Chapter 25

“Zhang Meng, stop right there.”

Hearing Xu Lu Cha’s angry and urgent voice from behind, Zhang Meng turned back in surprise.

Xu Lu Cha had changed out of his red outfit and was now wearing Yang Qing’s coarse linen clothes. But even in rough fabric, his stunningly beautiful appearance didn’t look disheveled at all. Instead, he had the air of a lotus rising from the water. He was taller than Yang Qing, so the clothes didn’t quite fit him properly. The sleeves were a bit short, revealing his snow-white, attractive wrists. The silver bracelet on his wrist gleamed softly in the sunlight.

Xu Lu Cha ran up to her and spoke furiously, “Don’t get any wrong ideas. There’s nothing between Qin Rong and me!”

Zhang Meng was somewhat surprised. He had no need to explain this to her, but she still smiled and replied, “I’m not getting any wrong ideas. I know you and Qin Rong are completely innocent.”

Xu Lu Cha froze. Her reaction was different from what he had expected, but he still said the explanation he had prepared in his mind, “Qin Rong and I are just using each other. Even if she truly has feelings for me, I have no such thoughts about her at all.”

“Mm, I know,” Zhang Meng smiled.

Although Zhang Meng believed him, Xu Lu Cha felt even more annoyed for some reason, almost wanting to kick her.

This annoying fool, why was he explaining so much to her!

She had neither money nor power, he would never be interested in her. He didn’t need to be concerned about her opinion at all.

He must be bewitched.

Xu Lu Cha turned angrily to leave, but accidentally twisted his ankle again and fell backwards.

Seeing this, Zhang Meng quickly stepped forward to catch him.

“Young Master Xu, be careful.”

She grabbed his arm with one hand and supported his back with the other. Xu Lu Cha’s jet-black long hair traced a graceful arc in the air, his jade-like face showing a surprised expression. He suddenly looked up at Zhang Meng, realizing he had fallen into her arms. His handsome face turned red, and he quickly stood up straight, pushing Zhang Meng away.

Zhang Meng picked up the emerald green jade pendant that Xu Lu Cha had dropped and handed it to him.

“Young Master Xu, your jade pendant.”

Xu Lu Cha took the pendant, his previous annoyance strangely gone. He looked at Zhang Meng in her red and white constable uniform, her hair tied up high, revealing her fair and soft face slightly flushed from exertion.

Remembering the feeling of their skin touching just now, soft and warm, with an excellent texture.

His face reddened, and for some reason, he suddenly regretted why he had so quickly struggled out of her embrace.

Zhang Meng saw him frowning in confusion, thinking he was angry because she had touched him just now. She quickly stepped back a few paces, considerately widening the distance between them.

Previously, when they were in the valley, she had to support him daily as they traveled because he had difficulty walking. Now that they had left the valley and his foot injury had improved considerably, he no longer needed her assistance. To avoid suspicion, she naturally shouldn’t be so close to him anymore.

Zhang Meng looked up at the sky, seeing it was getting late, and said to Xu Lu Cha, “Young Master Xu, I need to return to the government office now. Take good care of yourself living alone on the mountain. I’ll come to see you again when I have time.”

Xu Lu Cha looked up at her and said urgently, “You’re leaving just like that?”

“Mm.” Zhang Meng nodded, “I still have work to do, I can’t return too late.”

Xu Lu Cha unconsciously clenched his fists.

She’s just leaving like this? Doesn’t she have anything to say to him?

Ever since they left the valley and parted ways, he had been thinking about her day and night. He also thought she must feel the same way, longing for him desperately.

They had spent three days together in the valley, eating and living together, just like a married couple. With his charm, he couldn’t believe she didn’t have any feelings for him.

He was much more beautiful than Lin Hao, Xiao Chou, Zi Yi, and others. His looks were definitely among the top in Cloud City. Zhang Meng couldn’t possibly give him up for someone else.

After leaving the valley with her, she had brought him back to her important home, carefully taught him how to use traps, and even after going down the mountain, she didn’t forget to send other constables to ensure his safety. Now, she had even come to see him personally.

She clearly had feelings for him!

If she had feelings for him, why didn’t she say it? If she loved him, why did she pretend nothing was going on? He hated indecisive women the most!

Zhang Meng saw Xu Lu Cha frowning and not looking at her. Thinking Xu Lu Cha was tired of her and urging her to leave, she gave him a helpless smile and turned to leave.

No matter what kind of boy, they all cared about their reputation. In the future, she must never be too close to Xu Lu Cha again. After all, Xu Lu Cha was always hoping to find a good wife-master.

……

“Zhang Meng!”

Seeing Zhang Meng really turning to leave, Xu Lu Cha felt both angry and wronged.

If she wants to leave, then leave! In the future, even if she loves him desperately, kneeling before him begging for his love, he won’t even look at her!

Absolutely won’t look at her!

Behind her, Xu Lu Cha called her name through gritted teeth, and Zhang Meng paused in confusion.

She turned back and asked puzzledly, “Young Master Xu, is there anything else?”

“No!” Xu Lu Cha replied angrily.

He turned and walked away, not wanting to look at that stupid person again. He must have been blind to fall for such a block of stone.

“Oh, Young Master Xu, I bought you some fruits and snacks. Remember to eat them when you get back.”

Suddenly, Zhang Meng’s pleasant voice came from behind, and Xu Lu Cha’s footsteps faltered.

“The ointment for treating your foot injury, I put it on the stone table. Remember to take it and apply it.” Xu Lu Cha’s beautiful eyes softened, his heart feeling as if it had been scalded by hot water. This person was truly annoying. Hot and cold towards him, neither here nor there, yet he was always moved by her emotions. It had always been him making women worry about him, when had he ever worried so much about a woman?

“Young Master Xu, I’ll be going now.”

Xu Lu Cha’s eyelashes fluttered lightly, he turned back to look at Zhang Meng once, softening his tone: “Will you come again tomorrow?” Even if she was a stubborn stone, even if she didn’t understand romance, even if she only cared about food, even if she had no wealth or power, he was willing to fall for her.

Perhaps from the first glance at her, he had felt something different about her. That’s why she could easily affect his emotions. Making him angry for her, sad for her, embarrassed for her, happy for her.

“Will you come again tomorrow?” Xu Lu Cha asked again.

Zhang Meng thought about her schedule for tomorrow, it seemed quite free. Because of her injury, Zhong Huo didn’t let her do too much heavy work. She didn’t mind coming to see him, but meeting him so frequently wasn’t good for Xu Lu Cha’s reputation… “I’ll wait for you at my home tomorrow. You come over.”

“Huh?” Zhang Meng was stunned.

Xu Lu Cha’s handsome face turned slightly red, and he turned his face away from her.

Zhang Meng reacted and replied, “That works too. What do you want? I’ll bring it for you tomorrow.” She had just carefully checked the kitchen in the house, besides some necessary rice, flour, and some seasonings, there were hardly any vegetables. She could bring some vegetables or meat over tomorrow. Since she had invited Xu Lu Cha to stay at her home, she should entertain him properly.

Xu Lu Cha replied, “You can bring whatever you want.”

Zhang Meng understood and smiled at Xu Lu Cha, “Alright then, I’ll be free at noon tomorrow, so I’ll come find you at noon.”…

After confirming the meeting time with Xu Lu Cha for tomorrow, Zhang Meng went down the mountain.

Returning to the government office, Zhong Huo was still busy with official business. She hadn’t touched the food on the desk at all. Seeing Zhang Meng enter the room, she finally looked up at her distractedly.

“Why are you back so late today?” Zhong Huo frowned.

“I went up the mountain for a while,” Zhang Meng replied honestly.

Zhong Huo’s hand paused, putting down her ink brush: “You went to see Xu Lu Cha?”☆、