Lifesaving grace

Yu Mobo did not try to break free from the grip on his chin, but simply lowered his eyelashes slightly, casting a small shadow under his eyes and concealing all the emotions in his eyes.

Several seconds later, Yu Mobai raised his eyes again and looked at Liu Jinhuai. His voice was very soft, but it had a strange penetrating power. Gone was his usual smile, only exhaustion and a trace of barely perceptible disappointment.

Brother Huaijin,

He called out softly, his tone eerily calm.

"So in your eyes, everything I, Yu Mobai, did was just to 'please' you."

He slightly moved his suppressed shoulders, gesturing to the extremely oppressive posture the two were in, and a faint, bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"Like this? Using force to suppress and intimidate, is this the 'flattery' Brother Huaijin wants?"

His gaze swept across the car window, as if he could see through the car wall and see Xie Xiuyun, who had just been kicked down.

"Boss Xie is a businessman, and his status may not be as prestigious as Brother Huaijin's. But at least he is willing to talk to me as an equal, acknowledge my ideas, and give me the respect due to a city lord."

His gaze returned to Liu Jinhuai's face, his eyes clear and bright, looking directly into the other's eyes, which were somewhat confused by anger.

"As for me, I thought that, despite the vast difference in our status, there should be some kind of 'friendship' between me and Brother Huaijin that is different from others. It seems that Mo Bai was just being presumptuous."

He paused here, as if he had exhausted all his strength, his voice becoming even softer, yet it scratched at Liu Jinhuai's heart like a feather.

"If you just want a plaything that only knows how to flatter and fawn, there are plenty of those in the central district. Why bother with a puppet from the border town like me?"

These words are far more damaging than a slap in the face.

He did not directly resist, but completely denied the significance of Liu Jinhuai's actions.

He feigned weakness, yet with an extremely high-handed attitude, he pointed out Liu Jinhuai's vulgarity and arrogance.

By positioning himself as a "misunderstood true friend," he inadvertently pushed Liu Jinhuai into a situation where he was seen as "abusing his power and disregarding past friendships."

Liu Jinhuai was stunned. The disappointment and sorrow in Yu Mobai's eyes were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing most of his anger.

Liu Jinhuai unconsciously loosened his grip on Yu Mobai's chin.

Yes, what is he doing? How could he treat Yu Mobai like an ordinary plaything?

What he admired before was precisely Yu Mobai's composure and intelligence.

"I……"

Liu Jinhuai was speechless for a moment, looking at Yu Mobai's slightly reddened chin and his eyes that had lost their smile.

An unprecedented sense of frustration and guilt welled up inside me.

The arm that was pressing down on Yu Mobai's shoulder also subconsciously loosened.

Yu Mobo keenly sensed the shift in his emotions.

Instead of pressing his advantage, he gently turned his head, freeing himself from the grip of the other man's hand, and whispered.

“If Brother Huaijin has nothing else, I will take my leave. I apologize for spoiling your mood today.”

By taking a step back to move forward, he shifted the blame onto himself, which only made Liu Jinhuai feel even more ashamed.

Yu Mobai's disappointed farewell was like a soft thorn piercing Liu Jinhuai's heart, not fatal, but causing a persistent, dull pain.

He really did leave like that, leaving Liu Jinhuai alone in the book carriage. For the first time, Liu Jinhuai tasted the bitterness called "regret".

For the next two days, the atmosphere at the Liu residence was frighteningly tense.

Liu Jinhuai was restless.

He found that he could no longer easily pass the time with other forms of entertainment as he used to.

Whether it's a precious antique or a beautiful woman offered by someone else, it all becomes utterly tasteless.

His mind kept replaying the calm yet distant figure of Yu Mobai as he turned to leave, and the words, "I've spoiled my brother's mood."

He suddenly realized that he was afraid. He was afraid that Yu Mobai would really sever ties with him, afraid that those eyes that always held a smile would from now on only show polite coldness towards him.

Just as Liu Jinhuai was being tormented by this unfamiliar emotion to the point of almost losing control and was about to swallow his pride and take the initiative to find someone again, Yu Mobai arrived.

It was a sunny afternoon.

Yu Mobai did not announce his arrival but instead appeared at the door of Liu Jinhuai's study carrying an exquisite food box.

He was still wearing that apricot-colored brocade robe, his expression gentle, as if the unpleasant parting that day had never happened.

Brother Huaijin,

He stood at the study door, his voice clear and resonant, carrying just the right amount of apology and probing.

"I spoke inappropriately the other day, disturbing your peace, brother. Today I brought some local delicacies from Yancheng to apologize to you. I wonder... if I may trouble you?"

At that moment, it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from Liu Jinhuai's heart, and an indescribable joy welled up inside him.

He stood up almost immediately from behind his desk, suppressing his excitement and nodding in a seemingly indifferent manner.

"Come in."

Yu Mobai walked in with a smile, opened the food box, and inside were several uniquely shaped pastries that exuded a faint herbal fragrance.

"This is made with snow fungus and mountain honey, which are unique to Yancheng. It is refreshing and not greasy. I thought my brother might like it."

He didn't bring up the past again, but instead, like a friend who sincerely came to apologize, he shared the local customs and scenery of his hometown.

Liu Jinhuai picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. The sweet taste melted on his tongue, and it seemed to soothe the knot in his heart.

He looked at Yu Mobai's profile as he obediently poured tea for him, and a sense of satisfaction, like something lost and then regained, welled up inside him.

From then on, their relationship entered an unprecedented "honeymoon period".

Yu Mobo no longer acted aloof, but instead demonstrated a high level of "companionship" value.

He would still play chess with Liu Jinhuai, but the games now had a more genuine and enjoyable element of friendly competition.

He would still listen to Liu Jinhuai talk about calligraphy, painting and antiques, but occasionally he would offer his own unique insights, which would delight Liu Jinhuai.

More importantly, Yu Mobai began to actively share stories of Yancheng—its local customs and traditions, the simplicity and hardship of its people, and the unfulfilled ambitions of his father, Yu Zhenming.

He is no longer just a clever "seeker," but a flesh-and-blood "person" with ideals and weaknesses.

These sharing sessions subtly brought the two of them closer together.

Liu Jinhuai began to truly understand Yu Mobai's situation and his persistence. That initial "interest" stemming from the desire to conquer gradually turned into genuine appreciation and tenderness.

They would ride together to the outskirts of the city, and Yu Mobai would point to the distant mountains and tell him where each medicinal herb grew.

They would have a drink in the courtyard at night, talking about all sorts of random things. Liu Jinhuai found that time spent with Yu Mobai always flew by and felt fulfilling.

He was no longer the border town lord who needed his help, but a "confidant" who made him feel relaxed, happy, and even willing to reveal parts of his true self.

Their feelings for each other deepened quietly through these daily, intimate interactions.

Liu Jinhuai even began to feel that perhaps it was unnecessary to always use power to bind him; giving him genuine respect and help in return for sincere companionship seemed more precious.

Yu Mobo, on the other hand, carefully maintained a balance in this increasingly deep "feeling".

He enjoyed the benefits of Liu Jinhuai's unreserved favor, but he was also keenly aware that this seemingly solid relationship was still fragile at its core.

The seeds he planted have sprouted; now all that's needed is to patiently nurture them and wait for the day they blossom and bear fruit.

That day would be the best opportunity for him to truly propose the military power for "bandit suppression" and ensure that Liu Jinhuai would willingly relinquish it.

— — — —

With his return date set, Yu Mobai bid farewell to Liu Jinhuai.

To his surprise, Liu Jinhuai offered to personally escort him, ostensibly to "fulfill his duties as a host and take the opportunity to inspect the border town."

This was exactly what Yu Mobai wanted. He showed a look of flattered joy on his face, but in his heart, he had already quietly laid out his strategy.

Along the way, Yu Mobai intentionally guided Liu Jinhuai, saying that he would take him to experience the wild and natural mountain scenery that was different from the bustling city center.

However, they subtly led the group to the area where bandits were most rampant.

He had already spread the news through clandestine channels to several larger bandit groups that "a group of extremely wealthy young masters from prominent families is passing by, with few guards."

Sure enough, when they reached a valley with steep mountains and lush forests, sharp whistles suddenly rang out all around them!

Immediately afterwards, more than fifty burly men wielding knives and axes, with ferocious faces, surged out from the hillside and behind the trees.

They instantly surrounded their group of no more than twenty people, their killing intent palpable.

"Protect the young master!"

Liu Jinhuai's bodyguard leader shouted sternly, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Liu Jinhuai had never seen such a scene before; his expression changed slightly, and he instinctively gripped the sword at his waist. However, Yu Mobai reacted even faster!

Almost the instant the bandits appeared, Yu Mobai's eyes sharpened, and he nimbly stepped forward, instinctively shielding Liu Jin behind him.

This action was performed extremely naturally, as if it were an instinctive act of protection.

He swiftly took the powerful bow and quiver from the back of a guard beside him, his movements as fluid as flowing water.

"Brother Huaijin, be careful!"

Yu Mobai gave a low shout, his voice steady and without the slightest panic. He drew his bow and nocked an arrow, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, and flicked his fingers.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Three arrows were fired in quick succession! The arrows pierced the air with a sharp whistling sound, hitting the throats or hearts of the three bandits at the forefront with perfect accuracy, killing them instantly!

This superb archery skill not only intimidated the bandits, but also left Liu Jinhuai, who was being protected behind him, dumbfounded.

He gazed at Yu Mobai's tall and focused back, and at the taut lines of his profile as he strained, and the admiration he already had in his eyes instantly turned into an even more ardent light.

My heart started pounding uncontrollably.

This feeling of being subconsciously protected by a powerful person, mixed with amazement at their strength, stirred up an indescribable excitement and joy in his heart.

"Excellent archery!"

Liu Jinhuai couldn't help but exclaim in praise.

However, the bandits were numerous and extremely fierce, and after a brief period of chaos, they attacked even more frantically.

Although Yu Mobai was skilled in archery, he was no match for the many hands that Liu Jinhuai had brought. The guards he had brought were not seasoned veterans either, and he quickly found himself at a disadvantage.

Casualties are mounting. Amidst the chaos and the clash of swords, Yu Mobai, in an attempt to deflect a stray arrow for Liu Jinhuai, suffers a bloody gash on his arm.

Liu Jinhuai's robe was also cut in half, and the situation was extremely precarious.

At this critical moment, Yu Mobai's sharp eyes swept across the battlefield, spotting a weak point in the bandits' encirclement—a gap deliberately created by an inside agent he had planted in the bandits.

He made a quick decision and whistled, and his magnificent warhorse galloped over at the sound!

With a graceful somersault, Yu Mobai leaped onto the horse's back and drew his bow again. This time, he unleashed almost all the remaining arrows. Several arrows flew together, like an invitation from the Grim Reaper, tearing a bloody path through the weakest point!

"Brother Huaijin, mount your horse!"

He reached out his hand to Liu Jinhuai, his tone urgent yet leaving no room for argument.

Liu Jinhuai now completely trusted him and grabbed his hand without hesitation.

Yu Mobai pulled him forcefully, lifting him onto the horse's back and placing him in front of him. The movement was clean, efficient, strong, and reliable.

"Walk!"

Yu Mobai spurred his horse, and the steed neighed loudly, carrying them like arrows as it charged toward the path cleared by the arrows.

The remaining guards fought hard to keep up, retreating as they fought.

On horseback, the wind whistled. Liu Jinhuai could clearly feel the warmth and strong heartbeat of Yu Mobai's chest behind him.

And the steady strength transmitted from his arm when he controls the reins.

He looked back and saw Yu Mobai with his jaw clenched and his eyes focused on the front. His profile, stained with blood and dust, had a breathtakingly handsome and indescribably dashing appearance amidst the turbulence of their escape.

This series of smooth and audacious actions completely bewitched Liu Jinhuai.

He leaned against Yu Mobai's chest, and for the first time felt that this miserable escape route had become so...heart-pounding.

Yu Mobai breathed a slight sigh of relief after confirming that he was temporarily safe, but a hint of composure, as if his scheme had succeeded, flashed deep in his eyes.

This meticulously planned "adventure" has exceeded its intended effect.

The next step is to use this "life-saving grace" and the soaring favorability to leverage what he truly wants—70% of the military power in Yancheng.