Mo Zhizhang stared quietly at Xiao Jingcheng, and the latter stared back at him in the same manner.
Then, Mo Zhizhang laughed. "It seems I'll have to invite Brother Gou Dan for morning exercises some other time."
The two of them tacitly avoided mentioning their martial - arts skills.
Xiao Jingcheng turned around and walked to Ye Wanmian's side. "Is there anything I can help with?"
Ye Wanmian was counting the firewood piled up in the corner. Hearing this, she turned to look at him. First, she was stunned, then she frowned and said stiffly, "No. Just don't cause me any trouble and I'll be grateful."
After Ye Wanmian finished counting the firewood, she found that there wasn't enough. She turned around, planning to look for Qi Wen, but bumped into a body.
"Ouch!" Her nose hurt badly, and tears welled up in her eyes. As she rubbed her nose, she heard Xiao Jingcheng coughing.
"Are you okay?" She forgot about her own pain and quickly looked up at him.
Xiao Jingcheng covered his lips and coughed twice, then waved his hand. "After all, I took a palm strike head - on. It's still a bit uncomfortable."
He thought that Ye Wanmian would show concern when he said this, but instead, she said expressionlessly, "Really? If you've coughed up blood, go back to the room and rest. I really don't need your help here. Don't make things worse for me."
If it had been yesterday, he would have jumped up like a cat with its tail stepped on. But now, he asked instead, "I saw you counting the firewood just now. Is there not enough?"
Since he had already noticed, Ye Wanmian had nothing to hide. She explained, "This amount of firewood is only enough for cooking and boiling water today. But we promised the villagers in the town to give out cooling herbal tea for five consecutive days."
"I was so busy buying household items and renting tarpaulins and tables and chairs in the market yesterday that I forgot to buy more firewood."
Xiao Jingcheng understood. He asked humbly, "The firewood in the yard is usually bought, right?"
When Ye Wanmian lived alone in Qingyu Alley, she always collected firewood from the mountains. As for Dr. Wang's place, the firewood was of uniform thickness, indicating that it was bought. So she nodded.
Xiao Jingcheng said, "This is easy. Just tell me the price and I'll go buy it."
Ye Wanmian stopped what she was doing. She finally realized what was different about him today.
Not only was he being more agreeable today, but he also offered to help on his own initiative?
Surely he didn't get addicted to washing dishes last night?
But no matter what she thought in her heart, Ye Wanmian didn't dare to really trouble this noble crown prince.
Moreover, he had just been struck by Mo Zhizhang and coughed up blood.
"No need. I'll just send Qi Wen."
After saying that, she tried to walk around him, but the next moment, he blocked her way.
"If you send Qi Wen, who will be in charge of preparing the medicine?" Xiao Jingcheng said. "It's almost Chenshi (7 - 9 a.m.) now. Will he be able to make it back in time?"
"Let me make it clear first. I can't recognize medicinal herbs, so I'm afraid I can't help you with that."
Ye Wanmian was stumped by his question. Thinking about it according to his words, she found that there was some truth in what he said.
Starting today, Huichuntang was going to give out herbal tea to all the villagers in the town. The time was approaching, and there was still a lot of preparatory work to do. This was exactly the time when she needed help the most.
Uncle Li could have helped, but he had fallen ill a few days ago, and Ye Wanmian refused to trouble him anymore.
As for Mo Zhizhang, he had just arrived in Dongli Town, and Ye Wanmian wasn't very familiar with him. Moreover, he was like an elder to her, so she naturally couldn't trouble him with such things.
It seemed that Xiao Jingcheng was indeed the most suitable person.
But... he wasn't familiar with Dongli Town, and he had such a temper. Could he handle things properly?
As she was thinking, Xiao Jingcheng bent down. His nose was very close to hers. Meeting his captivating eyes, Ye Wanmian subconsciously held her breath.
"Jiang Mian, what on earth are you hesitating about?"
The man stared directly into her eyes without blinking. "Are you worried about my injury or worried that I'll be discovered?"
Ye Wanmian was a bit dazed and uncomfortable under his stare. But after hearing his words, she immediately came to her senses.
She thought he had improved a bit after a night, but it seemed he still had a sharp tongue! She stomped hard on his toe and glared at him angrily.
"You're overthinking. I'm worried that you'll squander my money again!"
The familiar pain came from his toe. But after being glared at by her wet and clear eyes, Xiao Jingcheng felt a tingle in his chest. It was as if an electric current had passed through his body.
It was the same feeling as when he was still in the form of Dahuang and she stroked his head with her fingers. It was so fascinating.
"Don't you trust me at all?" Xiao Jingcheng gently rubbed his chest and couldn't help asking.
Ye Wanmian paused and averted her gaze. "You're not familiar with Dongli Town. You don't know where the shop is. Your eagerness makes me feel uneasy."
It seemed like he was up to no good. How could she trust him?
Xiao Jingcheng said, "Just let Dahuang go with me. It should know the way, right?"
Right! Why didn't she think of that?
Dahuang was familiar with Dongli Town and surely knew the way. It could not only lead the way but also keep an eye on him for her.
Ye Wanmian immediately called out to Dahuang. Dahuang bounded up to Ye Wanmian, sticking out its tongue and wagging its tail desperately.
Ye Wanmian instructed, "Dahuang, take him to the firewood shop in the town later. Ask the shopkeeper to send ten bundles of firewood immediately. Keep a close eye on him and don't let this guy waste money."
Hearing that it was going out with Xiao Jingcheng, Dahuang glanced at him, and its once - perked tail drooped reluctantly.
"Woof..."
[Dahuang wants to stay with mother]
Ye Wanmian went back into the house. She counted out enough copper coins to buy ten bundles of firewood and put them in a money bag. Just as she was about to go out and give it to Xiao Jingcheng, she stopped, turned back, took two small pieces of silver, and put them in the bag with a straight face.
When she went out, she threw the money bag into Xiao Jingcheng's arms. "Go and come back quickly. Don't stay out too long, and don't..."
She looked up slightly and met his eyes. The words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat.
After a few breaths, she said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Be careful. Don't expose your identity."
After saying that, she turned around and ignored him.
Xiao Jingcheng weighed the money bag in his hand. The corner of his lips curled up slightly.
Xiao Jingcheng glanced at Dahuang, who was squatting there listlessly. "Stupid dog, let's go."
Dahuang snorted through its nostrils, then bounded ahead of him and went out the door with him.
When they left, for some reason, Ye Wanmian turned back and looked. Her gaze lingered on his back for a long time. She didn't come back to her senses until his figure disappeared from sight.