When Zhang Yulan saw An Xuyuan, she waved and greeted him, "Good morning, An Xuyuan."
An Xuyuan nodded and replied, "Good morning."
As he reached them, Zhang Ermu glanced at the back seat of An Xuyuan's bicycle and asked, "Vice team leader, what did you bring?"
"I prepared breakfast and lunch, but I didn't know you were coming, so I only made enough for and your sister," An Xuyuan replied.
Hearing this, Zhang Ermu nodded and said, "We brought our own food. No need to trouble yourself."
Noticing the faint hostility from him, An Xuyuan was montarily confused. Thinking it might be about the wheat, he didn't dwell on it and simply replied, "It's no trouble. I ate your sister's lunch yesterday so I am just returning the favor."
Before Zhang Ermu could say anything, Zhang Yulan pointed at the waterskin and said, "An Xuyuan, I prepared your water for you. When you go back later, just take the waterskin with you. It's yours."
Hearing this, An Xuyuan nodded and accepted it readily, "Thank you."
Seeing his sister's enthusiasm toward An Xuyuan, Zhang Ermu felt uneasy. He frowned and said, "Alright, it's not early anymore, let's go."
After loading his belongings onto the bullock cart, An Xuyuan parked his bicycle at the Zhang family's house before climbing onto the cart.
Since Zhang Ermu was driving and worried his sister might fall on the bumpy road, An Xuyuan could only sit on the edge of the driver's seat.
Sitting between her brother and An Xuyuan, Zhang Yulan felt more at ease. Her brother was going to marry Liu Piao, and if their vice team leader had any improper intentions toward her brother, that would be troubleso.
After all, they couldn't afford to offend him. If he truly liked her brother, things wouldn't be easy to resolve.
For now, she needed to build a good relationship with him. That way, even if he was interested in her brother, he might at least consider their friendship before making a move.
Reaching this conclusion, she smiled, turned to the man beside her, and asked, "An Xuyuan, have you eaten?"
Thinking she was hungry, An Xuyuan started to answer, "Well—"
But before he could even say a complete word, Zhang Ermu cut in sternly, "Yulan, don't be rude. How can you call the vice team leader by na?"
"Brother, he was the one who told to," Zhang Yulan replied.
"Even so, you shouldn't," Zhang Ermu insisted.
Zhang Yulan considered her brother's words and finally said, "I understand, Brother."
An Xuyuan wanted to tell them there was no need for such formality since they were close in age, but before he could speak, Zhang Yulan continued, "Brother An, my mother made scallion pancakes. They are really delicious. Do you want to try one?"
At her words, Zhang Ermu's expression darkened. He glared at his sister, feeling both frustrated and helpless.
'Sister, what's with this 'Brother An'? Why are you calling him so affectionately? Aren't you afraid of being taken advantage of?' he sighed inwardly, hating for an iron not becoming a steel.
Despite his displeasure, neither Zhang Yulan nor An Xuyuan seed affected.
Rather than interpreting her words romantically, An Xuyuan simply saw her as a friend and replied, "I also prepared breakfast and lunch for you."
Zhang Yulan's eyes lit up at his words and she asked curiously, "Brother An, you can cook?"
"Well, I have lived alone for years. If I didn't learn how to cook, that would be a problem, don't you think?" he chuckled.
Finding his words reasonable, she nodded and said, "Brother An, you are really impressive—not worse than my brother."
Taken aback by her direct praise, An Xuyuan was montarily speechless. Without realizing it, the tips of his ears reddened. With a small smile, he replied, "I'm not that great."
Then, he took out a package from his cloth bag and unwrapped it. Inside were white stead buns and mung bean cakes. Just looking at them made Zhang Yulan's mouth water.
"Brother An, you made these yourself?" she asked in disbelief.
"Well, I don't know if they will suit your taste. Have a try," An Xuyuan replied.
"I'm not picky, thank you for the food," Zhang Yulan said as she took a mung bean cake.
The mont she took a bite, she was imdiately hit by its sweetness. The pastry was fragrant and moist, unlike the dry mung bean cakes sold at the state-owned grain and supply store. It was so delicious that she nearly swallowed her tongue.
Watching her enjoy the food, An Xuyuan smiled. His effort of waking up at one in the morning to prepare these treats was worth it.
Sitting beside them, Zhang Ermu silently observed their interaction.
At first, he had suspected that An Xuyuan was getting close to his sister to gather information about the mountain's resources. But after watching them interact, he realized that soone like the vice team leader didn't need to go through such trouble.
If he wanted information, he could simply ask or send people to investigate. There was no need for him to befriend his sister for that.
From what his sister told him yesterday and based on An Xuyuan's usual personality, their encounters seed to be re coincidences, and he had likely accompanied her to the mountain out of genuine concern for her safety.
Realizing this, Zhang Ermu's impression of An Xuyuan suddenly improved. Compared to the villagers and educated youths who always had hidden intentions, he was much better.
While the two of them chatted and ate breakfast, Zhang Ermu silently took out the scallion pancakes their mother had made and ate as well. He didn't join their conversation and just listened from the side.
If his sister could move on from Bajie and fall for the vice team leader, that would be a good thing. Having a husband like An Xuyuan wouldn't be bad either. Not only did he have a good household registration, but he was also a man who could be trusted.
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