Chapter 38 Who says men can't serve others?
The man turned around and was quite surprised. "Lu Jinlan! What are you doing here?"
Lu Jinlan smiled slightly, "Wu Siqun, long time no see."
Lu Jinlan never expected that after being away from Yunzhou for many days, she would run into her classmates from Yunzhou at the Yaju Study.
Wu Siqun, the young lady who lost a bet with her and almost publicly called her stupid as a pig.
Two or three months later, the two met again in the capital. One had become a famous and charming figure in the city, while the other had shed his student days' naiveté and taken over the family business. After a brief conversation, they both felt as if they had lived through a different era.
The store's popularity is largely due to Lu Jinlan's reputation.
After seeing the martial arts test, the shop owner spread the word about how she had a keen eye for talent, allowing Lu Jinlan to borrow a rare book with just an admission notice, which attracted many students to come and visit.
As soon as Lu Jinlan and Wu Siqun recognized each other, everyone in the shop turned to look. The owner hurriedly came over and said as if they were old friends, "Oh my, Lu Jinlan, you're so talented! Why didn't you say you were coming? I specially prepared a congratulatory gift for your selection to the Royal Academy. I was just waiting for you to come and give it to you. Wait a moment, I'll get it for you right away."
The shopkeeper brought over an exquisitely wrapped gift box, saying it contained the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper), which Lu Jinlan accepted without hesitation.
The shopkeeper pointed to a shelf and said, "This is the book 'Detailed Explanation of Military Strategy' that you borrowed last time. After your friend returned it to you, I put it on a shelf and placed it in a high place. No one is allowed to touch it."
Lu Jinlan shook her head with a smile. Yu Mian stood behind her and tugged at her sleeve.
Lu Jinlan understood and said to the shopkeeper, "I have a favor to ask. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my receipt with me today. Could you please make an exception and lend me this book again?"
The shop owner waved his hand dismissively, "No problem, you, Lu Jinlan, are right here. What more proof do you need? But could you leave your calligraphy so I can hang it in the shop and let my humble establishment enjoy your brilliance?"
This businessman really doesn't take a loss at all. Lu Jinlan helplessly rolled up her sleeves. "Bring me paper and pen, but let me tell you, my handwriting isn't very good."
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "That's right, your calligraphy has its own unique style and charm."
Lu Jinlan nodded silently, understanding. This was what it meant to have a great scholar to debate the classics for me.
She wrote seven words in a flourish: "Enjoy life while you can." She then stamped her seal, signed her name, packed her things, and left with a flourish.
Lu Jinlan and Wu Siqun walked ahead, while Lou Yumin followed excitedly behind, carrying a gift box and books.
Lu Jinlan led the person into a restaurant and said with a smile, "It's rare for us to meet an old friend in a foreign land. This meal is on me. Thank you for speaking up for me earlier."
"Hey, I haven't even thanked you for letting me off the hook back then. I was so naive back then."
"I was naive back then. Let's not talk about the past."
As they spoke, the waiter handed over the menu. "What would you two gentlemen like to order?"
"What's wrong, you two?" Lu Jinlan turned around and saw Yu Mian standing obediently behind her, holding something, pretending to be a loyal male servant.
Lu Jinlan couldn't help but smile and pulled up the chair next to her. "You sit down too. Siqun isn't an outsider."
Lu Jinlan introduced, "His name is Lou Yumian. Yumian, this is my classmate Wu Siqun from Yunzhou."
Lou Yumin hurriedly greeted her, saying, "Young Madam Wu."
Wu Siqun nodded, her gaze lingering briefly between the two of them before she understood instantly. She smiled, raised her glass, and congratulated them, "Congratulations, Jinlan, on the birth of your handsome husband."
Lu Jinlan smiled, clinked glasses, and drank it all in one gulp.
During the meal, the two chatted about old times in Yunzhou, feeling quite emotional. Yu Mian listened quietly, occasionally adding wine and dishes for them.
Later in the conversation, Lu Jinlan learned that Wu Siqun was returning to Yunzhou the next day. She then gave the letter she had written to Wu Siqun, asking her to take it back to Yunzhou and deliver it to the Lu family.
After parting ways with Wu Siqun, Lu Jinlan went to look at the furniture again.
Lou Yumin was particularly happy that day. After Lu Jinlan returned home, she was planning the layout of her new home and was drawing a sketch on the table when she suddenly felt someone taking off her shoes.
Lu Jinlan: What?
Lou Yumin pointed to the water prepared next to her, "I'll wash your feet. You must be tired after walking so much today. This water has Jiu'antang's special calming herbs in it. Soak your feet for a while, and I guarantee you'll get a good night's sleep."
Seeing his sincere expression, Lu Jinlan let him serve her, and couldn't help but secretly curl the corners of her mouth when she turned her head away.
Sigh, who says men can't serve others? Saying they can't do this or that well is just an excuse to avoid doing it later, to escape chores and housework.
When serving his superiors, he becomes more attentive and thoughtful, and even exceeds expectations. This proves that if he truly wants to do something, he can do it.
Look at Yu Mian. When Lu Jinlan is with him, he is always taken care of perfectly. He can think of everything that Lu Jinlan can think of, including things that Lu Jinlan can't.
Lu Jinlan had once read a female-dominated novel where the male lead spoke harshly to the female lead, making Lu Jinlan so angry that she wanted to transmigrate into the story and slap him. Who did he think he was? What was he? Did he think he was in charge? Didn't he know who was in charge?
Looking back now, that seems incredibly unrealistic. Power determines ideology, and social status determines family status. In matriarchal societies, women are even bullied by men—that's truly going against the natural order.
There's a classic line from an old comedy sketch: "You're the sun, the earth has to revolve around you?"
Now that Lu Jinlan thinks about it, yes, I am the sun now, and all men have to revolve around me. This is what I deserve.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, for comprehending a new male-oriented spirit. Health points +10,000."
Lu Jinlan: "What kind of male-oriented spirit?"
"The opposite sex revolves around you; you're their everything."
Lu Jinlan burst out laughing and fell onto the table.
Lou Yumin was massaging the soles of her feet when she asked, "Is it too itchy?"
Lu Jinlan smiled and waved her hand, "No, you can continue."
Lou Yumin asked again, "Are we going to choose furniture again tomorrow?"
"Let's go to Vientiane Street tomorrow, they sell everything there."
Lou Yumin was taken aback. "You're taking me with you? I thought you were going to take Young Master Lin, since he'll be staying at the new house."
Lu Jinlan chuckled, knowing that Lou Yumin was testing her with words.
He wanted to stay there himself, but Lu Jinlan didn't mention it, so he just kept asking around.
Lu Jinlan looked up at him and said, "Well, Lin Cheng will be staying there, so won't you have to go too? Do you want to live in this little courtyard forever?"
Lou Yumin's eyes lit up with joy, but she still said, "This place is fine too. It'll save him from being unhappy if he sees me and starts making a fuss with you. I don't want to cause you any trouble."
Lu Jinlan said, "He won't cause trouble for me. If he tries to control me, I won't be with him. I'm telling you to go live here, so go. It's a house I bought, so of course I have the final say. We won't be living in the same house, so what are you afraid of? But one thing is certain: he's a simple-minded person, and I'm going to marry him as my legal husband, so you have to respect him."
Lou Yumin nodded repeatedly, "Okay."
Lou Yumin was very clear about his position. He had no official title, he didn't complain much, and he was content.
*
In fact, Lu Jinlan knew that living together would be inconvenient, just like her father, who would roll his eyes every time he saw her mother's concubine, Song. But she still wanted them to live together because it would be convenient for her; she was beginning to learn to think from her own perspective.
Logically, an equal relationship between a man and a woman should involve mutual consideration. However, given the current unequal environment, an equal relationship is impossible. Lu Jinlan also has to consider the other women, just as Yan Wuxin said, he can't let women lose face.
Besides, the house is so big, and everyone has their own room, so they don't have to share a room. With her financial resources, she can provide them with a very comfortable environment. She can be called the queen of the nation's wives. What man wouldn't want to marry her?
However, Lu Jinlan did not expect that they would run into each other before they even moved into the same house.
She and Lou Yumin had just arrived at Wanxiang Street when they accidentally walked into a porcelain shop and bumped into Lin Cheng buying tea sets there.
Why is Shenjing so small? Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
Lin Cheng hurriedly explained, "Manager Ping arranged a new room for me, and I wanted to furnish it with a few things. I didn't know you were coming here."
Lu Jinlan pretended to be calm: "It's alright. I bought a house next to the academy yesterday. Manager Ping is having people clean and repair it. We just happened to run into each other. Let's choose some furniture and supplies together and move in together next time we have a break."
She emphasized the word "together," and Rin Cheng glanced at her. "Okay."
There were three people, but one more mouth than two. Lu Jinlan thought: it's not a bad thing to buy things together, maybe it will be easier to bargain.
The result was completely different from what she had expected.
Shopkeeper: "This young lady, with your two young masters, would like to choose some household tableware?"
Lu Jinlan nodded, and the shopkeeper said, "We have the latest first-class goods from the four major kilns, with a total of twenty-six styles and one hundred and eight patterns."
Lu Jinlan noticed they were all quite similar, so she asked, "Which one do you like?"
"this!"
"this!"
Rin-chan and Yu-mian pointed to two completely different sets of tableware.
Lu Jinlan scratched her head, and Lou Yumin immediately grabbed her hand and said, "Then let's choose the one that Young Master Lin has his eye on. I don't mind."
Lin Cheng glared at him secretly, thinking to himself: Playing the victim again?
Lin Cheng sneered, "Heh, let's choose the one Young Master Lou has his eye on. Anyway, I'm a rough person, I can eat with any kind of tableware."
The two looked at Lu Jinlan, who pursed her lips and looked at the boss.
The shop owner, who seemed to be used to this situation, immediately said, "Actually, for a wealthy family like yours, each courtyard has its own small kitchen, so buying two sets is quite common."
Lu Jinlan immediately understood, "That's right, then you can choose whichever you like and use it in your respective courtyards."
Lin Cheng decided to strike first this time. He immediately picked up a suit and walked up to Lu Jinlan. "I chose this one. Do you like it? After all, we'll be eating together often in the future. If you don't like it, I'll choose something else."
Lu Jinlan: "Okay, this one will do."
Lou Yumin immediately pulled the person over, "You choose for me, whichever one you choose, I'll like it."
Hearing this, Lin Cheng gritted his teeth inwardly. What exactly did Fengchunlou teach him? How could he be so good at making women happy?
Lu Jinlan sighed, "You choose yours, I'll choose another set. Porcelain is fragile, so let's buy more to have on hand. Boss, checkout, please deliver it to my home."
The shop owner beamed with delight: "Alright! Three sets of first-class tableware!"
Lu Jinlan left her address, paid the money, and turned to leave.
The two followed one after the other. Rin Cheng said, "I bought your favorite crab roe pastry. It's still warm. Try it."
Lu Jinlan took a bite from his hand and said, "Mmm, it tastes good."
Lou Yumin immediately handed over a snowflake crisp, "This is delicious too, you should try it."
The two of them fed each other bite by bite, each bite sweeter than the last. Lu Jinlan then recalled a line from a comedy sketch: "They're feeding her until she gets diabetes."
Looking at the endless array of food stalls, she felt a pang of pain in her teeth. Passing by a teahouse, she immediately said, "I'm going to have some tea. You two can wander around by yourselves for a while."
After drinking only half a pot of tea, a woman named Ren suddenly rushed in from outside, standing at the door shouting, "Everyone come quick! Two young masters from some unknown family are fighting fiercely at the street corner!"
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