Memories (7)

Yun Lan looked at Yi Jiang, who was looking aggrieved before him, and sighed helplessly. He said to her, "You are not something that can be traded; you are a living, breathing person."

Then, he patted Yi Jiang on the head.

"Little girls shouldn't say things like that. I won't abandon you. Go to sleep like a good girl."

Under Yun Lan's comfort, Yi Jiang gradually calmed down, then followed the maid to the guest bedroom to sleep with her younger sister.

Actually, this was much like raising a cat; when a cat first arrives in a new environment, it feels uneasy, and that is when it needs the company of its owner.

Yun Lan sighed helplessly and returned to his room to rest.

The next day, Yun Lan was nudged awake from his sleep by a little white-haired ball.

She was calling "Brother Lan, Brother Lan" while nudging him. Yun Lan felt completely drained; who taught her to wake people up like this?

Looking at the little ball with white hair and golden eyes who was watching him with open eyes, he sighed helplessly. Why was this little girl Yi Xuan so silly?

After Yun Lan got up and finished washing, he took Yi Xuan downstairs for breakfast.

He saw his mother, Xia Yue, chatting with Yi Jiang. It looked like they were waiting for him to wake up. His father, Yun Shen, was nowhere to be seen early in the morning; he had likely gone to the group to handle business.

Ms. Xia Yue set down the ceramic coffee cup in her hand, the bottom of the cup clicking crisply against the saucer. She looked at her son, who had just come downstairs still carrying the laziness of the morning, and announced in a casual yet unquestionable tone, "Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. Yi Jiang and Yi Xuan are yours from now on—as your personal maids. As for the contract, they already signed and pressed their thumbprints for me yesterday. It's in black and white, and they did it voluntarily."

Yun Lan's footsteps faltered. He rubbed his brow, feeling deeply helpless at his mother's style of "acting first and reporting later," compounded by her "tyrannical clauses." "Mother," he sighed, attempting to reason with her, "don't use that trick you use to fool children on me. How old are they? Even if it were voluntary, this 'signing and thumbprinting' doesn't hold up legally; it's invalid."

Xia Yue curled her red lips, lifting a standard, cold, and elegant smile that belonged to a wealthy socialite. Her gaze swept over Yi Jiang, who was sitting to the side with her back stiffened in nervousness, before falling back onto her son. "In my house, if I say it's valid, it's valid." She stood up and picked up the shawl draped over the back of her chair, her movements elegant and decisive. "You brought them back, so naturally, they are your responsibility. Treat them well." Having said that, she didn't give Yun Lan a chance to argue further. Her high heels clicked against the polished floor, and she left the dining room, trailing a scent of unquestionable authority.

The air stagnated for a moment.

Yun Lan stood in place for a few seconds before finally shaking his head and walking over to sit at the head of the table. His gaze naturally fell upon Yi Jiang.

The girl had changed into the dress bought yesterday. The goose-yellow dress set off her fair skin, and her hair had been carefully combed by the maid, hanging softly over her shoulders. However, at this moment, she was looking down, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her skirt. Her fingertips were white from the pressure, and her long eyelashes trembled; she simply dared not look up to meet his eyes.

That appearance of being guilty yet pretending to be calm was like a child who had stolen candy and was afraid of being caught.

Yun Lan watched her quietly for a long while, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through that facade of feigned calmness. In the dining room, there was only the sound of cutlery clinking softly and the noise of Yi Xuan sipping her milk.

After a long while, just as Yi Jiang was about to be unable to bear the silent scrutiny, Yun Lan finally spoke, his voice calm and ripple-free: "Let's eat first."

His gaze shifted away, and he began his breakfast. Yi Jiang felt as if she had been granted amnesty and quietly let out a breath, yet she felt even more uneasy due to the potential hidden meaning behind that calm tone. She picked up her spoon; the porridge was the perfect temperature, but she couldn't taste a thing.

(Although Mother has a strong-willed style, she would never take the initiative to stage some scene where little girls "sign and thumbprint" things. Therefore, it is obvious that these two little girls went to Mother themselves. That silly look on Yi Xuan doesn't suggest she has such schemes. It seems it was Yi Jiang who took the initiative. Using this method to bind herself to me, in exchange for a promise to stay... and a "status." So she wants to stay by my side.)

This realization caused that soft spot in Yun Lan's heart to be touched once more, mixed with a little helplessness, but more so with pity for this girl who had tasted the cold and warmth of the world too early, yet possessed such meticulous and resilient thoughts.

After enjoying breakfast, Yun Lan kept his promise and took them to buy more clothes. Yesterday had been rushed, and they had only bought a few sets for emergencies.

In the children's clothing store in the commercial district, there was a dazzling array of choices. When Yi Jiang and Yi Xuan walked out of the fitting rooms in one set of exquisite and cute dresses after another, even the shop assistants, who were used to seeing fine things, couldn't help but whisper their admiration.

They were indeed born with natural beauty. Yi Jiang was elegant and refined; wearing light-colored clothing made her look even more graceful, carrying a quiet beauty that belied her age.

Yi Xuan was cute and naive; the warm-toned clothes made her little face look round and her eyes bright, like a lucky doll that had walked out of a New Year's painting. They were able to wear different styles of clothing and bring out a unique charm in each.

"Brother, does this set look good?" Yi Xuan held the hem of her skirt and spun around happily.

"Young Master... is this set too flashy?" Yi Jiang was slightly reserved, her fingers gently brushing the embroidery on the skirt.

Yun Lan sat on the sofa to the side, looking at the two porcelain dolls who seemed to have been meticulously dressed anew, his mood brightening for once. Facing the enthusiastic inquiries of the shop assistant and the sisters' hidden expectations, he hardly hesitated.

"No need to choose." I stood up and signaled to Uncle Su, who was waiting nearby, my tone naturally indifferent. "Everything they just tried on that fits them, wrap it all up."

Since they all looked good, then buy them all. I, Yun Lan, am not at the point where I need to make choices in such matters.

Yi Jiang opened her eyes wide in surprise and quickly waved her hands: "Young Master, there's no need for so much, it's too extravagant..."

Yi Xuan cheered and rushed over to hug her sister's arm, her little face flushed with excitement.

Yun Lan just looked at Yi Jiang indifferently, his gaze as if saying: "Since you are my 'maids,' dressing appropriately is also a matter of my face." Of course, the deeper reason was that I enjoyed seeing the light blooming in their eyes because of the new clothes; that was the most direct and pure joy for beautiful things, and I hoped this joy could linger for a while longer.

Uncle Su smiled and nodded from the side, beginning to coordinate with the shop assistant. He knew that behind the young master's "not choosing" was the clumsiest yet most direct protection for those two hearts that were cautiously longing for stability.