The doorkeeper listened to Mu Anxiao’s words, then glanced at the procurement subordinate. He was moved. "What you're saying, is it true?" He cast another look at the procurement subordinate as he spoke.
The procurement subordinate calmly watched the doorkeeper who kept glancing at him, and frowned. "She's just a new subordinate, her words carry no credibility. I'm different. I'm the one who procures ingredients for our manor. Naturally, I have more influence with the General than this fellow. Don't believe her words."
Hearing this, the doorkeeper began to doubt Mu Anxiao's words. "Are you playing tricks on me?" he said, staring at Mu Anxiao's face, which was again puckered as if from sour plums. He became angry. "What’s with that expression? Are you provoking me?" With that, he reached out and pushed Mu Anxiao's shoulder.
Mu Anxiao lost her footing and took a step back before recovering. "I didn't mean anything by it, I just tasted something sour," she said, covering one side of her face.
The procurement subordinate sneered. "You can keep up your act here," he said, looking at the doorkeeper. "As long as you let me in, I'll speak well of you to the General, and then make you my subordinate. How about it?" He raised an eyebrow.
Hearing the procurement subordinate's words, the doorkeeper put on an expression of disdain. "Why should I be your subordinate?"
"My job is very easy. I only need to go out every day, and sometimes I don't even need to procure anything all day. I can stay in my room. How nice," the procurement subordinate began making unrealistic promises.
Everyone has their limits. Originally, Mu Anxiao didn't want to bother with this procurement subordinate; she just wanted to walk in. She didn't expect this fellow to become so presumptuous and bully her. Looking up at the back of his head, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "As long as you let me in, I'll make him do your bidding." With that, she stepped forward.
Upon hearing Mu Anxiao's words, the procurement subordinate sneered. "You really are boastful and talking nonsense."
"We'll see," Mu Anxiao said, casting a sidelong glance at the procurement subordinate. Then she turned back to the doorkeeper. "If you don't want to do his menial job, tell me what you want to do, and I'll definitely help you change careers."
"What do you mean by changing careers?" the doorkeeper was moved again.
"It means you can choose any job you want," Mu Anxiao said, a smile tugging at her lips. "If I remember correctly, you've been in this post for a long time, haven't you? Not only that, but you're also bullied by those people every day. You must feel very upset."
Hearing Mu Anxiao's words, the doorkeeper's heart sank, and he lowered his head.
Mu Anxiao continued, "If I'm not mistaken, at this time of day, it shouldn't be you on duty here, right?" As she spoke, she stared intently at the doorkeeper's face.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's words, the doorkeeper feigned grievance. "Yes, it's not me on duty. I'm standing guard for a brother. That brother said he was going to the latrine, and then he never came back. I guess he must have forgotten."
"You are truly kind," Mu Anxiao said. After thinking for a moment, she continued, "Tell me, what is the thing you want to do most? I'll help you talk to the General."
"Don't listen to her," the procurement subordinate felt a sense of crisis.
Mu Anxiao, worried that the procurement subordinate would sway the doorkeeper again, then shouted at the procurement subordinate, "Be quiet." Then she turned back to the doorkeeper with a gentle look.
The procurement subordinate was startled and dared not speak.
The doorkeeper was also startled. Then, after discreetly glancing at the procurement subordinate, he honestly replied, "I want to be the head doorkeeper."
"Still a doorkeeper?" Mu Anxiao was surprised. She hadn't expected the doorkeeper in front of her to have such 'ambition'.
The doorkeeper said, "I've been a doorkeeper for a very long time. Naturally, I'm a professional at doorkeeping. If you ask me to do something else, it would really be unrealistic."
"That's true," Mu Anxiao said, pointing to the main gate. "I'll go in now and speak for you. Can you open the door?"
"This..."
"My name is Cao Gen. If I can't manage it for you, you can come and find me anytime." Mu Anxiao believed she had the ability.
The doorkeeper, hearing Mu Anxiao's determined words, his eyes darkened. He asked, "May I ask, what is your relationship with the General?"
The procurement subordinate shifted his gaze to Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao said, "We're not brothers, but I have a sister who works here. She happens to serve tea and water to the General, so I can speak with the General. However," she lowered her face and glanced at the procurement subordinate standing behind her, "some people only brag, and not only that, they deliberately lock the back door. It's truly..."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" The procurement subordinate, afraid the doorkeeper would see through the pretense, quickly interrupted.
However, Mu Anxiao knew the procurement subordinate would be anxious, so she intentionally cut short her words and turned back to the doorkeeper. "In short, I'll keep my word. Open the door." With that, she gave the doorkeeper a sincere smile.
The doorkeeper responded, "Alright." He opened the door and let Mu Anxiao in.
The procurement subordinate, having offended Mu Anxiao, was not allowed in. At this moment, he watched the large door being closed and said, "You really believe her words."
Hearing this, the doorkeeper closed the door, turned, and looked at the procurement subordinate in front of him, saying coldly, "Even if what she said is false, I don't care."
"Why? You're deliberately targeting me, aren't you?" the procurement subordinate became agitated.
The doorkeeper took half a step forward, looking coldly at the procurement subordinate, and said, "I detest people like you who look down on others. Go through the back door. Get lost." After speaking, he stood up straight and looked ahead.
On the other side of the door, Mu Anxiao heard the doorkeeper's words, smiled faintly, and decided to continue teasing the procurement subordinate.
The procurement subordinate, realizing he couldn't win an argument with the doorkeeper, turned and left.
After a while, Mu Anxiao arrived at the back door again. Just then, the clanging of chains reached her ears. She stared at the back door, a smile playing on her lips, and called out, "So slow."
Hearing this, the procurement subordinate outside the back door stopped his actions. He then quickly bent down and peered inside through the door crack, becoming angry. "Why is it you?"
Mu Anxiao sneered. "Why can't it be me?" As she spoke, she deliberately kicked the back door.
Immediately after, the procurement subordinate retreated several steps, angrily asking, "What exactly do you want?"
"I don't want anything, I just want to ask you something," Mu Anxiao said. She glanced at the procurement subordinate through the door crack, then took a step back.
Upon hearing this, the procurement subordinate stepped forward, opening the door as he spoke, "What could you possibly want to ask me?" He dropped the chain on the ground, pushed the door open, and walked in.