The next morning, Lin Xihe was still half asleep in bed when she was woken up by the noise outside.
She was still a bit grumpy when she woke up, but when she heard Ji Zhuo busy at the stove, she immediately woke up.
Who is Ji Zhuo?
Your Excellency, the Grand Secretary!
He's actually cooking? Cooking isn't strange, but he's cooking with such a happy expression?
While muttering to herself, Lin Xihe quickly put on her outer garment.
She quietly opened the window a crack and stared at Ji Zhuo.
Ji Zhuo was busy at the stove, a faint smile on his face, seemingly in a good mood.
"Tsk tsk tsk, is this still the Ji Zhuo from my book?"
Lin Xihe was engrossed in watching when he suddenly exclaimed inwardly, "Oh no!" because he noticed Ji Zhuo's gaze sweeping in his direction.
"Come out," Ji Zhuo called out towards the window.
Lin Xihe felt a pang of panic and muttered under her breath, "How come this guy has such sharp ears and such keen eyes?"
"You're making too much noise opening the window. The hot water's ready, come out and wash your face." Ji Zhuo's voice sounded calm, without a hint of anger.
Lin Xihe breathed a sigh of relief, quickly jumped off the bed, and ran to Ji Zhuo's side.
"Before you lost your memory, were you a cook? I saw you were really into cooking," Lin Xihe teased with a grin.
"Not a gigolo? Or a cook? Well, it's alright, at least it's a job where you can support yourself." Ji Zhuo raised an eyebrow in response.
"Even a gigolo can be considered self-reliant. He keeps you company by chatting and eating with you. Doesn't that require physical exertion?"
"You seem to know quite a lot." Ji Zhuo looked at him with a half-smile.
"Hehe, I know a little, I know a little." Lin Xihe laughed awkwardly, her eyes slightly evasive.
"Still dare to be so self-righteous?" Ji Zhuo glared at him.
Lin Xihe immediately put on a flattering smile, her face instantly blossoming into a sweet smile, her voice soft and playful: "Oh, I was just kidding, don't take it seriously."
Seeing Ji Zhuo in a good mood, Lin Xihe felt she couldn't miss the opportunity and quickly pressed her advantage, her voice becoming even softer and sweeter: "Thank you so much, Brother Zhuo, for getting up so early to cook for me. Don't you think we look like an ordinary family living together?"
That "Brother Zhuo" was called with exceptional affection, the last syllable rising slightly, as if filled with boundless emotions.
Ji Zhuo was slightly taken aback, and his gaze involuntarily fell on Lin Xihe.
She was without makeup, yet her beauty was natural and unadorned. Her clear eyes and rosy cheeks resembled a lotus flower quietly blooming in the morning dew, pure and moving. Ji Zhuo felt a sweetness spreading quietly from the depths of his heart, like a gentle stream flowing through his soul.
Ever since he heard that Lin Xihe had broken off her relationship with Ye Yunfan, Ji Zhuo's care and attention towards her have become increasingly meticulous.
Every day, the two either bask in the sun together at home, enjoying the quiet time, or stroll through the mountains and forests near Lin Xihe's home, listening to the wind and birdsong, and watching the clouds drift by.
During this period, Lin Xihe seemed to have become a different person, and she restrained her personality very well.
She always smiled and spoke softly, displaying a gentle demeanor. She would also occasionally act coquettishly and cutely towards Ji Zhuo, completely lacking her former sharpness.
Deep down, she had her own plans: to flirt casually for now, as long as she could successfully achieve the small goal of "winning the first stage".
After all, in the story she knew, once the real female lead appeared, she would probably be gradually forgotten by the male lead, Ji Zhuo, so there was no need to be too reserved at the moment.
So, Lin Xihe seized the opportunity when Ji Zhuo was in a good mood and repeatedly tried to find out if Ji Zhuo had any feelings for her. But Ji Zhuo remained calm and denied it each time, never revealing a word of his feelings.
That night, in the stillness of the night, Lin Xihe dreamt that her one hundred taels of silver notes had vanished.
She suddenly felt like the sky had fallen!
She opened her eyes in a panic from a nightmare. Her consciousness was still a little hazy when she woke up. As she became more clear-headed, she subconsciously turned to her side, only to find that Ji Zhuo from the next bed was nowhere to be seen.
Only empty bedding remained.
A sense of doubt arose in her heart, and she wondered to herself, "Could it be that he went to get up in the middle of the night?"
But at that moment, faint whispers came from the quiet courtyard, the sounds particularly abrupt in the still night.
Lin Xihe's curiosity was instantly piqued, but fear followed closely behind.
She was torn; on one hand, she desperately wanted to know what was happening outside, but on the other hand, she was terrified of witnessing something horrific.
After much hesitation, she finally mustered up her courage and decided to find out for herself.
She tiptoed off the bed, her feet touching the cold floor, too afraid to put on her shoes for fear of making a sound.
She crouched low and carefully walked to the door, peering through the crack in the door.
Sure enough, two blurry figures were seen swaying in the courtyard under the hazy moonlight.
Immediately afterwards, she pressed her ear tightly against the crack in the door, barely daring to breathe, and listened intently to the conversation outside.
"There's one more thing: all those who did it have been found." A slightly deep voice came, its tone filled with awe.
"How many people?" Ji Zhuo's voice was cold and authoritative.
“Thirty-two people,” the subordinate replied crisply.
"Leave no survivors, and send their heads back to their respective homes."
"yes."
When Lin Xihe heard the word "murder," especially the thought of returning the head, she felt a chill run from the soles of her feet to her heart.
She covered her mouth tightly with both hands, afraid that she would make a sound.
She remembered a passage in the book where Ji Zhuo was doing this to get rid of those who had harmed him.
Even though I understood it in my heart, the feeling was completely different from the cold words in the book compared to the real scene I was overhearing right in front of me.
The plot in the book was just a fictional story, but now, this cruel reality was right in front of her, and the strong impact made it difficult for her to calm down for a long time.
She was afraid that Ji Zhuo would discover that she was eavesdropping, and she was also confused by the ruthlessness hidden beneath Ji Zhuo's usual gentle appearance. All these emotions were intertwined, leaving her at a loss.
"Go and investigate what I just told you to do."
Ji Zhuo's voice rang out again, interrupting Lin Xihe's chaotic thoughts.
"Yes, I'll take my leave."
Then, the figure flashed like a black lightning bolt, leaping into the vast night and disappearing.
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