Chapter 16: Sending Lanterns

Ye Chutang tilted her head slightly: "Xiao Wu, come here."

Only then did Xiao Wu lower her small hands, which had been covering her eyes, and turn back to look at Ye Chutang.

Shen Yanchuan had assumed she would be terrified by the scene before her. To his surprise, however, the little milk bun didn't seem afraid at all upon seeing the three people lying on the ground. Instead, her eyes lit up, and she trotted over.

Then—

She rummaged through their belongings earnestly for a moment, eventually finding three pouches on the men, which contained some copper coins, bits of silver, and a silver banknote.

After that, she ran to Ye Chutang as if presenting a treasure.

—Sister! I found money again!

Ye Chutang took a look and realized that these odds and ends added up to over a hundred taels of silver. She patted the child's head and praised her without hesitation: "Well done!"

Come to think of it, this Cao Chengwen was quite willing to spend money on her. This hundred-tael banknote was likely the deposit paid to these men, and there was probably a final payment to come.

To deal with a "weak woman" who ran a medical clinic, this price was certainly not low.

Ye Chutang was very satisfied, feeling that tonight had been quite fruitful.

Watching this scene, Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow.

Although the three men in black were not dead, they had been beaten quite severely; their faces and bodies were covered in blood, and a large, dark pool of blood had stained the ground.

The air was thick with an unmistakable, metallic scent of blood.

Even an ordinary adult would likely be startled by such a scene, yet the little milk bun seemed completely indifferent.

She was clearly only three or four years old, soft and adorable, yet she reacted this way.

She had even run right up to those men to rummage through their things.

Shen Yanchuan felt that even if those lying there were corpses, her reaction wouldn't have changed in the slightest.

Ye Chutang ran a medical clinic and possessed excellent medical skills; it was normal for her to be so calm, as she clearly had good martial arts skills as well.

But this little milk bun... how on earth was she raised to be like this?

Ye Chutang beckoned to Xiao Wu, intending to head back.

Seeing that they were truly about to leave, Shen Yanchuan asked, "Doctor Ye, do you intend to just leave these people here?"

Ye Chutang blinked, her lips curving slightly: "Isn't Young Master Shen here?"

Shen Yanchuan: "..."

Ye Chutang tilted her chin toward the other side of the wall: "It seems your own affairs over there are mostly resolved as well. I have a child with me, so it's inconvenient. Please, do me a favor and help dispose of these people."

Shen Yanchuan was silent for a moment, then laughed.

He had never met someone so brazen and unreasonable. She created such a mess and then just dumped it on him?

"Doctor Ye, we aren't exactly that familiar, are we? Do you truly trust me this much? Aren't you afraid I'll report you to the authorities?"

If he used even a little bit of his influence, Ye Chutang would face endless trouble.

Ye Chutang seemed somewhat surprised: "Report me? Did I kill anyone? Young Master Shen, I am a law-abiding citizen; you shouldn't say such things lightly."

Shen Yanchuan looked at the three unconscious, battered men on the ground and fell silent.

Law-abiding—did she have anything to do with those words at all?

Ye Chutang, however, didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with her statement. Her gaze lingered on Shen Yanchuan's left chest for a moment, and she said pointedly: "Besides, I thought you and I were already friends who had been through life and death together."

To put it bluntly, they had already reached the point of undressing and being candid with each other; if that didn't count as close, what did?

She paused, her gaze dropping further—

"Young Master Shen sustained two injuries earlier; have they not healed yet?"

Shen Yanchuan’s deep phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.

The woman before him was merely standing there looking at him, yet he felt as if her gaze carried a scorching heat, leaving a burning sensation wherever it landed.

She still wore a faint smile, appearing as easygoing as could be.

Yet, the cold glint hidden within her words carried an undeniable, biting threat.

This Doctor Ye... was even more unfathomable than he had imagined.

The two stared at each other for only a moment—very brief, yet they seemed to have reached some sort of consensus.

Shen Yanchuan nodded slightly: "Doctor Ye, do enjoy the Spring Lantern Festival to the fullest."

This was his concession, agreeing to help Ye Chutang deal with the remaining trouble.

A hint of a smile touched Ye Chutang’s dark, gentle eyes.

"You as well, Young Master Shen. The night is dark and the wind is cold; your body has yet to fully recover, so you should return and rest early."

The subtle tension in the air dissipated silently, as if nothing had ever happened.

Ye Chutang reached for Xiao Wu’s hand, but the child seemed to suddenly remember something. She turned and ran to the side, picking up the rabbit lantern.

Ye Chutang realized.

It seemed Xiao Wu liked this lantern more than usual.

But the next second, she saw Xiao Wu’s eyes widen, her little face falling into a look of deep sadness.

Ye Chutang asked curiously: "What's wrong?"

Xiao Wu brought the lantern back and held it up for her to see.

Only then did Ye Chutang see a few drops of bright red blood splattered on it, looking quite jarring.

No wonder Xiao Wu was so sad.

But this lantern could not be kept under any circumstances.

Ye Chutang rubbed her little head: "It’s just a lantern. It doesn't matter if it's dirty; we'll buy a new one later, okay?"

Xiao Wu kept her head down, still very sad.

She had picked this out specifically for her sister! But before they even got home, the lantern was ruined...

Just then, a low, clear voice sounded.

"This one is for you."

Suddenly, a hollow-carved lantern appeared before Xiao Wu.

The lantern was shaped like a begonia flower; it was simple yet exquisite, with beautifully crafted details.

Xiao Wu fell in love with it instantly.

She looked up at Ye Chutang with longing; it was clear she wanted it very much.

But Sister had said she couldn't just take things from others, so she had to ask Sister first.

Ye Chutang naturally saw that she was fond of the lantern. After so many unexpected events tonight, this small wish should certainly be fulfilled.

She nodded and looked at Shen Yanchuan: "Thank you, Young Master Shen. How much is this lantern? I will buy it."

Shen Yanchuan handed it directly to Xiao Wu and smiled faintly: "No need. It’s just a lantern; as long as she likes it."

Xiao Wu took the lantern and bowed earnestly to Shen Yanchuan, her fair, chubby little face filled with irrepressible joy.

Shen Yanchuan’s eyes flickered.

He had been staying at the Ye Medical Clinic for several days and had never heard this little milk bun speak a word.

She...

Xiao Wu, however, didn't think that much. Once she got the lantern, she turned around and happily gave it to Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang was a bit surprised and pointed to her own nose: "For me?"

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously.

—Yeah! For Sister!

She tilted her little head again and flashed a brilliant smile at Shen Yanchuan.

—Thank you! Sister really likes the lantern you gave!

The Marquis: The token of affection has been successfully delivered; one step closer to marrying his wife!

(End of chapter)