Chapter 58 – A Morning Outing
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"Yan-ge... umm... are we still going to meet Uncle Shang today?"
Lin Xin asked softly, his voice quieter than usual as he lowered his gaze. Still thinking about what had happened that morning, he avoided meeting Han Yan’s eyes.
His slender fingers unconsciously smoothed the sleeve of his robe before lightly rubbing the edge of the fabric, betraying the nervousness he tried so hard to hide as he waited for Han Yan’s reply.
Clad in the new blue hanfu Han Yan had picked out for him, Lin Xin stood quietly before him.
The light blue robes fit his slender frame perfectly, the clean fabric draping neatly over his body without being too loose or too tight.
A matching blue sash was tied around his waist, giving him an elegant yet simple appearance.
His curly blond hair was tied back with the ribbon Han Yan had chosen for him, leaving a few loose strands to frame his fair face.
Paired with his bright emerald-green eyes, the new clothes made him look refreshed and full of life.
After eating and resting well over the past few days, the exhaustion that had once lingered on Lin Xin’s face had gradually faded.
A little fullness had returned to his cheeks, giving him a healthier and more youthful appearance.
Combined with the new blue robes, his fair complexion, blond hair, and emerald-green eyes made him look especially radiant.
He looked nothing like the miserable, exhausted man Han Yan had first met after he transmigrated.
The difference was so astonishing that Han Yan found himself staring.
His usually calm eyes quietly lingered on Lin Xin’s figure, taking in every detail without realizing it.
The elegant robes suited Lin Xin perfectly, but it wasn’t the robes that made him stand out it was Lin Xin who made the robes look even better.
Han Yan remained silent unable to tear his gaze away from Lin Xin.
Seeing no response, Lin Xin slowly lifted his head, blinking in confusion.
"Yan-ge?"
Before Han Yan could answer, Dong Hai suddenly spoke up from the side.
His expression remained as serious as ever, his small face carrying an unusual solemnity as he looked directly at Lin Xin.
"Xin-ge."
Lin Xin turned toward him.
Dong Hai carefully observed him before giving a small nod in approval.
"You look very pretty in your new clothes."
His tone was completely sincere.
"They really suit you."
Lin Xin’s emerald eyes widened in surprise.
"...Really?"
A bright smile instantly bloomed across his face.
The reserved expression he usually maintained disappeared in an instant as genuine delight spread across his features.
He happily clapped his hands together, his eyes curving into crescents.
"I’m really happy you think so!"
His cheerful laughter filled the room, making the atmosphere noticeably lighter.
Seeing his reaction, it was difficult to believe he was usually so composed. At that moment, Lin Xin looked carefree, openly expressing his happiness without trying to hide it.
Then his gaze landed on Dong Hai.
His smile widened mischievously.
"Then our Xiao Hai should wear his new clothes too."
He tilted his head slightly, his blond hair swaying gently with the movement.
"I’m sure you’ll look very handsome."
After a brief pause, he asked curiously,
"Are you not going to play with Wei Fan today?"
Dong Hai blinked once.
A faint flush quietly crept onto his ears after being praised, though his expression remained as composed as ever.
"...I was planning to."
True to his usual nature, his reply was short and straightforward.
Watching him, Lin Xin couldn’t suppress a soft chuckle.
Han Yan quietly watched the exchange between the two, the corners of his lips lifting into a faint smile. Their lighthearted banter filled the courtyard with an unexpected warmth.
Han Yan couldn’t help but wonder.
What exactly happened while he was in the kitchen?
When they first met, Lin Xin had been quiet and reserved, always cautious in his words and actions. He was completely different from the lively person before him now.
But now...
He laughed so freely.
He expressed every emotion without hiding it.
He even teased Dong Hai without hesitation and clapped happily after receiving a simple compliment.
The difference was almost unbelievable.
Han Yan silently compared the timid Lin Xin from before with the lively person standing before him now.
One was gentle and shy.
The other was cheerful, expressive, and full of energy.
"..."
A faint smile unknowingly appeared on Han Yan’s lips.
He lightly shook his head.
Either way...
He still liked both versions of Lin Xin. To him, both were equally adorable.
Stepping forward, Han Yan naturally joined their conversation.
"You should definitely wear your new clothes."
His deep voice carried its usual calmness, yet there was an unmistakable warmth hidden beneath it.
"I’ll wear mine as well."
His gaze swept across both Lin Xin and Dong Hai before the corners of his lips curved slightly.
"Let’s enjoy ourselves today."
After a brief pause, he suddenly remembered something.
"Oh."
Looking at Dong Hai, he added gently,
"You should bring some pastries for Wei Fan to share with his family when you get there."
"I’m sure he’ll like them."
Dong Hai immediately nodded seriously.
"Mm."
Without wasting another second, he turned around and hurried toward his room.
His small figure quickly disappeared down the hallway.
The moment Dong Hai left, Lin Xin instinctively took a step toward Han Yan.
His lips had just parted, intending to say something, when Han Yan suddenly spoke first.
"I’m coming along too. Let me get changed first" Han Yan said as he turned and walked toward their room.
His voice drifted back before he disappeared through the doorway.
Lin Xin blinked.
"..."
He stared blankly in the direction Han Yan had gone.
Only after the figure disappeared from sight did he slowly tilt his head in confusion.
"...Strange."
Just now...
When Han Yan turned around...
Lin Xin was certain he had seen it.
The tips of his ears...
Were completely red.
He frowned slightly.
His emerald-green eyes blinked several times as he carefully replayed the scene in his mind.
"...Is Yan-ge sick?"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"But..."
"Why are only his ears red?"
"Could he have caught a fever?"
The more he thought about it, the more puzzled he became.
Not far away, Zhi Zun, who had been lazily lying on the rocking chair nearby, heard every single word without missing a syllable.
"..."
Zhi Zun dramatically rolled his eyes, his fluffy tail flicking sharply behind him in annoyance.
If he weren’t in this tiny feline body...
He would have leaped straight and smacked him squarely on the forehead.
How can this little fool be so dense?
Zhi Zun felt as though his fur was about to stand on end from sheer frustration.
This ancestor had painstakingly taught him countless things over the years.
Yet somehow...
When it came to matters of the heart, his brain completely stopped working.
He’s blushing because of you, you little idiot!
Not because he’s sick!
He desperately wanted to leap onto his shoulder and yell those words.
But...
The thought barely formed before he suddenly paused.
A sly grin slowly spread across the cat’s furry face.
His pointed ears twitched.
"... nevermind."
The tip of his fluffy tail swayed lazily from side to side.
Why should this ancestor help that stinky human?
The image of Han Yan hastily retreating to his room with bright red ears replayed vividly in his mind.
The more he thought about it...
The more entertaining it became.
"Heh..."
A low, smug purr escaped his throat.
If Han Yan had to keep dealing with this little fool’s complete obliviousness...
Wouldn’t that be much more amusing?
The bald cat elegantly sat upright, curling his tail around his paws as he looked exceptionally pleased with himself.
Serves that brat right.
Let him suffer for a while.
Meanwhile, Lin Xin remained completely oblivious to Zhi Zun’s wicked thoughts.
He continued staring toward the bedroom door, genuine concern written all over his face he quietly muttered to himself,
"...Maybe I should check Yan-ge’s forehead later."
He nodded seriously.
"Mm."
"Yan-ge mustn’t get sick."
Hearing that, Zhi Zun slowly lifted one paw to his face.
"...Absolutely hopeless."
The three of them stepped out of the courtyard one after another.
Han Yan walked ahead with a composed demeanor, dressed in a dark robe that accentuated his tall figure.
Beside him was Lin Xin, clad in the light blue hanfu.
Walking a few steps ahead of them, Dong Hai could hardly contain his excitement. His face remained composed, but the lightness of his steps betrayed his mood.
Each of them was occupied with their own thoughts.
None of them noticed that the moment they appeared on the village road, conversations gradually quieted.
Villagers carrying baskets, sweeping their courtyards, or returning from the fields couldn’t help but glance in their direction.
"...Isn’t that Han Yan?"
"It really is."
"And beside him..."
"Isn’t that Lin Xin?"
Their gazes naturally settled on Lin Xin.
The moment they got a clear look at him, several people paused in surprise.
His unusual appearance made him stand out effortlessly among the villagers.
A few young men couldn’t help stealing another glance before awkwardly looking away.
Some of the village aunties couldn’t help but smile as they watched them.
"They’re a fine-looking pair."
One villager quietly muttered,
"Hmph. He’s only lucky Han Yan treats him well."
Another immediately shook his head.
"Don’t say that. Han Yan’s family is well-off now. We’d be better off staying on his good side."
"That’s right. Besides, what happens with them has nothing to do with us."
The first speaker pursed their lips and said nothing more.
Completely unaware that they had become the center of attention, the three of them continued walking.
Lin Xin was still absentmindedly wondering whether Han Yan had caught a cold after seeing his red ears earlier, completely forgetting his own embarrassment.
Han Yan, meanwhile, gradually snapped out of his own thoughts.
His gaze landed on the small figure walking ahead of them.
Dong Hai’s steps were noticeably lighter than usual. Though he tried to hide it behind his usual serious expression, the faint smile on his face and the excitement in his pace made his mood obvious.
The corners of Han Yan’s lips lifted slightly.
Reaching out, he gently rubbed Dong Hai’s head.
Dong Hai immediately stiffened.
He slowly looked up at Han Yan, surprise flashing across his usually composed face.
"Yan-gege."
His voice remained calm, but the faint redness spreading to the tips of his ears betrayed his embarrassment.
Han Yan let out a quiet chuckle.
Watching the little boy awkwardly accept the affectionate gesture without protest was unexpectedly amusing.
Dong Hai silently smoothed his slightly ruffled hair before continuing forward with a straight face, pretending nothing had happened.
Only his reddened ears exposed just how flustered he truly was.
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