Wuyi Hutong is an old hutong in Hezhou City, which has been around for a long time. The Xu family lives here.

Four years ago, the Xu family was not yet known as the Xu family. It was called Jinjia Hall, the residence of Xu Hang's uncle, Jin Hongchang. After his uncle's family passed away, Jinjia Hall changed hands and is now named "Jin Yan Hall".

After returning to his residence, Xu Hang instructed the maidservant to prepare a hot water bath infused with lemongrass and magnolia blossoms. Just as he had finished bathing and settled himself on the bed, the door was forcefully kicked open, and a resounding voice entered the room.

As soon as Duan Yelin walked through the door, he took off his military cap, pulled off his cloak and placed it on the chair. Then, he unbuttoned one button after another, casting his gaze towards Xu Hang.

Xu Hang was only wearing a white silk pajama, slightly unbuttoned at the chest, revealing down to the collarbone. He held a book of Yuan dynasty lyrics in his hand, and with his head lowered, he was immersed in reading. His hair was slightly damp, with a few droplets dripping onto his shoulder, causing his wet clothes to turn transparent. He gently raised his head, and his emotionless gaze turned towards Duan Yelin, making Duan Yelin feel a tickle in his throat.

He went up and snatched away Xu Hang's book, throwing it to the ground. Turning around, he immediately jumped onto the bed, intending to press Xu Hang down, but he was resisted and pushed away by Xu Hang's struggles.

Xu Hang picked up the book, his voice cold and indifferent, saying, "Don't mistreat my book."

Duan Yelin straightened up and reached out to touch his slightly damp hair. "When I told you to go back, I meant for you to wait for me at Xiaotongguan. Did you purposely pretend not to understand?"

Xu Hang ignored him and put the book away, inserting a bookmark before placing it in the bedside drawer. After observing him for a while, Duan Yelin understood something: "What kind of temper are you throwing again? Did you get irritated about today's incident in the pharmacy?"

"I told you not to bring your troops to my medicine shop. It's disturbing."

Hearing this, Duan Yelin wanted to laugh. He has always had a peculiar temper. Ever since Duan Yelin got to know him, he has never shown a good face to anyone dressed in military uniform. The first time Duan Yelin led his troops to the pharmacy, Xu Hang's face was stern for several days.

"So you hate being in the military so much, then you'll just have to endure it..." Duan Yelin approached Xu Hang and felt Xu Hang's body stiffen for a moment. He grabbed him and pressed him against the pillow, slipping his hand inside his collar and freely caressing his chest. He sighed softly, saying, "I'm the boss of all the soldiers here. From now on, don't bother showing me this useless anger. You're the one who will suffer."

After saying that, he put down the silver bed curtain hook and did what he had been wanting to do since he started at the pharmacy.

The bed began to creak reluctantly, emitting muffled and chaotic noises as the canopy swayed up and down in an irregular rhythm.

He probably just wanted to bully someone, until the sound of the night watchman's drums faded away. Xu Hang tightly grasped the edge of the bed, his knuckles turned white, and then suddenly lost strength, slumping down in resignation.

When the alarm clock rang, Duan Yelin finally got up. It was now early spring, and Qingming Festival was approaching quickly. The mornings were still quite chilly.

Qiao Song arrived at Xiaotongguan and did not receive any instructions from the Commander. He went straight to Jinyantang. When he saw Duan Yelin, he saluted and said, "Commander, the son of the Chief of the Military Intelligence Bureau should be reporting here today with a transfer order. Would you like to meet him?"

Duan Yelin took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, blowing out a smoke ring. He said, "I really can't stand these princelings, with no real abilities and all they do is dress like gentlemen while behaving like animals. They're all a bunch of wimps, causing trouble wherever they go. Let them go work as clerks or assistants, but don't come and bother me unless it's necessary."

"Yes."

After glancing at the car window, I noticed that there were already some small vendors on the road selling Qingming treats made from newly sprouted mugwort. They looked very lush and green.

At this moment, Qiao Song stopped the car and bought a few Qingming pastries to hand over to Duan Yelín, saying, "Commander, try these fresh pastries."

Duan Yelin took a bite, and it tasted fragrant and sweet. Suddenly, he thought of something and said, "Qiao Song, Qingming is just a few days away, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it will be in another eight days," he said.

"Duan Yelin suddenly recalled the scene of the first time he saw Xu Hang and exclaimed, 'Wow, he has grown so fast. It has been four years since then, and at that time, he only reached my chest. Now, he has even surpassed my shoulders.'"

Qiao Song understood that he was referring to Xu Hang, so he dared not interrupt for the time being. After thinking for a moment, he said, "How about this, I'll also buy some fruits for Young Master Xu, and you can bring them to him to taste?"

"He doesn't eat it, I've sent it before, but even the tray with the fruits was thrown out, I really don't know what's wrong with him!" Duan Yelin remembered this incident very strongly. Even when Duan Yelin was tossing and turning on the bed, he bit his lips tightly, intentionally not letting Duan Yelin know the reason, making him displeased.

As they spoke, the car had already arrived at the concession area. Duan Yelin adjusted his hat and regained his former sharpness, saying, "Let's go and enlighten those foreigners about the customs of Hezhou City!"

In the Jin Yan Hall, Xu Hang actually woke up a little earlier than Duan Yelin, he just didn't want to get up.

Over the years, it has been like this. He didn't want to wake up the next morning and face Duan Yelin face to face. This sense of shame is actually a stubbornness of no value. However, Xu Hang relies on this stubbornness, like a small kerosene lamp, to resist the darkness of the night.

Duan Yelin may not be unaware of his intentions, but he chooses to remain silent rather than expose them, as if it were a small favor to him.

Get up and get ready, the maid Qiaoguan has just brought in a bowl of wormwood and white fruit congee. Just then, a servant from outside hurriedly ran in and shouted, "Master, there's chaos at the medicine shop! Please go take a look!"

Xu Hang put down the spoon he had just picked up, narrowed his eyes slightly, and then got up and left.