Han Li finally settled down to rest in a side room of the Mo Residence's rear quarters. Mo Caihuan, showing unexpected discretion, did not linger and quickly took her leave. Her sudden, ladylike demeanor surprised Han Li.
Still uncertain of the Mo family's true intentions and whether he remained in danger, Han Li did not truly sleep the entire night, only dozing lightly on the bed.
The next morning, as Han Li was still in a daze, a sharp knocking sound came from outside his door: "Bang! Bang!"
"Could it be the little pixie?" Han Li frowned, then shook his head. "This knocking is far too steady to be Mo Caihuan's style. But who else would know I'm here?"
With a hint of confusion, Han Li splashed some water on his face and opened the door. Standing outside was a young man in his early twenties with thick eyebrows and large, bright eyes.
Upon seeing Han Li emerge, the young man looked him up and down, then clasped his fists in greeting and called out enthusiastically, "You must be Junior Brother Han! I am Yan Ge, your senior brother by seniority!"
"Yan Ge!" Han Li recalled the man's identity. He was Doctor Mo's first disciple.
"Hehe! Though I am the Master's first disciple, my aptitude is mediocre. I haven't received much of his true teachings, which brings shame to his name!" Yan Ge spoke with remarkable candor.
Seeing the young man's frankness, Han Li felt a flicker of goodwill toward him and immediately returned the greeting. "Senior Brother Yan! Good morning! Please, come inside and talk."
"No need. The Masters' wives summoned me. They wish to see Junior Brother Han. Please come with me," Yan Ge replied with a wave of his hand and a smile.
Han Li paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement. He closed the door and walked alongside Yan Ge.
Yan Ge showed great interest in Han Li, asking question after question without restraint. He was particularly curious about the customs and traditions of Yue Prefecture.
As the two passed through the rear garden, they unexpectedly encountered a young man and woman walking together. It was Mo Yuzhu and Wu Jianming, whom Han Li had glimpsed from afar the day before. They strolled side by side, an image of romantic intimacy. This sight made Han Li feel strangely displeased, as if something that belonged to him had been taken away.
The couple also noticed Han Li and his companion and approached them. When they drew near, Mo Yuzhu merely glanced at the unremarkable Han Li and said nothing. However, Young Master Wu studied Han Li with open curiosity.
"Good morning, Senior Brother Yan! This young man looks unfamiliar. May I ask which esteemed master he hails from?" Wu Jianming inquired with a smile.
Han Li had expected Senior Brother Yan to step in and handle the introduction on his behalf. He waited, but heard nothing from his companion. Turning to look, Han Li was rendered speechless.
Yan Ge was staring at Mo Yuzhu with an expression of utter infatuation, completely lost in thought and oblivious to his surroundings. He was entirely unaware of Wu Jianming's question.
"I am a distant cousin of the Third Master's wife, sent by my parents to visit her. I hope to ask her for a position," Han Li was forced to reply for himself, feigning embarrassment with a humble, almost servile air.
"Oh, is that so?" Wu Jianming lost interest the moment he heard the first sentence. This was hardly surprising. Han Li's appearance was entirely unremarkable, lacking the presence of a martial artist. How could Young Master Wu possibly be impressed?
At that moment, Wu Jianming's attention shifted. His face darkened as he glared at Yan Ge's obvious display of affection toward Mo Yuzhu. After all, the beauty beside him was his nominal fiancée.
Standing closer to Mo Yuzhu now, Han Li could clearly see her expression. She frowned slightly, a look of displeasure on her face, clearly annoyed by Yan Ge's blatant admiration.
"Senior Brother Yan, if there is nothing else, my brother and I will take our leave," Mo Yuzhu said coolly. She gave a slight, formal bow to Yan Ge, then turned and walked away with graceful steps. Wu Jianming merely snorted at Yan Ge without a word and hurried after her.
Han Li watched their retreating figures, a faint, peculiar smile playing at the corner of his mouth. He then turned to look at Yan Ge, only to find the senior brother still standing like a statue, gazing in the direction the couple had departed.
Han Li sighed. The man was truly a hopeless romantic. Yet no matter how one looked at it, Miss Mo showed no signs of affection for him. She was likely weary of his persistent devotion.
With a sharp clap on Yan Ge's shoulder, Han Li jolted the man. Yan Ge's body shuddered, the vacant look in his eyes vanished, and he finally returned to awareness from his trance.
"I'm sorry, Junior Brother Han, you must think me a fool!" Yan Ge's face flushed with embarrassment, thoroughly ashamed of his behavior.
"It's nothing. A beautiful woman is the pursuit of all gentlemen. It's simply human nature. Why be embarrassed?" Han Li offered with a gentle smile.
Yan Ge did not seem comforted by these words. Instead, he smiled bitterly and said slowly, "To tell you the truth, Junior Brother Han, I grew up with Yuzhu. While we weren't exactly childhood sweethearts, we shared a deep bond. But sadly, after we grew up, Yuzhu seemed to regard me only as a brother, with no other feelings. After being rejected several times, I gave up all hope. I only wished for her to find a good husband who could make her happy for the rest of her life. Yet, the moment I see her, I still cannot help myself. I can't help but make a fool of myself like this." The last sentence carried a note of self-mockery.
Hearing this, Han Li fell silent. He regarded Yan Ge with a new kind of interest, as one might examine a rare antique. He had only read about such infatuated lovers in books and stories, never expecting to witness one firsthand.
If the man was telling the truth, Han Li wasn't sure whether to admire his deep affection or secretly call him a fool.
On their way, Han Li deliberately steered the conversation to other topics, distracting Yan Ge and allowing his mood to return to normal. The two talked and laughed as they arrived at the small building where Han Li had been the previous night. There, Doctor Mo's wives were waiting solemnly for Han Li's arrival, prepared to give him a great surprise.