bestfiction Chapter 287 Sun Lan realizes Lin Qianqian is a woman disguised as a man
Chapter 287 Sun Lan realizes Lin Qianqian is a woman disguised as a man
Chapter 287 Sun Lan sees through Lin Qianqian's disguise as a man
As dawn broke, the light shone on the thatched cottage. Lin Qianqian and Xiaodie were about to leave quietly when they were spotted by Li Yue, who had just gotten up.
Li Yue rubbed her sleepy eyes, her face full of surprise, and blurted out, "Young Master Lin, are you leaving already?"
Sun Lan also came out of the house, a faint smile on her lips, and teased, "If someone wants to leave, are you going to force them to stay?"
"Mom~" Li Yue stamped her foot, pouted helplessly, and looked on with reluctance.
Lin Qianqian turned around, her face showing a gentle and grateful expression. She bowed slightly and said, "Miss Li, Aunt, I am deeply grateful for your hospitality. I have troubled you for so many days and caused you so much trouble. I am truly ashamed and hope you will forgive me." After speaking, she bowed deeply again.
Xiaodie was also standing to the side, bowing along with Lin Qianqian.
Lin Qianqian straightened up, exchanged a glance with Xiaodie, and indicated that it was time to set off.
Xiaodie understood and nodded gently.
Li Yue took a few steps forward, her eyes filled with longing and reluctance, and said, "Young Master Lin, take care on your journey. It's fate that we met. Will we ever meet again?"
Lin Qianqian turned around, her eyes filled with emotion, waved to her, and smiled, saying, "I definitely will!"
The two turned around, ready to embark on their journey.
"Young Master~" Li Yue called out to him.
"Miss Li, is there anything else?" Lin Qianqian turned around and asked.
Li Yue handed her a wad of cash and said softly, "Consider this as travel expenses!"
Sun Lan, standing to the side, was stunned. Her eyes widened, and she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. She could only roll her eyes and pout helplessly.
Lin Qianqian quickly declined, looking embarrassed, "Miss Li, this won't do. This money is your hard-earned money. You should keep it for yourselves. There's no need to give it to us!"
The two pushed each other, and then Li Yue grabbed Lin Qianqian's hand. Lin Qianqian was startled and looked at her.
Li Yue smiled gently and said, "Young master, please take this! It's for you, a token of my appreciation. Please take care!"
"I..." Lin Qianqian couldn't refuse her, and after exchanging a few glances with her, she finally accepted it. "Then thank you very much, Miss."
Li Yue stood in front of the thatched hut, watching them leave.
The morning light shone on her, outlining a lonely silhouette. She raised her hand to shield her forehead, her gaze fixed on the two figures walking further and further away, until they disappeared at the end of the winding path and vanished into the morning mist, before she slowly turned and went back into the house.
Li Yue stood in front of the thatched hut, her gaze fixed on Lin Qianqian's receding figure.
In her eyes, a lingering affection, like silken threads, stretched longer and longer as Lin Qianqian left.
The morning breeze ruffled her hair, but she was oblivious. She subconsciously took a small step forward, as if wanting to get a little closer to the other person.
Lin Qianqian's figure gradually blurred and disappeared at the end of the winding path.
Li Yue remained standing in the same spot, staring blankly into the distance, her dejected appearance as if all her strength had been drained away. The corners of her mouth were slightly downturned, and her once bright eyes were now filled with loneliness. Even the morning light shining on her could not dispel the melancholy that surrounded her.
Sun Lan followed Li Yue's gaze and naturally understood what had happened. She sighed softly, glanced at Li Yue's dejected appearance, curled her lip, shook her head helplessly, and knowing what was going on, gave a mischievous smile. She raised her hand and gently tapped Li Yue's forehead, saying, "You brat, you haven't fallen for that boy, have you?"
The moment those words left her mouth, Li Yue exploded like a firecracker. Her cheeks flushed crimson, the color spreading from her ears down her neck, like a ripe red apple. Her eyes widened, filled with the embarrassment and shame of having her secret exposed.
"Mom! Oh dear!" Li Yue was both embarrassed and anxious, twisting her body coquettishly and gently stomping her feet on the ground.
She hurriedly cupped her burning cheeks with both hands, as if trying to hide the blush that betrayed her emotions, and unconsciously lowered her head, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Looking at her daughter's sweet, wistful expression, Sun Lan's expression turned serious, and her tone was firm and unwavering: "Let me tell you, you are not allowed to like him! And you must give up on that thought!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yue's joy was instantly replaced by confusion. Her eyes, which had been crinkling with laughter, widened into a wide grin, her brows furrowed tightly, and her face was filled with indignation. She retorted urgently, "Why! Mother, why do you say that! Is it because he has someone he likes? I do like him, but I haven't said I want to be with him. I want to keep this love in my heart!" As she spoke, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly, carrying a touch of shy sweetness from a young girl in love.
Sun Lan sighed helplessly, gently stroked Li Yue's hair, and said earnestly, "Silly girl, I'm not exaggerating. You know, he's not some rich kid at all."
"What!" Li Yue was shocked, her eyes widening like saucers, her expression instantly shifting from sweetness to astonishment. "Mother, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Sun Lan gently shook her head and patiently explained, "Why would I lie to you! The first time I saw him, I felt something was off. Look at the way he walks—his steps are delicate and light; no man walks with such graceful, delicate steps. Also, yesterday when he was adjusting his clothes, his wrists were fair and slender, without any of the robust bone structure of a man; his skin was as tender as a young girl's. And when he eats, he chews slowly and deliberately, his demeanor exuding a gentle and graceful charm, completely different from those rough and boisterous men. Most importantly, he has pierced ears. How could a grown man, especially a rich young master, have pierced ears? So, I'm certain he's a woman disguised as a man!"
After hearing her mother's words, Li Yue stood there dumbfounded, her mind replaying Lin Qianqian's every move. After a long while, she stammered, "How could this be... I didn't notice anything at all."
Sun Lan continued, "And the pageboy beside him, think back carefully. His every move was so gentle and delicate, his voice was soft and soft, and his eyes were full of a girl's charm. Even the traces of makeup on his eyebrows and eyes were not completely concealed. He was clearly a girl."
Upon hearing this, Li Yue frowned slightly, her eyes filled with doubt, and murmured to herself, "Mother, if it's really as you say, then why are they dressed as men? Could it be that they're running away from their arranged marriage? Or... have they encountered some difficulties and have no other choice but to do this?"
Sun Lan gently patted Li Yue's shoulder and said, "It has nothing to do with us. Okay, don't think about it so much. You must be hungry since you got up so early. Go to the kitchen and have some breakfast. I cooked millet porridge this morning and heated up some freshly steamed wheat cakes from yesterday."
Li Yue pursed her lips, her dimples becoming more pronounced, but the smile didn't reach her eyes; her heart always felt empty.
She subconsciously glanced again in the direction Lin Qianqian had left before slowly turning around and taking somewhat heavy steps to follow her mother into the house.