Chapter 5: Thank You, Boss

“A clean slate?”

Xiao Che’s expression darkened.

He hadn’t even confronted her yet about sneaking out of the palace, and now she had the nerve to talk about wiping the slate clean!!

Xiao Che took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, clenching his fists. He turned around, wanting to say something—
“…”

But when he saw Shu Ruohua, he forcefully swallowed the words back down.

Forget it. He would just assume she was saying nonsense because she was sick and not thinking straight.

Shu Ruohua was still smiling brightly.

She sized Xiao Che up carefully. Her instincts told her that he wasn’t a bad person.

Besides, last night, she and Qian Ning had already failed in their escape. Even if they hadn’t run into Xiao Che, chances were they wouldn’t have made it out anyway.

And now that she and Qian Ning had returned safely to Lengfeng Pavilion, that must mean Xiao Che had helped them last night!

However…

Shu Ruohua frowned slightly. This man was way too aloof. She had talked so much to him already, and he hadn’t even responded once.

Even one word would be something!!

After a moment—

Forget it!!

If he didn’t want to talk, then fine!

Shu Ruohua glanced at him irritably, then plopped herself down onto a stool. Who couldn’t play the silent game?

If he wouldn’t talk, then neither would she!!

…

Xiao Che didn’t look like he was planning to leave. He stood there for a long time, as if waiting for something.

After about the time it would take to drink a cup of tea, Xiao Che glanced up at the sky outside. His face darkened a bit more.

He turned around and stared at Shu Ruohua. “Has no eunuch been bringing meals lately?”

“Nope. Qian Ning and I have just been eating purslane!” Shu Ruohua replied casually.

But now that he mentioned it, she realized something—Qian Ning still hadn’t brought her any food this morning!!

Xiao Che furrowed his brows sharply. As if realizing something, he lifted his foot and strode toward the door.

Shu Ruohua didn’t know why he was suddenly leaving. She panicked and quickly called out, “Hey~~ Where are you going?”

As she spoke, she rushed to stand in front of Xiao Che. “Wait, I still have something I want to ask you!”

Xiao Che didn’t respond, which meant he was allowing it.

“Um, do you know when the Crown Prince will return?”

Shu Ruohua blinked her big eyes. Since arriving in this world, she hadn’t seen the Crown Prince even once. She only knew from Qian Ning that the Crown Prince didn’t like the original Shu Ruohua.

Now that she had taken over the original’s identity and was in such a miserable state, who knew what kind of person the Crown Prince really was? What if he came back and decided to have her executed on the spot?!

“What do you want to do?” Xiao Che finally asked coldly.

“I just…” Shu Ruohua opened her mouth to answer but then stopped herself mid-sentence.

Heavens knew she had run into an imperial guard during her escape this time—thankfully nothing happened. But what if next time, she had worse luck and ran straight into the Crown Prince himself?

Wouldn’t that be the end of her?

“Forget it!!” she waved it off.

Even if she asked, the man before her might not tell her anything. Talking too much could lead to trouble—better not to say anything at all!

Xiao Che didn’t reply. His cold gaze narrowed, and he strode toward the exit once more.

“Wait a second,” Shu Ruohua once again blocked his path.

“Um, I have one more thing!”

“Speak!!”

“Last night…” Shu Ruohua frowned slightly and blinked her pitiful, watery eyes.

Although Xiao Che had saved her last night, who knew if he’d tell someone about it? If word reached the Crown Prince, it would be a disaster!

Xiao Che clearly understood what she meant. “Nothing happened last night!”

He tossed that line behind him and decisively walked out.

…

“One more thing!!”

Shu Ruohua’s voice called out again.

She was like a piece of clingy plaster, once again blocking Xiao Che’s way.

Xiao Che: “…”

“Um, can you bring me some potatoes? I don’t have anything to eat here!”

As she spoke, she rubbed her round belly.

Xiao Che frowned slightly but didn’t respond, as if he were thinking.

Shu Ruohua scooted up in front of him.

She tugged on Xiao Che’s sleeve, blinked her big, watery eyes, and with a deliberately delicate voice, began showering him with flattery:

“Young master, you’re so handsome and elegant. Just one look and I can tell you’re generous and noble! It’s just a few potatoes—surely someone like you wouldn’t be stingy, right?”

“…”

Xiao Che glanced at her with disdain and pulled his sleeve away. “Mm.”

He nodded.

Shu Ruohua instantly lit up with joy, her whole face beaming. She opened her mouth, seemingly about to launch into another wave of flattery…

Xiao Che quickly stopped her. “Enough!”

And with that, he turned and quickly walked toward the door, clearly afraid she’d start talking nonsense again.

Just before stepping out, he turned to Qian Ning and reminded her coldly that without his permission, she must not reveal his true identity to Shu Ruohua.

…