"Will you give up if I reject you?"
Qin Yuchuan shook his head; she was the one he didn't want to give up on.
Xuanyuan Xi said, "That's right. Don't be afraid of rejection. After she rejects you, you can still ask her what kind of man she likes."
"Where there's a will, there's a way. As long as you think it's worth it, everything has meaning."
"Who knows, maybe if you confess your feelings, she won't reject you!"
Qin Yuchuan seemed to understand something. "Thank you, Mother."
In a pavilion at the General's Mansion, Yan Yang and Bai Wei sat on stone benches, chatting casually.
"Yan Yang, did you really go to Miss Qingyi's home?" Bai Wei asked, still somewhat incredulous.
Yan Yang handed Bai Wei a package of snacks. "Of course. Miss Qingyi bought all these for us. This one's for you."
"What's Miss Qingyi's home like?" Bai Wei asked curiously.
Yan Yang thought for a moment. "Miss Qingyi's home isn't as big as the General's Mansion, but there are many amazing things inside."
"There's a television where you can see lots and lots of people. The chairs are incredibly soft."
"And there are lights that turn on with just a touch. The table is made of white stone and looks absolutely beautiful..."
Listening to Yan Yang's enthusiastic description, Bai Wei felt a twinge of envy.
"I'd love to see all these things you're talking about. How did you get there?"
Yan Yang shook her head. "I don't know about that. It probably has something to do with the General's little box."
Bai Wei asked again, "What kind of person is Miss Qingyi?"
Yan Yang replied, "Miss Qingyi is very beautiful and gentle. Her cooking is also delicious. The General seems really happy when he's with Miss Qingyi."
"I think they're a perfect match. Miss Qingyi bought us so many snacks, and I was thinking I should buy something to give her. Bai Wei, can you help me choose?"
Bai Wei nodded. "Of course! If you want to go out and pick something, just call me."
"Great, I'll come find you then." Having achieved her goal, Yan Yang hurriedly left.
The people at the General's Mansion noticed that many crabapple trees had been recently transplanted on the grounds.
Two of the crabapple trees in Qin Yuchuan's courtyard were even transplanted from the imperial palace.
The crabapple trees were laden with fruit, green with a tinge of red, seemingly not yet ripe.
They looked rather ordinary compared to the osmanthus trees in the courtyard, which exuded a rich fragrance, making the crabapples seem too plain.
"Why did the General plant so many crabapple trees in the mansion?"
"Maybe he had a sudden whim and thought the green of the crabapple trees was enticing."
"The crabapples aren't very attractive this season, but when they bloom, they're quite nice."
"Besides, these crabapple trees bear fruit, which makes them much better than those all-show-and-no-substance trees."
"..."
When Xuanyuan Xi went for a walk with Bai Wei, she naturally noticed the new crabapple trees that weren't there before and inquired about them.
"Bai Wei, I don't recall these trees being here a couple of days ago!"
Bai Wei replied, "The General had these trees transplanted here yesterday."
"Since when did he become interested in what trees to plant?" Xuanyuan Xi wondered.
Bai Wei wasn't quite sure either. "This servant doesn't know. It's said that the General even had two crabapple trees transplanted into his own courtyard."
"It's just a matter of transplanting a few trees. Let him be!"
Children grow up and have their own ideas. It's just unclear what the intention behind this move is.
Surely it can't be that he came across crabapple trees, admired their verdant green, and decided to transplant them to his courtyard.
In the study of the General's Mansion, Qin Yuchuan sat in a chair behind the writing desk, with Na Muqi standing at his side.
"General, I heard you went missing a few days ago. May I ask what happened?"
Qin Yuchuan replied, "There was a bit of an accident. Nameless Street was just a front. Their hidden location still needs to be investigated."
"After we resolved the Nameless Street issue that day, we encountered an ambush in the woods on the outskirts. Those people should be their elite. I don't know if you've reported the Southern Border matter to His Majesty."
Na Muqi lowered his head. "I did mention this to His Majesty, but he didn't seem to take it seriously."
"I'm aware of this matter. Continue your covert investigation. Leave His Majesty to me." He would have to make a visit to the palace.
Na Muqi was a bit worried. "I feel that the Southern Border people's primary target this time is you, General. I don't think you should risk yourself."
"Within a year, the Southern Border and Tianqi will definitely go to war. In the court, there's no one but you who can be sent. General, you should take care of yourself for the sake of the future."
Qin Yuchuan didn't agree with Na Muqi's thoughts. "If their target is me, they'll keep a close eye on me no matter what."
"It's best to completely eliminate them before they change their target. Compared to avoiding, I prefer to confront challenges head-on."
Na Muqi knew that once Qin Yuchuan made a decision, no one could change his mind.
"Then, please take care, General. If there's anything you need, just say the word. This subordinate will not shirk even at the cost of his life."
Qin Yuchuan said, "You be careful, too."
"I understand. Then I'll take my leave now."
After Na Muqi left, Qin Yuchuan walked out of the study.
The two crabapple trees in the courtyard were lush with green. Although it was autumn, they were still full of verdant leaves.
Under the sunlight, they swayed with a lustrous gleam.
He still had too many things to take care of, and he didn't know if she would be willing to wait for him.
If he could see her again, he definitely wouldn't hesitate this time.
He used to fear nothing, but now he was afraid of running out of time, afraid of never seeing her again.
...
In the villa, Feng Qingyi sat alone at the dining table, having lunch.
Since Qin Yuchuan left, her life had returned to tranquility.
She spent her days practicing martial arts, playing the zither, and painting. Her time was fully occupied, and every day felt particularly fulfilling.
However, living alone in such a spacious house inevitably felt a bit lonely.
After the holiday ended, Feng Qingyi's beginner martial arts course was fully completed.
She had some hesitation about whether to purchase the intermediate course.
But thinking of the martial arts club's school competition, Feng Qingyi still spent 300 points to buy it.
No matter how small the gain, it was still a gain. In any case, she would always profit, never lose.
Back at school, the cycle of attending classes began anew.
Feng Qingyi glanced at Shen Hanyue, who was lying on the desk beside her, and gently nudged her.
"Wake up, we're in class!"
Shen Hanyue reluctantly opened her eyes, "Qingyi, don't wake me. I only got to the train station at three in the morning. Let me sleep a bit longer."
"...Fine! But don't make it so obvious!"
Feng Qingyi thought, "We're sitting in the front row, and you're still brazenly napping. It's not like the professor is blind."
Hearing Feng Qingyi's words, Shen Hanyue flipped open her book and propped it up.
"..." Although it was still quite apparent, it would have to do for now.
Feng Qingyi glanced at Lou Xi, who was sitting to Shen Hanyue's right. She too looked equally listless.
