But that man didn’t look like a wealthy young master either, so how could he afford to hire any servants?

As Ji Yunshu pondered this, she felt her occupational hazard acting up again.

So she fiercely slapped her own forehead.

To stop herself from speculating wildly.

This scene happened to be caught by Lichuan’s eye.

The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but lift upward.

In an instant, it returned to its original state.

As if he’d been startled by his own action just now.

Was he… smiling?

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

He took a deep breath and quickly cleared all those messy thoughts from his mind.

Continuing to maintain that cold, indifferent expression!

Staring at the fire in front of him.

Ji Yunshu, however, was still observing that side. She saw the woman take out a flatbread from her bundle, swallow hard, but didn’t eat it. Instead, she handed it to the man sitting across from her.

And said: “This is… the last one.”

Her voice was as tiny as a mosquito bite!

Extremely cautious and careful.

As if very afraid the man would be displeased.

Though the voice was very small, it was still caught by Ji Yunshu’s always sharp ears.

She felt somewhat puzzled.

Though she tried to restrain herself from her occupational hazard, she just couldn’t control it.

The man took the flatbread. Even after hearing there was only one flatbread left, he didn’t consider breaking it in half to share some with the woman. Instead, he ate it on his own without a care.

The woman could only bury her head even lower.

Her skeletal, bony hands hugged her own stomach.

Seeing this, Ji Yunshu really couldn’t bear it. She took out the two remaining steamed buns she had with her.

She stood up and walked over.

This also drew strange looks from both the man and woman.

Ji Yunshu crouched down beside the woman and said: “We happen to have two steamed buns left here. Take them.”

Joy flashed in the woman’s eyes. She was about to accept them, but her hand had barely extended before she quickly withdrew it.

Then she looked at the man.

As if she needed his permission before she could accept.

A trace of displeasure flashed in the man’s eyes, but he concealed it very well. He stood up and said: “Thank you for your kindness, young lady, but we really cannot accept such a gift.”

“When traveling away from home, we should help each other.”

“But…”

“They’re not precious items. There’s no harm in accepting them.”

She stuffed the two steamed buns into the woman’s hands!

But inadvertently caught sight of a bruise on the woman’s wrist.

It looked like a fresh injury!

But it wasn’t appropriate to ask about it.

The woman lowered her head and thanked her: “Thank you, young lady.”

“No need for thanks.” As she spoke, Ji Yunshu lightly patted the back of her hand, then returned to her spot.

Regarding her actions, Lichuan had no objections.

He just felt this woman’s heart was too kind.

When she returned, he reminded her: “Being good to others may not necessarily earn you an equal return.”

Ji Yunshu replied: “Does being good to others have to be for the sake of getting a return?”

These words actually left Lichuan speechless!

Ji Yunshu looked over there and saw the woman was about to hand the steamed buns to the man across from her, but the man didn’t accept them. Instead, he glared fiercely at her.

The woman had no choice but to take back the steamed buns. She ate one herself and tucked the other into her bosom!

That night, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled outside, but the ruined temple was completely quiet.

No one spoke again.

Early the next morning, before dawn had even broken, Lichuan pulled Ji Yunshu along to continue their journey.

If they were any slower, the remaining distance would probably drag on for another day!

Before they left, the man and woman from last night were also about to depart.

None of them greeted each other!

Each went their own way.

Along the road, under Lichuan’s repeated urging, plus Ji Yunshu becoming somewhat more skilled at horseback riding, they traveled much faster.

They finally arrived at the border town of Jiahe in Qujiang in the afternoon!

Unlike the desert with its scorching sun overhead, this place could be described as full of birdsong and fragrant flowers, outstanding in both people and land.

Just like Jinjiang in Da Lin.

It was a very comfortable small town.

The two found an inn to stay in.

Lichuan slipped some silver into the servant’s hand and instructed: “Go buy two sets of clean clothes.”

The servant understood his meaning. Having received the silver, he was naturally quick to work. He hurried to the street and bought two sets of clothes.

One set was delivered to Lichuan’s room.

One set was delivered to Ji Yunshu’s room.

Ji Yunshu took a comfortable bath, changed into clean clothes, and only then went downstairs to eat.

Lichuan had already ordered food and was waiting for her.

The servant asked: “Honored guests, the best thing we have here is wine. Would you like a pot?”

“No need!”

“Honored guest, this wine is guaranteed to…”

Lichuan interrupted: “I already said no need. Are your ears not working properly?”

The servant saw he carried a sword with him and knew he wasn’t someone to provoke.

He could only withdraw.

Ji Yunshu looked thoughtful and asked: “You don’t drink alcohol?”

Lichuan said: “Drinking interferes with business!”

When handling matters away from home, he never drank alcohol.

This was a habit!

Ji Yunshu remained silent.

After the meal, the two each returned to their rooms to rest.

But Ji Yunshu always felt uneasy in her heart.

In the end, she still went and knocked on Lichuan’s door.

Lichuan blocked the doorway, not letting her enter: “What is it?”

With a worried expression, she asked him: “Will you leave?”

“…” Lichuan’s eyes flickered slightly.

“You can’t abandon me!”

“…”

“Lichuan.” She reached out and grabbed his sleeve. “I don’t care what business you have to attend to, but no matter what, I cannot let you leave. Wherever you need to go, I must follow.”

“Go back and rest.”

“Promise me first!”

Lichuan looked at those eyes filled with pleading. He seemed about to speak but hesitated for a long while before finally nodding.

Having received his response, Ji Yunshu finally felt at ease. Her hands released his sleeve, and she immediately beamed with joy: “Since you promised me, you cannot go back on your word.”

Lichuan coldly nodded.

Then he closed the door!

Ji Yunshu also returned to her room to rest peacefully.

But she never imagined…

The next day, before dawn had even broken, Lichuan left his room.

He stood outside Ji Yunshu’s room for a long while, his gaze seeming to pass through the window to see Ji Yunshu sleeping soundly inside.

That gaze that had always been cold and severe had now softened considerably!

During this half month, he and Ji Yunshu had been together day and night, inseparable. Though he’d always disliked the woman’s persistent entanglement and had even considered abandoning her and leaving on his own, now he discovered he actually felt a trace of reluctance.

And for someone like him, this kind of feeling was a fatal weakness!

It had to be eliminated as soon as possible.

He withdrew his gaze and finally turned to leave…

When Ji Yunshu woke up, the servant handed her a package of silver.

And informed her: “Miss, this is from the young master who was traveling with you. He asked me to give it to you. He said he has urgent business and had to leave first.”

Ji Yunshu seemed unable to process this: “What did you say? He left?”

“Yes.”

She staggered back a few steps, tears instantly welling up in her eyes. She grabbed the servant and asked: “When did he leave? Exactly when did he leave?”

The servant was confused and quickly said: “Today… he left before dawn.”

Ji Yunshu rushed out like a madwoman!