I didn't answer, but simply lowered my head slightly and curtsied. For the past two years at home, nothing had happened in the manor. After the servants became closer to me, a few of the bolder maids came to teach me daily etiquette. I didn't imitate it well, and they always laughed at me. When war broke out, some left, some fled, and those who remained had no more interest in playing. My knees had become stiff, and I could no longer bend them.
He reached out to help me up, but I carefully dodged him, not noticing the wry smile on his face. I only heard him say, "Why be so distant?"
It seems we used to be very close, but I have no memory of that. From the first time I met him, I felt very distant from him.
Just as I was about to leave, he grabbed my wrist and whispered, "You've never spoken to me."
I tried to pull my hand away as I always had, but this time, his strength was surprisingly great.
Mr. Xu finally stood up, resuming his usual strategist demeanor, and said calmly, "Young Master Jimo, it will only be a month."
Ji Mo's hand finally loosened its grip. At that moment, I lifted my skirt and ran away without a care in the world. I didn't know why I was running. In this life, I have never been able to hide from anyone, but in the end, I am always hiding from someone.
The old cook soon brought the food to my room. Surprisingly, it didn't have such a strong herbal smell. He said it was Ji Mo's order, and he was afraid I couldn't stand the smell, so he secretly threw it away.
I simply nodded my thanks and said nothing more. As for Ji Mo, I remained noncommittal. After all, he wasn't completely blind; anyone could see how kind he was to me. I just didn't know why he treated me this way. He could put on an act for two years at the border, like a theatrical performance; it was hard to say his feelings for me weren't feigned. I just didn't know what he could possibly want from someone like me. My once powerful father was gone, the Liao family mansion had been sealed off, and our savings were long gone. What could he possibly want from me?
For a whole month after that day, I don't know if he carefully avoided me or I carefully avoided him. We never saw each other again. It wasn't until the day they left, when Big Guy and Hairy Legs grinned and lifted the curtain to come in, that I realized they were leaving.
"Miss, miss, the boss will be leaving soon." The hairy-legged man grinned mischievously, as if hinting at something, "Aren't you going to see him off?"
I didn't react, and I didn't know how to react to them.
The big guy shoved the hairy-legged girl and said in a simple-minded way, "What nonsense are you talking about? A real man should be here to see the girl. Girl, I've been busy with this and that these past few days, please forgive me. Making a name for yourself is the most important thing for a man, isn't it? We're all waiting to follow our boss and rise to prominence."
To achieve great success? To rise to prominence? I was completely bewildered.
"Yes, yes, once the boss takes over the capital, let's see who dares to say anything! Those guys from the Ghost Fang should be afraid of the boss!" the short man echoed.
Gui Fang? Wasn't he bribed by Gui Fang?
"What nonsense are you spouting here again?" His voice suddenly rang out, carrying a hint of authority and a touch of heroism. My gaze followed the sound, and I saw that he was already wearing his armor.
The short man shrugged and chuckled, "I just came to say goodbye to Madam before I leave. I don't even know if I'll be able to come back alive."
I wonder if I'll come back alive. Isn't that what war is all about? Whether you're a soldier or a civilian, a saint or a bandit, who knows the final outcome? Born into a chaotic world, this realization leaves you with almost no other choice.
Perhaps noticing my slightly gloomy expression, he turned to me and smiled gently: "They're just talking nonsense, don't take it seriously."
This is absolutely true; I survived the massacre and have seen far too much of it. His attempts to deceive me are utterly pointless.
"I'm sorry to have frightened you, Madam." The short man clasped his hands in apology, then smiled, "Boss, you're too kind. That hairy-legged fellow deserves to die."
He reached out as if to hit him, and the big guy quickly pushed the hairy-legged guy out.
Suddenly, it was just him and me, face to face. I sat at the desk, and he stood opposite me. He looked at me, but I didn't meet his gaze.
After a long silence, he spoke, his voice devoid of emotion, his usual gentle tone: "I'm leaving. I don't know how long I'll be gone, or if it's safe in this mountain valley. If anything happens, don't worry about us..." He said the word "we" with great difficulty. "There are a few places to hide in the mountains, so don't be afraid. I don't know how far I'll go, or what new and interesting things I might see, or if I can bring them back to you. Anyway, you were born into the Liao family, so you've naturally seen all sorts of valuable things." He gave a self-deprecating laugh, paused for a long time, then squatted down so that his face could come into my view. I didn't turn my head away, just to avoid him bothering me any further.
"If I could come back, would you marry me?"
Gone was the sharp intimidation of his entrance when they first met, gone was the intimacy with which he addressed Mao Tui'er and the others as brothers; now it was just a simple, unassuming remark, as if he were discussing the most ordinary family matters.
I don't know what to say. Looking into his eyes, those night-like eyes, they held so much hidden within.
I shook my head. He forced a smile, propped himself up on his knees, and said softly, "I'm leaving."
Without hesitation, the voice of the armored figure faded into the distance.
I didn't look up, but listened quietly to his footsteps as he walked away.
Amidst the commotion of horses' hooves, I lifted the curtain and stepped outside, only to find not a soul in sight.
He's gone. Indeed, he's gone.
Looking back, every meeting or parting was fleeting. In two years, I've only seen him three times. He saw me when I was most pathetic, most afraid, and most helpless. It's precisely because I've seen him that I'm afraid—afraid he'll take advantage of my weakness, afraid he'll figure out what I'm thinking. Day after day, I avoid him, not knowing how long this avoidance will last.
Mr. Xu said that she would naturally understand when the time came, but he didn't know when that time would arrive.
She lowered the curtain and turned around, only to be surprised to find that there was still someone in the room. Upon closer inspection, she saw a face she had never seen before.
“Don’t be afraid, it was Fu Xi who sent me here,” he said in a low voice. “Qiu Niu is his elder brother.”
I lowered my head as a greeting.
“Fu Xi said you don’t like to talk, but that’s alright.” His voice was very gentle, with the demeanor of an elder brother. “Don’t worry, Ya Zi has already been secretly protecting Ji Mo Dong Li, he will be fine.”
Whether Jimo is good or bad is ultimately irrelevant to me.
"I won't bother you. Just call me if you need anything. I'm nearby."
He vanished in an instant, and my mind was still in turmoil.
While I may not know Qiuniu and Fuxi, the name Yazi is certainly familiar to everyone. Yazi's vengeful and belligerent nature is legendary. But are there truly any dragon sons? People regard dragons as auspicious creatures; if Yazi is indeed a dragon son, wouldn't his brothers Qiuniu and Fuxi also be? Having Jimo Dongli by his side seems rather auspicious. The story behind this is truly frightening.
Although Qiuniu was kind, he was distant. Fuxi had already left with Jimo, and I had no idea that Yazi, whom he said was protecting Jimo, was actually there.
Even if I wanted to ask a question, I had no direction.
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