Memories (7)

Yun Lan looked at Yi Jiang, who wore a pitiful expression, and sighed helplessly. "You're not something that can be traded. You're a living person."

Then he patted Yi Jiang on the head.

"Girls shouldn't say things like that so casually. I won't abandon you. Now be good and go to sleep."

Gradually, Yi Jiang calmed down under Yun Lan's reassurance. Then she followed the maid to the guest room to sleep with her little sister.

Really, it was a lot like raising a cat. When a cat first arrived in a new environment, it would feel uneasy. At times like that, it needed its owner to keep it company.

Yun Lan sighed helplessly and went back to his room to rest.

The next day, Yun Lan was woken from his sleep by a little ball of white fluff nuzzling him.

She kept calling him "Brother Lan" as she nudged him. Yun Lan felt terrible. Who had taught her to wake people up like that?

He opened his eyes and looked at the little bundle with white hair and golden eyes, then sighed helplessly. Why was Yi Xuan such a silly girl?

After getting up and washing, Yun Lan took Yi Xuan downstairs for breakfast.

His mother, Xia Yue, was chatting with Yi Jiang. It looked as if they were waiting for him to get up. His father, Yun Shen, had gone somewhere early that morning; he had probably gone to the company to handle some business.

Mrs. Xia Yue set down the ceramic coffee cup in her hand. The bottom tapped lightly against the saucer with a clear chink. Looking at her son, who had just come downstairs and still seemed a little drowsy, she announced casually but firmly, "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you: Yi Jiang and Yi Xuan are yours from now on—your personal maids. As for the contract, they already signed it with me yesterday. It's all there in black and white. They agreed to it of their own free will."

Yun Lan stopped in his tracks and rubbed his brow, deeply exasperated by his mother's habit of presenting him with faits accomplis and imposing unfair terms. "Mother," he sighed, trying to reason with her, "don't use the tricks you use to fool little kids on me. How old are they? Even if they agreed to it, their signatures wouldn't hold up legally. The contract's invalid."

Xia Yue's red lips curved into a standard, coolly elegant smile worthy of a wealthy young lady. Her gaze swept over Yi Jiang, who sat beside them with her back stiff with tension, then returned to her son. "In my house, it's valid if I say it is." She rose, picked up the shawl draped over the back of her chair, and moved with elegant efficiency. "You brought them here, so naturally you're responsible for them. Treat them well." Without giving Yun Lan a chance to argue further, she clicked across the polished floor in her high heels and swept out of the dining room, trailing an air of unassailable authority.

The air grew still for a moment.

Yun Lan stood where he was for a few seconds, then shook his head and took the seat at the head of the table. His gaze naturally settled on Yi Jiang.

The girl had changed into the dress they'd bought yesterday. Her pale yellow dress set off her fair skin, and a maid had carefully brushed her hair until it fell smoothly over her shoulders. But now she had her head bowed, both hands clutching her skirt so tightly that her fingertips had gone pale. Her long lashes trembled, and she didn't dare look him in the eye.

She looked like a child who'd sneaked some candy and was trying to act calm in case anyone noticed.

Yun Lan watched her quietly for a long while, his gaze seeming to pierce through her show of calm. The only sounds in the dining room were the faint clinks of cutlery and Yi Xuan quietly sipping her milk.

After a long pause, just as Yi Jiang could barely withstand his silent scrutiny any longer, Yun Lan finally spoke in an even voice. "Let's eat first."

He looked away and began his breakfast. Yi Jiang was as good as pardoned; she quietly let out a breath, but the possible meaning behind his calm tone only made her more apprehensive. She picked up her spoon. The porridge was just the right temperature, but she could barely taste it.

(Though Mother was domineering, she'd never take the initiative to make little girls sign a contract. So, obviously, the two girls had gone to her themselves. Yi Xuan seemed too silly to have come up with something like this. That meant Yi Jiang had brought it up. She'd used this to tie herself to him, in exchange for a promise that they could stay...and an official place by his side. She wanted to stay with him.)

That realization gently stirred the tender part of Yun Lan's heart once more. He felt a little helpless, but even more than that, he felt for this girl, who had tasted the harshness of life far too early and yet was so perceptive and resilient.

After breakfast, Yun Lan kept his promise and took them out to buy more clothes. They'd been in a hurry yesterday and had only bought a few outfits to tide them over.

The children's clothing store in the shopping district was full of dazzling displays. When Yi Jiang and Yi Xuan emerged from the fitting rooms in one lovely outfit after another, even the staff, accustomed to fine things, couldn't help murmuring their admiration.

They truly were born beautiful. Yi Jiang had a refined, ethereal look, and the pale-colored dresses made her appear even more graceful, lending her a quiet beauty beyond her years.

Yi Xuan was sweet and adorable. Warm colors made her little face look round and her eyes shine brightly, like a good-luck doll from a New Year's painting. Somehow, they made every style of outfit their own.

"Big Brother, does this one look nice?" Yi Xuan lifted her skirt and spun around happily.

"Young Master... Is this one a little too colorful?" Yi Jiang asked, somewhat hesitantly, lightly brushing the embroidery on her skirt with her fingers.

Yun Lan sat on a sofa nearby, looking at the two porcelain dolls who seemed to have been carefully dressed anew. His mood was unusually bright. Faced with the eager shop assistant's questions and the sisters' expectant glances, he barely hesitated.

"Don't bother choosing." I stood up and gestured to Uncle Su, who was waiting nearby. My tone was calmly matter-of-fact. "Pack up everything they've tried on that suits them."

If they all looked good, then he'd buy them all. I, Yun Lan, didn't need to make choices about something like this.

Yi Jiang's eyes widened in surprise, and she hurriedly waved her hands. "Young Master, you don't need to buy so much. It's too expensive..."

Yi Xuan let out a cheer and rushed over to hug her sister's arm, her little face glowing with excitement.

Yun Lan merely gave Yi Jiang a calm look, as if to say, Since you're my 'maids,' dressing appropriately reflects on me. Of course, the deeper reason was that I liked seeing the light in their eyes when they saw their new clothes. It was the purest, most direct joy in something beautiful, and I wanted that joy to last a little longer.

Uncle Su smiled and nodded, then began speaking with the shop assistant. He knew that behind the young master's refusal to choose was the clumsy but direct care he was showing for two hearts, both of which were cautiously longing for a place to belong.