When they returned to the stream, Song Huaizhi simply treated Li Yun's ankle. Then he asked, "I'll send someone to take you back now."
"Thank you, Young Master Song," Li Yun said. After applying the medicine, his ankle hurt badly, and his face was covered in sweat. He tried his best to say to Song Huaizhi, "I really disturbed you today."
"No need to mention it," Song Huaizhi replied. In a good mood, he regained his initial amiable manner towards Li Yun. He said gently, "If you're still worried after you get back, you can come to the Meng Mansion to find me."
Go to the Meng Mansion to find Song Huaizhi?
Li Yun didn't think his minor injury was worth bothering Song Huaizhi any further. So he was about to decline, thinking about how to repay this favor.
The next moment, Li Yun looked up at Song Huaizhi and caught a glimpse of the hidden meaning in his eyes. Only then did he realize that this sentence didn't mean what he thought.
Song Huaizhi didn't just want to treat his injury. This sentence was just an opportunity for him to meet Song Huaizhi.
Li Yun caught his breath, and a hint of disbelief welled up in his heart.
Although Song Huaizhi didn't study in the local private school, according to the teachers there, he was a disciple of Master Lin. Master Lin was a great scholar from the capital and was regarded as a legendary figure by all the students. It was incredible that such an unattainable person was Song Huaizhi's teacher, and Song Huaizhi was just a cousin of a wealthy merchant, not a noble.
It was obvious that he must be extremely intelligent and talented to be accepted as a disciple by Master Lin.
Now that this person wanted to make his acquaintance, it was like a chance that fell from the sky.
So Li Yun suppressed his deep excitement and nodded heavily at Song Huaizhi. He said, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Song. I'll definitely visit you in a few days. I hope you won't find me annoying."
Song Huaizhi nodded slightly.
Gu Ling couldn't understand why the two people in front of him were getting along so well. He was greatly shocked. Why! Song Huaizhi had always been so cold to him, but he was so gentle to this Li Yun whom he had just met for the first time?
Why!
Gu Ling gritted his teeth and said to his servant, "Go and see Young Master Li off. There's no need to trouble Brother Song."
He emphasized the words "Brother Song" so much that they seemed to pop out from between his teeth. As he spoke, he stared fixedly at Li Yun with a provocative look in his eyes.
Li Yun squinted slightly due to the pain. He hadn't slept for a long time and had been waiting for passers - by. He was now exhausted. After dealing with Song Huaizhi just now, his mind was in a daze.
Hearing someone offer to help him again, Li Yun just looked up at him and said gently with a smile, "Thank you, Young Master Gu."
After saying that, his eyes were blank, and he looked so sleepy that he seemed about to fall the next second.
Gu Ling thought to himself: Forget it. Why should I be bothered with such a person? Considering how miserable he is, I won't argue with him.
"It's a small matter," Gu Ling said and waved his hand, hinting to his two attendants to take the person away quickly.
Just before Li Yun left, just as he was about to be carried out of their sight, he subconsciously looked back.
Zhang Yunyun was standing there silently in deep thought. When he looked back, she seemed not to notice at first, and their eyes met.
Actually, Li Yun could hardly see Zhang Yunyun's face clearly. He could only be sure that her face was facing him, but he couldn't tell where her eyes were fixed.
But somehow, Li Yun was certain that Zhang Yunyun was looking at him.
He hoped to see her again next time. By then, he mustn't be so embarrassed and must thank Zhang Yunyun properly for saving his life.
Thinking like this, Li Yun's mind was in a mess. Finally, without knowing when, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
...
After that, Zhang Yunyun was in a daze for a while and fell silent looking at the stream.
Meng Ruyi had been chatting with Song Huaizhi casually. Seeing this, she said something to Song Huaizhi and then walked over to Zhang Yunyun.
"What's wrong?" Meng Ruyi saw the expression on Zhang Yunyun's face and suddenly burst out laughing. She said to her, "I just heard something about Young Master Li."
Zhang Yunyun's ears twitched, but she didn't turn around.
Seeing her ears turn slightly red, Meng Ruyi laughed inwardly but still pretended not to notice on the surface.
She leaned closer, right next to Zhang Yunyun's ear, and looked around warily.
Gu Ling was rolling up his sleeves and planning to go into the water to catch fish. Song Huaizhi was also getting ready to go into the water. When he saw Meng Ruyi looking at him, he nodded slightly.
The servants nearby were not very close. They were preparing to start a fire at the moment.
It was quite quiet all around. The only sounds were the gurgling of the stream and the occasional chirping of unknown birds. Zhang Yunyun had been in a restless mood before. Now, with Meng Ruyi's actions, she really felt uncomfortable and subconsciously looked around.
"Pfft," Meng Ruyi finally burst out laughing when she saw that Zhang Yunyun couldn't maintain her calm. With her eyes bent, she looked like a little fox that had achieved its goal.
"Do you want to know?"
Meng Ruyi dragged out the last word for a long time. With a mischievous smile on her face, she rubbed Zhang Yunyun's red ears. Seeing Zhang Yunyun glare at her angrily and turn her head away, she then slowly continued.
"Okay, I won't tease you anymore."
Zhang Yunyun crossed her arms, and her right thumb kept rubbing the palm of her left hand again and again. She could hear her own heartbeat.
"Li Yun's family is poor, but according to Little Brother Song, he is quite talented."
"Really?" Zhang Yunyun couldn't help but turn to look at Meng Ruyi. Her face was full of surprise as she confirmed again, "Song Huaizhi said so himself?"
"Of course," Meng Ruyi sighed when she saw the expression on Zhang Yunyun's face. "It's really rare. If Little Brother Song says someone is good, that person must be really outstanding."
Song Huaizhi's praise was even rarer than that of Master Lin.
Zhang Yunyun didn't say anything, but she agreed with Meng Ruyi in her heart.
This was really rare. As Zhang Yunyun thought about it, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on her face, and a hint of unconsciously joyful expression flashed in the corners of her eyes.
"What about the others?"
Zhang Yunyun couldn't help but ask, looking at Meng Ruyi.
"He will be able to take the imperial examination this year or next year. It seems that he was in mourning in the past few years, but I don't know who passed away. It should be his father," Meng Ruyi said. After thinking for a while, she added uncertainly.
"Little Brother Song only told me a part of it. I didn't think it was appropriate to ask further. But it seems that he will come to visit Little Brother Song in a few days. So you don't have to worry. You can come and stay at my place for a few days after you go back."
Zhang Yunyun thought: ... I'm so tempted! But isn't this a bit too forward!
"Will it be..."
Zhang Yunyun hesitated. As she spoke, her ten fingers were almost tangled together. The hesitant look on her face made Meng Ruyi want to laugh.
"No, no," Meng Ruyi immediately interrupted her. "You're my mother's adopted daughter and my elder sister. So just think of it as going home."