novelapdf Chapter 188 Bai Xiang: There are definitely bottom lines.
Chapter 188 Bai Xiang: There are definitely bottom lines.
Days at home are always cozy.
Of course, what's even more heartwarming is being able to eat the dishes cooked by the young cook.
Although Bai Xiang always appeared indifferent on the surface, her actions revealed her true thoughts.
I don't know how long she worked in the kitchen, but she managed to cook a whole table full of Jiang Mu's favorite dishes.
The aroma was so enticing that even Young Master Jiang was drooling.
When Jiang Mu tasted the familiar flavor of the food for the first time, he was filled with emotion.
During his time in Yancheng, Shui Miaozheng personally cooked for him.
Aunt Shui's cooking wasn't bad, but compared to the amazing young chef in front of her, it was a world of difference. Luckily, Aunt Shui could find other ways to improve her palate.
For example, their uniquely brewed seafood drinks are absolutely delicious and very refreshing.
I wonder what different flavor it would produce if it were made with cypress.
"Sigh, I should have tied you to my side when I left home, to be my cook."
Jiang Mu ate heartily while sighing with regret.
He picked up a piece of braised pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, placed it in Duanmu Li's bowl, and said gently:
"Ah Li, don't be shy, make yourself at home and eat whatever you like."
Let me tell you, there's no chef in the world who can cook better food than your Aunt Bai Xiang. You've really made the right choice coming here; you're a lucky girl."
However, the girl didn't need the man to remind her at all; she was already enjoying her meal.
When she first sat down at the table, Duanmu Li was a little reserved, her face stiff and cold, only taking small bites of rice. But once she tasted the delicious dishes, she was immediately won over.
They no longer cared about their image.
He picked up the porcelain bowl, ate with lightning speed using his chopsticks, and chewed with bulging cheeks.
However, she was born with a cold and aloof beauty, and her brows and eyes seemed to be covered with frost and snow. Her wolfing down her food created a strong contrast that was quite endearing.
As she enjoyed the meal, she didn't forget to take care of Yuan Aqing beside her, frequently putting food into her bowl with her chopsticks.
This gesture left Yuan Aqing, who was practically the master of the house, feeling somewhat flattered.
They mistakenly thought they were the guests.
The little girl could only hold the bowl and obediently say over and over again, "Thank you, Sister A-Li."
Every time Duanmu Li heard the other person call her "Sister A-Li", her beautiful, cold eyes would narrow slightly, as if she were enjoying it, and then she would continue to serve food to Yuan A-Qing.
Finally, Yuan Aqing couldn't eat anymore and quickly covered the bowl with her small hands, her face flushed red. Only then did Duanmu Li reluctantly put away her chopsticks. After this meal, not only Jiang Mu had a big belly.
Along with the two girls, their bellies also became quite round.
Despite the discomfort of her bloated stomach, Yuan Aqing diligently helped Bai Xiang clear the dishes.
Seeing this, Duanmu Li silently got up to help carry the plates.
Seeing this, Yuan Aqing quickly waved her hand to stop her.
After all, what kind of logic is it to make a guest who has just arrived at the door wash the dishes?
However, Duanmu Li was stubborn and remained silent, pursing her lips and gripping the plate tightly in her hand.
Yuan Aqing couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she had to give up.
Jiang Mu watched this scene with amusement, finding it a relief to have some free time. She simply pulled Bai Xiang out of the kitchen and left the work to the two maids.
He grabbed the cypress branches and leaped onto the roof.
A cool night breeze blows, and the stars and moon shine brightly.
Jiang Mu held the soft body in his arms, greedily inhaling the faint fragrance of the woman's hair, and slowly said:
"Ah Li is the eldest daughter of the Heavenly Blade Sect. Her mother's name is Tang Guixin, and she works for the Demon Slayer Division of Fazhou City."
He met me by chance while on a mission and took me in as his nephew.
Later, due to the scheming and betrayal of a traitor, Aunt Tang unfortunately lost her life.
"While I can't entirely blame Aunt Tang's death, I was certainly too negligent at the time. And she was genuinely good to me." Jiang Mu sighed, his voice low and somber.
"Now that the Tian Dao Sect has suddenly announced its disbandment, this girl's father is also seriously injured and his whereabouts are unknown."
There are still many people in the martial arts world who are trying to steal her treasure and cause her trouble. So I brought her back, just to protect Aunt Tang." Bai Xiang turned her head, raised her slender hands and gestured in sign language, a slight smile on her lips:
Why are you explaining all this to me?
Jiang Mu coughed lightly and said:
"I just wanted to tell you about her situation. Besides, it's also to prevent someone from getting jealous and thinking that I, Jiang, am some kind of indiscriminate beast who has adopted a young wife into my home."
Upon hearing this, Bai Xiang pursed her rosy pink lips.
Jealous?
This guy is so delusional!
How could I, a man of stature, possibly be jealous over a mere young girl?
If I'm going to be jealous, it'll be of that woman with the big butt.
Bah! I'm not jealous at all!
Although she thought this to herself, Bai Xiang still deliberately used sign language to ask:
【You've been in Yancheng for so long, haven't you found yourself a wife yet?】
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mu's face immediately darkened, and he adopted a righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor:
"I, Jiang Mu, went to Yancheng for the sake of all living beings, to slay demons and expel evil spirits. My mind is filled with patriotism and national duty; how could I possibly have any personal feelings for my family?"
"Let me put it this way, in the past two months in Yancheng, all I've done every day is kill demons and cultivate. I haven't even touched a woman's finger." Looking at the man's impassioned expression, Bai Xiang was speechless.
If she hadn't witnessed this guy with his own eyes, surrounded by beautiful women, she would have believed his lies.
However, considering that no real evidence had been found at the time, and that Lord Shui was an officer, Bai Xiang couldn't be sure if there was any illicit affair, so she didn't press the matter further and simply leaned gently on his shoulder.
The two of them quietly nestled together on the rooftop.
The night breeze gradually turned cool.
As night deepened, Bai Xiang raised her hand and gently gestured in sign language:
It's late, and the wind is strong; it's time to go downstairs and rest.
"Sleep? There's such a beautiful night view, I haven't seen enough yet. If you're sleepy, sleep in my arms."
The long separation made Jiang Mu especially fond of the woman's warmth and scent, and he was reluctant to let go.
Bai Xiang also noticed the lingering affection in the man's eyes.
Her heart softened, a sweet feeling rising within her, and she didn't insist any further.
It's strange.
Before Jiang Mu left Huzhou City, she had tacitly approved of some of Jiang Mu's slightly frivolous and intimate actions, and even occasionally cooperated with them.
But she always maintained a certain distance from him.
During the time the man was away, she also reflected on her actions in secret.
Thinking that when this guy comes back next time, I absolutely cannot let him get so close to me again.
At most, it's just a polite hug or something.
The bottom line must be upheld.
But now that he's really back, and he's holding her like this, she doesn't want to resist at all; instead, she's even happier and more attached to this warmth. After a while, the night breeze gets a little cooler.
Jiang Mu held Bai Xiang's slightly cool, soft yellow hand and asked softly, "Your hands are so cold, are you cold? Why don't you... put them in my arms to warm them up?" As he spoke, he changed his position, opened his shirt, and placed the woman's hand on his warm lower abdomen.
The warmth is instantly transmitted as skin touches skin.
Bai Xiang blinked, her eyes filled with moonlight and a smile.
After a while, Jiang Mu suddenly said, "Sigh, my hands are a little cold too, how about...?"
Bai Xiang raised her head and looked at Jiang Mu with a half-smile.
I knew this guy was up to no good.
"It's a bit cold."
Jiang Mu coughed twice, then brazenly reached out and tentatively placed his hand on the woman's waist, as if to pull her skirt open slightly. Bai Xiang's body trembled, and she instinctively tried to resist.
But then she heard the man whisper in her ear:
"Don't be afraid, don't worry, I'll just put my hand in and warm it up a bit before taking it out. I won't touch anything else I shouldn't." Bai Xiang hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't move.
Sure enough, the man simply pulled open his outer garment and gently placed his palm on her exposed lower abdomen, without continuing to grope her.
Beneath the palm, the woman's abdominal skin was delicate and firm.
Like a piece of warm jade warmed by body heat, or like freshly peeled lychee flesh, rising and falling gently with each breath.
The heat was continuously transferred through the palm.
Bai Xiang's body trembled, and she subconsciously bit her lip, her body tense up.
Only after confirming that the man was simply placing his hands on her lower abdomen to warm them and had not made any further inappropriate moves did her tense nerves relax slightly.
She secretly comforted herself.
It was just a touch on the stomach to warm it up. Before, when we hugged, the other person would often put their arm around the waist through the clothes. That shouldn't be considered crossing the line, right? Hmm, no.
And so, the two huddled together for warmth in the cool night breeze.
I don't know how much time passed.
In the man's broad and warm embrace, the woman gradually drifted off to sleep.
Under the moonlight, she was serene and gentle, like a white lotus in a secluded valley that had concealed all its sharpness, captivating all who beheld her.
Inside another side room in the courtyard.
The room was dark, with no lights on.
The girl, dressed in a thin white nightgown, sat alone on the bed with her legs bent and her hands wrapped around her knees.
Her delicate, slender feet were curled up at the edge of her skirt.
At that moment, she stared blankly at the sliver of desolate moonlight filtering through the windowpane, her eyes vacant.
A black tomb knife lay horizontally beside the bed.
It seemed to be the only companion she could rely on at that moment.
A moment later, she took out the letter her mother had left her and read its contents by the moonlight.
Again and again.
Tears had already welled up in my eyes without me even realizing it.
Finally, unable to bear the weight of her tears, they streamed down her pointed, rounded chin like a broken string, falling onto the bed.
The moonlight, as cold as frost, fell coldly on the girl's thin shoulders.
It's like adding an invisible mourning garment for someone.
She was like a wild orchid abandoned in the wilderness, stubbornly blooming, yet no one knew whether what clung to her petals was dew or tears.
At dawn, a new day begins with the first rays of morning light.
After breakfast, Jiang Mu rolled up her sleeves as usual and went to help Bai Xiang tend to the vibrant vegetable garden.
Duanmu Li accompanied Yuan Aqing in cultivating in the open space.
A small incident occurred during breakfast.
Duanmu Li held Jiang Mu's Blood Mad Blade, turning it over and over, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
Clearly, the girl recognized it as the precious sword that her grandfather had forged for Jiang Chaoxi years ago.
Seeing this, Jiang Mu said:
"Let me make it clear beforehand, this thing is a trophy I painstakingly obtained by slaying demons, and it's now my personal sword. Although it had some connection with your Heavenly Blade Sect before, it has nothing to do with you anymore, so don't even think about taking it back." Duanmu Li glanced at him as if he were an idiot, pursed her lips, said nothing, handed the sword back to him, and went to continue practicing her swordsmanship. Watching the girl's retreating figure, Jiang Mu suddenly remembered what Tang Guixin had said to him before she died.
Within the Heavenly Blade Sect, there is a set of sword manuals specifically designed to match the Blood Mad Blade.
He had intended to ask Duanmu Li about the whereabouts of the sword manual, but then he thought that since the girl's family had been destroyed and her life was ruined, the sword manual was probably already lost, so he decided not to provoke her.
After helping Bai Xiang clean the vegetable garden and water it, Jiang Mu leisurely went to the Demon Slayer Division to report for duty.
As I walked along, the oppressive feeling I had yesterday was still there.
There were noticeably fewer pedestrians on the streets than before, and many shops had their doors half-closed, as if something major had happened in the city. "How strange, has Huzhou City been robbed or something?"
With doubts in his heart, Jiang Mu walked towards the gate of the Demon Slayer Division.
As Jiang Mu stepped through the threshold of the Demon Slayer Division, the scene that everyone had been eagerly anticipating finally unfolded.
His appearance caused an immediate sensation within the company.
Everyone who looked at him did so with burning surprise and admiration.
They all crowded around to greet them.
Jiang Mu maintained a cold demeanor and nodded slightly.
Faced with the occasional extravagant compliments, he simply responds with a few words of humility and nonchalance:
"You flatter me, I'm not that amazing."
"Not at all, not worth mentioning."
He could have walked directly through the corridor to Ran Qingshan's office and signing room.
But somehow, my foot slipped, and I accidentally went the wrong way, ending up wandering around the company twice.
He "bumped into" almost everyone in the company, receiving a basketful of admiring glances, before finally turning into the head of the company's office, completely satisfied.
Jiang Mu suddenly thought of something.
Since I can harvest the incense offerings and prayers of Yancheng, can I do the same for Huzhou City?
However, with General Shangguan Luoxue in charge of Huzhou City, things won't be easy.
Unless... we get rid of General Shangguan?
Of course, this was just wishful thinking in his mind; he didn't actually have the strength to challenge a powerful expert at the twelfth realm.
Upon entering the chief executive's office, Ran Qingshan was seen hunched over his desk, handling official business.
Jiang Mu immediately dropped his aloof demeanor from outside, adopted a respectful attitude, stepped forward, and loudly bowed, saying, "Lord Head, Jiang Mu of the Eighth Hall has come to report to you."
Ran Qingshan didn't even look up, his pen still marking on the official document, only asking in a flat tone:
"Why are you only arriving now?"
Jiang Mu said, "My lord, I was driving a Mazda, and there was a traffic jam on the road."
"What the heck?"
Ran Qingshan was completely bewildered.
Immediately, he waved his hand and said, "Never mind, it's good enough that you came back alive. Elder Tian told me about your actions in Yan City, which were not bad. You didn't disgrace our Huzhou Demon Slaying Division."
Just "not bad"?
Jiang Mu's expression turned somewhat strange.
This old man is putting on an act with me again, isn't he?
Laozi single-handedly slashed down so many demon soldiers and killed so many fifth and sixth-level demons in Yancheng. He even summoned the Dharma form of the garrison commander and turned the tide to save the city.
When it comes to you, all you say is a casual "not bad"?
Don't you go to heaven?
Seeing his expression, Ran Qingshan slammed his pen on the table and glared at him, saying:
"What? Do you want me to personally order the construction of a grand temple for you, the casting of a golden statue, and the offering of three sticks of incense every morning and evening, treating you like a living ancestor before I'm satisfied?"
Jiang Mu said earnestly, "If you, my lord, truly have this filial piety and intend to do it this way, then I have absolutely no objection."
"Get lost! Go to hell, you brat!"
Ran Qingshan laughed and cursed, grabbing an official document from the table as if to smash it, but then his face darkened and he tapped the table heavily with his fingers.
"Don't think I'm praising you. What did I tell you when you left? Don't be reckless! Don't be reckless! And you, you didn't value your own life, and you almost died..."
Ran Qingshan launched into a long tirade of criticism, spitting as he spoke.
Although he spoke harshly, the worry in his words was impossible to hide.
It's no wonder Ran Qingshan was so angry.
When he saw the intelligence from Yancheng that Jiang Mu was dead, he felt like the sky had fallen.
A person locked himself in this room and didn't go out for a whole day and night, without even eating a single bite of food.
After all, in his heart, he had long been grooming this kid to be his successor.
They will be able to shoulder the hopes of Huzhou City in the future.
Fortunately, news of his resurrection came later, which put his mind at ease.
Jiang Mu knew the other person was all bark and no bite, so she quickly poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to him, smiling:
"Rest assured, Commander, I assure you that I will think twice before acting in the future and will always put my life first. Even if I have to do something, I will definitely bring hundreds of brothers with me."
Ran Qingshan took the teacup and moistened his somewhat dry throat.
Looking at the other person's grinning face, he was too lazy to say anything more, but then he thought of something and said:
"By the way, I heard from Elder Tian that the Water Master of Fazhou City values you highly and even wants to send you to Fazhou City?" Jiang Mu's heart skipped a beat.
broken!
I was so focused on showing off that I completely forgot about this.
Aunt Shui is the white moonlight goddess that this boss has secretly loved for many years.
Jiang Muqian laughed:
"That's true. But that's because when I was in Yancheng, I happened to run into Chief Shui who was in some trouble, and I helped her out a lot."
The Water Master saw that I was capable, which is why he warmly invited me to join the Fazhou Division.
But don't worry, sir, I firmly refused on the spot.
After all, I, Jiang Mu, owe my success today entirely to your discerning eye and strong support, Manager Ran.
Your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. I, Jiang Musheng, am a man of the Huzhou Division, and I will die a ghost of the Huzhou Division. How could I possibly betray you and defect to someone else for a mere high-ranking official position and generous salary? Absolutely not!
Jiang Mu pounded his chest loudly.
Upon hearing this, Ran Qingshan's expression softened slightly.
He picked up his teacup and asked casually, "So, what do you think of Master Shui?"
How is it?
How am I supposed to explain this?
Jiang Mu thought for a moment, then managed to say something and gave a thumbs up:
"Your goddess is amazing!"