Chapter Seventy: A Stranger's Arrival

After spending several days together, Lin Miao-miao and Li Yan-he boarded the carriage for their return journey. Lin Miao-miao was still quite pleased as she looked around her carriage. By the time they arrived back at Da An Kou, night had already fallen. Lin Miao-miao was struck by how inconvenient travel was in ancient times.

Though riding in the carriage had left Lin Miao-miao with an aching waist and sore back, she felt a twinge of jealousy when she saw that Li Yan-he seemed entirely unaffected. Sliding over to sit beside him, she asked, “Don’t you feel any aches or pains? Don’t you think the carriage is a bit…”

Li Yan-he, hearing her complaint, gently flicked her forehead and said, “Don’t be mischievous.”

Lin Miao-miao pouted, feeling she hadn’t been mischievous at all. Li Yan-he glanced at her and said, “Children don’t have waists.”

Suddenly, Lin Miao-miao was reminded of a familiar phrase—her mother used to say the same thing, that children didn’t have waists, and one wouldn’t grow a waist until eighty. She felt an uncanny sense of déjà vu, as if Li Yan-he had become her mother for a moment. Leaning against him, Lin Miao-miao found the comfort so overwhelming that it was as if she had no bones at all, just melting into his side. Li Yan-he looked at her, curled up like a little kitten, and said sternly, “Sit up properly.”

Lin Miao-miao pouted and whined, “But the carriage is so hard! I feel like my bones are about to fall apart. Why can’t I just lean on you for a bit?”

Li Yan-he sighed, feeling a pang of tenderness. Lin Miao-miao had always been strong, never causing him worry, and seeing her so vulnerable now tugged at his heartstrings. He set aside his book, pulled Lin Miao-miao gently into his arms, and she noticed the indescribable emotion in his eyes. Sitting up straight, she asked seriously, “Why do you have that look in your eyes?”

Li Yan-he was struck with guilt as he replied, “It’s my fault. You shouldn’t have had to live so hard, shouldn’t have had to worry about so much at such a young age. It’s all because of me.”

Lin Miao-miao shook her head. “This was never really about you. I chose this myself. You don’t need to feel this way—I honestly don’t mind.”

She sighed and continued, “You really don’t need to carry this guilt your whole life. If you do, I won’t be happy. Everything is behind us now. I am no longer the Lin Miao-miao I once was, so there’s no need for you to be this way…”

She let out a deep sigh and said, “You haven’t wronged me. Quite the opposite—you never abandoned me, and for that, I am truly grateful.”

After that, Lin Miao-miao didn’t pay Li Yan-he any more attention. She gazed out the carriage window, silently watching the scenery roll by. She was no longer the child she once was, nor did she harbor resentment or blame toward him.

On the contrary, all the factories she’d opened were thanks to Li Yan-he’s help. Without him, her abilities would have been quickly taken advantage of. Most importantly, Li Yan-he was a decent person, never demanding anything of her.

That was enough. How far should one go for a stranger to be considered virtuous? Lin Miao-miao knew where the line lay, so she said nothing more.

Li Yan-he, listening to Lin Miao-miao, felt a surge of affection for the young girl before him. She was so small, yet so magnanimous. He sighed, reached out, and held Lin Miao-miao close. “The carriage isn’t comfortable. Lean on me,” he said gently.

Lin Miao-miao was uncertain why Li Yan-he suddenly embraced her, but at that moment, his protective aura seemed overwhelming. She nestled into his lap and drifted off to sleep. Li Yan-he watched her, marveling at how the fierce, resilient Lin Miao-miao now slept in his arms, utterly defenseless.

Lin Miao-miao slept deeply and comfortably, dreaming of her mother calling her to wake. She pulled her quilt over herself, rolled onto her side, and mumbled, “Just a little longer…”

Li Yan-he, reading his book, watched as Lin Miao-miao stirred in her sleep and rolled over in his arms. Instinctively, he held her close. Lin Miao-miao, still half-asleep, muttered, “Let me sleep a bit more.”

She snored away as the carriage neared the city gates. Li Yan-he called out to An Ba, the driver, “Find an inn.”

An Ba nodded, and soon they heard Li Yan-he’s gentle voice through the carriage, “We’ve arrived. Time to wake up. If you keep napping, you’ll catch a chill.”

Lin Miao-miao lifted her head, groggy, and met Li Yan-he’s handsome face. Frowning, she asked, “Brother, what did you eat growing up to be this good-looking?”

Li Yan-he smiled at her, not a man prone to curiosity, and said, “You’re still half asleep. Wake up.”

Lin Miao-miao came to her senses, looked up at him, and gave a silly, sheepish laugh. Li Yan-he glanced at her and said, “Why are you giggling? Once we get to the inn, don’t let yourself get cold.”

Lin Miao-miao nodded, and they disembarked from the carriage. It was noon by the time they reached the inn in the nearby city. Her curiosity was piqued; she gazed out from the carriage, watching the bustling crowds.

She saw street vendors selling spicy hotpot, many hawking the Lin’s Processing Factory’s hotpot base, urging people not to miss out. Lin Miao-miao looked at Li Yan-he and asked, “How about it? Isn’t this a success?” She felt a small surge of pride.

Li Yan-he saw the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes and shook his head, amused. At the inn, the attendant noticed their group and greeted them attentively.

“Are you here for a meal or to stay?”

Li Yan-he replied, “Three rooms, top grade.” With that, he tossed over some silver coins.

The attendant’s face brightened instantly, and Lin Miao-miao followed Li Yan-he upstairs. As she was about to enter her room, Li Yan-he looked at her and asked, “Will you be alright?”

Lin Miao-miao nodded. “Of course. What’s there to worry about?” She didn’t understand his concern.

She wasn’t nervous about staying in the inn alone, so she shook her head and went into her room. That evening, after dinner and a bath, she opened the window to look outside.

The street was dark, with lanterns swaying. Suddenly, she saw a shadowy figure leaping across the rooftops. Finding it odd, she watched closely, and the figure seemed aware of her gaze.

The man, dressed in black, slipped in through her window. Startled, Lin Miao-miao retreated to one side, watching as he entered the room.

He glanced at her wary expression and chuckled. Lin Miao-miao, staying in an upper room, was either a young lady from a wealthy family or their servant.

He sat down, and Lin Miao-miao clutched a vase, eyeing him defensively. He snorted and said, “Little girl, you’re too young for me to be interested, but your window was open at the perfect time.”

Lin Miao-miao suddenly regretted opening the window late at night, idly instead of sleeping. The man removed his face covering.

He was strikingly handsome, and as he looked at her, Lin Miao-miao felt she could forgive his foolish intrusion.

She asked, “Who are you? When are you leaving? It’s late—I want to sleep.”

The man answered, “My name is Li Ji.”

Lin Miao-miao asked, “Is that ‘Ji’ as in the order of siblings—eldest, second, third, Ji?”

Li De-ren nodded. Lin Miao-miao looked at him and said, “Li Four.” She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.

Li De-ren saw her struggling not to giggle, her face turning red, and sighed, “I am a bad person. You should be careful.”

Lin Miao-miao nodded, then asked, “Brother, how old are you?”

Li De-ren rubbed his nose and replied, “Fifteen.”

Lin Miao-miao thought he looked rather cute and said, “Call me ‘sister,’ and I’ll let you sleep on the floor of my room.”

Li De-ren found her proposal amusing and said, “Do you believe I could kill you?”

“Then this room would be mine, and I wouldn’t have to bear any responsibility.”

His voice was cold, and Lin Miao-miao noticed his half-smiling expression, which made her angry.

“I don’t know whether you’re good or bad, but being a villain is costly. I suggest you think it over.”