59. Encountered the biggest setback in life
All of these candied hawthorns were carefully wrapped in glutinous rice paper.
It looks delicious!
"Give it to Yue'er?" Jin Lanyue's face flushed with excitement.
"Mm," Xie Wenling replied.
The second brother stood there dumbfounded, and it took him a while to come to his senses before he muttered sourly, "It's just candied hawthorns..."
The little dumpling was already spinning around happily, clutching the wooden box tightly in her little hands as if it were a priceless treasure: "Thank you, Brother Xie! Brother Xie is the best!"
Xie Wenling said nothing and strode into the mansion. The little dumpling immediately followed like a little tail, chattering as they walked: "Brother Xie, Brother Xie, which kind of duck do you like to eat? Yue'er likes the red ones the most! They're sweet and sour! But Yue'er likes other kinds too..."
The second brother stood there, watching his sister's cheerful figure disappear into the distance, then looked at himself standing alone at the door, and suddenly felt...
...I feel like I've fallen out of favor.
Not far away, Marquis Beiding and Jiang Xiyue stood under the corridor, taking in the whole scene.
Jiang Xiyue was somewhat surprised: "I didn't expect him to bring Yue'er candied hawthorns..."
Marquis Beiding smiled and said, "Although he has a cold personality, he is very thoughtful."
Jiang Xiyue gave a soft snort, but her tone softened a bit: "At least he still has some conscience."
-
The little boy, clutching the box of candied hawthorns, followed Xie Wenling into his courtyard like a little tail.
Xie Wenling walked to the corridor, turned around and looked at the persistent little dumpling, and finally said, "You should go back now."
[Task triggered]
[Xie Wenling...]
You look at the man in front of you, filled with admiration.
[A golden phoenix has emerged from a pheasant's nest. This man, born into a fallen noble family and once so impoverished that he had to stay in a marquis's mansion, has now risen step by step to the highest ranks of the court.]
He has always been aloof, and left the Marquis's residence early on; you don't know him well.
However, he was one of the few who secretly helped you, preventing you from losing your life, either directly or nearly, to him, like the princess and the Grand Tutor.
This time, when you are once again suffering persecution from her, you have no choice but to seek his help again.
But he simply told you to leave with a cold expression.
[You were unwilling to accept it, and you tried to appeal to his emotions, but he said it was like when you were a child and gave him a box of pastries, he returned the favor with a box of candied hawthorns. The Marquis of Beiding's mansion provided him with lodging and food, and he later reciprocated with resources from the mansion, even secretly saving you several times.]
He said: "I have repaid all past favors. From now on, we are strangers. You don't need to come again."
You returned empty-handed, feeling helpless. You didn't know how to win him over, or at least how to prevent him from siding with her.
[Mission: Recruit Xie Wenling to your side, or at least prevent him from taking the opposing side]
[Reward: Advanced Healing Talisman]
Along with Brother Xie's voice came Auntie System's voice.
The little dumpling belatedly realized...
Oh, so when Brother Xie said "You should go back," he meant he was telling her to leave?
The little dumpling was a little disappointed, but when she turned her head to look at the half-eaten, sweet and delicious candied hawthorn in her hand, and then looked down at a box of candied hawthorn that looked just as beautiful as Brother Xie's, she was fully revived.
Then she began to think about the tasks that the system aunt had given her.
After thinking for a while, she realized...
Jin Lanyue's conclusion was—she couldn't understand it.
She knew the meaning of "pull" and "stand," but what did "camp" and "opposition" mean?
The little dumpling didn't understand, but she knew there was someone who could understand and teach her, helping her complete the task.
That was the most intelligent tutor in the world!
Then she had an idea.
The little dumpling looked up, candied hawthorn crumbs still stuck to the corners of her mouth: "Brother Xie, can you take Yue'er to school tomorrow?"
"It's best not to," Xie Wenling said, but he was a little puzzled. "...Why?"
“Because that way, Mommy can sleep in late~” The little dumpling puffed out her cheeks and smiled sweetly, “And Yue’er likes Brother Xie, Yue’er wants Brother Xie to give Yue’er a ride.”
Xie Wenling was actually not very happy about it.
He doesn't like to get too involved with people, and he doesn't like children.
Although the child in front of him was very cute, he really didn't like children—and of course, he didn't like adults either.
But looking at the little dumpling in front of him, her big eyes sparkling like they were filled with stars, and remembering that she was the master's child, and that the Marquis of Beiding's mansion had done him a favor...
He opened his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to say no.
After a moment of silence, he finally nodded: "...Mm."
The little dumpling's eyes lit up instantly, and she immediately stuck out her little finger: "Pinky promise!"
Xie Wenling looked at the little finger covered in sugar stains, hesitated for a moment, and then stretched out his own little finger to gently hook it.
The little dumpling happily shook their intertwined fingers, then happily skipped away with the candied hawthorn box in her arms, saying, "Thank you, brother, see you tomorrow!"
-
In the main courtyard, Jiang Xiyue was fixing her second brother's crooked hair ornament: "Lizhi, did you remember? The hair ornament should be like this..."
"Mother! Mother!" The little dumpling rushed in like a cannonball, excitedly shouting, "Brother Xie will take Yue'er to school tomorrow!"
"What?!" Jiang Xiyue's hand trembled, and she accidentally pulled her second brother's hair crown askew.
The second brother clutched his head and wailed, "Mother! My hair!"
Jiang Xiyue ignored him and squatted down to hold the little dumpling's shoulders: "Little dumpling...don't you want Mommy to take you anymore?"
The little dumpling blinked her eyes: "Mommy can go to sleep now, and Mommy can also send Second Brother away. Thank you, Brother, for sending Yue'er!"
Jiang Xiyue looked utterly devastated: "But...but..."
The second brother was struck dumb, rushing over to hug his sister's legs: "Sister! Don't you want your brother anymore?"
The little dumpling patted its older brother's head: "Then second brother can come along too!"
"Who wants to go with him!" The second brother angrily let go of his hand and plopped down on the ground. "He never talks! It'll be so boring on the way!"
Jiang Xiyue's eyes also reddened, and she hugged her second brother tightly: "Lizhi... Mother understands you..."
The mother and son embraced and wept bitterly, as if they had encountered the greatest setback in their lives.
The little dumpling tilted its head and looked at them, completely bewildered by what was happening.
Why are they all so sad?
-
the next day.
early morning.
Xie Wenling waited at the entrance of Jinlanyue Courtyard as promised, ready to escort her to Wenhua Hall.
He still maintained his aloof demeanor. But the little dumpling, like a cheerful little bird, called out "Thank you, brother! Thank you, brother!" from afar and rushed over.
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