When he saw the large red lanterns at the Yan residence entrance, Fu Shen finally came to his senses, feeling that Yan Xiaohan might have been a flower picker before joining the Flying Dragon Guards—General Fu probably never expected that after being iron-willed for so many years, he would surrender so smoothly, without even stammering.
Several rooms were connected, forming a spacious large room. The room was empty, with no furnishings, only a large jade-built bathing pool in the center of the floor. By candlelight and rippling water, the carved lotus and lifelike swimming fish at the bottom could be faintly seen.
“This…”
Yan Xiaohan pushed Fu Shen closer and explained: “Your leg is inconvenient for a bathtub, and it’s easy to fall without support, so I had people modify this pool. Do you… like it?”
Fu Shen was stunned by one “surprise” after another. Before he could fully understand the meaning of this pool, Yan Xiaohan walked behind him, knelt down to be at eye level, placed his hand on Fu Shen’s knee, and seriously said: “Jing Yuan, I’ve repaired the courtyard, planted the wutong trees, and now… I’m just waiting for the phoenix to arrive.”
The “phoenix” who not only didn’t come but wanted to fly elsewhere: “…”
He suddenly wanted to ask Yan Xiaohan if he knew what “Ye Gong loves dragons” meant.
What made him so sure that he was the phoenix Yan Xiaohan wanted?
“But the smoothed steps, the large pool, and the sincerity in his eyes were all genuine.
“This won’t do, Brother Yan,” Fu Shen suddenly leaned forward, touching Yan Xiaohan’s forehead with his cool, dry fingertips, smiling: “To attract a phoenix, you must sing ‘Phoenix Seeking Phoenix’.”
Yan Xiaohan raised one eyebrow, meeting his gaze thoughtfully, clearly meaning: You seem experienced. Then you sing.
Fu Shen laughed.
They were separated by only a thin layer, yet both tacitly stopped. The delicate balance could only be precisely grasped by those within it – perhaps the feelings had not yet reached deep enough to be smooth and natural, or perhaps these two had extraordinary patience, wanting to find the true answer through countless confrontations and probes.
