Chapter 139: He Was the One Who Gave Me the Candied Hawthorn

As Bai Yan finished her sentence, Jiang Yuan, who was blocking her path, was left stunned: "???"
I am just blocking your way, and you are going to insult me like that?
Seeing the skepticism in Jiang Yuan’s eyes, Bai Yan hurriedly reached out to grab Jiang Chengyan’s hand. "Husband, I’m right, aren't I?"
Jiang Chengyan took her hand in his and nodded.
"See? It's true," Bai Yan said with a look of earnest sincerity.
Jiang Yuan had been away from home for a while now, and this was the first time she had heard such news. Since running away, she had deliberately blocked out all information from home, so hearing Bai Yan claim that Madam Qian was dead left her momentarily dazed.
"Good puppies don't block the road; we need to get going." Seeing that Jiang Yuan was still standing in their way, Bai Yan turned to Jiang Chengyan. Without a word, he scooped her up into his arms as if she were a child.
"Aren't you going to introduce us?" Before Jiang Yuan could process the fact that Bai Yan had just called her a puppy, the young man in black standing beside her spoke up. He wore a crooked, wicked grin, his gaze darting between Jiang Chengyan and the little girl in his arms.
At the sound of his voice, Jiang Yuan completely forgot about being insulted. Her rather plain face blossomed with joy. She leaned affectionately against the tall youth in black and pointed dismissively at Jiang Chengyan and Bai Yan. "These are my cousin and his wife from my uncle's family."
"The wife is a bit touched in the head," Jiang Yuan added as an afterthought.
The words slipped out before she could stop them. For some reason, the moment she saw Bai Yan’s delicate, exquisite face, a surge of uncontrollable bitterness welled up in her heart.
The youth in black smiled but said nothing.
Jiang Yuan shot one last glare at Bai Yan before hurrying off after the youth.
Jiang Chengyan continued to carry Bai Yan as if she were his daughter. Only after the two figures had vanished into the crowd did he tighten his grip on the girl’s slender waist and ask, "Little darling, you’ve met that man before, haven't you?"
Bai Yan nodded, making no effort to hide it. "He’s the one who gave me the candied hawthorn."
It was strange, though; he hadn't greeted her today. She wasn't sure if he hadn't recognized her or if he simply didn't want to acknowledge her, especially since she had quietly slipped away through the other exit of the cave that day.
Jiang Chengyan asked no further questions and carried her out of the shop.
...
Jiang Yuan had been living in hiding for quite some time, and had it not been for catching the eye of the young master of the Shen family, she never would have been living this life of luxury.
However, after Bai Yan told her that Madam Qian was dead, she made up her mind to return home.
Madam Qian had her own secrets; she had hidden a stash of private money in the house, something even Jiang You didn't know about. Jiang Yuan had discovered it by accident. She was strapped for cash now, as the young master of the Shen family provided her with food and clothing but never gave her any silver. With no other choice, she had to make this trip.
She pushed the door open quietly. Seeing no movement in the courtyard, she assumed the house was empty. Just as she was about to head toward the rooms, a chilling, sharp, and indescribable voice rang out from the side chamber.
"Yuan'er, there is a way for you to achieve great fame right now. Do you want to hear it?"
The voice made goosebumps rise all over Jiang Yuan’s skin. Before she could react, the door opened, and Jiang You stepped out, his complexion deathly pale.
"What kind of great fame?" Jiang Yuan asked instinctively.
"A fame that will send you soaring to the clouds, placing you above the masses," Jiang You said, his eyes narrowed, his voice filled with an unsettling certainty.