Chapter Sixty-Two: I Deserve It

During the days Chu Bing spent living in Li Mohan’s courtyard, she discovered his life was unbearably dull. Each day consisted of nothing but martial arts practice and handling affairs of the residence, with not a single woman around him. If it weren’t for his long hair, he’d be no different from a monk.

Yet this monotony worked to Chu Bing’s advantage—the fewer people around Li Mohan, the more opportunities she had to make her move.

The system, on the other hand, was thoroughly dissatisfied with Chu Bing’s progress, reminding her three times a day, “If you fail to find Li Haoran and train him into a martial arts master, the system will terminate you…”

“I know!” Chu Bing rolled her eyes. “That’s the third time you’ve said this today! Relax, I’ve already figured out Li Mohan’s habits. All his important things are kept in his study. Once he falls asleep tonight, I’ll sneak in and look for clues!”

She was brimming with confidence. If Li Mohan was indeed hiding someone, there was no way he could have left no trace behind.

“…So that’s why you’re crouched in the grass?” the system asked.

Chu Bing absentmindedly plucked a blade of grass, tucking it into the corner of her mouth. “Why hasn’t Li Mohan gone to bed yet?”

The moon was already high in the sky, crickets chirping all around the courtyard. She crouched in the thicket, her gaze fixed steadily on the study, until her legs grew numb. Only then did Li Mohan finally emerge from the study, a thin robe draped over his shoulders, a book in hand, seemingly headed for his bedchamber.

Once he’d gone far enough, Chu Bing brushed the dirt from her clothes and darted to the study door. She fished out a key she’d copied after spotting the original with Li Mohan. He trusted her so completely that he hadn’t even noticed the key was missing and then returned.

Murmuring a silent apology, Chu Bing heard the soft click of the lock and felt her guilt dissolve. She pushed the door open with the utmost caution.

The study was pitch dark. She dared not light a lamp for fear of being seen. First, she rifled through the items on the desk, then scanned the shelves for correspondence, but none of the letters bore any connection to Li Haoran.

Could there be a hidden chamber in this study?

She was about to search more thoroughly when footsteps suddenly sounded at the door. Startled, Chu Bing instantly teleported outside. There she saw Old Zhao standing at the threshold with a lantern, a puzzled look on his face. “Why is the door open? Did the young master forget to close it again?”

Hiding behind a column just beyond Old Zhao’s line of sight, Chu Bing let out a slow breath of relief. Old Zhao guarded against her like she was a thief; if he suspected her, there’d be no end of trouble. She was just about to slip away when her foot landed on a stone, and she stumbled, gripping the column to steady herself—but the noise gave her away.

Old Zhao hurried over, catching sight of her skulking behind the pillar. “Hongxiu, what are you doing here?”

Chu Bing’s mind raced for an excuse. “I… I was just going to the kitchen for something to eat!” she stammered.

“Who are you trying to fool? Tell me, were you trying to sneak into the young master’s study?” Old Zhao hadn’t realized she’d already been inside, believing the study to be empty when he arrived and finding her behind him now.

But Chu Bing had regained her composure. Even if Old Zhao suspected her, what could he do? He hadn’t seen her enter the study with his own eyes. Without evidence, Li Mohan would do nothing to her.

Old Zhao, having finally caught her in a suspicious act, was unwilling to let it go and grabbed her arm, determined to take her to Li Mohan.

Li Mohan had already gone to bed, but upon hearing the commotion, he reappeared in the courtyard. Dressed in light inner robes, his long hair draped over his shoulders, he was all the more noble and captivating in the cool moonlight.

Chu Bing, however, had no mind to admire him, her thoughts consumed with how to convince him of her innocence.

Old Zhao pointed at Chu Bing and related the incident. “…Young master, this little maid is up to something strange. In my opinion, she’s too dangerous to keep around. Better to kill her outright…”

Chu Bing stared at the old man in disbelief. He actually wanted her dead! Would Li Mohan take his advice?

She looked at Li Mohan earnestly. “Young master, I was just hungry…”

Li Mohan’s eyes softened as soon as he saw her, and after a brief hesitation he shook his head. “Uncle Zhao, Hongxiu is my savior.”

Chu Bing breathed a sigh of relief—it seemed her life was safe, at least for now.

Old Zhao, however, looked disappointed. “Young master, why do you protect her so? What if she betrays you one day…”

“Then I’ll have only myself to blame,” Li Mohan interrupted coolly.

Chu Bing’s heart gave a jolt, a pang of guilt welling up inside her.

Though much of this was never her intention, with the system forcing her hand, there was no doubt she would one day betray Li Mohan. After all, Li Haoran was the true focus of her mission.

“It’s late. Both of you, go back and rest. No more disturbances tonight,” Li Mohan said, turning to return to his room.

Only Chu Bing and Old Zhao remained in the courtyard. Old Zhao shot her a menacing glare before stalking off in a huff.

Chu Bing stood alone for a long time, staring at the tightly closed door. The system’s voice broke her reverie: “Host, if you fail to complete your mission in time…”

“I know. If I fail, I die,” Chu Bing replied coldly, cutting it off. “I will finish the mission—whatever it takes.”

She wanted to live.

So there was no choice but to press forward.

The next morning, Chu Bing went straight to the kitchen and personally prepared a table of exquisite dishes.

When Li Mohan returned from his morning training, he saw the unfamiliar spread and looked mildly surprised.

Chu Bing smiled. “Young master, I made all this myself to thank you for your kindness these days.”

Seeing the effort she had put in, Li Mohan’s expression softened. He sat down, his demeanor a little gentler. “There’s no need for such courtesy.”

Chu Bing poured him a cup of wine, her voice soft and sincere. “Young master, this is to thank you for letting me leave the laundry room.”

Li Mohan was taken aback, watching the girl before him speak with reddened eyes. “If not for you, I’d still be a little maid doing hard labor. Thank you for bringing me out of that place.”

In Chu Bing’s mind, the system applauded, “Excellent acting!”

Chu Bing smiled faintly, “Thank you.”

After all, how could one survive in this cannibalistic ancient world without a skill to rely on?