A portrait? A test?
However, Mu Anxiao's words also left Feng Qishi momentarily stunned. But as Mu Anxiao had expected, he had indeed carried the coachman's portrait with him recently. During this time, he had tried several times to find the coachman, but to no avail. Now, seeing Mu Anxiao's expectant expression and recalling her earlier assessment of the dirty-faced man's lateness, he let out a sigh and chose to compromise.
"I'll help you look for him," he agreed to cooperate.
"Then look for him."
Everything was as Mu Anxiao had anticipated, so she felt nothing from Feng Qishi's reaction.
Immediately, Feng Qishi really took out a folded portrait from his chest and handed it to Mu Anxiao. "Here, this is it."
"This one," Mu Anxiao said, looking down at the creased paper. "It's too wrinkled." After speaking, she still took the painting.
"Don't be picky. I followed the general's orders and found quite a few people. This merit," Feng Qishi was completely cooperating with Mu Anxiao, "should count me in."
"I didn't say I wouldn't give you credit," Mu Anxiao said dismissively.
"You were always snatching my credit before. Don't pretend to be a good person now."
"I am a good person, I don't need to pretend." Mu Anxiao glanced at Feng Qishi, then turned back to the dirty-faced man. "Here, this is your task." She handed him the portrait.
"What is this?" The dirty-faced man was a bit confused.
"You need to help find the person in the portrait."
"People in this mansion, I don't know..."
"This is a secret test by the general, no one in the mansion knows. If you're discovered, you can run. But first," Mu Anxiao guessed the dirty-faced man's thoughts, so she became serious, "you must tell me about the person in the painting, their situation and location. Of course, if you can bring him out, that would be even better."
"..." The dirty-faced man felt the task was too strange, and without a word, he unfolded the portrait. It was a man. "How can I bring him?" He suddenly lost confidence in himself.
"Just bring him," Mu Anxiao said casually.
The dirty-faced man looked troubled. "If it were a girl, it would be more convenient. This is a man, and a middle-aged man at that. I'm afraid it will be difficult."
"If you can't bring him out, just tell me where he is," Mu Anxiao lowered the task's requirements.
Unexpectedly, the dirty-faced man still hesitated.
Seeing the dirty-faced man's hesitant expression, Mu Anxiao became impatient. "What do you mean by this? Do you want to give up?"
"I..."
"You're much better than that Song Xu," Mu Anxiao suddenly said.
The dirty-faced man was startled. "Why did you suddenly mention him?" he asked impatiently.
Mu Anxiao's lips curved. "I'm serious. In my eyes, you are much better than that Song Xu. Believe me," she said, "if you complete this mission, you can enter the general's mansion. Then, you will definitely be utilized by the general. As for that Song Xu, he will forever remain just a small businessman hiding behind his family's fortune, and gradually, A Chu will turn to you."
"That might not be easy," the dirty-faced man suddenly lost confidence.
"Have some confidence in yourself. I believe you will be much more capable than that Song Xu." Mu Anxiao's expression was determined, as if she could predict the future.
This time, after hearing Mu Anxiao's words, the dirty-faced man smiled subtly.
Then, Mu Anxiao intentionally added, "For yourself, for A Chu's future, go." As she spoke, she intentionally lowered her head to look at the coachman in the portrait again, feeling excited.
Unexpectedly, at the moment Mu Anxiao said this, the dirty-faced man once again put on a hesitant expression.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao was confused. "What's wrong with you again? Can't you be braver?" she said, feeling a little anxious.
Feng Qishi crossed his arms, watching Mu Anxiao's clearly anxious expression, and smiled, deliberately not interjecting.
"If I bring that man out," the dirty-faced man suddenly said, his face full of expectation, "will my status be even higher?" His eyes lit up.
However, Mu Anxiao thought the dirty-faced man was hesitating. Who knew... he had actually brought up the question she wanted to hear. Looking at him, she couldn't help but smile with relief. "Of course, a position even more powerful than a capable assistant." As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at Feng Qishi, who had absolute executive power over this matter.
Feng Qishi was utterly speechless.
The dirty-faced man couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Mu Anxiao asked intentionally.
"I'm laughing because I'll be able to be with A Chu in the future. I'm happy."
"Some things are useless if you only think about them. You have to take action. Only by doing well will the general notice you. Of course," Mu Anxiao didn't want to make promises she couldn't keep, and smiled at the dirty-faced man, "before that, you have to pass my test first. As long as you pass my test, I believe the general will also value you."
"What do you think of me?" The dirty-faced man was intimidated by Mu Anxiao's words.
"Very good." Mu Anxiao gave him a thumbs-up.
"Excellent?" the dirty-faced man asked again.
Mu Anxiao smiled helplessly. "Excellent." Then, she pointed to the not-so-high wall and asked, "Are you going to climb over?"
"Yes, I will do my best to bring the man out for you." The dirty-faced man was excited. After glancing at both Mu Anxiao and Feng Qishi, he put the portrait into his chest.
Mu Anxiao wanted exactly this attitude from the dirty-faced man, so she smiled faintly. "I believe in you." With that, she waved her hand. "Go."
The dirty-faced man nodded, turned around, and in a few movements, climbed over.
The next moment.
Feng Qishi shifted his gaze to Mu Anxiao's face. "..." He deliberately remained silent, waiting to see what Mu Anxiao would say.
At the same time, Mu Anxiao also shifted her gaze to Feng Qishi's face. "Why are you looking at me?" Her eyes flickered, as if she was nervous about something.
"You tell me why I'm looking at you."
"How should I know? Why are you looking at me?" Mu Anxiao felt guilty.
Feng Qishi: "The guarantee you gave that guy was excellent. If it were me," he smiled, "I would definitely be tempted."
"I think he's quite capable."
"And then?"
"And then, since I've already said all that, when this is over," Mu Anxiao clasped her hands together, looking serious, "please help me."
"I don't want a capable assistant."
"Then a bodyguard."
"Not needed," Feng Qishi said calmly.
"What do you mean?" Mu Anxiao's face fell.
"It means, if you beg me, I'll help you." Feng Qishi saw that Mu Anxiao was unhappy and stopped teasing her, his attitude instantly becoming serious.
"I'm begging you," Mu Anxiao said forcefully.
Seeing Mu Anxiao like this, Feng Qishi dared not continue to make things difficult for her. He smiled and said, "Alright, let me think."
"Thank you," Mu Anxiao said, patting Feng Qishi's arm.
Feng Qishi smiled broadly. "What are we to each other?" He then glanced towards the back door.