Chapter Sixty: Very Much Like Her

The system, watching Chu Bing’s bewildered and panicked expression, finally could not bear it any longer. “Look carefully,” it urged.

Startled, Chu Bing lowered her gaze and saw that Li Mohan had already awakened.

Those pitch-black eyes were quietly fixed on her.

For a moment, the air seemed to choke with tension.

Chu Bing abruptly shoved Li Mohan away and retreated several meters, gritting her teeth as she scolded, “When did you wake up?”

“Are you enjoying watching me flustered and panicked?”

She was nearly driven mad with anxiety, yet this man had been calmly enjoying the spectacle.

Li Mohan propped himself up, his eyes lowering, his expression somewhat peculiar. “I wasn’t pleased,” he replied.

He just felt awkward. The moment he opened his eyes, he found a woman taking liberties with him. Normally, he should have acted and killed her on the spot.

Yet this young girl before him evoked a strange sense of familiarity.

“Thank you for saving my life,” Li Mohan said, raising his hands in a gesture of gratitude.

His face was pale, his voice feeble, and he had to catch his breath after every few words.

Chu Bing rolled her eyes helplessly, her anger gradually subsiding.

“Young Master, why were you and Second Young Master fighting? He looked like he wanted to kill you,” she asked, curiosity coloring her tone as she sat opposite him.

Li Mohan hesitated briefly before speaking in a voice as calm as still water. “Li Yuxi intends to rebel.”

“What?” Chu Bing’s eyes widened.

She knew relations between Li Yuxi and the imperial court were fraught, even hostile, but she had never imagined he would contemplate rebellion.

That was a crime punishable by death.

Li Mohan’s tone remained utterly even, as if recounting a story entirely unrelated to himself. “My second brother has always been sensitive and suspicious. Recently, Father has shown great favor to our third brother, which must have wounded him. He no longer wishes to heed Father’s orders.”

Chu Bing blinked, Li Yuxi’s face flashing through her mind. She simply could not imagine him as someone who lacked paternal affection.

That madman was nearly untouchable—could he really care about a father?

Chu Bing suspected there were deeper reasons behind his desire to break free from the Li family’s control.

“I was raised by Father’s grace and cannot abandon him. Father asked me to bring my brother back, but he refused, so we quarreled,” Li Mohan continued, narrating as if recounting a tale from long ago. Hearing this, Chu Bing felt a sudden pang in her heart.

She got up, attempting to help Li Mohan to his feet.

The matter between these brothers was not one for her to judge. Her main goal was to complete the mission the system had given her.

The rest was none of her concern.

Li Mohan tilted his head slightly, squinting at Chu Bing as he suddenly asked, “Do you know Chu Bing?”

Chu Bing froze, forcing a laugh. “No, who is she?”

Li Mohan’s eyes fell in disappointment. “You remind me of her.”

He did not elaborate on exactly how.

Chu Bing’s heart raced, worried he might see through her disguise. She quickly changed the subject, “Perhaps I have one of those common faces—everyone looks a bit like me.”

Before Li Mohan could respond, she hurried on, “Young Master, Second Young Master is unlikely to return to the manor for now. Let me help you back.”

Li Mohan nodded.

They supported each other on the way back to the Li residence. As expected, Li Yuxi was nowhere to be seen.

Chu Bing carefully escorted Li Mohan to his quarters, attentive and considerate all the way.

Li Mohan turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of the girl’s jet-black hair and the faint, elusive fragrance that lingered around her.

His throat moved involuntarily, his gaze growing deeper.

“Why did you save me?” His voice was husky, making Chu Bing nervous.

Afraid Li Mohan was testing her, Chu Bing immediately lowered her head, adopting a gentle, bashful demeanor. “I couldn’t bear to see you in such a pitiable state.”

Her voice was soft and delicate, like a kitten. Li Mohan felt as if a feather had brushed his heart.

Suddenly, he thought of Chu Bing.

That young girl, just like this maid before him, was both fragile and kind.

Sadly, he did not know where she had gone now.

Chu Bing, receiving no reply from Li Mohan, could not help but glance up. She saw a hint of nostalgia on his face, not suspicion, and breathed a sigh of relief. She quickened her pace, anxious to deliver him safely to his courtyard.

The moment they entered the courtyard, Old Zhao spotted them.

Old Zhao’s clouded eyes brightened instantly when he saw Li Mohan’s wounds. He strode over, his aged face tinged with anger. “Who dared harm the Young Master? Such audacity!”

He glared fiercely at Chu Bing.

Chu Bing hid behind Li Mohan.

She found the old man rather peculiar—last time, he had nearly discovered her disguise, and now she dared not lift her head for fear he might see through her face-changing trick.

Li Mohan, sensing the maid’s timidity, assumed Old Zhao had frightened her. He spoke coldly, “I’m fine. You’re making a fuss over nothing.”

Old Zhao had watched Li Mohan grow up and cared for him like a son. Now, heartbroken, he brusquely pushed Chu Bing aside and carefully supported Li Mohan, barely containing his anger. “Young Master, how can this be nothing? Judging from your wounds, the people in the mountains clearly meant to kill you!”

Seeing the reunion of master and servant, Chu Bing decided her part was done and prepared to slip away.

But Li Mohan, as if he had eyes on the back of his head, suddenly reached out and gripped her wrist tightly. “Don’t go yet.”

Old Zhao’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Li Mohan, who had always shunned women like the plague, was now, for the first time, holding onto this little maid himself.

Who was she?

Old Zhao stared intently at Chu Bing, trying to discern what made her different. Chu Bing grew increasingly uneasy, struggling to break free from Li Mohan’s grasp.

Li Mohan, however, introduced her, “This little maid just saved my life. From now on, let her work in my quarters.”

Chu Bing opened her mouth to refuse, but then thought better of it. If she stayed by Li Mohan’s side, she would have a better chance of learning Li Haoran’s whereabouts.

At this thought, a hint of joy appeared on her face.

Old Zhao, seeing her obvious delight, immediately suspected ulterior motives and tried to object. “Young Master, she’s just a maid—how could she possibly save you? I find her highly suspicious.”

“Whether she saved me or not, do I not know myself?” Li Mohan interrupted coolly, his quiet authority brooking no argument.