Suddenly, a male voice rang out: "The magistrate has arrived!"

Looking in the direction of the sound, dozens of people appeared on the distant hilltop, all carrying weapons and marching in formation.

The leader was County Magistrate Bai Jingquan.

Bai Jingquan, as the local official, has been busy rescuing people recently. This village was the last to arrive because of the blocked roads.

He thought there was probably no one left alive here, but it turned out to be completely different from what he expected!

After learning the whole story, Bai Jingquan cupped his hands in gratitude to Huo Mingchen, saying, "Fortunately, Brother Huo handled it properly, which prevented irreversible and terrible consequences. On behalf of the villagers, I thank you."

Huo Mingchen remained calm and composed, returning a cupped-hand salute: "I only did what I should do. Since you've come, sir, I'll take my leave now." With that, he turned to leave.

But Bai Jingquan stopped him: "Brother Huo, the world is in turmoil right now. I see that you are a man of great talent. I wonder if you would be willing to stay and help me?"

"Help you?"

Huo Mingchen frowned slightly.

Bai Jingquan explained, "I'm in dire need of manpower right now. Brother Huo can temporarily take on the position of Registrar, and I can offer you double the price."

This offer is very tempting.

Hearing this, Cheng Wan'er, who was standing next to her, even had a sudden flash of inspiration.

Huo Mingchen refused without even thinking: "I'm sorry, I'm just a free man and can't help you much, sir. Please find someone else." After saying that, he didn't give Bai Jingquan a chance to speak again and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Cheng Wan'er hurriedly chased after him, but Huo Mingchen's pace was too fast, and she could only watch him gradually disappear from sight...

At this moment, Bai Jingquan noticed Cheng Wan'er: "Miss, do you know Brother Huo?"

Cheng Wan'er nodded timidly: "Brother Huo is a very kind person and has helped me a lot."

"I see."

Bai Jingquan's eyes lit up with a smile: "Then I hope that you, young lady, can put in a good word for me and ask him to come and help me. Would that be alright?"

"good."

Cheng Wan'er was of course willing.

With Bai Jingquan's arrival, the villagers felt reassured and were orderly directed to move to the new location.

Cheng Shanshan's side had finally found some peace and quiet. Looking outside, Bai couldn't help but ask, "Shanshan, are we leaving here too?"

"Not at the moment."

Cheng Shanshan is washing vegetables.

These are newly sprouted bok choy, their vibrant green color quite tempting.

Bai was already used to her "magic tricks." While kneading the dough, she considered her words carefully: "Actually, it's really good for just the two of us to live like this. I don't want to leave this place. I'm just a little worried about little Huo..."

"..."

Speaking of Huo Mingchen.

Her hand froze slightly.

Since she returned in a huff that day, she has never seen Huo Mingchen again, and she has no idea where he went.

This really does seem like a past life; he saved someone and then disappeared, and no one knows where he went.

Bai glanced at her before continuing, "Shanshan, Xiao Huo actually..."

"cousin!"

Suddenly, Cheng Wan'er's voice came from outside.

Bai looked at the doorway with some surprise: "Why is Wan'er here?"

"I'll go take a look."

Cheng Shanshan wiped the water off her hands.

Then, extremely impatiently, he went to the door, intending to yell at the person to leave, but unexpectedly, there was an old acquaintance of his standing outside.

Bai Jingquan was also somewhat surprised when he saw Cheng Shanshan: "Miss Cheng?"

"Your Excellency, Magistrate."

Cheng Shanshan cupped her hands in a respectful gesture.

Bai Jingquan scrutinized her, a hint of a smile playing on his scholarly eyes: "Miss Cheng seems to be doing well. There's no difference between this time and the last time I saw her."

What he actually meant was that it was even more beautiful.

Cheng Shanshan now has a face like a peach blossom and eyes like stars, and doesn't look like she's suffered any disaster at all. But saying that would seem too frivolous, so she held back.

These words infuriated Cheng Wan'er. She clenched her fists and said sourly, "Cousin is lucky. She has Brother Huo to rely on and doesn't have to worry about food and clothing inside. Of course, there's no difference."

Cheng Shanshan glanced coldly at Cheng Wan'er: "No one will think you're mute if you don't speak." After saying that, she ignored her and looked directly at Bai Jingquan, asking bluntly: "Magistrate, what brings you here?"

Bai Jingquan didn't bother with formalities: "I've come to see Brother Huo. Please ask Miss Cheng to pass on my message."

"You want to see Huo Mingchen?" Cheng Shanshan was about to say that Huo Mingchen wasn't here, but when she turned her head, she saw someone sneaking around in the bushes not far away.

Since her cave was exposed, too many people have had similar ideas, and everyone seems to be waiting for an opportunity to act. However, because Huo Mingchen is too terrifying, no one has actually come over.

So, to avoid unnecessary trouble, she decided to put aside the matter of Huo Mingchen's departure for the time being and asked Bai Jingquan, "I wonder what business the magistrate had with him?"

Bai Jingquan patiently explained, "It's like this: because of Brother Huo's previous actions, the plague was prevented from spreading. Now the government is looking for someone who understands us. I asked Brother Huo last time if he would be willing to serve as a clerk. I'm willing to offer him even more favorable terms!"

"I see."

Cheng Shanshan sighed softly, feigning concern: "He doesn't like this kind of time. I'm afraid the magistrate's trip was in vain."

Before Bai Jingquan could speak, Cheng Wan'er chimed in, "Cousin, why don't you ask Brother Huo? What if he's willing?"

Cheng Shanshan sneered, "Then why don't you go in and ask?"

"good."

Cheng Wan'er immediately made a move to step forward.

But Cheng Shanshan casually picked up a stick, her eyes cold: "Come on, try taking another step."

"...Waaah!"

This is like a guardian deity; who would dare to try it?

Cheng Wan'er immediately feigned weakness, hiding behind Bai Jingquan before continuing, "Cousin, we're here to see Brother Huo. Isn't it inappropriate for you to block the magistrate like this?"

Cheng Shanshan narrowed her eyes slightly.

Before she could speak, Cheng Wan'er suddenly turned her gaze and raised her voice: "Oh, could it be that Brother Huo isn't here? Just say so, and we won't bother you any longer!"

"Stop talking."

Bai Jingquan gave a cold rebuke.

He was as clear-headed as a mirror, knowing that many people coveted this place. He had only come to find Huo Mingchen and did not want to cause trouble for Cheng Shanshan.

So he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the entrance of the cave, his attitude very humble: "In ancient times, Zhuge Liang visited the thatched cottage three times. I will follow suit in order to invite Brother Huo. I hope to move Brother Huo with my sincerity."

Since he had already said that, Cheng Shanshan couldn't say anything more: "I will convey his sincerity to him, but these things cannot be forced. I think you know that, right?"