The Yin Shi admitted he had guessed wrong and looked away.
Shen Yan watched Mu Anxiao’s retreating back and said, “It’s getting late, prepare to move.”
“Oh.” Mu Anxiao said nonchalantly, pushing himself up with his knees and asking, “Are you coming with me later?”
“Me?” the fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy pointed at himself.
“Yeah, not you, them?” Mu Anxiao gestured to Shen Yan and the man in the light blue robe.
The boy followed Mu Anxiao’s gaze towards the two of them, then looked back and shook his head.
“Why?”
“I’m scared.” The boy trembled all over.
Mu Anxiao looked at the boy, then considered his age, and nodded, saying, “Alright, you’re just a kid anyway. It’s too much to ask of you, it might leave you with psychological trauma. You can stay here then.”
Shen Yan looked at Mu Anxiao’s considerate back, recalling her earlier demeanor, and felt an inexplicable sense of comfort.
“It seems you’re quite pleased she’s acting this way,” the man in the light blue robe said, standing beside Shen Yan.
Shen Yan remained silent, watching Mu Anxiao’s back, and knitted his brows.
The man in the light blue robe followed Shen Yan’s gaze to Mu Anxiao.
“Thank you.” The boy’s voice trembled.
Mu Anxiao smiled, “You’re welcome. Come with me after this is done, and remember, you owe me a hundred taels of silver.”
“I don’t have any silver.” The boy shook his head.
“You have arms and legs, and you’re young. If you don’t have it, find a way to earn it,” Mu Anxiao said, then turned to the two people watching her expressionlessly and asked, “What are those faces for?”
“You’re amazing,” the man in the light blue robe gave Mu Anxiao a thumbs-up.
Mu Anxiao sheepishly touched the back of her head, “I don’t deserve such praise.”
“I wasn’t praising you,” the man in the light blue robe twitched his mouth.
“I know what you want to say,” Mu Anxiao said, stepping forward and patting the man’s shoulder, “I’m just this pragmatic. He knows.” She then pointed to Shen Yan.
Shen Yan cleared his throat and remained silent.
Mu Anxiao glanced at the man in the light blue robe, then walked up to Shen Yan and said, “I’ve decided, you don’t need to go.”
“I wasn’t planning on going either,” Shen Yan replied.
Mu Anxiao pouted, “You just rest well then.” She gestured to Shen Yan’s shoulder.
Shen Yan showed no reaction.
Mu Anxiao froze for a few seconds, then said, “I don’t know if I’ll make it back alive. If I don’t, you must burn the money you owe me, and I’ll find you whether I have anything to do or not.”
“If you die, don’t come looking for me,” Shen Yan said coldly.
Mu Anxiao looked at the expressionless Shen Yan and scoffed, “I knew you’d say that. Anyway, these past six months have been quite pleasant with you. You…”
Mid-sentence, Shen Yan reached out and covered Mu Anxiao’s mouth, “Stop talking, go quickly.” He then removed his hand.
Mu Anxiao had been saying all this to make Shen Yan reconsider, but all her efforts were in vain.
“Let’s go,” Mu Anxiao said, turning to the man in the light blue robe and asking, “What’s your name?”
“I’ll tell you when you get back.”
“And if I don’t come back?” Mu Anxiao asked, deliberately seeking hope.
The man in the light blue robe smiled, “Then I’ll tell your soul.”
Instantly, Mu Anxiao was disappointed.
“Let’s go,” she said wearily and walked towards the door of the woodshed.