Bai Xi looked at the man before her, her eyes deepening.
She felt her heartbeat quicken slightly, which made her wary of the man in front of her once more.
"Dr. Han seems to know me quite well."
Her voice was faint, yet her clear, beautiful eyes held a trace of coldness.
Initially, Han Mo had given her the impression of being pure, kind, gentle, and thoughtful... but as they spent more time together, she felt he wasn't quite what she had imagined.
As the God of War of the Dark Department, she had seen her fair share of people.
Yet, the Han Mo before her was someone she couldn't see through, couldn't figure out.
What struck her as oddest wasn't this multifaceted display, but the feeling he evoked. It was a peculiar mix, with danger and safety coexisting, kindness and wickedness intertwined, mysterious and unique.
Han Mo reached out and gently brushed a strand of Bai Xi's wind-tousled hair behind her ear. "When you went to the Zhou family to cause trouble for the Bai family, your mother and Aunt Feng told me everything about you and Zhou Wen."
Bai Xi glanced towards the villa entrance. Feng Yi was standing at the gate, looking at them expectantly, her eyes filled with a strange sort of anticipation?
Bai Xi was instantly speechless. She had the feeling of being out on a raid, only to have her home infiltrated by an enemy: "Can I ask you a question?"
Han Mo replied frankly, "Ask away."
Bai Xi looked at him, her gaze serene. "When did you start liking me?"
Han Mo smiled. "If I said it was love at first sight, would you believe me?"
Bai Xi raised an eyebrow. "So, you mean you were smitten by my looks."
Han Mo's eyes were gentle, appearing even softer beneath his metal-rimmed glasses. "Perhaps it's genetic imprinting. My genes locked onto you the moment I saw you."
Bai Xi: "..."
Alright, even though his words felt a bit far-fetched.
But paired with his voice and that face, most women would likely feel an irresistible urge.
After a moment of consideration, she finally spoke. "My brother and mother both like you, and I don't dislike you. We... it's not impossible to try. We can spend some time together and see."
If she had to have a man at home to take care of the household, Han Mo might just be a good choice.
Upon hearing this, Han Mo was slightly taken aback, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
While he knew Xi'er wouldn't refuse, he hadn't expected her to agree so quickly. So, at the moment he heard her consent, he still felt a touch of emotion.
"I will adhere to Miss Tong's previous standards and diligently perform as your prospective boyfriend until the eldest miss understands her own feelings."
As soon as he said this, Bai Xi's mind flashed back to Tong Yao's wildly imaginative and outlandish remarks: "You don't have to listen to her."
After saying that, she thought seriously for a moment. "What you need to know now is that the most important quality for my partner is absolute loyalty, both in body and mind. If you want to back out, you can do so now, otherwise... Zhou Wen's warning might just come true."
Zhou Wen had said a lot of nonsense today, but that one sentence might not be false.
The Dark Department required absolute loyalty; traitors met only with death.
Human energy was finite, and she didn't wish to waste too much of it on emotions. She wouldn't force anything, nor would she be overly picky. If, in the future, they truly found common ground, it would be either a lifetime together or a lifetime apart.
Han Mo's lips curved into a faint smile. "It's my pleasure."
He then extended his hand.
Bai Xi hesitated for a second before placing her hand in his palm.
Han Mo, holding Bai Xi's hand, stood at the entrance of the Bai family villa and offered Feng Yi a heartwarming smile.
Feng Yi's expression was ecstatic, her joy undisguised. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she murmured internally, "Wonderful, simply wonderful. The eldest miss has finally opened her heart to accept others. I must go tell Madam right away."
With that, she turned and ran back into the villa.
Madam had been worried that the eldest miss might develop a rebellious attitude towards men due to the incident with Zhou Wen, but now... her willingness to accept Dr. Han proved that the eldest miss had moved past her emotional trauma.
Bai Xi looked at Feng Yi's excited face and frowned slightly. "...Why is Aunt Feng so thrilled?"
Han Mo smiled faintly. "Perhaps Young Master Bai Han's illness has been cured."
Bai Xi: "Is that so?"
She had a feeling she was being manipulated, yet she couldn't pinpoint any specific issues. Oh well.
Han Mo smiled without answering.
Bai Xi thought seriously for a moment. "Since we've decided to try, then from now on, don't call my brother 'Young Master.' Just call him Xiao Han like before. And my mother... Aunt? Or Aunt Lin?"
Her brother was 27. Last time Shen Mingxun investigated Han Mo's treatment, Han Mo was 28 this year.
Tong Yao called her mother Aunt Lin, so it was appropriate for Han Mo to do the same.
They would start as friends, rather than an unequal employer-employee relationship.
Han Mo's smile remained gentle, even tinged with a hint of sweetness. "Alright."
The night was as dark as ink. Han Mo stood on the balcony, the evening breeze rustling his hair. He looked at the window of Bai Xi's room, his light-colored eyes deepening once more.
Indeed, desires were always boundless.
The first time he reunited with her, all he wanted was for her to be well. Even if she was far away, beyond his sight, as long as she lived happily in this world, he would be content.
The second time he saved her, he began to desire to guard her from a close yet not too close distance; that would be enough.
The third time they met, he had originally only intended to help her treat her family and keep her company for a short while, to be a passerby in her life.
Until her kiss landed on his lips, he realized that his pretense, his reserve, his lack of extravagant desires, were all just excuses to deceive himself and suppress himself.
He wanted to be by her side, desperately so, but he couldn't let anyone know, and even... couldn't let her see him like this, or she might run away.
At that moment, a fiery red butterfly landed on his fingertip.
Those who dared to hurt her had no right to live!
The next morning, as soon as Bai Xi woke up, she heard Feng Yi's delighted voice. "Eldest miss, Young Master Bai Han has woken up. Madam wants to see you. Hurry and go take a look."
Towards the end, her voice choked slightly.
Bai Xi was startled, a sense of unease rising in her heart. Had something happened to her brother?
Saying that, she immediately got up. "I'll go over right away."
She quickly rose, put on the clothes the maid had prepared yesterday, and hurried to Bai Han's room.
The room was filled with ample sunlight. Bai Han was still sitting on his bed, his expression one of unprecedented calm and composure. He had been conversing with Lin Yun, but upon seeing Bai Xi, he turned his head slightly, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "My little Xi has grown up so much. You've had a hard time all these years..."
Bai Xi was slightly stunned and looked at Bai Han. "Brother, you're well?"