Chapter 141: Both a Vulnerability and an Armor

She stood just inside the balcony door, only a step away from him. Her lively eyes shimmered like autumn waves, and the fresh scent of her hair filled the air, making it hard for anyone to leave.

Jiang Mohe raised his hand and gently touched Xian Yuqing’s hair before quickly withdrawing it.

Clearing his throat, he said, “It’s chilly at night. Get some rest early.”

After speaking, he helped Xian Yuqing close the glass door of the balcony.

Xian Yuqing stared blankly at her reflection behind the glass door. Ah, she still had things to say!

Jiang Mohe didn’t leave immediately. He watched the reflection of Xian Yuqing inside the glass door as she pouted discontentedly, a faint smile unconsciously flickering in his eyes.

He dared not linger any longer; otherwise, it would be more than just a gentle touch on the head.

An hour ago, he had been at the Emperor Hong Building. Nangong Ao was very pleased with his latest mission and wanted to reward him.

Jiang Mohe wanted nothing but told Nangong Ao, “I’d like to ask Ar Ren for a favor.”

Ar Ren was a computer genius, and Jiang Mohe simply needed help in that area. Nangong Ao nodded and agreed.

Then, glancing at Jiang Mohe’s wristguard with some surprise, he remarked, “You’ve found yourself a soft spot?”

Someone like Jiang Mohe wouldn’t normally be easily bound by anyone.

Jiang Mohe remained silent.

Is it really a soft spot?

He couldn’t recall when exactly, but someone once told him: your weakness is also your armor.

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The next day, Hua Xiaocui went to the third floor to call Xian Yuqing down for breakfast.

As the door opened, the little blue cat dashed out with a puff, startling her: “Oh my, when did it come up here?”

Xian Yuqing was already dressed and combing her hair. She didn’t feel comfortable mentioning Jiang Mohe’s visit last night.

Near the flowerbed, Aunt Rong and Jiang Mohe were talking.

Since Jiang Mohe had saved Xian Yuqing earlier, Aunt Rong was warmer to him than before. “Xiao Jiang, are your injuries all healed? You came back quite late last night, didn’t you?”

“Mm,” Jiang Mohe nodded in reply.

“Miss hasn’t been to class these past few days and hasn’t come down for breakfast yet. Why don’t you join us?”

Aunt Rong invited Jiang Mohe inside, where Su Cha was standing in the dining room.

Aunt Rong went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, and Su Cha looked at Jiang Mohe with a complicated expression. “What exactly is your purpose here?”

------

Jiang Mohe countered, “What do you think my purpose is?”

In Su Cha’s mind, the Jiang family would never risk their lives for others unless the benefits they sought justified such sacrifice.

But Xian Yuqing was merely a distant relative of the Nangong family. Why would Jiang Mohe do this?

Without any experience with feelings, Su Cha simply couldn’t understand.

“No matter what your purpose is, if you dare betray the Nangong family or Miss, I won’t let you off!”

Faced with Su Cha’s threat, Jiang Mohe calmly found a seat and sat down, waiting to eat breakfast.

Hua Xiaocui tidied Xian Yuqing’s bed, and the two of them went downstairs together.

Seeing Jiang Mohe, Hua Xiaocui ran over excitedly, stars shining in her eyes. “Brother Jiang, you’re back! I heard you protected Miss alone and escaped from the kidnappers. That’s amazing!”

Su Cha couldn’t stand Hua Xiaocui’s admiration for Jiang Mohe and muttered disdainfully, “Sycophant!”

Hua Xiaocui might not be very bright, but her ears were sharp. She didn’t like how Su Cha always rejected Jiang Mohe. “Sister Su Cha, thanks to Brother Jiang, Miss returned safely. Isn’t that his credit?”

“...” Su Cha said nothing.

She had failed to protect her charge this time and had no right to say anything.

Aunt Rong came out of the kitchen with breakfast, praising, “Don’t look at Xiaocui usually being so noisy; she’s quite perceptive when it comes to important matters!”

Hua Xiaocui smiled and went to help Aunt Rong with the breakfast while Su Cha quietly walked out.

Xian Yuqing and Jiang Mohe sat across the table eating breakfast. Hua Xiaocui kept pestering Jiang Mohe with questions.

“Brother Jiang, how did you defeat those kidnappers?”

“Brother Jiang, when will you teach me some moves?”

“Brother Jiang...”

Soon, Aunt Rong called the noisy Hua Xiaocui into the kitchen to work. At last, they could eat in peace.

When Xian Yuqing finished, she noticed Jiang Mohe had eaten already and was sitting, waiting for her.

“Want to take a walk in the garden?”

“Sure.”

They strolled side by side to the flowerbed.

The white camellias bloomed, fresh and delicate like youthful maidens, swaying in the breeze with a fragrant scent that lifted one’s spirits.

Xian Yuqing gently stroked the petals with her fingers and looked back to ask, “Did you finish your mission smoothly?”

“Mm,” Jiang Mohe’s eyes fixed on her fair, slender fingers. “It’s all settled. You should be able to attend class tomorrow.”

------

Xian Yuqing also wanted to return to classes soon. But her concern was different: “Big Brother, they haven’t assigned you any other missions, have they?”

“Not for now.”

No missions meant no danger.

“That’s good.” Xian Yuqing narrowed her eyes, smiling. “From now on, you’ll only be responsible for protecting me.”

A gentle breeze stirred the strands of hair around her delicate face.

Jiang Mohe reached out to tuck the rebellious strands behind her ear, lowering his voice softly, “Mm, only protecting you.”

Xian Yuqing’s cheeks flushed with a rosy glow. Jiang Mohe realized how intimate his gesture was and quickly withdrew his hand.

The little blue cat came by just then, rubbing against Jiang Mohe’s pant leg, seeking affection.

He picked it up, and it immediately curled obediently in his arms, meowing softly as if pouring out its longing.

Xian Yuqing suddenly envied the little blue cat and Hua Xiaocui—they could express their feelings freely, while she still hesitated even to say “I like you.”

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In the following days, Xian Yuqing returned to her peaceful school life.

Bai Liyao stayed busy with his research project. Zhai Yan’er, once again, trailed behind him, observing and seeking advice. No one dared to bully Bai Liyao anymore.

Luo Liya, having been reprimanded by her family for associating with Xiao Zhiying, had withdrawn quietly. Meanwhile, Luo Lina grew closer to Zhai Yan’er.

Soon, Zhai Yan’er’s birthday approached.

In past years, she usually traveled abroad to celebrate. This year, she wanted to hold a small birthday party.

But she hadn’t seen her brother for a long time because Zhai Muli was busy negotiating with Nangong Ao.

Bai Luomei was investigating the woman with the lace net hat, with Ar Ren helping to track her whereabouts.

That day, Ar Ren finally made a breakthrough. Bai Luomei wanted to apply to Nangong Ao for leave, but as she reached the office door, she overheard Ar Si and Cui Hao talking privately inside.

“Assistant Cui, is the boss really planning to transfer all the ore business in country F to the Zhai family’s jade-faced fox?” Ar Si asked.

“Yes,” Cui Hao sighed. “The boss has been making me prepare all the materials on this for days. I’m overwhelmed!”