Chapter 3, The Young Man Rides a Bamboo Horse Coming

He Ying responded with a sound, reaching out to take the hand of the young master with the surname Lu. The young man, blushing, followed her as they slowly walked out of the hall

He Ying placed the bow and arrow on her back, casually patted her robe, and smiled, saying, "If you don't say anything, he won't find out." At this point, she made a face at Lu Ming and cheerfully asked, "Brother Lu, what plans do you have for today? Care to share with your sister?"

He Ying pouted and said softly, "Always remembering these things! How boring!"

Lu Ming reached out to tuck a strand of her long hair, blown by the wind onto her face, behind her ear, sighed, and said: "Sister, this is no joke. With your looks, there are hardly a few young masters in the entire Nanling City who can compare. Yet, you see those girls who are fond of sweet talk; this could lead to trouble"

He Ying rolled her eyes and said, "Alright, I will change back into women's clothing, shall we go play together?"

No way! Lu Ming did not even think about it and immediately refused. Seeing He Ying's gloomy expression, he sighed helplessly and said: "Sister, you are now a young lady. In a little over a year, you will be able to get married. A young lady as beautiful as you will attract trouble if you go out."

"Brother Lu, what is your name?" He Ying ran outside and looked up at the young man. The young man had a flushed face that had not faded. He swallowed hard and said softly, "My name is Lu Ming." At this point, he raised his head, looked at He Ying, and asked, "What is your name, sister?"

"Brother Lu, why is it that after all these years, you still blush so easily?" He Ying said with a smile as she walked towards him. She was dressed in a male robe, her hair tied back and cascading down her shoulders. Her youthful face exuded a certain elegance, yet there was a hint of heroism in her demeanor. At first glance, one might mistake her for a beautiful young man, but the heroic spirit in her brows and the distant, mysterious gaze in her eyes made it impossible to underestimate her.

"Sister, what are you busy with?" At sixteen, Lu Ming has already grown into a tall and robust young man. Standing at 1.8 meters, with a strong physique, complemented by the distinctly defined features typical of northern people, along with the gentle and refined demeanor characteristic of southern individuals, he has become the quintessential prince charming of this city of Nanling

Lu Ming said, "Of course, that is good"

He Ying said: "My name is He Ying. Brother Lu, can I call you by your name from now on?"

As she smiled, Lu Ming's gaze was fixed on her face without a moment's distraction. Until her sparkling eyes, seemingly smiling yet not quite, returned to his face, Lu Ming's face turned slightly red, and he awkwardly looked away.

The young man stood up in a fluster and said, "There is no need for you to be so formal, Sister Li'er."

He is now standing under a large tree, gazing at He Ying, who, although only fourteen years old, has blossomed into a graceful beauty, resembling a lotus emerging from the water. His expression is one of focus and deep affection. This look is truly suitable for winning the hearts of unsuspecting young girls. Upon thinking of this, He Ying couldn't help but smile

The young boy looked at her with a hint of shyness. At that moment, Mother He smiled and said, "This is your brother Lu, who is ten years old this year." He Ying sweetly called out, "Brother Lu!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all four people in the room turned to look at the door. The man with the surname Yan squinted his eyes and laughed, wearing an expression that suggested he had already noticed her but chose not to say anything out of courtesy. He Ying, feeling a bit embarrassed, stuck out her tongue, pushed the door open, and greeted, "Father, Mother, Uncle Yan." After saying this, she paused and looked at the young man.

At this point, both big men burst into hearty laughter. Mother He smiled gently beside them. At that moment, her eyes shifted and she spotted a small head. Unable to help herself, she shook her head and raised her voice, calling out: "Li'er, why didn't you come in when you arrived? Hiding there sneakily!"

The man with the surname Yan also began to laugh. At this moment, Father He turned to the pair of young children and said, "Li'er, go out and play with your brother Lu. From now on, he will live here, and you two must get along well."

Lu Ming frowned as he looked at her flushed face, sighed, and said: "Wearing men's clothes again? If He Bo sees this, he will definitely scold you to death"

Six years later

At this moment, the man surnamed Yan beside him looked at He Ying for a while and laughed loudly, saying: "Brother He, your daughter truly possesses remarkable talent! She surpasses any young lady I have ever seen."

Father He laughed and said, "How old is my son? How could you tell? I see that you must think my son has a certain air of heroism, which is why you say that, right? I am quite aware of your discerning eye! Hahaha!" He shared another hearty laugh with this person surnamed Yan. Father He was originally a person of strict demeanor and decorum; He Ying had never seen him laugh so freely as he did today.

Lu Ming was taken aback and immediately said: "So you are planning to go out with me dressed in men's clothing? No way! Last time, you deceived Scholar Li's sister into falling for you, and she was clamoring to elope. I have only just managed to settle that. What scheme are you up to now?"