dessert

"Right now they're waiting for the goddess's plague. If this doesn't work out, it'll probably be delayed for a while."

Jiang Nian blinked: "Delay?"

"They originally planned to launch the attack six months ago, but due to internal conflicts, it has been put on hold until now."

Xiao Yingzhu explained lightly, his eyes falling on the paper that had been neatly placed back on the table.

"If this plan doesn't work out, there's a 50% chance it will be postponed."

At first I thought Donglan would find the right time to attack this year, but I didn’t expect that he could expand and contract?

Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment, with a question in his mind: "Why is Dong Lan so hesitant?"

“Fear of losing.”

Qin Lan was cheerful again at this moment, and shook his finger with a smile: "They only have one chance, they can't miss it."

"Let me think about it." He tilted his head. When Qin Lan mentioned this kind of thing, he always looked very interested, and the fatigue on his face was swept away. "The country that tried to join forces to attack Huandu last time is now torn apart."

“…”Xuan Mo?

Jiang Nian recalled the clues in the notebook.

"After Xuan Mo's defeat, what happened to the vassal states that followed Xuan Mo?"

Xiao Yingzhu replied calmly, "It's nothing. It's just a small country."

"Yes, Miss Jiang, don't worry."

Qin Lan stretched out his fingers and shook them. "Back then, when the two of them attacked together, nothing happened to Huandu. Moreover, their forces are greatly weakened now, and—"

He glanced at Xiao Yingzhu, who looked calm, and said with a smile, "We have spies there too."

"Nothing will happen."

“…” Often when you say this kind of thing, something bad is most likely to happen.

But since the person who arranged it is Xiao Yingzhu, then there should be no problem.

Jiang Nian lowered his eyelashes and rubbed his tired eyes, and suddenly an idea came to his mind.

——They all seemed to be used to treating Xiao Yingzhu as someone who could do anything.

It's like a pillar standing tall and upright.

Even if his thoughts are not obvious and hard to understand.

Those who work with him can't help but put their trust in him, as if there is nothing he can't do as long as he is around.

…

"Ms. Jiang?"

"Um."

Jiang Nian blinked and smiled at Qin Lan as usual: "It's okay, I was just distracted. So let's focus on solving the current problem..."

—

After the conversation, the exhausted Wu Bu troops once again stubbornly stopped Qin Lan and Jiang Nian.

"This time—I will definitely change your mindset!"

He pulled out a stack of drawings from his sleeve, which he had revised repeatedly tonight.

After lowering his head and finding the one that satisfied him most from a pile of drafts, Wu Buqu arranged the first edition and the unknown number of editions together.

"How is it? Is my latest revision better?"

"Let me see."

Too persistent. Jiang Nian took it from Bu Qu with a smile. After seeing the latest version of the design, his eyes lit up.

"I think it's good..."

She turned the blueprint over and showed it to Qin Lan, looking at him expectantly: "Mr. Qin, what do you think?"

Although the latest version is not much different from the first version, but... it is hard to describe, she actually saw a new Chinese style feeling in it.

Normally, they were worried that their clothes were too out of date, so they only wore clothes of their time. When they saw such advanced clothing designs for the first time, Jiang Nian was extremely happy.

Unfortunately, after a busy day, her excitement had worn off a bit. "So what? I think it looks pretty good."

Qin Lan smiled, and while facing the dark and cold gaze behind him, he forced a smile and replied: "-I think..." There is still room for discussion.

After all, the main purpose of going to Zuihualou is to do business, not to go shopping and have fun. Compared to the appearance of the clothes, Qin Lan cares more about whether Jiang Nian can wear more suitable and convenient clothes to escape from danger.

Moreover, this outfit must be convenient for hiding swords and knives, and it should not appear abrupt.

Qin Lan would definitely not want to see Jiang Nian lose his life because of a clothing problem.

He didn't want the goddess to succeed in her plan, nor did he want his followers to blame themselves.

He was even more unwilling to let Xiao Yingzhu lose Jiang Nian in such a careless way.

What's more, Jiang Nian was already his friend. If Tao Yu knew that Jiang Nian died because of his negligence, he would probably feel bad.

Even though we are in a dangerous place, we must do our best to ensure our safety.

Qin Lan sighed and carefully pointed out the bad parts of the final version after comparing the two drawings.

"...In the first edition, this aspect was well designed, but I don't know why your design went further and further off track."

After Qin Lan pointed out their shortcomings, Wu Buqu suddenly realized that there would be no good results if they kept stubbornly banging their heads against the wall.

What's more, in this kind of situation where people's lives are at stake, he is so stubborn.

When you discover your shortcomings, you must correct them.

The soldiers of the Wu Department wanted to go back and continue to make corrections.

Qin Lan was also frustrated by his stubbornness and was speechless: "...Forget it, come back, these two sides can be integrated together, and when we are done, just give it to Ai for review."

Everything that needs to be said has been said. If there are any mistakes, there will be punishment.

Buqu put away the blueprint, replied "yes" seriously, turned around and walked towards the workshop belonging to Wu Bu.

"What a difficult argument." Qin Lan sighed with a smile, unable to endure Xiao Yingzhu's gaze that seemed to be able to see through him anymore.

"Miss Jiang, thank you for your hard work today. I will go back and have a good rest. See you tomorrow."

He turned around, smiled and waved at Jiang Nian, then walked towards Xiao Yingzhu's place.

"Yeah, okay, see you tomorrow."

Jiang Nian smiled, then put down his hand with some doubt.

Something seems strange.

—

It only takes a few steps to walk from Jiang Nian to Xiao Yingzhu.

Qin Lan stopped in front of Xiao Yingzhu with a smile and asked in a low voice, "Are you not in the mood tonight?"

"Let me guess—is it because of what I said to Miss Jiang this morning?"

“…”

It was rare for Qin Lan to hit the nail on the head. Xiao Yingzhu did not refute him, but just shifted her gaze without changing her expression.

Knowing that his old friend was sensitive to others exploring his inner thoughts and ideas, Qin Lan took a few steps back, not wanting to dwell too much on this topic that would make Xiao Yingzhu uncomfortable.

"Anyway, as long as you don't have any irreparable conflicts, you should try to make her understand you."

After blocking Jiang Nian's gaze, Qin Lan leaned against the wall and spread his hands.

"You know, the easiest thing for people to lose is connection. If you want her to be close to you, you should give her some space, right?"

Feeling that Xiao Yingzhu's gaze was turning cold again, Qin Lan immediately quickened his speech and finished the remaining few sentences at once.

"Even though you've been subjected to...those things, and have been blamed, everyone needs a place to relax. Even if you've become accustomed to bearing these things, you're still a human being."

"Did you notice Jiang Nian's expression during our conversation just now? She also noticed that everyone trusts you and relies on you. Does this mean that she cares about you?"

"Since there's hope, work hard to change some of the things that aren't working for you right now. Isn't that what you're best at?—Transforming others' expectations of you into who you are."

"You had no choice then, but this change now is also a last resort, right?"

"Go and change it. To be honest, when I saw Jiang Nian's expression when he saw you a few days ago, I thought it was over between you two."

"At least listen to my advice." Qin Lan walked a little closer to Xiao Yingzhu. "After all, I am your elder in terms of age - isn't it?"

He patted Xiao Yingzhu's shoulder comfortingly. He must have known that he deserved a beating, so he immediately slipped away after doing it.

Jiang Nian didn't expect that Qin Lan and Xiao Yingzhu would communicate so quickly. She thought it was about other tasks and they would talk a little longer.

When he went into the conference room to get the lost items and came out, Qin Lan had disappeared, and only Xiao Yingzhu was left.

Caught off guard, he was alone again. After looking at Xiao Yingzhu in confusion, Jiang Nian gripped the shoulder strap of his bag somewhat awkwardly.

"...Since we're going the same way, if possible, can we go back together?"

I had planned to exchange pleasantries and then go our separate ways like before, but I didn't expect Xiao Yingzhu to be silent for a moment and then nodded casually.

"Okay, the road is long, I'll take you back."

“…Ah, okay.”

Jiang Nian paused for a moment, then pretended to walk to Xiao Yingzhu's side with ease.

Jiang Nian came back to his senses only after the eyes of the people around him fell on him.

"My residence must be over there..."

She raised her hand and pointed in a direction, then turned to smile at him apologetically: "Sorry, I'm used to it."

Usually Xiao Yingzhu was in front, and she followed behind them, keeping a certain distance. Only today did she start talking to Xiao Yingzhu again.

Now the conflict has suddenly eased, and the avoidance habit I developed these days will not suddenly reverse, so I can only remind myself more often in the future.

Jiang Nian sighed secretly, then grabbed the shoulder strap and walked towards her residence with Xiao Yingzhu.

—

Because of the dispute at the State Guest House, the two were not as familiar with each other as they were in Pingzhou.

After walking side by side in silence for a while, Xiao Yingzhu spoke first to break the silent atmosphere.

"We'll go to Zuihualou after three days of rest. Are you nervous?"

"..." Jiang Nian felt a little uncomfortable after being asked so bluntly. "Of course I'll be nervous, but don't I have you guys? With Mo Qing's help on the mission, I won't be so nervous."

Perhaps it had been a long time since he had talked about this kind of thing with Xiao Yingzhu, so he didn't dare to bring up the jokes of the past. After finishing his words, Jiang Nian clutched his shoulder strap and fell silent again.

Xiao Yingzhu brushed past her fingertips, which had turned white as she gripped the shoulder strap, and said lightly, "It's okay if I fail. I'll take care of it then."

Jiang Nian opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment, and turned to look at him.

But if you show up... then won't everything we did before be exposed?

There would be no need to disguise yourself and prepare to come to Cang County when you are in Pingzhou.

Xiao Yingzhu looked normal, as if she had not thought about these things.

On the moonless night, only the dim light outlined the profile of his face.

Jiang Nian turned his head and was silent for a moment before he suddenly smiled and said, "That's good. The Duke of Guo is actually personally covering for me. I feel completely relieved."

"I'll leave it to you then, Your Excellency the Duke of Wannian."

There is no need to ruin the relationship when collaborating.

Let's just let it be for now.

Jiang Nian suppressed the complicated thoughts in his mind, raised his eyes and smiled at Xiao Yingzhu, tilted his head, and spread his hands towards him.

"Keep your word, let's high-five first."

“…”

Xiao Yingzhu raised his eyelids and glanced at her lightly, a smile seemed to appear on his lips for a moment, and then he really did as Jiang Nian said, keeping the strength of his left hand and placed it on her hand.

Suppressing her heartbeat that was inexplicably happy, Jiang Nian curled her eyes, and the next moment she gently held his hand.

"That's it."

...High-fiving is too childish, just shaking hands will be enough.

Thinking of this, she subconsciously pinched the other person's skin, which looked fair even in the dim light, and then smiled and withdrew her hand.

That's the relationship for now.