Strangely enough, seeing Lu Xunguang's already not-so-good complexion instantly turn as dark as the bottom of a pot, Li Ying suddenly felt a bit guilty for no reason.
"Brother Lu, why are you here?"
Lu Xunguang was holding a hammer and a saw in his hands. His sharp gaze was firmly fixed on the arms of her and A Man that were tightly pressed together.
It was a long while before he finally managed to look away reluctantly. Looking dejected, he said, "It seems that Miss Li has already found her Mr. Right. It was I who was being presumptuous. Please forgive my rudeness."
Before Li Ying could come to her senses, he cast his cold and stern gaze on A Man again, sizing him/her up and down in a scrutinizing manner.
The Kunlun slaves were generally good-looking, with more profound facial features than ordinary people. Compared with others, A Man was even more delicate and dainty, lacking the usual simplicity and sturdiness.
He glanced at his own calloused hands and then at his sun - tanned skin. Unconsciously, a sense of inferiority welled up in his heart.
No wonder Miss Li liked "him".
Lu Xunguang forcibly suppressed the dull pain in his heart. Frowning, he said to A Man, "Come with me."
A Man was confused and looked a bit timid. But seeing that although Lu Xunguang looked fierce, he didn't seem like a really evil person. After hesitating for a moment, she still obediently followed him.
Li Ying had to leave first. From afar, she saw Granny Sun standing at the door looking worried. Only when she saw Li Ying coming back did she finally heave a sigh of relief.
"A Ying, you're finally back. Little Lu came here with a dark face just now. Without saying a word, he repaired our wood - shed and then left..."
"I thought he looked really strange. A Ying, have something... happened between you two recently?"
Granny Sun asked cautiously. Seeing only Li Ying, she was curious and asked further, "Hey? Where's A Man?"
Li Ying pushed open the door of the wood - shed. Only when she saw a simple wooden bed piled up in the corner did she finally come to her senses.
No wonder Lu Xunguang was so wary of A Man!
He clearly regarded A Man as a man.
That's why he thought it inappropriate for them, a young man and a young woman, to be living in the same room.
That's why he came with a dark face to repair the wood - shed for this "man" A Man to live in and avoid suspicion.
That's why his expression changed drastically when he saw A Man holding Li Ying's arm.
Li Ying recalled the meaningful look Lu Xunguang gave A Man before leaving. She secretly thought it was bad!
Without bothering to explain to Granny Sun, she hurriedly chased in the direction where the two had just left.
A Man was sweating profusely and holding a huge bamboo - woven rolling lantern in her hand, carefully fiddling with it.
Lu Xunguang had a straight face and snorted impatiently, "Raise your wrists higher and be more dexterous. The essence of this rolling lantern lies in the perfect combination of the lantern dancer and the rolling lantern. When the wick lights the candle, it will be as vivid as a night - pearl when dancing. If you're as stiff as you are now, it's like a dull dragon playing with a stupid pearl. There won't be any good luck!"
The rolling lantern was almost as tall as a person. Master Li the bamboo - craftsman had made it very light according to Lu Xunguang's instructions. But after all, A Man was a girl. It was inconvenient for her to move around. She was so tired that she couldn't lift her hands. She casually tucked the wet hair in front of her forehead behind her ears, and the ash on her face was also washed away a lot by the sweat.
"Don't act coquettishly in front of me! Although I don't like your way of doing things, since Miss Li and you are in love, you should be a real man and stand upright between heaven and earth! If you can't even dance this small rolling lantern well to celebrate her night - market opening today, how are you going to protect her from being bullied by others in the future? Get up and continue practicing!"
A Man was confused, but she understood the four words "being in love". She couldn't help but look up at him in surprise.
"You... want to marry Sister."
Her pronunciation was a bit awkward, but her tone was extremely certain. Lu Xunguang didn't expect that "he" would expose his thoughts with just one sentence. He simply stopped hiding and frowned, saying straightforwardly, "Yes. I set my heart on the bright moon, but the bright moon shines on the ditch instead. Since Miss Li has given her heart to you, you should honestly learn my skills to protect her. Otherwise..."
He didn't want to say more. He glanced at A Man, and his hand that was reaching for the rolling lantern froze in mid - air.
This A Man had red lips and white teeth, and a pair of cat - like bright eyes that were full of charm. Clearly, she was a woman!
A Man frowned and said, "You like Sister, but you're not willing to say it. Instead, you're making things difficult for me. How can she know?"
"Sister is enthusiastic and straightforward. Since you like her, you should openly declare your feelings to her. Why are you finding fault with me!"
Lu Xunguang felt his earlobes burning hot.
Yes, he was really ridiculous!
A Man's disguise as a man was not very skillful. But unfortunately, because he cared too much, he not only failed to notice anything strange, but also really got jealous for nothing!
Declare his feelings to her... It was easy to say, but what if Miss Li disliked him... Wouldn't they become strangers and not even be able to exchange greetings?
For the first time in his life, Lu Xunguang felt a bit flustered. He evaded the topic and said, "Miss Li's night - market is opening. The performance of dancing with the rolling lantern and the dragon is still necessary. Don't be lazy. Just keep practicing!"
He casually grabbed the rolling lantern from A Man's hand and kicked it into the air like a football. The candle flame flickered, like the bright moon, revealing Li Ying's surprised face.
A Man seemed to have seen a savior. She hurriedly ran behind Li Ying and hugged her arm tightly.
"Sister!"
She stared at her big eyes aggrievedly, looking like the little sick cat Maomao who had been bullied, which made Li Ying can't help but burst into laughter.
"Alright, alright. It's all a misunderstanding. Go back first."
A Man turned around and ran. After walking a few steps, she seemed to remember something. She turned back, picked up the rolling lantern reluctantly, and then really left.
Only Li Ying and Lu Xunguang were left on the beach. The sea breeze was moist, and the sky was clear. But the atmosphere was a bit indescribably delicate.
"Um... A Man is a foreign girl. I guess she might have disguised herself as a Kunlun slave because she was good - looking and knew the official language of the Central Plains. She didn't want to be kept as a concubine, so she was bought by me by accident."
She tried to explain. Lu Xunguang hung his head, and his facial expression couldn't be seen. Only his two red earlobes were visible.
"It was I who was being presumptuous. Please don't take it to heart, Miss Li..."
He mumbled in a low voice, wishing he could bury his head in the ground.
His embarrassed and shy look was really cute. A fleeting palpitation quickly swept across Li Ying's heart. She hadn't fully realized it yet, but seeing this man's ears were so red that it seemed they were about to bleed, she really couldn't bear to tease him. So she simply changed the topic considerately.
"Did you ask Master Li the bamboo - craftsman to make that rolling lantern?"
Li Ying had heard of the craftsmanship of this rolling lantern. The bamboo ball could rotate and bounce. No matter how the position changed, the candle flame in the middle would never go out or catch fire. It was really ingenious.
"I originally planned to arrange for that kid..."
As soon as the word "kid" came out of his mouth, Lu Xunguang's face stiffened, and he swallowed it back forcefully.
"I originally wanted A Man to dance with the lantern for you to add to the fun and bring good luck. But I didn't expect..."
Li Ying was deeply touched. She bowed gracefully to him and smiled faintly.
"Brother Lu, I'm really touched by your good intentions. I don't know how to repay you. On the opening day of the night - market, please come and have fun. I'll do my best as a host."
Lu Xunguang nodded seriously and promised, "As long as Miss Li doesn't mind, I'll surely come to support you!"
Li Ying smiled sweetly, "Don't keep calling me Miss Li. It sounds so formal! Brother Lu, you can just call me A Ying from now on!"
Lu Xunguang's eyes darkened for a moment. Then, in his pitch - black pupils, thousands of stars suddenly lit up.