Chapter 6: Lu Yan’s Help (Part 2)

On the way, Gu Leyou bit her lip and finally said after a long pause, “Um… thank you for helping me today. Otherwise, I would’ve been beaten again.”

“It’s nothing,” Lu Yan replied calmly, though he couldn’t help but sneak glances at her as they walked.

“And about the ten taels of betrothal money—you don’t need to take any more risks going into the mountains. This started because of me, so I’ll figure out a way to raise the money.” Gu Leyou paused and added, “I don’t know what she threatened you with back then, but whatever it was, I know it must’ve been serious. You don’t need to get dragged into this anymore.”

“You’re not dragging me into anything.” Lu Yan lowered his head slightly. “If I want to marry you, paying a betrothal gift is the proper thing to do.”

“What?” Gu Leyou was stunned. She had thought to raise the money herself just to shut Yang Shi up; she didn’t actually expect them to go through with the marriage. But judging from Lu Yan’s words… could he truly want to marry her?

To test her guess, she asked gently, “Brother Lu, do you really think we’re a good match? If you don’t want to, there’s no need to force yourself.”

Lu Yan froze for a second, then realized her concern. He answered seriously, “Miss Leyou, you don’t need to worry. As a man, I stand by my word. I won’t break off the engagement. Besides, a woman’s reputation is important—I know what I should do.”

Gu Leyou was strangely moved by his words.

The two of them walked side by side and before they knew it, they arrived at Lu Yan’s home.

Gu Leyou stepped into the yard and called out, “Xiaoyao, big sister is here to see you!”

Hearing her voice, Lu Yao ran out from the house. He looked up at her with innocent eyes and asked, “Big sister, the granny next door told me you’re going to be my mom. Is that true?”

Gu Leyou was caught off guard and didn’t know how to respond. She looked over at Lu Yan and saw him nod, silently confirming the child’s words.

Only then did she squat down, gently pat his head, and say, “Yes, before long, big sister will become your mother. Then, the three of us will be a family.”

Lu Yao was thrilled, hopping around the two of them excitedly.

Lu Yan quickly stopped him, worried about his health. “Xiaoyao, your body isn’t well. Don’t get too excited.”

Gu Leyou followed up, “Yes, Xiaoyao, be good. Come inside with big sister, let me check on you.”

Xiaoyao nodded obediently and let her lead him into the house.

Gu Leyou helped him take off his shoes and had him lie down. She checked his pulse carefully.

The reason the boy was weak was due to poisoning—it had only been temporarily suppressed. Such a sweet child… she knew she had to find a way to heal him.

Lu Yan came into the room with a cup of water. When he saw her checking the boy’s pulse, he placed the cup on the table and asked, “Miss Gu, do you know medicine?”

Gu Leyou realized she couldn’t hide it anymore and admitted, “A little. A few years ago, I met an old doctor and learned some basics from him. I can treat minor illnesses.”

She didn’t want to reveal too much, so she told a half-truth.

Lu Yan nodded and simply reminded her, “Remember to drink some water,” then left the room and sat outside in the courtyard.

After checking Lu Yao’s pulse, Gu Leyou helped him up, put his shoes back on, and took him outside to play.

Lu Yao squatted in the courtyard, playing with pebbles. Gu Leyou walked over to Lu Yan and spoke shyly, “Brother Lu, can I ask you for a favor?”

Lu Yan immediately stood up and replied earnestly, “Miss Gu, say whatever you like. If it’s something I can do, I will.”

“No need to be so formal. I just want to ask you to keep my medical skills a secret. Please don’t let anyone know I can treat illnesses. People probably wouldn’t believe a girl like me could anyway.”

“Alright, I promise. I won’t tell a soul,” Lu Yan replied without hesitation.

Remembering how she declined his last dinner invitation, he tried again. “Miss Gu, last time I invited you for a meal, you didn’t have time. Since you came all this way to see Xiaoyao, why not stay and have a simple meal with us?”

He looked at her expectantly.

Gu Leyou appreciated the offer but thought about how her family would worry if she stayed too long—especially with all the gossip after she fell into the water. She didn’t want to give anyone more reason to talk.

“Brother Lu, I appreciate your kindness, but it’s almost noon and I should go back. Otherwise, my family will be worried.”

Lu Yan understood and didn’t press her. He walked her to the gate and watched her leave.

But not long after she left, the village gossip started again and quickly spread.

“That Gu girl has no shame. She already got her engagement broken off, yet she’s still running to that man’s house.”

“Exactly! She’s ruined. What kind of upbringing does the Gu family have, raising a girl like that? No shame at all.”

…

These malicious words quickly reached Gu Leyou’s parents.

Just as she stepped into the yard, she sensed the tense atmosphere.

Gu Leshu ran up to her and whispered, “Sis, you went to Uncle’s house to get money. Why are you only back now? They said you went to Brother Lu’s house again. What were you doing there?”

“I almost got into trouble asking for money at Uncle’s place. Luckily, your Brother Lu stepped in and helped. Then I said I’d like to check on his son, and he agreed, so I went with him,” Gu Leyou replied honestly.

Hearing her daughter’s voice, Lin Shi came out of the house. Before her daughter returned, she and her husband had already argued after hearing the village gossip again.

Soon after, Gu Hai Xiong came out too, face dark. He had always treated his children well, but the endless rumors were testing his patience as a man.

“You’re back. Come inside. Your mother and I have something to say to you.”

Gu Hai Xiong turned and went back inside with his hands behind his back.

Gu Leyou could sense the tension as soon as she stepped through the gate. That’s why her brother had asked her those questions.

But she hadn’t done anything wrong, so she had no reason to be afraid.

She followed her brother inside confidently.

She sat down in front of her father. Her mother Lin Shi followed and also sat down, preparing for a serious talk with their daughter.