Chapter 14

Xiao Qianwen blushed. “Did Brother Xiao Zhou really say that?”

“Of course. Why would I lie to you? You can’t force love. I can let go. Come to Xiao Zhou’s house later, we’ll go up the mountain together. I’ll give you a chance, you help him recover his memory,” Bai Jiaojiao said.

Xiao Qianwen’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Bai Jiaojiao, I’m starting to think you’re not that annoying… actually, kind of nice.”

Bai Jiaojiao smiled at being handed a “nice person” card. “As long as you know I’m good. Here, take this.”

She stuffed a fruit candy into Xiao Qianwen’s hand, then strolled off slowly with her hands behind her back, as if she had hidden away all her fame and fortune.

Xiao Qianwen squeezed the candy in her palm — clearly the most expensive kind from the supply store, and her favorite peach flavor. It had to be Brother Xiao Zhou’s idea.

Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared in front of her, and the candy dropped to the ground.

Bai Jiaojiao wasn’t in a hurry to head back. Surrounded by fields, the air was fresh, clouds hung high in the sky — a peaceful countryside atmosphere.

Until it was all shattered by the sudden barking of dogs.

“Woof woof woof!”

“Ahhh!”

Several large dogs charged toward her. Bai Jiaojiao’s face turned pale with fear, and she immediately ran in the opposite direction.

“Help! Dogs!”

At that moment, it was as if everyone nearby had vanished — she was the only one running around helplessly.

At a corner, she crashed into a burning-hot chest. She looked up — it was Xiao Zhou.

“Xiao Zhou, dogs! I’m scared!”

She immediately hid behind the man, her legs shaking. The dogs were still barking at them, especially a huge black one in the lead — fierce and wild, stepping closer.

Xiao Zhou swept a cold glance toward them. The big black dog instantly arched its back, dropped its tail, let out a whimper like it had seen a terrifying demon, and turned to flee. The others followed it in retreat.

“Stupid mutts! You dare to come after me? Come on then!”

Seeing the dogs run off, Bai Jiaojiao regained her courage. She even picked up a rock and tossed it at one of the dogs.

As the dog glanced back, she immediately ducked behind Xiao Zhou again. “Quick, make it go away!”

Xiao Zhou looked sideways at the woman using him as a shield — fierce one second, terrified the next.

Only after confirming the dogs had left did Bai Jiaojiao finally breathe a sigh of relief, though her heart was still pounding.

“These village dogs are awful. Not cute at all. They bark at anyone who walks by.”

“If you don’t like them, I’ll poison them all,” Xiao Zhou said casually, as if their lives meant nothing to him.

Bai Jiaojiao shook her head. “No need. If something happened to them, their owners would be heartbroken. I’m fine anyway.”

Xiao Zhou looked at her pale but kind face, closed his eyes, rough fingertips brushing his palm, holding something back, and started walking toward the Xiao house.

Only then did Bai Jiaojiao realize how suddenly he had shown up. “Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you to stay home?”

“Just passing by.”

“Oh. Yeah, lots going on in the village,” she muttered, assuming Xiao’s father had asked him to do something. She didn’t think too much about it.

But on the way home, she clearly felt Xiao Zhou grow colder and more distant, no longer waiting for her as they walked.

Could this mean he’s regaining his memory? That would be amazing!

Bai Jiaojiao was thrilled and immediately told Xiao’s father she wanted to go up the mountain to gather herbs.

Xiao’s father said, “Xiao Zhou doesn’t remember anything right now. I’ll go with you guys.”

Bai Jiaojiao shook her head. “No need. Xiao Qianwen will go with us. You should stay with Mom. I heard there’s been a lot of trafficking lately — with the holidays, there are more people in the village. I’m worried something might happen to Mom. Even in the city, there were kids almost getting abducted. Right, Xiao Zhou?”

The man replied indifferently, “Mm.”

Xiao’s father’s face turned serious. “Got it. I’ll keep watch.”

Xiao’s mother was leaning against his shoulder, completely unaware, yawning and continuing to nap.

Bai Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao’s mother had gotten into trouble before because she went out alone. With Xiao’s father there, she’d be much safer.

But that wasn’t all — Xiao’s father had lingering health issues that needed attention. Bai Jiaojiao had to gather medicine while she could to prevent something like a stroke from happening.

That was also why she insisted on going up the mountain.

After lunch, Xiao Qianwen finally arrived in a rush, but her expression was much more complicated than earlier. She glanced at Bai Jiaojiao with a mixed look.

Bai Jiaojiao went up to her cheerfully. “Thanks for leading the way this afternoon. Xiao Zhou, let’s go.”

“Okay,” Xiao Qianwen replied, quickly looking away from Xiao Zhou with visible fear.

Xiao Zhou said little today, and Bai Jiaojiao assumed he was recovering more memories — totally missing the strange tension in the air.

“Qianwen, you and Xiao Zhou grew up together, right? Can you tell me some stories about the old days?” Bai Jiaojiao asked.

Xiao Qianwen’s expression softened a little, as if recalling happy memories.

“Brother Xiao Zhou has always been amazing. I used to get bullied, and he was the first to jump in and protect me — he could take on a dozen kids bigger than him. After that, no one dared mess with me.”

Bai Jiaojiao exclaimed, “Wow, that’s so cool! Xiao Zhou was really good to you.”

Xiao Qianwen’s face went pale again. “No, not good. That’s enough. You and Brother Xiao Zhou are the ones who truly belong together.”

She stopped and pointed ahead. “Just go up to the woods on that hill. Don’t go any farther. That’s as far as Brother Xiao Zhou ever went. I’ve got things to do at home — I’m leaving.”

Then she ran off at top speed, as if something terrifying were chasing her.

Bai Jiaojiao blinked, about to follow, but the man beside her kept walking forward. She tugged at his sleeve.

“Shouldn’t we go after her? What if we get lost?”

“I won’t get lost.”

He said it flatly, glancing down at her hand on his sleeve — soft like a kitten’s paw.

Bai Jiaojiao quickly pulled her hand back. “Oh right, you must remember a lot now.”

“I don’t. But I know the way,” Xiao Zhou replied.

Bai Jiaojiao awkwardly said, “But what if we do get lost?”

“No what ifs. I’m not you.”

“….” Bai Jiaojiao felt a bit insulted, but couldn’t argue.

In the modern world, she relied on GPS to go anywhere — and all these village paths looked exactly the same. She had no idea how to get back.

She perked up. “It’s fine. I know how to recognize herbs — I’m not dumb.”

She ran ahead and pulled up a plant, putting it into her basket.

Xiao Zhou didn’t speak. His gaze was deep and unreadable.

This little fool — bad temper, takes scolding without protest, dumb but adorable.

The afternoon passed quickly. Just before dark, Bai Jiaojiao was finally satisfied enough to stop.

This mountain had lots of wild herbs, and many had great medicinal value. She could make a lot of money selling them, but she couldn’t bear to — maybe later, if she had extra.

Xiao Zhou grew even more silent, deliberately keeping his distance. After shouldering the basket, he didn’t say another word — which Bai Jiaojiao was actually thankful for.

But… her legs were sore.

She forced herself to walk a long way more, legs numb.

There was no one else around, no transportation. She had no choice but to rely on herself.

Unless…

“Xiao Zhou… um…”

“Can you wait for me a second?” she asked softly.

The man walking ahead stopped and looked back at her — his eyes cold and distant.

“Why should I wait for you?”

She was intimidated by that look, wanting to say she’d gone through all this for his family — collecting medicine and all — but that look scared her too much. It was like he’d turned back into the original villain.

“I can’t walk anymore… Could you find me a stick or something to lean on? I haven’t seen one this whole way.”

Though she doubted it’d help. This body was just too weak — a tenth of her modern stamina. She felt like she’d climbed Mount Tai.

If she weren’t afraid of him getting the wrong idea and thinking she was flirting with others, she would’ve asked someone else to carry her.

But asking him to carry her? No way — he didn’t deserve it.

Just as she gave up on that idea, Xiao Zhou put down the bamboo basket, crouched down, and said plainly:

“Get on.”

“You really don’t like Xiao Qianwen? Not even a little?” Bai Jiaojiao suddenly asked.

In the original story, Xiao Zhou and Xiao Qianwen had a very close relationship. Even though it wasn’t romantic, Bai Jiaojiao figured maybe he just suppressed his feelings since he was already married.

Hearing her bring up another woman again, Xiao Zhou’s gaze grew colder — but when he saw her curious little face, he let out a laugh in anger.

“I already have a wife, and I can barely manage that. Why would I care about anyone else?”

“If anyone tries to match me with someone else, I’ll make sure they understand why the flowers are so red.”

Bai Jiaojiao: “…”

Why did that sound like a threat directed at her?

Was he implying he’d hit her?

Xiao Zhou saw her frightened little face, took a deep breath, and decided the warning was enough. Any more and she might burst into tears.

His own wife — a couple words were enough.

She wasn’t very bright anyway — no need to fuss with her.

Thinking that, his tone softened a lot, far gentler than before.

“Jiaojiao, get on.”

“Or else… I’m going to kiss you.”