Chapter 280

She blinked hard, trying to hold back the inexplicable urge to cry.

Little did they know that their eyes were red at that moment.

Gu Zhongtai panicked and pulled her aside.

Why are you crying?

I figured he must have suffered a lot of injustices along the way.

The girl didn't care about her manners or take out a handkerchief; she simply raised her sleeve to wipe her eyes, saying, "It's windy; sand got in."

Seeing her stubbornness, Gu Zhongtai felt inexplicably better.

"Yes, with me around from now on, I guarantee you won't tolerate or let any nonsense get in your eyes."

Hearing his teasing, Fan Xiaoxiao instantly stopped crying and started laughing.

She rubbed her nose: "You talk too much."

Remembering his business, he asked, "What brings you here?"

He also noticed the previous situation, that almost no one else came except him.

Fan Xiaoxiao, used to being the team's manager, was getting a little anxious: "There are so many of us here, it's impossible to keep it a secret. How can you manage everything by yourself?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhongtai chuckled softly.

"What are you laughing at?" This is not the time for jokes.

There are risks ahead and northern barbarians behind.

Although they are both northern barbarians, the people here are completely different from those over the Tianshan Mountains.

Due to the harsh climate and terrain of the Tianshan Mountains, it was almost impossible for the northern barbarians to raid the border.

The people living nearby are all notorious criminals with long criminal records.

"No." Gu Zhongtai saw that the young lady was angry, so he reached out and pinched her soft hand: "I just didn't trust you, so I came to keep watch over you."

"The backup is all behind us."

His voice was very soft.

When she spoke, her usual sharpness and strength were gone; instead, she spoke with a gentleness I had never heard before.

Fan Xiaoxiao looked down and saw his large hands. Her fair fingers, which were being held, bent slightly, but she didn't struggle.

She just blushed deeply.

After thinking for a long time, he managed to utter a single word: "Oh."

"Xiaoxiao, I came all this way, don't you have any other instructions?" Gu Chongtai looked at her carefully.

The young girl is usually as composed as a mature woman.

He both liked and found it rare to see her blushing and shy, so he couldn't help but ask her another question.

Fan Xiaoxiao stepped on his foot.

But Gu, being no ordinary person, showed no sign of surprise.

She snorted, pulled her hand back, and turned around: "Are you hungry? We're going to cook hot pot soon, so come along if you want some."

The moment she turned around, Boss Gu quickly rubbed the back of his foot, a smile of utter delight on his face: "Eat!"

...

...

Gu Zhongtai has arrived.

This means that the support from Qingzhou is not far away.

Everyone was very happy.

Especially the bandit leader, when Boss Gu came, he brought with him a document from Qingzhou to quell the bandits.

The above lists the ten major crimes of the reigning emperor.

Of course, this hands-off manager only wanted to take the dog emperor's head and avenge himself during the final battle.

The civil affairs and political matters were handled by Xiahou, the provisions and logistics by Ji Yushu, and the command of troops and decision-making by Yu Cheng.

That is, General Yu from back then.

"There's nothing I can do about it." Gu Zhongtai said with a smile as he ate his hotpot. "I'm a simple man with no interest in politics. I'm just a carefree wanderer."

These words carried a hint of self-deprecation and self-mockery.

But everyone here knows his abilities, even the newly joined bandit leader Zhao Si has figured it out.

Just kidding, someone who can come all the way from Qingzhou and still look so light and tired can't possibly be an ordinary person.

Yu Xiaobao, who often had his food stolen by him, snorted twice and said, "My mother said that if I don't work hard, I won't be able to get a wife in the future."

He had barely finished speaking when Madam Fan pulled him aside, saying, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

These words must have been what Xiao Bao's mother used to teach him.

Now, it's even more interesting that it's applied to the exceptionally handsome Mr. Gu.

Fan quickly tried to smooth things over.

Boss Gu would never hold a grudge against a child.

But his gaze was fixed on Fan Xiaoxiao's face.

"?" Her ears turned slightly red after she realized it.

She glanced at him and said, "What are you doing? Help yourself if there's not enough food!"

Gu Zhongtai put down his chopsticks: "There's enough food, but not enough wine."

Someone immediately handed it over.

Boss Gu didn't even turn his eyes, just smiled at her: "I just want to drink the wine that your Lady Xiao has been hoarding."

"No." Fan Xiaoxiao lowered her head and ate her food, not wanting to look at him.

But soon, the man was standing beside her.

Gu Zhongtai bent down slightly, maintaining a perfect distance that was neither abrupt nor allowed her to refuse: "Come with me to get it."

"I heard you mention this just a few days ago."

"???"

Fan Xiaoxiao followed him to a secluded spot, still confused.

He frowned: "When did I ever tell you about any secret stash of fine wine?"

“Yes, there is.” Gu Zhongtai’s eyes reflected the bright firelight not far away.

Fan Xiaoxiao thought he was probably playing a prank, and turned to leave.

But then she felt her sleeve tighten; he had pulled her back.

"..."

Gu Zhongtai took a step closer: "Xiaoxiao, actually I wanted to talk to you."

Fan Xiaoxiao was puzzled: "Wouldn't it be better to eat and talk at the same time? It would be more lively and warmer with more people."

Is hot pot not tasty?

"No." His expression became even more serious, and Fan Xiaoxiao rarely saw him with such a solemn expression, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Just when she thought Boss Gu was about to say something bad about Qingzhou.

He bent down and leaned closer to her, his voice very soft: "Xiao Bao said I won't be able to find a wife in the future."

“…Oh.” How was she supposed to answer that?

"That's it?"

"Otherwise what..." Fan Xiaoxiao pursed her lips.

Boss Gu raised his hand and shook her sleeve: "Xiaoxiao, you're so capable, while I'm utterly useless."

"We are a perfect match, complementing each other so well."

"How about we just make do?"

"..."

At this moment, there is no moon in the sky, and only a few stars.

The night was dark and the wind was high; the lights were dim and dim.

he.

Is he proposing marriage?

"Is it good or not?" That's what he asked, but the boss's actions were anything but!

Grip it tightly.

She was afraid he wouldn't agree.

Being proposed to is something that has never happened before.

And it's clear that Boss Gu is the same.

The worst part is that this was not premeditated; it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Neither of them spoke for a moment.

Gu Zhongtai held the little girl's hand, his face flushed, wanting to let go, but he couldn't bear to.

He lowered his eyes and took her hand with his other hand: "If you don't speak, I'll take that as acceptance."

He also knew that Fan Xiaoxiao had feelings for him.

"We've been apart for so long. If you don't give me a proper status, I'm afraid you'll be deceived by someone else."

"How about it?"

Gu Zhongtai looked back into her eyes: "How about I become a live-in son-in-law, and Xiaoxiao takes care of earning money to support the family?"

"..." Fan Xiaoxiao's face turned even redder.

"It's rare for me to muster up the courage, and next time I won't have the courage to say it for much longer."

Gu Zhongtai was absolutely telling the truth.

Seeing his anxious expression, Fan Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, coughed lightly, and looked away: "Well, it's not impossible."

Her voice was too soft.

But Gu Zhongtai listened carefully and heard it very clearly.

Overjoyed and somewhat incredulous, he asked, "Really?"

(End of this chapter)