She wanted none of these romantic entanglements. What she most wanted to know right now was whether Shao Mingyuan had learned anything about her brother’s situation.
Seeing Qiao Zhao’s calm expression, Chi Can inexplicably felt somewhat panicked, unconsciously increasing the force of his grip.
Qiao Zhao came back to her senses and met Chi Can’s gaze.
In his eyes, she saw anticipation and apprehension.
Only then did Qiao Zhao suddenly realize that Chi Can’s constant mockery and fault-finding had been to conceal this affection.
Grandfather had once said that we might not accept someone’s feelings, but we must know how to respect those feelings, because any person’s sincere emotions are beautiful, regardless of social status.
“Big Brother Chi, I don’t plan to marry.” Qiao Zhao said earnestly.
“Not marry?” Chi Can hadn’t expected to receive such an answer.
Qiao Zhao nodded: “Right, so Big Brother Chi shouldn’t waste time on me.”
Yang Houcheng, who was listening nearby, opened his mouth wide.
Miss Li wouldn’t marry?
How old was she, and she was already saying she wouldn’t marry in this lifetime?
Shixi, although what you did today was wrong, as a friend I still hope you won’t be fooled. Those sisters of mine often say they won’t marry and will stay with their parents forever, but what happens? When they get older, they all feel they’ve been delayed.
Yang Houcheng desperately winked at Chi Can, but Chi Can paid no attention, looking as if he was seriously contemplating.
After thinking for a moment, he released his grip: “Not marrying doesn’t mean we can’t be together.”
Qiao Zhao: “…” She didn’t quite understand – did Chi Can mean he wanted her to be his concubine?
Grandfather hadn’t told her whether this kind of feeling still needed to be respected. She had an impulse to slap this fellow in front of her.
Yang Houcheng was already shocked, numb, and finally got up: “No way, Shixi, did you not wake up properly today?”
Never mind that Miss Li was the daughter of a Hanlin Academy scholar – even an ordinary commoner’s daughter would spit in your face if you asked her to be a concubine!
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Chi Can coldly glanced at Yang Houcheng.
At such a crucial moment in his life, why was there always someone causing trouble?
“You’re the one spouting nonsense. You want Miss Li to be your concubine?”
“Concubine? What rubbish is that?” Chi Can frowned.
Yang Houcheng pointed at Chi Can, then at Qiao Zhao: “Not marrying, being together – if that’s not keeping a concubine, what is it?”
Only then did Chi Can belatedly realize that his earlier words could easily be misunderstood.
But he didn’t mean that. He just felt that if Li San absolutely wouldn’t marry, then he wouldn’t take a wife either – as long as the two of them could be together, that would be enough.
Actually, before meeting Li San, he originally had no interest in taking a wife anyway.
Chi Can observed Qiao Zhao’s expression, thinking: She seems angry.
“Li San, I didn’t mean that. I could be your—”
I could be your kept man, as long as we’re together.
Unfortunately, Chi Can’s words were interrupted by Qiao Zhao: “Big Brother Chi, I didn’t explain clearly. I just want to be alone and don’t want to be with anyone.”
With the family fire so mysterious, her brother in prison with uncertain fate, whatever truth was hidden behind this and what dangers there might be were all unknown. How could she have the energy or leisure to consider other matters?
Never mind that she only had friendship feelings for Chi Can – even if she had romantic love, she wouldn’t drag him into such a quagmire.
“Anyone?” Chi Can raised an eyebrow.
“Right, anyone.” As Qiao Zhao said these words, a person’s shadow suddenly flashed through her mind.
That person’s complexion was excessively pale, yet it didn’t diminish his sharp, cold temperament, and his physique was also excellent…
Uh, where were her thoughts going?
Qiao Zhao reined in her uncontrolled wandering thoughts.
Of course, it was anyone – she had already been Shao Mingyuan’s wife once, and it was too uninteresting.
Chi Can laughed softly.
Qiao Zhao looked at him calmly.
“Li San.” Chi Can called out once.
Perhaps because he had confessed his feelings, those surging emotions he’d never had before made the two words “Li San” carry an indescribable tenderness when they came from his mouth, more than ever before.
Yang Houcheng shivered.
How painful – why weren’t Shao Mingyuan and Zhu Yàn here at this time? What should he do in this situation?
Should he stop it, stop it, or stop it?
Young Master Yang Er struggled internally for a moment and chose to silently observe.
Chi Can reached out wanting to stroke Qiao Zhao’s raven-black hair, but ultimately withdrew his hand, saying word by word: “Remember this – I’m not just anyone. I’m Chi Can.”
After saying this, Chi Can didn’t wait for Qiao Zhao’s reaction and strode outside.
Only Qiao Zhao and Yang Houcheng remained in the room.
Yang Houcheng scratched his head: “Miss Li, whether I’m here or not doesn’t matter at all. Just pretend I didn’t exist today.”
Dropping these words, Yang Houcheng ran off.
Qiao Zhao’s mind still echoed with those words: Remember this – I’m not just anyone. I’m Chi Can.
She wearily pressed her brow.
So everything she’d said was for nothing?
Yang Houcheng walked outside and saw Chi Can standing under the covered walkway, silently gazing into the distance.
He walked to Chi Can’s side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.
“Shixi, you must be possessed today, right?”
Chi Can nearly died of anger.
He had confessed so seriously, and instead of being moved, his friend was saying he was possessed?
Why were all his friends such terrible friends?
“I’m being serious, Shixi. Miss Li isn’t even fourteen yet—”
Chi Can coldly glanced at Yang Houcheng: “I was also under fourteen once – haven’t I grown up now? She’s not fourteen yet, but I can wait.”
Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen…
“As long as she doesn’t marry, I can keep waiting.”
“What if she does marry?” Hearing his friend’s words, Yang Houcheng’s mood inexplicably grew heavy.
From his cold observation just now, he couldn’t see the slightest bit of affection from Miss Li toward Shixi.
Chi Can’s heart contracted, and he said expressionlessly: “Then naturally, the one who marries her will be me.”
Yang Houcheng gave a thumbs-up.
Never mind whether it could be achieved – he admired his friend’s confidence.
Standing at the doorway, Qiao Zhao heard every word of Chi Can’s conversation and silently turned to walk back inside.
Two people stood outside, one person sat inside, and time slowly passed in anxious waiting.
Shao Mingyuan met with Jinlin Guard Commander Jiang Tang at Chunfeng Tavern.
“The Marquis called me here – is it about Young Master Qiao’s matter?” Jiang Tang asked directly.
Shao Mingyuan personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to Jiang Tang: “The Grand Commander is a straightforward person, so I won’t speak in courtesies. I want to know exactly why my uncle-in-law provoked His Majesty’s wrath.”
“Imperial majesty is unpredictable – this shouldn’t be spoken of carelessly. However, since the Marquis is asking, I’ll speak a few reckless words, and the Marquis can just listen.”
“I’ll remember the Grand Commander’s kindness. Please speak, Grand Commander.”
Receiving this assurance from Shao Mingyuan, Jiang Tang smiled and then revealed the inside story: “The reason Young Master Qiao offended the dragon’s countenance was because he presented account books proving that Anti-Japanese General Xing Wuyang embezzled military funds.”
