Chapter 426: Chapter 401, Men Do Not Stay When They Grow Up – 2
Yan Wenkai laughed and strode toward Daohua, wanting to reach out and take the glass lantern from her hands.
Daohua quickly dodged, looking at him with a wary face, “Fourth Brother, what are you trying to do?”
Among her brothers, her Fourth Brother was always the most strapped for cash.
There was no helping it, he was an extrovert who loved making friends, and spent his monthly allowance within a few days of receiving it.
Yan Wenkai gave a sheepish smile, then ingratiatingly said, “Big Sister, you have so many glass lanterns, give one to your brother.” Saying this, he reached out toward Daohua again.
Daohua dodged again, “What do you want a glass lantern for?”
Yan Wenkai, “Isn’t that obvious? Of course, for illumination. These glass lanterns are both lightweight and convenient, perfect for girls with a gentle touch.”
Daohua immediately caught the key point, “Girl? Which girl, from which family?”
Yan Wenkai urged in a hushed tone, “Quiet down, don’t let others hear.”
Daohua ignored him and continued to press, “Fourth Brother, have you taken a liking to a girl?”
Yan Wenkai’s face showed a rare hint of embarrassment, “Don’t talk nonsense, it’s Sister Su. Didn’t I take her for a long walk around the lake on Mid-Autumn Festival? She might have been exposed to pollen; she started breaking out in spots when she got home and it took over half a month of medicine before she recovered fully.”
“You see, shouldn’t I send something over to express my apologies?”
Why else would he linger here if not to seek a suggestion from his Big Sister?
Upon seeing the glass lanterns in his Big Sister’s hands, he thought sending one to Sister Su would certainly make her happy.
Daohua showed surprise, “That happened? Sister Su too, she didn’t even tell me by letter, so I could have sent her some ointment.”
Yan Wenkai, “Sister Su didn’t want to worry you.” As he spoke, he reached for the glass lantern in Daohua’s hands again, but seeing her dodge once more, he muttered discontentedly, “Big Sister, don’t be so stingy. Manman still has five lanterns in her hands, what’s wrong with giving me one?”
Daohua rolled her eyes, “Where did you pick up this bad habit, Fourth Brother? If you want to give Sister Su a gift, go buy it yourself. What’s the deal with taking mine?”
With that, she took the lantern into the room and placed it by the bedside herself.
Yan Wenkai followed her in, rubbing his hands and pleading, “Good Sister, you know your Fourth Brother is a bit tight on money, and what’s sold on the street just isn’t presentable.”
Daohua, “Fourth Brother, haven’t you heard the saying? The gift is trifling, but the sentiment is deep.”
Yan Wenkai, “…but, but Sister Su’s grace and looks, only fine things are worthy of her.”
Daohua smiled, “Fourth Brother, you think Sister Su is not bad too, huh?”
Yan Wenkai immediately replied, “Of course.”
Daohua smiled as she looked at her Fourth Brother, who was acting proud for some reason, and didn’t say anything further, turning her gaze to Wang Manman.
Wang Manman smiled and handed out a glass lantern.
Upon seeing this, Yan Wenkai’s face lit up with joy as he took it, admiring it fondly, “Big Sister, you’re busy, I’ll get going first.”
Watching Yan Wenkai quickly depart, Daohua pursed her lips, “Just like that and Fourth Brother is already turning his elbow out, really, men will not stay at home once they grow up.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Manman burst into a giggle.
Daohua: “Put away the remaining four lanterns. Give two of them to Yunxi and Yunyan when they leave; one for Yuanyao, and one for Jingwan.”
“Yes!”
Just as Wang Manman was placing the glazed lantern into the storeroom, Yan Wentao arrived.
Seeing his third brother’s uncomfortable expression, Daohua sat up straight: “Third Brother, is something the matter?”
Yan Wentao nodded, “Daohua, I just saw Wenkai with a glazed lantern, he said it was from you.”
Daohua nodded, “It was from me.”
Yan Wentao’s eyes dodged, and his hands continually fidgeted.
Seeing him like this, Daohua tentatively asked, “Third Brother, do you also want a lantern?”
Yan Wentao immediately nodded, “Yes.” After saying this, he paused, somewhat embarrassed, “Daohua, do you have any extra?”
Daohua: “Of course, I do, there must be. Even if I didn’t have any, Third Brother, I would find a way to get one for you.” As she spoke, she gestured for Wang Manman to fetch a glazed lantern.
Soon, as Wang Manman walked over carrying the glazed lantern, Yan Wentao’s face broke into a smile. Just as he reached out to take it, Daohua snatched it first.
Daohua looked at Yan Wentao and blinked, teasingly said, “I can give the lantern to Third Brother, but… Third Brother, you have to tell me, which girl are you planning to give this glazed lantern to?”
Yan Wentao’s face turned red and he stammered, unable to speak.
Seeing him like this, Daohua couldn’t help but feel delighted and probed further, “Do I know her?”
Yan Wentao hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Daohua had a guess in mind, but did not ask further, smilingly handing over the lantern to him: “Since you don’t want to say, Third Brother, then let’s leave it at that.”
Yan Wentao, holding the glazed lantern, looked at Daohua, “When I can tell, I’ll definitely tell you first.”
Daohua nodded with a smile, “Alright, I’ll be waiting.”
Watching Yan Wentao leave with the glazed lantern, full of joy, Wang Manman chuckled, “I wonder if the eldest master will also come to ask Miss for a lantern later?”
Daohua shook her head, “Eldest brother is most particular about rules, he would never do such a thing. Besides, he doesn’t have someone to give it to.”
However, Daohua was quickly proven wrong.
Seeing Yan Wenxiu appear in her courtyard, Daohua was genuinely surprised, “Eldest Brother, do you want a glazed lantern, too?”
Yan Wenxiu looked somewhat uncomfortable but usually kept a straight face, so it was hard to tell, “I was able to pass the examination thanks to Confucius’ meticulous guidance at the Academy. I am planning to visit him in the next couple of days, and since I was hesitant about what gift to bring, when I saw the glazed lantern in Wenkai’s hand, I thought…”
Daohua immediately cut in, “Understood!” Turning to Wang Manman, “Manman, quickly go get the glazed lantern.”
As Wang Manman turned to leave, Daohua asked, “Eldest Brother, is one enough?”
Yan Wenxiu’s mouth twitched; in the entire household, only his youngest sister would be so generous, “One is enough, just one.”
Daohua nodded with a smile, her mind, however, began to ponder.
Giving Confucius a glazed lantern? That felt a bit odd.