Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

When Xia Lanyue returned, Dai You had already cleared away the dishes. She reached out to take the bucket of water, but Dai You walked around it. This scene seemed familiar.

Dai You carried the bucket and walked in front, with Xia Lanyue following behind.

"You were just lying to Uncle Tian and the others, weren't you?" Xia Lanyue asked.

"Which one?"

"We are siblings."

"no".

Xia Lanyue stood there stunned; she was very surprised by this answer.

When she came to her senses, she caught up with Dai You and asked, "Then why did you say you were a bodyguard? Which of your words are true?"

"Everything I told you is true."

Is it all true?! So, does that mean Dai Xiyue's father adopted the bodyguard as his godson?!

Xia Lanyue asked in confusion, "What did you do to get Grandpa Dai to adopt you as his godson?! Did you save his life?"

Dai You didn't look at her, he just shook his head.

"What is that and why?" Xia Lanyue asked.

Dai You didn't give her an answer and just kept walking forward.

Xia Lanyue was puzzled, but she also felt that he didn't seem to be lying. This explained why his care and attention towards her during this time far exceeded the responsibilities of a mere guard.

The unexpected arrival of her older brother actually made her feel safe.

She ran over, patted Dai You on the shoulder, and teased, "Not bad, I didn't know you were so capable. Now that you're my brother, I'll be relying on you from now on."

Dai You looked at him, lowered his head, and gave a bitter smile.

When they reached the riverbank, Xia Lanyue stopped Dai You, insisting that he not touch the water. "Brother, you're already like this, so don't worry about it. Let your little sister do her best."

Dai You let go of her hand and stood behind her. Xia Lanyue's skillful dishwashing movements only added another layer of doubt to Dai You's eyes.

"Did you fall into the water that day too?" Xia Lanyue asked.

"Yes".

"Was it to save me?"

"I suppose so," Dai You said casually.

What do you mean by "sort of"? Yes or no, Xia Lanyue was not satisfied with this answer, but she still felt warm. After all, he did not abandon her when she was drowning. For that reason alone, she should trust him. "Then, thank you very much, brother."

Dai You hummed in agreement behind him.

“Tell me about my past,” Xia Lanyue said, turning to Dai You.

How much do you remember?

She knows nothing, Xia Lanyue thought to himself. The Dai Xiyue in front of him was no longer the Dai Xiyue he knew.

"I still can't remember anything. Why don't you just tell me directly, so I don't feel like an idiot."

"What do you want to know?" Dai You asked.

"What kind of business does your family run? Hmm... And why did you become our godson?"

“Your family is in the porcelain and silk business, and also owns a large restaurant. Your father is away from home most of the year, and your stepmother manages the household.”

Xia Lanyue was secretly pleased; it seemed this family was quite wealthy. However, she continued, "Why do you keep referring to your family and your father's family? That's your family too." She added, "You said you have an older brother, so you are?"

Dai You lowered his eyes. "No, you have an older brother."

"Ah~ So, are we good friends? Do I get along well with the other sisters?"

“Your brother is usually very busy, helping our father manage his business. He has his own family and rarely comes home. As for your relationship with your sisters…” Dai You frowned, hesitating to speak.

Xia Lanyue blinked her big eyes at him. Judging from his expression, their relationship wasn't very good, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. "Our relationship isn't very good. We're always secretly competing with each other."

A hint of surprise flashed in Dai You's eyes. "You remembered?!"

Xia Lanyue was speechless. She could guess what he meant just by looking at his expression; did she really need to remember it? But even though she guessed correctly, she couldn't be happy. Being the young lady of this family wasn't easy; despite their wealth, she still had her share of troubles.

"Is this young woman a stepmother?"

Dai You was taken aback. "She was my godfather's concubine."

Xia Lanyue gave an awkward laugh, "I know, I know," and then asked, "So we probably don't get along very well, right?"

Dai You pursed his lips, as if considering how to answer.

How many children does this woman have?

"Your five younger sisters were all born to a concubine."

"Heh," Xia Lanyue sneered. The factions in this family were basically clear. "Then what about my mother?"

"She...has passed away."

"Ah?" Xia Lanyue felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this, and began to sympathize with Dai Xiyue. Without a mother's protection or a father's attention, and even targeted by her stepmother and sisters, Dai Xiyue was truly pitiful. So, was this why Dai You wasn't in a hurry to take her back? Was he afraid she wouldn't remember anything and would suffer if she went back?

Xia Lanyue suddenly lost confidence. If she lived in such a family as Dai Xiyue, could she really handle it? She wasn't sure. However, considering how wealthy her family was, she was willing to give it a try.

"How much pocket money does your father usually give you?" Xia Lanyue asked.

“The monthly allowance for the family is managed by my stepmother.”

Xia Lanyue sighed. If her mother manages the money, what's the point of her working hard?

In modern society, the family property would be inherited by the son, and it would have nothing to do with her. A woman follows her husband after marriage, and Dai Xiyue has no husband; her future is uncertain. Thinking of this, Xia Lanyue became curious. People in ancient times married young, so why is Dai Xiyue, at twenty, still unmarried? Shouldn't her mother find her an eyesore and marry her off long ago? "Why am I not married?"

Dai You's eyes flickered, and he remained silent for a long time without giving an answer.

Xia Lanyue didn't care anymore. It was better that they weren't married; she could choose a husband according to her own wishes. This Xia Yao was perfect—handsome and talented, just what she wanted. Thinking this, Xia Lanyue actually laughed out loud.

Dai You looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Xia Lanyue composed herself and quickly explained, "It's alright, it's alright, the dishes are washed, let's go."

Then he picked up the bucket, turned around, and walked back.

Dai You stopped her, took the bucket from her, and walked ahead.

Xia Lanyue watched his retreating figure, feeling somewhat moved. Although Dai You was the most clumsy and had a strange temper, he had always taken good care of her. It was because of him that she was able to live so easily and peacefully in this world.

She quickly caught up, already having made up her mind. She wasn't in a hurry to return to the capital; she wanted to win Xia Yao over first, and then discuss their next move with him. Right now, the most important thing was to find a job to earn money so they could have enough to live on. After all, living off the Tian family wasn't sustainable. If Dai You was willing to stay, she would help him find a wife, and they could live closer together and look after each other.

"Oh dear!" Xia Lanyue exclaimed in surprise. She was so lost in thought that she didn't look in front of her and bumped into Dai You's arms.

Xia Lanyue took two steps back, still lost in her own thoughts, and looked up, "Brother, how much money do you have left?"

"Thirty cents."

What?! Xia Lanyue thought she had misheard, so she repeated, "Thirty? Wen?"

Dai You nodded.

Thirty coins is too little; it's not even enough for travel expenses. Xia Lanyue felt a pang of worry.

Dai You seemed to sense her worry. "I'll go to town tomorrow and find some temporary work to earn some pocket money, which will cover your medical expenses."

Xia Lanyue suddenly realized that she had overlooked these expenses during her time here. She was an accountant, and she had no idea how he had spent the money these past few days.

Xia Lanyue lowered her head and patted herself down, searching for anything valuable. She found a necklace on her chest and was overjoyed. She quickly took it out from her collar; it was a silver lock.

She weighed it in her hand; it had some weight to it.

Xia Lanyue took off the silver lock and handed it to Dai You, saying, "Use this as payment, okay?"

Dai You didn't take it, looking at her in surprise, "You're going to pawn it?!"

"Ah."

Dai You stared at her, and after confirming that Xia Lanyue was serious, he sighed, "This was left by your mother, keep it safe." Dai You pushed her hand away.

Xia Lanyue realized she had done something wrong, so she stopped talking and put the necklace back around her neck.

She then remembered the jade hairpin in her hair and was about to pull it out when Dai You grabbed her wrist and stopped her. "You won't get any money from pawning it here. I'll think of another way."

But she felt she couldn't let him be the only one suffering. "Brother, next time you go to town, help me with the work, and I'll go help too."

"You've never done this kind of work before, just focus on getting better."

"The more people earn money, the more money there is, right?"

"Don't try to be strong, leave the money-making to me."

Xia Lanyue paused for a moment, then tentatively asked, "What if... what if my memories are never restored?"

Dai You stopped and looked back at her, lost in thought, unable to give an answer for a long time.

Seeing his serious expression, Xia Lanyue said half-jokingly, "Then let's stay in this little village. Anyway, I quite like it here." Then she jogged back to the Tian family home.

That evening, Dai You took the medicine to deliver the medicine as usual. After knocking on the door, he waited for a long time but no one answered. He gently pushed the door open and was scared half to death by Xia Lanyue standing in front of the door.

"Hahaha..." Xia Lanyue laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up after her prank succeeded.

Dai You sighed softly and handed her the medicine bowl.

Xia Lanyue took the bowl and drank it down in one gulp, wincing from the bitterness.

Then, she opened her palm in front of Dai You, and after receiving a piece of candy, Xia Lanyue turned around and went to sleep, satisfied.