Chapter 39 - 39 39 Zhan Hui and Chu Yin Confront Each Other

Words : 1621 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Zhan Hui and Chu Yin Confront Each Other on First Meeting Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Zhan Hui and Chu Yin Confront Each Other on First Meeting Zhan Lan’s view was suddenly graced by the figure of a tall young man who, disheveled from travel, stood before her with the sturdy presence of a pine tree. Despite being only sixteen years old, his aura was commanding and infused with a natural dignity that made others dare not profane it. Zhan Lan hastened her steps forward and called out, “Big brother, you’re back!” The young man turned around, his features sharp and handsome, and a face that would have been delicate and pretty was now marked with a touch of ruggedness from his time spent guarding the borders, weathered by wind and sun. Zhan Hui’s wheat-colored skin added to his mature temperament. He looked at Zhan Lan and scanned her quickly from head to toe. “Lan’er, I heard from grandfather that you were quite seriously injured.” Zhan Lan forced a smile, “Indeed, it’s a head injury. I often feel dizzy lately, and my arm was hit by an arrow. But I’m quick to recover since I train in martial arts.” As usual, Zhan Hui lightly ruffled Zhan Lan’s hair. It had been half a year since he last saw her; back then she still looked like a little girl. Now, with only a light touch of makeup, she bloomed with a womanly charm. Zhan Hui hadn’t realized it before, but with Zhan Lan dressed up like this, her exceptional grace and stunning beauty were hard to ignore. Thinking about the reason for his visit today, Zhan Hui coughed awkwardly, what was he pondering over? Zhan Lan was, after all, his sister! Zhan Hui quickly regained his composure. He held out a silver note to Zhan Lan, “Father has asked me to do this. I’ve just been to see Mrs. Li. She made such a sacrifice to protect Rou’er, and Father feels a great sense of guilt.” Zhan Lan took the thousand-tael silver note from Zhan Hui’s hand; Mrs. Li would definitely not accept it. But Zhan Lan felt no such qualms—it was all their family’s silver after all. Smiling, Zhan Hui said, “Buy some more nourishing products. I went to see Rou’er just now. She has been frail since childhood, and had it not been for Mother and you, her chances this time would have been slim.” Zhan Lan shook her head with a bitter smile, “Big brother, you’ve just come back from the border, go rest well!” “Indeed, I am a bit tired.” Zhan Hui stretched his neck and smiled, revealing a pair of dimples. Zhan Lan stared at his dimples. For a grown man, especially a military commander, they weren’t obvious when he didn’t smile. If he showed such an enticing smile during a standoff between two armies, even if mocking the enemy, would his striking power be non-existent? Zhan Lan wondered, huh, these dimples, why do they look so familiar? Bang, bang, bang! The gates of the Zhan family’s back courtyard resounded with knocks. Xiao Tao went to open the door, and a woman in an apricot-colored dress burst in, full of energy. “Zhan Lan, I’ve obtained something wonderful from the mountain for you!” Chu Yin announced excitedly, waving the yellow talisman paper in her hand. The bright shimmer of her dimples danced at the corners of her lips. Zhan Lan’s mouth twitched slightly, right, it was Chu Yin! She also had a pair of adorable dimples. Chu Yin and big brother Zhan Hui? Could they maybe be a good match? Zhan Lan was taken aback by her own thought. She had never before considered turning her dear friend into a sister-in-law. As Zhan Lan pondered this, all of a sudden, the talisman paper Chu Yin was shaking stopped; her expression sank rapidly. Zhan Lan followed Chu Yin’s gaze and saw that Zhan Hui’s expression wasn’t looking too good either. How could she forget, these two didn’t get along! “Oh, if it isn’t Mr. Zhan of the Zhan family returning. Instead of taking care of your sister, why come over here?” Chu Yin, protective as a mother hen, shielded Zhan Lan behind her. Zhan Hui, upon seeing Chu Yin, did not show a welcoming face and replied coldly, “This is my home, and Zhan Lan is my sister. I come when I wish to come.” Chu Yin laughed in irritation, “Hehe, but after all, she is not your biological sister. There’s a distinction between men and women. Mr. Zhan, you are so concerned about your real sister. Could it be that because of your sister’s injury, you’ve come to find fault with our Zhan Lan!” Zhan Hui: “...” He was utterly speechless! Zhan Hui and Chu Yin have known each other for years and have always clashed. If Zhan Lan and Zhan Xuerou ever clashed, Zhan Hui would always choose to stand by Zhan Xuerou’s side, simply because she was physically weak. Chu Yin angrily retorted, “Is Zhan Lan supposed to be misunderstood and take it lying down just because she’s strong and tough?” Zhan Lan: “...” Zhan Hui looked at Chu Yin speechlessly. It had been two years since he’d seen her, and she had become even sharper and more articulate. She had grown taller too, looking like a young woman now. But why was she still so rash and impulsive, saying whatever came into her head when she got heated up! She lacked the demeanor that a lady of a great household should have! Zhan Hui could not stand seeing Chu Yin like this; he didn’t respond and left the backyard with a wave of his sleeve. Seeing that she’d angered Zhan Hui away, Chu Yin grabbed Zhan Lan’s hand, excitedly saying, “Your unlucky brother has finally left. Look, here’s a Spirit Talisman I got from the Lingyin Temple, I guarantee that from now on you’ll be free from disasters and difficulties!” With that, Chu Yin began to paste two glaring talisman papers on the door of Zhan Lan’s room. Zhan Lan found it amusing; Chu Yin was indeed a woman with peculiar and unique ideas. There seemed to be new tricks every day. It’s just a pity, ah, that she doesn’t get along with big brother; how great it would be if the two of them could be together! That way, both of them could avoid the tragic end they met in their past lives. But looking at the situation now, the two of them start fighting the moment they meet; there’s no chance at all! Zhan Lan took the Spirit Talismans from Chu Yin’s hand into the room and put them on the table, then, holding her hand, said, “General Zhan is returning to the residence today; I’ll come to see you another day.” “Ah, General Zhan is back! Then I’m off!” Upon hearing the name of General Zhan, Chu Yin ran off without looking back. Zhan Lan looked at her rapidly disappearing figure with a shake of her head and a sigh. She thought to herself: There’s no hope of matchmaking Chu Yin with big brother now. Chu Yin doesn’t get along with Zhan Hui and is most afraid of Zhan Beicang; she runs away on sight and also doesn’t mesh well with her future father-in-law. It seems I should quit playing the matchmaker! Zhan Lan stored the Spirit Talismans that Chu Yin had brought inside a carved redwood box. Chu Yin, that girl, truly sincere and adorable! If she were a man, I would like to spend my life with a girl like her. Xiao Tao entered and asked, “Miss, will you be attending the family banquet this evening? Old General Zhan asked if you could come.” Zhan Lan nodded, “Tell Old General I will attend.” Xiao Tao acknowledged and was about to leave when Zhan Lan called her back, casually taking out a silver note, “Xiao Tao, you’ve gotten thinner; go buy some pastries or something to eat.” Xiao Tao’s eyes fixated on the silver, but she was too embarrassed to take it. Zhan Lan said with a smile, “And also get me some mung bean cakes.” With that, Zhan Lan handed over another silver note. “Alright!” Xiao Tao cheerfully accepted the silver and then paused, asking, “Miss, if I go out, what about the madam?” “Don’t worry, I’m here,” Zhan Lan replied with a smile. Xiao Tao was a little maid, and she didn’t have much silver on a regular day. If one gave her too much silver, she would surely be afraid to accept it. She would gradually have to get used to the life of having money to spend following her Master. Reborn into this life, Zhan Lan wanted those around her to live better than in their past lives. Why should good and loyal people who followed her die undeservedly! This lifetime, definitely not! Zhan Lan placed the silver note of a thousand taels that Zhan Hui had brought into the box. After stepping through the curtain, Zhan Lan entered the room of Madam Li. She stared at Madam Li, who was lying quietly on the bed, not yet awakened. Madam Li was no longer the same as before; now she looked haggard, her face ashen, as if she had aged ten years overnight. It seems this affair had indeed dealt a heavy blow to her body. Zhan Lan surveyed the surroundings and rummaged through the room, trying to find some trace or clue about her own past identity.

Chapter 39 - 39 39 Zhan Hui and Chu Yin Confront Each Other

Comments (0)