Qi Nuan asked curiously, "Why do you call Bai Jiao Boss?"
"After arriving at the mountain stronghold, Second Aunt and the others all called Mr. Boss, and they also asked me to call him that."
So they all only recognized Bai Jiao as their leader after arriving at the mountain stronghold? Sir? Was Bai Jiao Ji Jin's teacher before? Qi Nuan thought this and asked this question.
The boy nodded and then shook his head.
"Yes, sir, but not the sir I was talking about."
Qi Nuan understood. Ji Jin used to call Bai Jiao "Teacher," but Bai Jiao was not Ji Jin's teacher. This title was probably the same as how Qi Nuan and the others called Zhang Liao.
It is generally a respectful title and a term of address for advisors or strategists.
Qi Nuan glanced at Ji Jinyi following behind her, unsure whether she should ask, but since the young man was unusually talkative and willing to chat, she still voiced her question.
"And what about your father and your husband? Where are they now?"
Bai Jiao shook his head, "Dead, all dead."
Although Qi Nuan had some expectations, she still couldn't bear to ask any more questions when she actually heard it.
But he seemed to be able to sense what Qi Nuan was thinking.
Qi Nuan smiled slightly, and in the moonlight, his smile and tone were so sincere. "My father entrusted me to you before he passed away, and you have not failed my father. No matter how dangerous the situation, you always take me with you. You saved my life, and I am willing to listen to my father and you."
"Actually, I hate my father. He always thinks I'm a child. He says I'm smart but he won't tell me anything. All I know is that they treat me like a child, but I'm not."
He looked at Qi Nuan, whose eyes were still glistening with tears, like a wronged child. Qi Nuan could understand why they all treated him like a child.
But this is not what he wants, and he never says it, or perhaps he does express it, but his words are ignored.
Qi Nuan held his hand and said earnestly, "You are not. You are more capable than them. It's just that no one knows. You saved me and protected me. I have always known this, and I have always been grateful to you, even if you don't need it."
I want to help you.
The young man looked at Qi Nuan, his tone solemn, and said earnestly into her eyes, "I want to help you."
"Why?"
Qi Nuan didn't understand. From the very beginning, the boy had been very, very good to her, but there was no reason for it. Qi Nuan didn't know why the boy was so good to her.
Why? Hearing Qi Nuan's question, the boy was stunned. He didn't know why, nor did he think of a reason.
He only knew that he wanted to do it, so he did it.
Perhaps when he pulled her out of the river, when he first saw her, she was in a terrible state, barely breathing. Looking at her pale face under the moonlight, he knew she needed him.
Yes, she needed him, so he appeared, and he will help her.
He also said, "You need me."
That was his reason. She looked into his eyes, and that was what he was thinking. There was no other reason; it was simply because she needed him.
Qi Nuan lowered her head, her voice even hoarser at this moment, "Thank you, yes, I need you."
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the backyard of the county government office. Qi Nuan looked up and suddenly saw Bai Jiao leaning against the hanging flower gate.
He had changed into a white casual outfit, and his gaze was chilling.
He stared at the two of them, and seeing their gazes, he gave them a slight smile.
"What? Are you surprised to see me?"
Qi Nuan composed herself, did not answer his question, and walked over calmly.
The same applies to Ji Jin, who came after him.
Seeing their identical expressions, Bai Jiao laughed angrily, "Do you dislike me that much?"
Qi Nuan walked over and asked, "Why aren't you sleeping at night? Are you pretending to be a ghost to scare people?"
"I was waiting for you two. I was only one step ahead of you when I turned around and couldn't see you anymore. I waited for so long that I thought you had been abandoned in the wilderness."
Ji Jin pursed his lips and said, "No, we talked for a while."
Bai Jiao stepped forward and put his arm around Ji Jin's shoulder, saying, "Listen to the boss, stay away from her. She'll lead you astray."
Qi Nuan glanced at him sideways; this guy really wasn't afraid of her overhearing.
Besides, if anyone was going to lead someone astray, it would be him.
Ji Jin removed his hand, speaking sparingly, "No."
Bai Jiao ignored Qi Nuan's gaze and looked at Ji Jin instead, saying, "Since you have participated in this exam, I will assign you the affairs of the county government. I hope you can handle them well."
Ji Jin glanced at Qi Nuan, a serious look flashing in his eyes.
"I will."
Seeing the boy readily agree, Bai Jiao was somewhat surprised, then glanced at Qi Nuan, his eyes thoughtful.
Ji Jin has always been a loner and dislikes communicating with others. When he is silent, he can go for days without saying a word. This became even more pronounced after his father's death. Even after Qi Nuan came, it was obvious to everyone that he treated Qi Nuan differently, but he simply followed behind her and the two rarely interacted.
Now that he is willing to handle matters at the county government office, Bai Jiao can't help but wonder if this change is all because of her.
What just happened? He recalled seeing two people walking towards him, clearly talking as they walked.
After Ji Jin left, Bai Jiao sneaked into Qi Nuan's room. Qi Nuan, with displeasure on her face, coldly mocked:
"Doesn't the county magistrate seem a bit ignorant of etiquette? Doesn't he know the difference between men and women?"
Bai Jiao ignored her sarcasm, sat down at the table, and poured himself a cup of cold tea.
He took a sip before saying, "I just have something to remind you of."
Qi Nuan looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
“Ji Jin is simple-minded, I hope you can stay away from him.”
His tone was neither good nor bad, but Qi Nuan knew that his attitude was exceptionally serious. Sometimes Qi Nuan felt that their attitude towards Ji Jin was really a bit strange.
She asked, "Is this a warning?"
"No, this is advice."
Qi Nuan had been wanting to ask, "Is this for him or for yourself?"
Bai Jiao looked at her, his gaze sharp.
She is indeed quite smart, but so what? Does it make a difference whether it's for Ji Jin or for himself?
Only by following him could Ji Jin live a good and carefree life.
This is the best outcome for Ji Jin; they don't need any changes.
Bai Jiao didn't answer, but Qi Nuan knew that both existed, just not which one was more prevalent.
She looked at him and said earnestly:
“You should know this isn’t a decision I made unilaterally. Perhaps you should communicate with Ji Jin. And why do you want me to stay away from him? Do you think I’ll hurt him? Or are you afraid of something?”
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