Qiao Zhao didn’t answer A’Zhu’s question, but said in her heart: Because only this way will he give up hope.

If at first she thought Chi Can’s fondness for her was merely a noble young master’s whimsical interest in a little girl, now she couldn’t deny that he was serious.

Since he was serious about her, but she could never reciprocate, it was better to let him give up hope early. What could be more disheartening than letting him know her heart belonged to someone else, and that someone happened to be his close friend?

Most of the time, Qiao Zhao was smart and rational, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t troubled by this.

Chi Can was the one who had rescued her from danger, the lifeline she had grasped when she had just become the little girl Li Zhao and was frightened and helpless.

Such a person—she might never love him, but she would always be grateful to him.

Naturally, hurting him made her feel bad.

From that day on, Qiao Zhao never went to the dining hall for meals again.

The wound medicine A’Zhu had delivered was quite effective. When she saw Shao Mingyuan the next day, most of the bruising on his face had already faded.

Even so, the young general with a black eye still looked somewhat comical.

Qiao Zhao stared at his face for quite a while.

Shao Mingyuan felt somewhat embarrassed but didn’t avoid her gaze, letting her examine him.

“It seems Brother Chi struck quite hard yesterday.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Yes. Zhaozhao, that medicine—”

Qiao Zhao interrupted him: “General Shao, you should understand my intention, shouldn’t you?”

She lowered her eyes and said indifferently, “I simply don’t want Brother Chi to waste any more time on me. It doesn’t mean I have any feelings for General Shao.”

“I know.”

Qiao Zhao looked up at him.

The man across from her smiled gently: “I know all your thoughts.”

Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but frown.

Why did she always have that powerless feeling of punching cotton? She had seemingly made things clear just now, but when this person opened his mouth, something felt off.

“It’s good that General Shao understands.” Unable to sort out her thoughts, Miss Qiao simply stopped overthinking and said with a stern face.

“Regardless, thank you, Zhaozhao.” Shao Mingyuan smiled as he looked at the girl with her awkward expression.

“General Shao, don’t you think it would be more appropriate to call me Miss Li?”

“If brother-in-law calls you Miss Li, then I’ll call you Miss Li.” Shao Mingyuan easily deflected this statement.

Qiao Zhao bit her lip.

She was wrong—Shao Mingyuan had never been someone who honestly let others push him around.

Shao Mingyuan lowered his head slightly. Although the bruising on his face detracted from his handsomeness, he didn’t care at all and chuckled: “If Zhaozhao finds it inappropriate, there’s another way.”

“What?” Qiao Zhao reflexively asked.

“You could call me Tingquan, then it would be appropriate.”

“Shao Mingyuan!” She knew it—this soldier who had spent years fighting wars wasn’t a good person!

Someone quickly confirmed Miss Qiao’s suspicion.

He skillfully grasped her hand and smiled: “Calling me Shao Mingyuan is also fine.”

“Do you have no shame left?” Qiao Zhao was rendered helpless by him. Finally abandoning her ladylike demeanor, she lowered her voice and demanded.

“I do.” The young general nodded, then quickly added: “But what I want more is you. So if these two things conflict, I can do without the former.”

“Shao Mingyuan—” Qiao Zhao ground out these three characters through gritted teeth and closed her eyes.

No, she needed to calm down.

She had never expected that once their identities were revealed, he would be this kind of person. This was completely different from what she had thought before.

Miss Qiao, who had been pushed into some disarray, momentarily didn’t know what attitude to take toward someone.

Shao Mingyuan gazed intently at the girl beside him.

Her skin was very fair, with a jade-like translucency. With her eyes closed like this, her long eyelashes formed a small fan that could stir up waves in one’s heart.

Her expression wasn’t so calm, which gave him a few more points of reassurance.

Being bold, cunning, and shameless was probably the right path.

Mm, he should reward Chen Guang properly later.

When Qiao Zhao opened her eyes, she saw the man beside her with a foolish grin on his face.

Something felt strange.

Miss Qiao furrowed her brow in deep thought.

Shao Mingyuan was happy to have more time alone together and wisely kept his mouth shut.

Qiao Zhao’s gaze inadvertently swept over a certain area, and she suddenly realized: this scoundrel was still shamelessly holding her hand!

Qiao Zhao tried to pull her hand back, but Shao Mingyuan couldn’t help but tighten his grip.

“Let go!”

The young general reluctantly released her hand and asked the angry girl, “Zhaozhao, may I remove my clothes now?”

Qiao Zhao no longer wanted to speak with anyone at all.

Had this scoundrel been suppressing his roguish nature all along? He had hidden it quite deeply.

“Zhaozhao, I’ve finished undressing. May we begin?”

Qiao Zhao said with a dark face: “Don’t talk! Otherwise, I can’t guarantee I won’t stick the needles in the wrong places.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled slightly: “It’s fine if you stick them in the wrong places. I’m not afraid of pain.”

Qiao Zhao took a deep breath and said with a stern face: “General Shao, I’ve been thinking, and your previous suggestion wasn’t bad.”

“What suggestion?” Shao Mingyuan played dumb.

“About finding your subordinate and having me teach him the steps for needling to expel the cold poison.”

If this continued, there really would be no peaceful days.

Shao Mingyuan shook his head: “That won’t work, Zhaozhao. I only brought Ye Luo, one personal guard. Although his martial skills are good, his mind isn’t very sharp—he couldn’t learn it.”

Ye Luo, dutifully standing outside the door: “…” He hadn’t heard anything!

“What about Chen Guang?”

“Chen Guang may look clever, but he’s not as good as Ye Luo.”

Qiao Zhao didn’t believe this and looked at him with a stern face.

Shao Mingyuan called out loudly: “Ye Luo—”

“This subordinate is here!” Ye Luo, outside the door, responded loudly.

“Call Chen Guang. Both of you come in together.” After giving instructions, Shao Mingyuan smiled at Qiao Zhao: “If Zhaozhao doesn’t believe it, you can ask them yourself in a moment.”

Soon Chen Guang and Ye Luo pushed the door open and entered, asking in unison: “What are the General’s orders?”

“Ye Luo, do you have any interest in the art of acupuncture?” Shao Mingyuan asked.

Before Ye Luo could speak, Chen Guang quietly pinched him from behind.

“Hiss—” Ye Luo grimaced, his face full of pain: “No interest at all, General. Don’t tell me you want this subordinate to learn this?”

Shao Mingyuan looked at Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao focused her gaze on Chen Guang.

Shao Mingyuan asked indifferently, “Chen Guang, Miss Li wants to teach you acupuncture. Are you willing to learn?”

Chen Guang shook his head repeatedly: “General, please don’t make things difficult for this subordinate. This subordinate can manage being a coachman or something like that, but learning acupuncture would be the death of me!”

Just kidding—if he dared to agree, the General would want his life!

Shao Mingyuan looked troubled and spread his hands toward Qiao Zhao: “Zhaozhao, you see—”

Chen Guang and Ye Luo tactfully retreated quietly.

Qiao Zhao sneered: “They’re your people, so naturally they wouldn’t dare go against your wishes.”

“They’re only my subordinates, not my people.” Shao Mingyuan gazed tenderly at the girl before him and said meaningfully.

Qiao Zhao fled in defeat.

She had lost to this shameless rogue!