Zhan Chunlan ran into the department store and asked Ma Yan to watch the counter for her. Their counters were next to each other and neither of them were busy, so they could manage. Then she bought a bag of apples at the department store.
Fang Yun knew about Zhan Chunlan's family situation. Seeing that she was carrying a bag of apples, she knew that Zhan Chunlan was bringing them to her house. She was a little unhappy: "Look at you, you gave me such an expensive potted plant, and now you want to bring these things to my house. Aren't you being a stranger to me, Aunt Fang?"
"Aunt Fang, it would be really inappropriate for me to go empty-handed. Besides, your help to me is far more valuable than a potted plant or a bag of fruit." Zhan Chunlan was also helpless. It's just not right to go to someone's house empty-handed.
Fang Yun deliberately put on a stern face and turned her head away, feigning anger: "Then you carry it yourself, Aunt Fang won't help you!"
The smile in her eyes and brows betrayed her good mood.
Seeing her childlike appearance, Zhan Chunlan couldn't help but smile and readily agreed, "Okay, Aunt Fang, I'll carry it myself."
As she spoke, she used a little force in her wrist to steadily lift the heavy bag of apples. Her fingertips turned slightly red from the weight, but her face still wore a gentle yet slightly playful smile.
The sunlight shone on the two people walking one after the other, casting long, thin shadows on them.
Fang Yun walked briskly ahead, occasionally glancing back. Zhan Chunlan followed slowly behind her. Although they did not walk together, they were very close.
In Ms. Fang Yun's home, the living room was spacious and bright, decorated elegantly and warmly. As soon as Zhan Chunlan followed Fang Yun into the house, her gaze was drawn to a tall, upright figure by the living room window.
That rounded back of his head, thick, slightly wavy black hair, broad, straight shoulders, and that remarkably upright back even when he was just standing casually… Her heart was in her throat. She clasped her hands together in prayer, begging all the gods and Buddhas to stop…
Just then, the man heard a noise at the door, turned around, and the warm afternoon sunlight perfectly outlined his handsome profile.
"Auntie? You're back?" He greeted Fang Yun with a smile, his voice gentle and clear. His gaze naturally swept over Fang Yun, but when it landed on Zhan Chunlan beside her, he paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. His right eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
Wow~ Oh~
The moment he turned around completely, in Zhan Chunlan's perception, time seemed to stretch out quietly. Like a carefully designed slow-motion shot in a movie, every frame was clear and profound—from his slightly turned cheek, to his high nose bridge, and then to his bright and gentle eyes that looked at her with a hint of surprise.
Only when she could clearly see his handsome and refined face did Zhan Chunlan's inexplicably anxious heart quietly and steadily settle back down. She subconsciously wanted to raise her hand to pat her chest, but restrained by the heavy apple in her hand, she could only silently breathe a sigh of relief: Thank goodness, he's not a back-view killer.
"Is this the friend you mentioned earlier, despite the age difference?" Wang Wenfeng had regained his usual gentle demeanor and asked Fang Yun with a smile to confirm. He remembered his aunt saying enthusiastically before leaving that she was going to find the "little friend" who had given her the orchid.
“Yes,” Fang Yun’s smile was filled with obvious affection and pride in introducing her. She first said to Wang Wenfeng, “Xiaofeng, this is Zhan Chunlan. Isn’t she a really nice girl?”
Then he put his arm around Zhan Chunlan's shoulder and introduced her: "Chunlan, this is my nephew, Wang Wenfeng, who works as a surgeon in Haicheng. You know Xiao Cheng, so I won't go into details."
The two exchanged a smile and a polite, brief "hello." The air seemed to freeze slightly, and for a moment they couldn't find a suitable topic to continue the conversation, leaving only a slight, silent awkwardness in the air.
Xiao Cheng, who had originally decided to ignore everyone, couldn't help but glance at the thriving orchid on the balcony, which his mother treasured. Remembering that it was a gift from Zhan Chunlan, he couldn't hold back his awkwardness any longer.
He hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly raised his hand and waved very slightly in the direction of Zhan Chunlan.
Zhan Chunlan noticed his movement, turned her head, and nodded to him politely and gently.
Xiao Cheng: "..."
No, what kind of reaction is that? She can smile and greet her brother, but when it comes to him, all she gets is a polite and distant nod? That's such a huge difference in treatment!
Zhan Chunlan handed the heavy bag of apples to Fang Yun, a sweet smile curving her lips: "Aunt Fang, now you can finally take it, right?"
"You, you, I just can't do anything with you." Fang Yun finally smiled and took the apple, her tone full of affectionate helplessness. "Sit down for a while, I'll go wash some apples."
As she spoke, she picked up the fruit and turned to walk towards the kitchen. Halfway there, she remembered something and turned back to call out to the two men in the living room, "Xiao Cheng, Xiao Feng, don't just sit there. Talk to Chunlan for me."
Upon being called out, Xiao Cheng immediately let out a barely audible "humph" through his nose, turned his head away in a huff, and faced the center of the living room with the back of his head, secretly vowing in his heart: No matter what, he would absolutely, absolutely not speak to her first! Never!
Wang Wenfeng's gaze fell on Zhan Chunlan, carrying a hint of scrutiny and curiosity. The girl before him was simply dressed, yet possessed a calm and insightful temperament, like a rare orchid in a secluded valley, pure and clear. She seemed somewhat different from the description Xiao Cheng had just given her.
A gentle smile played on his lips as he broke the brief silence, his voice clear and warm: "My aunt told me that the exquisite Songmei plum tree on the balcony was something you found by chance in the mountains?"
Zhan Chunlan looked up, meeting his questioning yet not pressing gaze, and nodded, her tone frank: "Yes, I found it in the mountains near my hometown. I liked it so I dug it up and brought it back. I also gave one to a friend before."
Upon hearing this, Wang Wenfeng's eyes flashed with a hint of inquiry, and he followed up the topic by asking, "Was the potted plant you gave to your friend also a 'Songmei' of such excellent quality?"
Zhan Chunlan was slightly taken aback by his question. After a moment of contemplation, she replied with some uncertainty, "When I dug them up, I thought the two plants looked about the same... but now that you've asked me, I'm really not sure."
She openly admitted her...
Wang Wenfeng nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with her words. He couldn't help but think to himself: if it were him, and he happened to acquire such a fine orchid, he would surely cherish it and would never be willing to give it away so easily.
It seems that her aunt had already told her that she would return the orchid to her, but judging from the current situation, it appears that she has refused.
He felt ashamed of his own lack of such magnanimity.
If Zhan Chunlan could hear his thoughts at this moment, she would probably smile gently to herself: That's because you haven't seen anything better. The orchids in her space change every day, and they are much more beautiful than the ones she sent out.
"You're looking at my orchid? I told you not to crowd around it, you'll scare it!" Fang Yun came out carrying a plate of diced apples, only to see the three of them crowding around her "treasure" again. Ever since she found out yesterday that it wasn't an ordinary orchid, it seemed like a "companion" had grown around the orchid, observing it from every angle, trying to figure out what made it so precious.
Upon hearing Fang Yun's words, Zhan Chunlan was the first to stand up. She had already seen it and realized that this was Song Mei. It was indeed a fine orchid. It was just a pity that she lacked literary knowledge and only thought it was beautiful!
"Chunlan, come and have an apple. You bought this yourself, so come and try it." Fang Yun ignored the two men and pulled Zhan Chunlan back to the living room to sit down. She used a toothpick to pick out a nice piece of apple and handed it to her mouth.
Zhan Chunlan enjoyed the service. She opened her mouth and ate the food, then picked up a piece of apple and fed it to Fang Yun.
Looking at the two people in the living room from the balcony, Xiao Cheng felt extremely uncomfortable: "Ugh."
Wang Wenfeng remained engrossed in admiring the flowers, oblivious to everything around him.
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