“Ha! I was going to ask if you wanted a ride back, but it seems unnecessary now,” Hua Rongjian said, barely containing his amusement.
An Jiu paused, then swiftly turned and leaped onto the carriage, grabbing Hua Rongjian by the collar and tossing him out.
The sudden change caught everyone off guard.
Hua Rongjian, being a fourth-rank martial artist, wasn’t so easily dismissed. He took a few large strides and dove back into the carriage. “I have more than one thing to tell you,” he said. “Your cousin has spread the word in the city that whoever can reveal your whereabouts – with accurate information – will receive free medical treatment from him for life.”
An Jiu was surprised. Mo Sigui had always been indifferent to personal relationships. Despite living with the Mei family for years and being closest to Mei Tingjun, he showed no expected grief when Mei Tingjun died. This action was unexpected. An Jiu initially thought Mo Sigui might be interested in her damaged meridians.
However, Hua Rongjian’s next words dispelled that notion. “You don’t know the risk he’s taking. The most well-informed groups in the Song Dynasty are the Konghejun and Piaomiao Mountain Villa. They’ve had their eyes on the young miracle doctor for a long time. Now, with this golden opportunity, who wouldn’t seize it?”
Both places were notoriously dangerous.
Those who lived on the edge of danger had to be willing to risk their lives. Training an excellent assassin required not only financial and human resources but also at least seven to eight years. Losing one was a significant loss. Having a miracle doctor at hand could considerably reduce these losses. Therefore, both Konghejun and Piaomiao Mountain Villa were determined to acquire Mo Sigui.
“The news has only been out for half an hour. I’ve already sent someone to notify him,” Hua Rongjian said.
An Jiu didn’t thank him, instead eyeing him inquisitively.
She had heard nothing but negative things about Hua Rongjian from others – a womanizer, a gambler, keeping songstresses. His usual demeanor indeed matched this description. Yet sometimes, he displayed remarkable shrewdness in his actions. “You have similar intentions,” she stated.
“Of course!” Hua Rongjian replied self-mockingly. “For someone like me who frequently visits brothels, having a miracle doctor nearby to maintain my health – do you have any objections?”
An Jiu didn’t argue, showing understanding, though she didn’t take his words at face value.
She stared directly at Hua Rongjian’s face, feeling perplexed. The more people she interacted with, the stranger she felt. Initially, she had despised Mo Sigui, hating his constant chatter and loathing his profession. Yet somehow, that feeling of disgust had faded. Recalling her first encounter with Hua Rongjian when he was unconscious, she had found him quite presentable. However, in subsequent meetings when he was awake, she often wanted to beat him senselessly.
Despite her dislike for Hua Rongjian, she had never eliminated him. She realized that all her reasons for not killing him were just excuses; she simply didn’t want to do it. If she had truly intended to kill him, nothing could have stopped her.
Hua Rongjian, far from feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, seemed to relish it. He struck what he considered his most dashing pose, his star-like eyes meeting hers.
He leaned casually against the side of the carriage, one hand supporting his head. His hair, disheveled from the earlier scuffle, cascaded over his fingers, blending with his black fox fur coat. Upon closer inspection, his lips had an interesting shape – the center line drooped slightly on both sides, but the corners turned up as if always holding a faint, mocking smile. This gave him an air of cold nobility, quite unlike his usual irritating manner when speaking.
He was indeed attractive like this.
An Jiu, appreciating his appearance, didn’t hold back her words. “You certainly have experience in selling your charms. Just lying there like that is worth quite a bit.”
Hua Rongjian’s expression froze. He silently consoled himself: Hua Er, this woman’s mouth is just like this. As a cultured person, you must remain calm!
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Considering you’re passably good-looking, I’ll let it slide.”
An Jiu positively affirmed his response, “You have great professional ethics, but I won’t pay you or sleep with you. Your restraint is in vain.”
Hua Rongjian had never heard of ‘professional ethics,’ but he understood the latter part clearly. Inexplicably, a fire ignited in his heart. He slammed his palm on the small table, shattering it. “Mei Shisi, are you even a woman? How can you say such things?”
“What things?” An Jiu asked.
“What things, you ask?” Hua Rongjian felt his blood boiling from his feet to his head. But after asking this question, he froze. He realized he wasn’t angry about her mocking him, but about her speaking so crudely.
Why was he getting upset over this? Hua Rongjian muttered, “I must have too much free time on my hands.”
An Jiu could sense that this time, unlike his usual playful anger, Hua Rongjian was genuinely upset. She decided not to say anything more.
The journey continued in silence.
As they neared the city, Hua Rongjian broke the silence first. “I used to think you were an ice beauty, but you’re quite talkative. Not only talkative, but every word you say is so venomous!”
Only then did An Jiu realize that she was no longer as closed off as before? At least she could engage in conversation with others now.
This must be because of Mei Jiu.
An Jiu’s expression darkened.
Come to think of it, this man was completely different from Mei Jiu. Why had she thought to chat with him? After much contemplation, An Jiu concluded that she had grown accustomed to having someone to talk to, and with Mei Jiu gone, she felt lonely.
“Hey! Hey!” Seeing that she wasn’t angry but rather looked sad, Hua Rongjian felt he had spoken too harshly. He quickly moved to her side. “I was wrong. I’m the one who can’t keep his mouth shut. I’m the chatterbox.”
He patted his chest, putting on a brave face. “You can hit me if you want. I won’t fight back.”
An Jiu had always been more receptive to gentleness than harshness. Moreover, no one had ever comforted her like this before. Seeing his expression, she couldn’t help but curve her lips slightly.
Her features were inherently delicate and beautiful, and coupled with the resilience that shone through from her soul, this faint smile was like a flower blooming from a rocky crevice. Though not dazzling, it possessed a unique, soul-stirring beauty.
Hua Rongjian was stunned, and when he came to his senses, he found he had forgotten what he wanted to say.
Seeing that she was no longer sad, he started rambling again, “You’re something else. You can dish it out but can’t take it. You speak harshly but can’t stand it when others do the same.”
The sound of rapid hoofbeats approached.
A familiar voice called out urgently, “Hua Erlang!”
Hua Rongjian hadn’t expected someone to arrive so quickly. He opened the window slightly. “Young Miracle Doctor Mo.”
“Where’s Mei Shisi?” Mo Sigui asked anxiously.
“She’s…” Hua Rongjian was considering whether to tease him when An Jiu pushed him aside.
She poked her head out of the carriage window and was shocked to see Mo Sigui’s appearance.