Chapter 112: Yan Ge's Deep Affection

Han Li finally settled down in a wing room in the rear living quarters of the Mo residence. Sensibly, Mo Caihuan did not stay long and quickly excused herself. Her sudden ladylike demeanor somewhat surprised Han Li.

Unsure of the Mo family's attitude toward him and whether he was still in danger, Han Li did not truly fall asleep all night, only taking a brief nap on the bed.

The next morning, while Han Li was still in a daze, he heard a "bang! bang!" at his door.

"Could it be the little imp?" Han Li frowned, then gently shook his head. "Such a steady knocking doesn't sound like Mo Caihuan's style. But there shouldn't be many people who know I'm staying here."

With a hint of doubt, Han Li quickly washed his face with a towel and opened the door. Standing outside was a young man in his twenties with thick eyebrows and large eyes.

Upon seeing Han Li emerge, the young man scrutinized him from head to toe, then clasped his fist and greeted him enthusiastically, "You must be Junior Brother Han! I am Yan Ge, and by seniority, I am your Senior Brother!"

"Yan Ge!" Han Li's mind recalled information about this person – he was Doctor Mo's eldest disciple.

"Haha! Although I am Master's first disciple, my aptitude isn't very good, and I haven't received much of his true teaching, bringing shame to the old man!" Yan Ge spoke very straightforwardly to Han Li.

Seeing the young man's frankness, Han Li felt a sudden liking for him. He quickly returned the greeting, "Good morning, Senior Brother Yan! Please come in."

"No need, the several mistresses asked me to come here. They have something to discuss with Junior Brother Han and wish for you to go over," Yan Ge waved his hand and said with a smile.

Han Li paused upon hearing this, but then nodded in agreement. He closed the door and walked alongside Yan Ge.

Yan Ge was very curious about Han Li's affairs, asking questions openly along the way. He was also very interested in the local customs of Yuezhou, asking many details.

As the two passed through the backyard garden, they unexpectedly encountered a young couple – none other than Mo Yuzhu and Wu Jianming, whom Han Li had seen from a distance the previous day. They were walking side-by-side in the garden, looking very much in love. This sight made Han Li uncomfortable, as if something belonging to him had been snatched away.

The couple opposite clearly spotted Han Li and Yan Ge and approached them. As they drew closer, Mo Yuzhu merely glanced at the unremarkable Han Li without saying anything. The young Master Wu, however, looked at Han Li with curiosity.

"Good morning, Senior Brother Yan! This young man looks unfamiliar; may I ask which esteemed master's disciple he is?" Wu Jianming asked with a smile.

Han Li expected his Senior Brother Yan to cover for him and take over the conversation. To his surprise, after waiting for a long time, he heard no sound from beside him. Han Li was startled and couldn't help but turn to look at Yan Ge.

The result left Han Li speechless with exasperation.

At this moment, Senior Brother Yan had a look of utter infatuation, staring blankly at Miss Mo Yuzhu, completely lost in a trance. How could he possibly respond to Wu Jianming's words?

"I am the Third Madam's distant cousin, sent by my parents to visit the Third Madam and, incidentally, to ask her to help me find a job!" Han Li had no choice but to turn back and tackle the situation himself. He deliberately put on an embarrassed and shy demeanor, speaking humbly.

"Oh, I see!" Wu Jianming lost all interest in Han Li after hearing just his first sentence. This was understandable; Han Li's appearance was too ordinary, and he lacked the characteristics of a martial artist, which naturally caused Young Master Wu to misjudge him.

At this point, Young Master Wu turned his attention to Yan Ge's dazed expression towards Mo Yuzhu and became very displeased, his face darkening. After all, the beauty beside him was his fiancée in name.

Han Li was currently closer to Mo Yuzhu, so he caught all the expressions on her face. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and there was a hint of displeasure on her face, clearly indicating her impatience with Yan Ge's blatant adoration.

"Senior Brother Yan, if there's nothing else, my brother and I will take our leave first." Mo Yuzhu's apricot-shaped lips parted slightly, and she coldly gave Yan Ge a small courtesy before gracefully moving away. Wu Jianming snorted at Yan Ge without a word and followed after her.

Han Li watched their retreating figures with a strange smile playing on his lips. Then he turned back to look at Senior Brother Yan and found him still standing there, staring blankly in the direction they had gone.

Han Li sighed. This man was truly a lovesick fool! Yet, from the looks of it, Miss Mo didn't seem to have any affection for him, and she probably had already grown weary of his persistent adoration.

Han Li firmly clapped Yan Ge on the shoulder, making him jolt. The blank look on his face instantly disappeared, and he finally snapped out of his daze.

"My apologies, Junior Brother Han. You've seen me make a fool of myself!" Yan Ge, having regained his composure, blushed deeply, greatly ashamed of his display.

"It's nothing. 'A fair maiden is a worthy pursuit for a gentleman.' It's human nature, there's nothing to be ashamed of," Han Li said with a gentle smile, trying to comfort him.

Yan Ge didn't feel relieved by Han Li's words; instead, he gave a bitter smile and slowly said,

"To be honest, Junior Brother Han, Yuzhu and I grew up together. While it wasn't exactly a childhood romance, we did develop deep feelings. But regrettably, as Yuzhu grew up, she seemed to only have sibling affection for me, nothing more. After she rejected me several times, I gave up all other thoughts. I only hoped she would find a good husband who could make her happy for a lifetime! Yet, whenever I see Yuzhu, I still can't control myself and inadvertently make a fool of myself like this!" Yan Ge's voice held a touch of self-mockery as he spoke the last sentence.

Han Li said nothing after hearing him, instead re-examining Yan Ge with a gaze as if he were looking at a rare antique. He had only read about such devoted lovers in books and stories but had never imagined he would witness one firsthand.

If what the other person said was true, then he didn't know whether to admire their devotion or secretly curse them for being too foolish!

Along the rest of the way, Han Li deliberately steered the conversation to other topics, helping Yan Ge's mood return to normal. The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the small building where Han Li had stayed last night. There, Doctor Mo's several wives were solemnly awaiting Han Li's arrival, prepared to give him a big surprise.