In the evening, when the two of them went to sleep, Xu Qi lay obediently by Ye Lan’s side, not doing anything else. They had just met, and she wanted to wait a while before doing anything more intimate, as it would seem too casual otherwise.

However, Ye Lan nervously clutched the middle garment given to him by his mistress.

Last night, she hadn’t touched him because of his injuries, but tonight she should…

Ye Lan thought anxiously, but the one who caused him to imagine such things wrapped him up with a blanket and said, “You’re weak, don’t catch a cold.”

“M-mistress…”

He weakly spoke up.

“Hmm?”

Xu Qi responded and then gently stroked his back, making sure he wasn’t cold before placing her hand around his waist and hugging him tightly.

“It’s nothing.”

Ye Lan nestled his head into Xu Qi’s chest. “Will mistress still wake up at this time tomorrow?”

He was referring to the time Xu Qi woke up this morning.

“Yes, we need to get up early to earn some money.”

Although she had plans to improve their living conditions, she wasn’t in a hurry before. Now things were different; she couldn’t bear to let Ah Lan live in such a place.

“I understand.”

“What do you understand now?”

Xu Qi reached out from under the covers to touch Ye Lan’s ear, somehow knowing what he wanted to say.

“Don’t get up early tomorrow, okay?”

Ye Lan lifted his head from Xu Qi’s embrace, his watery eyes looking at her. “I need to prepare breakfast for Mistress to save her the trouble.”

That’s what he really thought. He wanted to wake up early to make it easier for his mistress.

“There’s no need for that; I can do it myself. You don’t need to work outside, just get some more rest.”

Ye Lan crawled out of Xu Qi’s embrace and knelt on the bed.

“I’ve already slept for a long time.”

Xu Qi looked at Ye Lan, noticing his loose clothes revealing his fair skin. She felt a strange sensation in her heart, somewhat odd and indescribable.

It might be because he was too thin, and his clothes didn’t fit properly.

She decided to let him rest for a few more days until his injury healed and then take him to the town to buy some fitting clothes.

Xu Qi didn’t let Ye Lan help; she went outside to cook.

Naturally, she wouldn’t let Ye Lan do anything, especially since he was still injured; she wasn’t that heartless.

When she saw the basket of fruits outside, she rinsed them with water and brought them back to Ye Lan.

“These were brought by Uncle Man yesterday. You can eat them when you’re bored at home.”

There wasn’t much to do to pass the time in ancient times. Xu Qi had been bored to death when she was alone here before, but fortunately, Ye Lan came in time, so she wasn’t alone anymore.

“Yeah, I know.”

Ye Lan took the basket carefully and placed it on the small stool by the bed.

With breakfast still being porridge, Xu Qi casually cooked it and added some side dishes.

It felt different for the two of them to sit together for breakfast for the first time.

Xu Qi looked up and saw Ye Lan sitting opposite her, and she called out to him.

“Why sit so far away? There’s a seat next to me.”

She wasn’t the type to sit close to people, but for some reason, with Ye Lan, she couldn’t help but want him to sit next to her, touching each other, which would bring her some pleasure.

Ye Lan hesitated for a moment, his face turning red again. He was still used to obeying, so he moved to sit next to Xu Qi.

“Mistress.”

His soft call was filled with a hint of tenderness and a touch of a 28-year-old’s charm.

“Yeah, eat.”

Ye Lan only dared to start eating after Xu Qi had eaten first. He was still a bit reserved since he had just arrived here.

After breakfast, Xu Qi brewed Ye Lan’s medicine and instructed him to wait until the fire was out before drinking it. Then she cleaned up and went out to set up her stall.

Today was market day, and many people from the village would go to the town to sell their goods.

Xu Qi met some of them on the way and exchanged greetings before continuing on her way.