Chapter 0141: Necessities

Chapter 0141: Necessities

In dealing with Huang Yanjiong, who was suspected to have left Jianning, Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong shared a consistent stance.

That is, do not be distracted by him; focus on Southern Yong first.

Xiao Rong's strategy was to cut off the root, aiming directly at Han Qing's expectations; while Qu Yunmie's approach was to tackle the closer threats before moving on to the distant ones. ...

Regardless of whether their thought processes aligned, they ultimately reached the same conclusion.

After further discussion, everyone dispersed. As others gradually left, only Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong remained.

Initially, Xiao Rong sat upright in his chair. Once Song Shuo, the last person, finally stepped out, Xiao Rong slumped back, leaning against the chair with his hands resting on his chest. He absentmindedly rubbed his knuckles, his brows gradually furrowing.

He was not as calm as he appeared. After all, uncertainty was terrifying, and even plagues could be used as weapons. There was nothing Han Qing wouldn't do.

Yet, the system had not issued any warnings.

Whether it was the plague, Han Qing targeting Huang Yanjiong, or the increasing chaos in Southern Yong, the system remained silent, as if these were trivial matters.

This meant that these events were minor in the grand scheme of things, and Qu Yunmie could handle them. Perhaps he didn't even need to, as autumn's grasshoppers would die off with the cold.

So why was he so troubled?

Because what the system deemed minor was a catastrophe for those living in this world. The destruction now would require future efforts to repair, and some events could influence people for centuries, regardless of who ruled the land.

Those with little chance might go all-in, while those with the greatest odds already saw the world as theirs. Naturally, Xiao Rong worried more than most.

Lost in thought, he did not notice someone standing before him until a finger approached, gently scratching the one he had pinched red.

Xiao Rong: "…"

He looked up, realizing they were alone in the meeting hall. From this angle, Qu Yunmie seemed like a giant.

The giant looked down at him and asked, "Why do you always get so agitated when we mention that man surnamed Han? Did you know him before?"

Xiao Rong: "…"

Seeing Xiao Rong's silence, Qu Yunmie's eyes filled with suspicion: "I suddenly remembered that a few months ago, you asked me about someone named Han Liangru. Could this Han Liangru be Han Qing? You said he changed his name, right? So you really knew him. No wonder you're so distracted."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

He slapped away the finger still poking him. Though he didn't want to respond, ignoring Qu Yunmie would only make him angrier.

Thus, he replied irritably, "If I knew him, why would I ask you what Han Qing looks like?"

Xiao Rong's slap was gentle but made Qu Yunmie's heart flutter. He found himself enjoying Xiao Rong's defiance, as if he could never fully subdue him. This sparked an odd urge to turn the tables.

The method was simple: pick him up, and he'd instantly comply.

Qu Yunmie rubbed his fingertips, lost in thought. Even when Xiao Rong spoke again, he didn't hear. Turning to him, he asked, "What did you say?"

Xiao Rong: "… I said, stop imagining any connection between me and Han Qing. I will never show any kindness to someone who kills innocents without remorse."

Xiao Rong spoke angrily, and upon finishing, he felt the air freeze. His heart sank as he turned to Qu Yunmie.

Sure enough, Qu Yunmie began interpreting it his way.

He pursed his lips, looking enlightened: "You say you don't mind, but you actually do, don't you?"

Xiao Rong: "…"

He felt like groaning aloud. He had explained this countless times, yet Qu Yunmie still doubted him.

Supporting his head with his palm, Xiao Rong sighed heavily before raising his head.

"Killing innocents, that's the key point! Yes, you've killed many, but you haven't slaughtered civilians or those who had no quarrel with you, right?"

Qu Yunmie's jaw twitched. "Not yet, but in Zitong..."

Xiao Rong was exasperated. He was offering a way out, but Qu Yunmie tore it down.

In Zitong, Qu Yunmie had threatened Shen Yangrui and others, and since then, they rarely discussed it. Xiao Rong avoided it, while Qu Yunmie deemed it unnecessary.

But since it came up again, Xiao Rong lowered his eyes and whispered, "It's human nature."

Qu Yunmie looked at him. Xiao Rong took a deep breath and met his gaze clearly: "Anyone in that situation would lose control."

Qu Yunmie blinked, then sat beside Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong turned away, hearing Qu Yunmie ask, "Would you do the same?"

For me, would you?

Xiao Rong paused, wanting to avoid Qu Yunmie's gaze but couldn't. He stared straight back and answered, "No."

Yes, this was Qu Yunmie's expected answer.

Xiao Rong was rational and valued lives too much to act that way. It was the right choice, and Qu Yunmie understood this.

But he still felt a chill.

He would sacrifice everything for Xiao Rong, even descend into hell. But Xiao Rong would never do the same. It wasn't about killing; it was about the certainty in Xiao Rong's "no," revealing many other things he wouldn't do.

This time, Qu Yunmie looked away, his eyes downcast, making his thoughts unreadable.

Xiao Rong fell silent for a moment, then said, "Qu Yunmie, I'm different from you."

Qu Yunmie listened, unmoving.

Xiao Rong: "… You grew up in the military, accustomed to life and death. Your parents died early, and I imagine you learned about loss from a young age. But I didn't have that experience. I left home early, with weak family ties. I grew up in a safe place. If someone drew a knife in front of me, I'd think they were performing a trick, not trying to kill me. You might see this as paradise, but it's not perfect."

Qu Yunmie turned his head back.

Seeing that he had caught his attention, Xiao Rong continued in fits and starts, mixing truth with falsehood: "If one lives their whole life without knowing what death is, then the first time they encounter it, it's like a catastrophic disaster, especially... a violent death. Do you know what that means? It's not just being killed by bandits or losing your life on the battlefield after joining the army. It's dying because of some trivial, inexplicable little thing. A life is snuffed out just like that. Afterwards, you keep thinking, wondering why people can die so easily, why heaven lets them be born, grow up, and become passionate, only to not let them live on. From then on, everything seems different. Seeing the sunrise, I think about how he'll never see the light of day again. Hearing the chirping of cicadas and birds, I think how cruel the world is, not even letting him step into this summer."

Qu Yunmie's expression was slightly stunned, while Xiao Rong recalled some unpleasant memories and couldn't help but frown. After a brief pause, he continued: "If this happens when you're just stepping into the world, between childhood and adulthood, it will completely change you. You become stubborn because you know how terrifying death is. You put all your energy into avoiding it. You also become more compassionate because you don't want this to happen to others. So—"

He tilted his head and looked at Qu Yunmie, giving him a gentle smile: "So I won't kill innocents for you, and I refuse to think about what I would do if something happened to you, where you might be dead or alive. I don't want to know, nor do I want to assume."

When young, one doesn't understand love, hate, or even joy and sorrow. The body focuses on growing up, keeping all attention on eating, drinking, playing, and dealing with teachers and parents. Not understanding anything has already made me this way; what would it make me if I understood everything?

Xiao Rong's lips curved slightly, then quickly smoothed out. Qu Yunmie watched his reddened eyes and suddenly leaned forward.

Xiao Rong instinctively closed his eyes, and then felt a warm touch on his eyelids.

After Qu Yunmie moved away two seconds later, Xiao Rong slowly opened his eyes. He bit the soft flesh inside his mouth and said, "Don't misunderstand."

After uttering these words, as if preparing himself mentally, he took a moment before finally looking up: "I'm not saying that I've become a better person. Maybe to others, but not to you. My changes, my current personality, only bring you countless troubles."

Realizing the value of life makes Xiao Rong treat everyone kindly, except for Qu Yunmie, who is the only unlucky one to receive his cold words. Because Xiao Rong realized not only the value of life but also the emptiness and impact of a relationship ending abruptly.

When Xiao Rong mentioned the bounty, the obvious logical chain was clear to Qu Yunmie, but now, hearing Xiao Rong speak so vaguely, he actually understood.

And after understanding, he smiled.

Xiao Rong frowned at him, and Qu Yunmie reined in his expression. He didn't say anything like "I don't mind" or "I'm not afraid of trouble" because he knew Xiao Rong wouldn't believe it. Xiao Rong indeed learns from experience; after the Xianbei incident, he no longer asks if Qu Yunmie can accomplish something. Even if Qu Yunmie promises, Xiao Rong nods and praises him with a smile, but he still doesn't believe it. ... If he doesn't believe it, so be it. At least Xiao Rong openly guards against him, always talking about preventing him from misusing public funds or acting on his own. For this reason, Xiao Rong explained the new official system he wanted to implement, but Qu Yunmie started to drift off when he heard about the second rank.

Previously, Qu Yunmie thought he needed to win back Xiao Rong's trust and make him believe in him. But later, he realized that among the long list of things he needed from Xiao Rong, trust was probably at the bottom.

Trust isn't essential between them. Not even between husband and wife, let alone between ruler and minister. There's no helping it; they are both peculiar.

Regardless of whether tomorrow's Qu Yunmie will have any dissatisfaction, today's he feels content. Without asking, Xiao Rong spoke up on his own. This feeling is like finding a golden pie falling from the sky.

Qu Yunmie felt extremely pleased; he had nothing else he wanted to know.

Oh, wait, there was one more thing he wanted to ask.

"Ah Rong." Xiao Rong looked up.

Qu Yunmie asked him, "What is your relationship with the person you mentioned?"

Xiao Rong: "...classmate."

Qu Yunmie nodded solemnly.

Yes, now he really had nothing else he wanted to know.

Author's note:

No updates today, worked overtime again, got home late. But it's the weekend tomorrow, and I will definitely catch up (confident).