Yan Jiaojiao, not understanding the situation, stood up warily. "How did you find me here?"
Sheng Mo Bai said proudly, "Come on, Zhao Village isn't that big. A casual inquiry and everyone knows where you are."
"So, what do you want with me?"
Sheng Mo Bai was very forward, walking directly into the room and beside Yan Jiaojiao. He raised his arm, revealing a deep bruise, and said in a pitiful tone, "Look, these are the scars I got last night protecting you."
Yan Jiaojiao's brows furrowed. The bruise was a whip mark, reminding her of the guards she had encountered in the Yan family before.
Dongfang Xu also tiptoed to take a look and whispered, "It must have hurt a lot."
"Yes, it hurt a lot!" Sheng Mo Bai immediately exaggerated, seizing the opportunity. "Last night, this humble scholar guarded Zhao Village all night, fending off countless assassins for you so that Jiaojiao could sleep soundly here."
Looking at Sheng Mo Bai's expectant face, Yan Jiaojiao's brows furrowed even tighter. She asked him, "Were they sent by the Yan family?"
"What do you think?" Sheng Mo Bai's rhetorical question was the answer.
Yan Jiaojiao had also suspected that Yan Zhengfeng would harm her, but there had been no unusual activity within her perception last night. She had thought Yan Zhengfeng had a change of heart, but it turned out Sheng Mo Bai had intervened.
"Thanks," Yan Jiaojiao said indifferently.
"Is that all?" Sheng Mo Bai was greatly disappointed. "At least give me a hug to encourage me."
Yan Jiaojiao rolled her eyes and turned to walk back inside.
This kid was quite skilled at flirting. If he put such opportunistic thoughts to good use, his cultivation would have caught up, and he wouldn't have been injured by the Yan family guards.
Seeing that Yan Jiaojiao was ignoring him, Sheng Mo Bai quickly followed, "Jiaojiao, where are you going?"
"If you're really free, stay here and play with Xu'er for a while. I need to pack my things," Yan Jiaojiao instructed him directly.
Yan Zhengfeng had already found Zhao Village. Sheng Mo Bai's obstruction wouldn't stop him from coming again. If he discovered Dongfang Xu's whereabouts, it would be even more troublesome.
Yan Jiaojiao decided to leave early. As soon as Rong'er returned, she would immediately depart from Kunyang City.
However, Sheng Mo Bai seemed to have seen through Yan Jiaojiao's intentions. "Jiaojiao, are you planning to run away? Why don't you come back to the Sheng family with me? Once we're on my territory, your husband will surely protect you. You can... Ouch!"
Before Sheng Mo Bai could finish speaking, his foot suddenly twisted as if in a knot, and he stumbled to the ground.
Dongfang Xu, being childish, immediately burst into laughter. The little black dog squatted by Dongfang Xu's feet, its furry tail wagging contentedly.
Yan Jiaojiao said helplessly, "You don't need to go to such lengths. I won't agree to this marriage. You should give up and find a suitable match elsewhere."
"Don't say that," Sheng Mo Bai said, getting up without bothering to tidy his appearance. He stared at Yan Jiaojiao and grinned, "I truly want to marry you. The moment I saw you in the restaurant that day, this humble scholar fell in love with you at first sight."
"Shh," Yan Jiaojiao put a fair finger to her lips. "Sheng Mo Bai, have you noticed that when you talk nonsense, you like to refer to yourself as 'this humble scholar'?"
Sheng Mo Bai's playful expression stiffened, and a shadow flickered in his eyes.
Yan Jiaojiao smiled faintly, her gaze having already seen through him. "I don't know your intentions, but you don't need to try to trick me with sweet talk anymore. I'm sure you don't really like me."
Sheng Mo Bai stopped smiling and looked at Yan Jiaojiao without speaking. Yan Jiaojiao met his gaze fearlessly, her eyes clear and unyielding.
Just as Dongfang Xu sensed something was amiss, Sheng Mo Bai suddenly smiled again. This time, it wasn't the usual forced flirtatiousness, but a refreshing clarity like sunlight breaking through the morning mist. He said, "Yan Jiaojiao, you are truly far more interesting than I thought. I believe I might truly fall in love with you in the days to come."
"That's unnecessary," Yan Jiaojiao waved her hand indifferently. An ancient ancestor of a thousand years didn't need love.
Sheng Mo Bai still smiled, nodded, and then asked, "So, you really don't need my help anymore? The Yan family is indeed a bit difficult to deal with."
"That works too." Seeing that Sheng Mo Bai was no longer hiding his true self, Yan Jiaojiao was quite willing to take advantage of the free help. She said, "You're leaving Kunyang City today too, aren't you?"
Sheng Mo Bai was a smart man and immediately understood Yan Jiaojiao's meaning. He said, "Yes, I am. But if I take you with me, the Yan family will surely not agree, and it will be difficult to even get out of Kunyang City."
Yan Jiaojiao smiled slyly. "I have my arrangements."
Thus, when Rong'er returned, Yan Jiaojiao had already packed Dongfang Xu's small bag and was waiting for them in the courtyard.
"Young Miss, are you leaving?" Rong'er seemed surprised.
"Something sudden came up. I'll be leaving soon," Yan Jiaojiao replied calmly. She then asked, "Has the matter of your manumission been settled?"
Rong'er smiled happily and said, "I've been manumitted! But, Young Miss, where are you going? Let Rong'er continue to stay by your side!"
Yan Jiaojiao did not rush to agree, but asked again, "Where is your brother, Zhao Qi? Wasn't he with you?"
"He has other work to do and has gone to attend to it, so he didn't return with me," Rong'er replied quickly. She was about to go inside to pack her things. "Young Miss, you must take me with you. I've been by your side for so many years. What will happen if Rong'er isn't there to serve you in the future?"
"No."
Seeing Yan Jiaojiao's curt refusal, Rong'er turned back, only to meet Yan Jiaojiao's cold gaze.
"Young Miss..."
Yan Jiaojiao stood up and paced towards Rong'er, a faint smile on her face, as if Rong'er's perception of her coldness was a mistake. As she approached, she asked softly, "Rong'er, you've also said you've been with me for many years. Have you forgotten the wish you made on your tenth birthday that year?"
"Young Miss, tenth... I've forgotten what I wished for on that birthday," Rong'er said with some embarrassment. She added, as if innocently, "Perhaps you still remember Rong'er's wish? You are too kind to Rong'er."
Yan Jiaojiao had already reached Rong'er. She placed her hands familiarly on Rong'er's shoulders and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Of course, I remember. You didn't even have a birthday when you were ten. You cried very sadly that day, and I only found out the next day."
Rong'er's shoulders tensed. "Yes, it seems so. It's been too long, I don't remember clearly... Ah!"
The hand Yan Jiaojiao had on Rong'er's shoulder suddenly tightened, causing Rong'er to cry out in pain, her face contorted. When she tried to twist away from Yan Jiaojiao's grasp, she realized she was already firmly controlled!
"Are you afraid of me?" Yan Jiaojiao sneered. "Rong'er?"