Chapter 105: As Long as It’s Her

Chu Bing was completely unaware of Li Mohan’s unusual behavior.

Her gaze flicked to the bathtub behind the folding screen, and suddenly an idea crossed her mind. With a cheerful smile, she leaned close to Li Mohan and said, “Young master, let me help you with your bath.”

Li Mohan glanced at her innocent face and replied, “You… wash yourself first. Don’t worry about me.”

With that, he hurriedly turned to leave, his retreating figure tense and somewhat disheveled.

For a moment, Chu Bing was stunned. She looked down at her clothes and suddenly remembered that she had been traveling in the carriage for the past few days without bathing at all!

“Ah!” she exclaimed.

No wonder the young master told her to wash herself first. Could it be that he had smelled her scent and was subtly reminding her?

Annoyed, Chu Bing cupped her face and couldn’t help but slip behind the screen to wash up.

“This is the life!” Chu Bing raised her arms, feeling the warmth of the water. Suddenly, a soft cough came from the doorway.

Li Mohan was still standing at the door?

Chu Bing’s eyes darted; she deliberately called out, “Oh!”

“Hongxiu?” Li Mohan called softly.

Chu Bing ducked her head into the tub, squinting toward the door.

When no answer came, sure enough, after a short while, Li Mohan pushed open the door and stepped inside. “Hongxiu?”

The space behind the screen was silent, with no sign of her. Li Mohan’s heart skipped a beat—could something have happened to Hongxiu?

Ignoring the impropriety, he turned the screen around, but the bathtub was empty!

His face finally changed. Just as he moved to check the window, a splash erupted as a figure climbed out of the tub, water spraying everywhere, her porcelain skin dazzling in the room’s light.

Li Mohan stood frozen, staring at the scene before him.

Chu Bing’s eyes sparkled brightly. “Did I scare you?”

Suddenly, Li Mohan turned away, his voice tinged with irritation. “Hongxiu, do you even know what shame is?”

Chu Bing was taken aback, shrinking back in the bathwater, only her head visible. “I’m wearing a bellyband… you can’t see anything.”

The bellyband was large enough to cover everything thoroughly; there was no risk of exposure.

“Absurd!” Li Mohan’s face flushed at the mention of the bellyband. “You’re a young lady—what nonsense is this?”

Chu Bing loved seeing this mixture of embarrassment and helplessness on Li Mohan’s handsome, usually expressionless face, which gave off an aura of restraint that tickled her heart.

She smiled brightly at him. “What does it matter? I wouldn’t act like this in front of others!”

Li Mohan stiffened, taking a deep breath. “Don’t ever do that again.”

With that, he prepared to leave, but Chu Bing panicked and grabbed his wrist. “Young master, why are you in such a hurry?”

As soon as she spoke, she wished she could slap herself. What was she saying? Like a reckless playboy teasing a proper young lady!

She quickly cleared her throat and asked, “I just wanted to ask—since you’re leaving the city now, where are you headed? Can I come along?”

Li Mohan’s senses were entirely focused on the hand Chu Bing held, so he didn’t fully process her words. He simply said, “Don’t worry, I will take you with me.”

He would never abandon Chu Bing alone; after all, it was hard to regain something lost—how could he bear to?

Satisfied, Chu Bing released his hand, and Li Mohan immediately strode outside.

He stumbled once, nearly falling, his back looking quite disheveled.

Watching him, Chu Bing couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

Hearing her laughter, Li Mohan quickened his pace.

The system spoke softly, “Host, what exactly are you doing? If you develop feelings for someone unrelated to the mission—”

“I know,” Chu Bing interrupted, lifting water to splash over herself, her expression calm and far from the joy she had shown when Li Mohan was present.

“Don’t worry. I can’t even control my own life, so how could I possibly fall in love with someone else?”

“Besides, didn’t you hear? Li Mohan already agreed to take me wherever he goes. If he’s really going to find Li Haoran, then I’ll be right there with him.”

Li Mohan was no fickle man, so she should soon see Li Haoran and begin the mission.

This sudden plan had just sprung to her mind; once Li Mohan agreed, she would definitely follow him.

Her mind recalled Li Mohan’s brows, and a slight irritation stirred within her.

It seemed… she had taken advantage of the young master’s genuine feelings.

Seeing Chu Bing so composed and clear-headed, the system quietly fell silent.

Chu Bing stared out the window at the sky, her gaze distant. Having her fate controlled by others was an unpleasant feeling.

After finishing her bath, Chu Bing found Li Mohan had already vanished. Old Zhao stood at the door, holding a bundle with a stern face. “These are all the young master’s instructions.”

Chu Bing opened it to find two sets of clean clothes—everything complete, even some jewelry.

“Thank you, young master!” she accepted them with a bright smile. It seemed Li Mohan treated her differently after all.

Old Zhao snorted disapprovingly. “Although you saved the young master before, don’t think that entitles you to slack off or become arrogant.”

Chu Bing blinked innocently. “Uncle Zhao, you don’t know me yet. I’m the most sensible one around. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the young master!”

Just as she prepared to leave with the bundle, she suddenly realized no room had been assigned to her. She quickly turned back to Li Mohan’s room and smiled, “It just so happens I’m staying with the young master. It’s easier to look after him that way!”

Old Zhao’s face darkened with anger. He reached to drag her out, but Chu Bing slipped into the room and barred the door from inside.

Li Mohan came up from downstairs and saw Old Zhao standing at the door. His long brows raised slightly. “Uncle Zhao?”

Old Zhao immediately pointed at the closed door with a scolding tone. “Young master, this Chu Bing is utterly shameless. She actually wants to share a room with you!”

A flicker of discomfort passed through Li Mohan’s eyes. He frowned, thinking for a moment, then softly said, “She just returned from outside and might be frightened. Let her sleep with me.”

Old Zhao’s eyes widened, clearly taken aback by Li Mohan’s words. “Th-this doesn’t make sense! A maid…”

“She’s not a maid,” Li Mohan shook his head slightly, his gaze serious. “Although Hongxiu does some chores around me, she saved my life long ago and is different from the others. Uncle Zhao, don’t underestimate her.”

Hongxiu was his personal maid, not the kind others whispered about.

Old Zhao, seeing Li Mohan’s solemn expression, seemed to understand something. He sighed deeply, helplessly saying, “Young master, you’ve come of age, so I shouldn’t stop you. But Hongxiu’s background is uncertain. She’s not a proper match. I fear she might hurt you in the future.”

Li Mohan’s features softened. “As long as it’s her, that’s enough.”