Gathering

  Chapter 3: Reunion

  Under the sunlight, he walked towards her like a masterpiece crafted by God. Although he was wearing simple blue linen clothes, it couldn't cover up his elegant and noble aristocratic demeanor at all. Every move he made carried an air of high society.

  Hu Xue withdrew her infatuated gaze, her hands trembling slightly as she took the dishes out of the basket and placed them on the table in front of Lan Hengyun. "Xi Gege, look, this is braised lion's head that Grandma cooked for you, tomato scrambled eggs, and this is sour and spicy soup." Her heart was racing like a deer, every time she looked at him, she fell in love with him a little more.

  He sat on the ridge, picked up his chopsticks and gently wiped them. "Xiaoxue, have you eaten?" His voice was full of magnetism, stirring the softest part of her heart.

  Hu Xue's face turned red as she nodded shyly and replied softly, "I've eaten." She truly wished that Xi Ge could stay in the village forever, although she knew she wasn't good enough for him. But as long as she could see him, she was content.

  The corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a gentle shallow smile. He elegantly held the chopsticks and ate slowly and steadily.

  Hu Xue stared blankly at him, his resolute profile deeply attracting her, making her feel both weak and yet her heart racing; making her both yearn to sink in and yet afraid to want to escape...

  Lan Hanyun finished eating, and Hu Xue hurriedly stepped forward to put the bowls back in the bamboo basket one by one. "Xi Gege, I'll help you weed," she said, putting the bamboo basket aside, picking up the hoe on the ground, and was about to rush into the field.

  He pulled her hand, intending to take back the hoe. "No need, you go back. I'll do this work." Looking at the field where half of the grass had been removed, it would be almost done after removing some more.

  His large palm completely enveloped her small one, and Hu Xue's hand felt like it had been electrocuted. Her heart was racing violently. She blushed and lowered her head, not daring to look into his deep, enchanting eyes. That would make her sink even deeper.

  Lan Hanyun didn't notice her strange movement and took the hoe from her hand, heading towards the field.

  His hand suddenly let go, leaving her heart with a strong sense of loss. Hu Xue stared at his straight back, lightly stroking the hand he had held, still feeling his warmth there.

  The night fell, Hu Xueyi stood at the door frame, her bright eyes gazing into the distance. This was something she had to do every day now, and it gave her a deep sense of satisfaction, just like a little wife waiting for her husband to return.

  The old lady put the dishes on the table. She turned her head and saw Hu Xue leaning against the door, a happy smile spreading across her wrinkled face. "Xue'er! Ah Xi will be back soon too, come help me serve the dishes." This child seems to have fallen in love, but doesn't know if Ah Xi has feelings for her either. Ah Xi is also a child she likes very much, and really hopes they can be together.

  "How come you're still not back?" "Oh! I'm coming." Hu Xue lightly responded with a sound, her eyes still gazing into the distance.

  Finally, in the darkness of that night, she saw the tall and majestic figure carrying a rake. She raised her radiant smile and shouted with joy: "Auntie, Xi Gege is back!" She rushed out to welcome him quickly.

  "Brother Xi, you're back?" She happily walked up and reached out to take the rake from his hand.

  Lan Han Yun smiled slightly, his captivating smile making him look even more handsome and charming. "Xue Er, don't bother, I'll take it." Although he had lost his memory, he still understood the feelings between men and women. He knew that his feelings for Hu Xue were limited to a brother's affection for his sister, and would never develop into romantic love.

  Feeling his faint estrangement, Hu Xue's heart felt a pang of loss, and her face flashed with disappointment. Immediately afterwards, she raised a brilliant smile, "Oh! Xi Gege hurry inside, Auntie has prepared all the dishes."

  Lan Han Yun walked into the house and put the rake in a corner. Ah Po carried dishes out of the kitchen, a kind smile on her face. "Ah Xi is back? Quick, go wash your hands and come eat."

  "This is the feeling of home, why does he seem to have never experienced it before. "Hmm!" He walked into the kitchen and came to the backyard, picked up a water bucket beside him, and scooped up a bucket of water. He rolled up his sleeves, scooped up a handful of water, patted his face, washed away the dirt on his face and body."

  Grandma held Hu Xue's hand and patted it gently. "Xue'er, remember: when a man chases after a woman, they are separated by mountains; when a woman chases after a man, they are separated by layers of silk. Ah Xi is a good kid, Grandma supports you."

  Hu Xue's face turned red, and she stomped her foot in a spoiled manner. "Auntie, what are you talking about? I didn't!"

  "Ah, shy, ah..." Grandma smiled and turned to see a refreshed Lan Yunfan, happily waving at him. "A Xi, come quick and eat dinner."

  Lan Hanyun glanced at Hu Xue with a complex look, nodded slightly, and walked towards the dinner table. This can't go on like this, I must find time to have a clear talk with Xue'er.

  Three people sat down with their own thoughts, Hu Xuejiao looked at him shyly, her eyes flashing with determination. Ah Jie was right, she must fight for her love.

  The old lady carefully served the dish between the two of them, but it's unknown whether these two children can be together. Hopefully, the goddess has a kind heart and the king has no dreams.

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  Geng Xiao You flipped through the account book on the table, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and rubbed her temples to ease the headache. She couldn't believe that the once-mighty Blue family had been reduced to an empty shell, and what's more, was deeply in debt. However, she felt that something was off, as if someone had already known about it beforehand, and all of the Blue family's assets had been emptied out before they fell into Zhou Miao's hands.

  But who is behind all this?

  He Yanye held a tray in her hand, leaning against the door of the study, and her lips involuntarily curled up slightly. Her enchanting black eyes stared at her, with deep and charming light flashing in them, gentle and captivating, elegant and refined, charming in every way...

  Feeling someone at the door, Geng Xiao Yu raised her head and met his gaze. She curved up a faint smile, "Ye, how did you come?"

  He walked in with a radiant smile, his mouth curved upwards in happiness. He put the tray on the table. "I'm not just bringing you lunch, my dear Yu Xuan. From now on, let me take care of these things for you? Seeing you work so hard is heart-wrenching." He took away her ledger and stuffed chopsticks into her hand. "Eat quickly!"

  A warm current flowed through her heart, and she nodded with a smile. Her bright black eyes gazed at him, and it felt great to have him by her side.

  She didn't move, so He Yan approached her with a sly smile on his face. "How about I feed you, my dear?"

  She shot him a coquettish glance, this guy was getting more and more unscrupulous. She picked up her chopsticks and started eating on her own.

  He Yan Ye sat beside her, with a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth, his eyes fixed on hers. He couldn't bear to leave for even a moment. "Ruo Xi, darling, finish eating and we'll go somewhere."

  She put down her chopsticks and a hint of curiosity flashed in her dark eyes. "Where are we going?"

  He mysteriously winked at her, but refused to give an answer. "Secret, you'll know when the time comes." He must have a surprise for her, and seeing her happy smile was the happiest thing in his life.

  After dinner, He Yan took her to the seaside at night and pointed to a villa not far away. "Ruoxi darling, do you see that villa? The surprise I have for you is inside."

  Surprise? She looked at him in puzzlement. He lightly kissed her lips. "Baby, don't rush."

  He pulled her hand and walked towards the villa, which was a seaside villa with a sharp brown roof matching white walls, having a strong European style.

  He Yan gently tapped her upturned nose. "Baby, don't get too excited!" He lightly pressed the doorbell.

  The door was opened, and a beautiful woman with a bright smile at the corner of her mouth opened it. Seeing the person outside the door, she was stunned, and tears kept rolling in her eyes.

  Geng Xiao's eyes were filled with incredulity as she stared at the person in front of her. She never thought that she was still alive, and she rushed forward to tightly hug her neck, crying in her arms. "Mother!" She really didn't dare to believe that she was still alive, thinking that they had been killed by Zhou Jin.

  Two people hugged each other tightly, Fang Qinglian gently stroked her black hair. "Xier, be good! Don't cry." She pulled her hand and walked into the house.

  He Yanye gently closed the door, a relieved smile spreading across her face.

  Geng Xiao You sat on the sofa with Fang Qing Lian, looked around and didn't see Lan and Tian's figures. "Mom, where are Dad?"

  Fang Qinglian smiled affectionately and gently stroked her pale hand. "Your father has gone fishing by the sea, since that accident when we moved here, he fell in love with this place." Thinking of that day still left a lingering fear in her heart.

  Early morning, cloudless for thousands of miles.

  The green shade of the trees along the road stretches up to the sky, lush and dense, with bright sunlight filtering through the leaves and branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground; a black sedan speeds along the winding highway.

  Fang Qinglian felt a sense of unease in her heart and tightly grasped Lan He's hand beside her.

  Lan and Tian gently patted her hand, thinking she was excited to be heading home soon. "Don't rush, we'll be home in three hours." They had been out for over a month now, and finally got things settled.

  Fang Qinglian furrowed her brow and shook her head, "He Tian, I don't know why either, but my heart feels uneasy, as if something is going to happen."

  Lan and Tian wrapped her in his arms, gently patting her back. "Don't think nonsense, what could happen? Close your eyes and sleep for a while, when you wake up we'll be home. Old Wang, speed up the car a bit." He instructed the driver in a low voice.

  "Yes, sir!" Old Wang stepped on the gas pedal and the car quickly sped forward.

  Suddenly a white truck came speeding over, took a sharp turn and blocked their car. Old Wang's eyes widened and he subconsciously turned the steering wheel...

  A sharp screeching sound, screams and a massive crashing sound, shattered glass flying everywhere, the intense impact force sent the sedan flying off the road, the body flipping over, violently shaking, tires emitting bursts of smoke.

  The people on the white truck looked at this scene with satisfaction and drove away.

  A white sedan had just driven away when several black sedans sped in. The door of the first car was quickly opened, and two stylishly different handsome men jumped out quickly. The doors of the cars behind were also opened, and more than a dozen well-trained men followed closely.

  He Yan Ye furrowed his brow, anxiously looking at the car by the road that was still smoking. Hopefully they made it in time. "Mo, we have to hurry." He had just narrowly escaped from Japan and came back to find Mo to discuss how to get rid of Zhou Huo.

  Just as the two were discussing, the person sent by Zhao Yimo to protect Lan and Tian's couple came with news that Zhou Jie had intentions to get rid of them. The two quickly drove over in their flying car.

  Looking at the blood-soaked Blue and Tian couple, as well as the driver, being dragged out of the badly damaged car. Yi Chang hurriedly went forward to check on the injuries of the three people, the driver had died due to the severe impact in the front. The Blue and Tian couple were relatively lucky and only suffered minor injuries.

  So they arranged for the Lán and Tián couple to be here. Then, from Lán and Tián, they got information, step by step, to empty out the Lán family's assets. Letting Zhōu Jiàng die would not have thought that what he got was not only an empty shell of the Lán family but also one that was heavily in debt.

  After listening to Fang Qinglian's account, Geng Xiao You nodded in understanding and gently patted Fang Qinglian's back. "Mother, it's all right now, everything is over." From then on, she would never let them encounter danger again.

  The door was gently pushed open, and Lan Tian walked in with a big smile on his face, carrying a fish basket. Today's catch was really good, he had caught a lot of fish. He looked up to see Geng Xiao You sitting on the sofa, "Pa!" The fish basket fell heavily to the ground.

  In an instant, he was overwhelmed with tears, staring at her in disbelief. "Xī'er!" His poor daughter was finally safe and sound.

  Geng Xiao quickly flew up and tightly hugged him. "Dad!"

  Lan and Tian wiped away the tears from her cheeks, gently patting her back. "It's okay, it's okay!" He hugged her and walked towards the sofa on one side. Looking up, he saw He Yanye beside him, "Yanye, you're here too. Just in time, today Uncle caught a few big fish, tonight we'll have some drinks." This kid is really more and more to his liking.

  He Yan Ye smiled brightly and said, "Alright! Uncle, today I'll definitely accompany you to drink to your heart's content. It's just in time to celebrate our family reunion."

  Lan and Tian were laughing with joy, their faces as bright as blooming chrysanthemums. "Qinglian, today we must cook more dishes, I want to drink Yan Ye until he can't get drunk or leave."

  A joyful atmosphere surrounded them, with everyone's face wearing a pleasant smile.