Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Dai You lay on the couch, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, thinking about the words Xia Lanyue had said to him during the day.

"You're interfering with me too much. What kind of older brother is so strict? People are laughing at me."

"When are we going back to the capital? I want to see its prosperity."

"It's good to have no memories. I can live a relaxed and carefree life and say goodbye to the past."

"Let's pinky swear, we'll be siblings forever, and that promise will never change."

He didn't know why Xia Lanyue said those things; he just felt that she was a complete stranger to him.

Xia Lanyue was also unable to sleep. She wondered if Dai You had understood the incoherent hints she had given him during the day.

Judging from Dai You's reactions these past few days, what he cares about is Xia Lanyue's attitude, while he seems unable to grasp the subtle hints and details she makes.

He gets angry if she ignores him, but becomes nice again when she talks to him. Dai You has always been a simple person to her. At this rate, when will her plan succeed? When will they finally become just brother and sister?!

It seems her plan needs to be further strengthened.

Why not add "falling in love with someone else" to the mix? Xia Lanyue thought to herself, just say that she... likes Xia Yao. It's a bit cruel, but it will stop Dai You from having any ideas.

Thinking of this, Xia Lanyue got out of bed and took out the purple robe from the closet. By the moonlight, she carefully examined it and then held it up to her body.

She had never had the courage to give this dress to him, so she decided to take this opportunity to do so!

Xia Lanyue carefully wrapped the clothes, put them back in the closet, and turned over to lie back on the bed.

Xia Lanyue was torn between discussing this matter with Xia Yao. If she did, given Xia Yao's consistently cold attitude, would he agree?! If she didn't, not only would she be embarrassed by his outright rejection, but wouldn't Dai You feel even more sorry for her?!

However, Xia Lanyue didn't seem to care about all that and decided to give it a try first.

Over the next two days, Xia Lanyue was exceptionally attentive to Xia Yao, showing him great concern and care.

Xia Huifang was very satisfied with Xia Lanyue's initiative, and the smile on her face never faded.

Xia Yao initially looked disgusted by her sudden "enthusiasm," but seeing Dai You's anxious and jealous expression, he seemed to be getting playful and joined in, agreeing with Xia Lanyue. The two chatted back and forth, responding to each other in perfect harmony.

In the evening, Xia Lanyue made braised noodles with green beans, which Xia Yao liked to eat.

Xia Yao happily praised Xia Lanyue for being virtuous, considerate, and clever.

Xia Huifang was overjoyed to see how quickly the two's relationship was developing, and she looked at Xia Lanyue as if she were looking at her own daughter-in-law.

After the meal was served, Xia Yao couldn't wait to pick up a mouthful of noodles and stuff it into his mouth. But soon, his smile froze on his face. He stopped what he was doing and looked at Xia Lanyue with a helpless expression.

Xia Lanyue was puzzled. Could it be that the noodles weren't to his liking today? So she lowered her head and took a bite herself. Then she understood—the noodles were too salty! Someone had added salt to the rice!

It's obvious without even thinking that Dai You did it!

Xia Lanyue glanced sideways at Dai You.

He acted as if nothing had happened, silently eating his noodles.

Fortunately, no one questioned the taste of the noodles, probably just taking it as an unintentional mistake. They forced themselves to finish the noodles with water.

After the meal, Xia Lanyue took the initiative to find Dai You and called him out to talk, "Can you please stop tampering with the grain? Farmers' grain is very precious."

This time, Dai You remained silent, turning his face away and ignoring her.

"Hmph," Xia Lanyue snorted coldly, "You'd better not say a word," and then turned and left.

Seeing that she was about to leave, Dai You couldn't hold back anymore. "You can ignore me, but you can't ignore him."

"Who? Xia Yao?"

Dai You nodded.

"Why shouldn't I talk to him? I... like him, I can't help wanting to talk to him," Xia Lanyue finally said the words she had been planning for a long time.

Dai You's body trembled, and he stared at her in disbelief. "What did you say?!"

“I said I like him and I want to talk to him,” Xia Lanyue repeated, word by word.

She originally thought these were words to anger Dai You, but after saying them, she felt a sense of relief, as if she had revealed a secret from the bottom of her heart.

But Dai You was different.

His face was ashen, his eyes wide, and his chest heaved violently, as if a volcano was about to erupt. He stepped forward, grabbed Xia Lanyue's arm, and said in a chilling voice, "Say that again!"

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and a chill permeated the air.

Dai You gripped Xia Lanyue's hands, gradually tightening his grip, causing Xia Lanyue pain.

"Ouch, you're hurting me," Xia Lanyue struggled to break free from his grasp and continued, "Brother, if I told you I like him, would you grant my wish?"

Her earnest gaze pierced Dai You's heart.

Dai You frowned, his hands clenched tightly, as if he had suffered a great blow. He suppressed his emotions and squeezed out two words through gritted teeth, "No."

Xia Lanyue was frightened by the anger emanating from him. She forced herself to remain calm, walked around Dai You, and fled back to the courtyard.

She didn't know what happened after that, and she didn't dare to look back.

The next morning, Dai You acted as if nothing had happened, smiling and greeting her and everyone else.

His eyes were bloodshot and he looked exhausted; it seemed he hadn't slept all night.

Xia Lanyue felt sorry for him, but she couldn't show her concern, so she simply stopped looking at him.

Dai You seemed to have something to say to Xia Lanyue. Xia Lanyue tried to avoid it, but Dai You still blocked her outside the courtyard. "Is it because I added salt to your food that you got angry, that's why you said that? I won't do it again," Dai You said, his voice trembling slightly.

Xia Lanyue's heart trembled slightly. Everything had developed to this point because of her plan, and she couldn't be soft-hearted at this moment. "No, that's my true feeling. I really like him."

“Let’s go to Aunt’s house, you promised me,” Dai You said anxiously.

“I’m not leaving. I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go to the capital with Xia Yao when he goes to take the imperial examination. You can come with us too, and then we’ll go home.” Xia Lanyue looked at him with expectant eyes. She wanted him to agree. She wanted him to compromise.

"Do you know what you're saying?!" Dai You roared angrily.

"Brother, we should go home."

"Don't call me brother!"

Dai You's face turned bright red, and his eyes seemed to be burning with fire. This was a look Xia Lanyue had never seen before. His appearance frightened Xia Lanyue, and her body involuntarily curled up, her eyes revealing fear and unease.

"Why are you yelling at her?!" Xia Yao suddenly appeared at the courtyard gate and reprimanded Dai You.

This shout gave Xia Lanyue some courage.

She wanted to go to Xia Yao's side, but after taking only two steps, Dai Youyi raised his hand and stopped her, saying, "Let's go talk over there."

Xia Lanyue dared not be alone with him, so she forcefully shook off his arm and ran to Xia Yao's side as if fleeing, stopping beside him.

"I'm not going, let's talk here," Xia Lanyue said, avoiding Dai You's eyes.

Her actions left Dai You stunned, unsure of what to do. He looked at the two people standing together, his eyes filled with sadness and disappointment. To anyone else, he felt like the superfluous one in this scene.

Dai You couldn't help but laugh self-deprecatingly, his eyes filled with bitterness and helplessness. Then he turned around and walked away alone into the distance.