked like an inventory, not a gift list.

It included silks, furs, gold and silver jewelry, ornaments, furnishings, three measures of eastern pearls, and boxes of red and blue gems. Further down, it listed six pairs of jadeite and white jade bracelets. Seeing this, Uncle Tong suddenly realized it looked like a betrothal gift list.

He looked up at Zhan Xi. “Who is this for?”

“For Lin Ruan.” Zhan Xi leaned against the stair railing, seemingly oblivious to Uncle Tong’s shock. “He doesn’t need hairpins or jewelry. Replace them with gold, silver, or antiques.”

Uncle Tong said, “But Lin Ruan’s status isn’t enough. How can he be the official young madam?”

Zhan Xi’s tone was calm. “It’s not that time anymore. Status doesn’t matter. If you think about it, he was raised in our household. He still represents the Lan Residence outside. How is our family background not enough?”

Uncle Tong sighed. “That’s not the point…”

“Uncle Tong,” Zhan Xi interrupted.

Uncle Tong sighed again. “Even putting that aside, he’s a man. What about heirs in the future?”

“What do you suggest, then?” Zhan Xi asked.

Uncle Tong hesitated before sharing his thoughts. “Now that you and Lin Ruan are young, it’s fine to be together. But later, when he’s older, you could do him a favor—let him marry and have children and help manage the household. Wouldn’t that be better?”

Back when the emperor was alive, this would have been a far better path for Lin Ruan than being kept in the inner quarters as a concubine.

Zhan Xi smiled. “That won’t do. Since Lin Ruan is already my person, there’s no marrying or having children for him.”

Uncle Tong was startled. Zhan Xi continued, “I don’t like women, and I don’t care about heirs. In times like these, there’s no need to plan too far ahead.” Zhan Xi looked at Tong Bo. “I know you’re doing this for my own good, but I know what I’m doing.”

Tong Bo’s lips twitched, but he didn’t say anything. He put the gift list away and said, “I understand. I’ll take care of it and make sure you’re satisfied.”