Chapter 766 - 762: Come Back with Me
"Jiang Baishu, do you have any idea what you’re doing? You’re a hero. You have a great future ahead of you. What kind of future can you have staying here in this tiny mountain village?"
The person speaking was a woman with a somewhat heroic air. Her short hair reached her shoulders, her eyes were determined, and her posture was ramrod straight. One look and you could tell she was the same type of person as Jiang Baishu.
However, her face was a mask of frustration at his lack of ambition.
Jiang Baishu lowered his head, not daring to meet her eyes.
"I know what I’m doing. Go back and tell my teacher that I’ve let him down."
He had let down the mentor who had single-handedly promoted him, and even more so, he had let down his expectations.
Fang Ziyin was about to die from anger. She had tried everything, persuasion and threats alike, but this man was as stubborn and stinky as a rock in a latrine pit. All he could say was "I’m sorry" to this person and "I’m sorry" to that one. Had she spent days traveling, over mountains and across rivers, just to hear him say "sorry"?
Fang Ziyin had grown up by her father’s side, developing a rough-and-tumble personality and a direct, no-nonsense approach to things. Even so, Jiang Baishu had managed to anger her to the point of tears.
"Jiang Baishu, do you have a conscience? My father thinks so highly of you, and you think you can just dismiss him with a simple ’I’m sorry’?"
"I don’t care. My father said that no matter what, I have to bring you back this time. Whatever you have to say, say it to him. I’m just the messenger."
Fang Ziyin clearly knew Jiang Baishu well. She knew he was a man who valued relationships and loyalty, and that he should personally report his intention to leave to his superiors.
Jiang Baishu fell silent for a moment before nodding. "You should head back first. I’ll talk to Master myself."
Fang Ziyin stomped her foot in frustration.
’This blockhead.’
’I’ve already said all this, but he’s just so single-minded.’
In the distance, Gu Jiaojiao had been about to pick some vegetables, but she hadn’t expected to overhear their conversation when she came over.
She felt it was wrong to eavesdrop, so she couldn’t help but let out a soft cough.
Jiang Baishu and Fang Ziyin turned around at the same time. Seeing Gu Jiaojiao, Jiang Baishu immediately walked over and naturally took the basin from her hands.
"Are you going to pick vegetables? I can do it."
Fang Ziyin had been sizing Gu Jiaojiao up, but her expression soured when she saw Jiang Baishu’s actions.
She stepped forward and extended her hand.
"Hello, I’m Fang Ziyin."
Gu Jiaojiao also extended her hand. "Gu Jiaojiao."
They shook hands briefly over the short fence.
Worried that Fang Ziyin might say something she shouldn’t, Jiang Baishu quickly cut in, "You should head back first! I’ll come find you after I’m done with things here."
Fang Ziyin didn’t leave.
Gu Jiaojiao glanced at the two of them and said with a smile, "Since you two know each other, Comrade Fang, why don’t you stay for a meal? We happen to have a lot of people over today, so it’ll be lively."
Jiang Baishu was just about to refuse, but Fang Ziyin had already agreed.
Gu Jiaojiao paid no mind to the silent argument in their eyes, simply instructing Jiang Baishu to pick the vegetables for her and then inviting Fang Ziyin into her home.
Fang Ziyin ignored Jiang Baishu as well. She could see that he was more inclined to listen to Gu Jiaojiao. Perhaps the key to getting him to return to the army lay with Gu Jiaojiao.
She couldn’t help but size up Gu Jiaojiao again, surprised to find such a great beauty in a small mountain village like this.
Fang Ziyin walked into the courtyard and was somewhat surprised to see a place that looked like a secluded paradise.
’This area looks so run-down. I never would have thought there’d be a courtyard this beautifully maintained.’
At the moment, only Gu Jiaojiao and Fang Ziyin were in the courtyard.
Seeing how naturally Gu Jiaojiao acted about everything here, Fang Ziyin’s heart sank.
’Could this be the girl Jiang Baishu likes?’
She had made inquiries before. Jiang Baishu didn’t have an older sister, only a younger one who should be just fourteen this year, and a younger brother. Gu Jiaojiao definitely didn’t match the description of his sister.
She gave Gu Jiaojiao a look, her feelings a complicated mix.