Chapter 15 Relationship Progress

Chapter 15: Progressing Relationship

"Then they still call you a thief..." A thief who's this down on his luck can hardly call himself a thief.

He Zhao lowered his head and was silent for a moment, then spoke, his voice natural and proud: "They want to give me the honor—how can I say no?"

Qin Jiao: ...

Luo Bei beside him: ... Have some decency!

"Haha, you're really funny." Qin Jiao couldn't help but laugh out loud.

At first Qin Jiao thought He Zhao was a jinx, then he thought he was a pheasant spirit and a showy peacock... but now Qin Jiao thinks He Zhao is a righteous and interesting person.

Earlier when the victim's family rushed forward, he'd shoved him out of the way, and just now when bandaging the wound, he was also fussing over him with concern.

"What's the point of being funny? People still don't like me."

"?"

He Zhao's suddenly lowered voice made Qin Jiao glance at him sideways.

He Zhao didn't seem the type to get depressed, but before Qin Jiao could ask, He Zhao laughed again. "Hmph! Who cares? Plenty of people like your boy here! Qin Jiao, do you like me?"

"Huh?" He Zhao's mood shifted way too fast.

"What 'huh'? Do you like me or not!" He Zhao suddenly got close, his bright starry eyes sparkling with moving light.

"I... think so," Qin Jiao chose his words carefully. "After all, you... are like a peacock."

"Peacock?"

"Yeah! I'm saying you're pretty."

He Zhao was clearly delighted by that, he was shaking with laughter. "Yeah! Little Qin Jiao, you have good taste. From now on, I've got your back!"

"Great," Qin Jiao's eyes crinkled with a smile.

Luo Bei wasn't interested in their mutual praise chat, so he grabbed his sword and headed to the door.

After He Zhao finished his tea, he was nibbling a piece of red bean cake. Qin Jiao stole a glance at Luo Bei, then quietly moved closer to He Zhao.

"What?" He Zhao glanced at him.

Qin Jiao's sharp eyes darted. "By the way, what did you steal from Xie Nai that made him chase you for so long?"

Speaking of this, He Zhao put on a mysterious look. He shifted closer, they huddled close like thieving squirrels, whispering:

"Xie Nai has a very precious bracelet, one of a kind in the whole Tianyuan Dynasty. I heard it's a royal treasure. Come to think of it... that bracelet would suit you quite well."

He Zhao's voice dropped low; Qin Jiao couldn't hear clearly for a moment. "Huh?"

"It was a..."

Before He Zhao finished, someone suddenly appeared at the door.

"Qin Jiao."

Xie Nai came against the light, dressed in fine clothes and a fox fur coat, radiant and dazzling, almost unreal. "What are you two doing?"

"N-nothing!"

Caught talking behind his back, Qin Jiao and He Zhao were so startled they sprang apart, then looked around shiftily, as if guilty.

Xie Nai looked at Luo Bei, who was also confused. As for the physician, he had already knelt down the moment Xie Nai entered.

Xie Nai turned his gaze back to Qin Jiao. Qin Jiao already had no confidence, and now under Xie Nai's stare, his eyes grew even more evasive.

The young master bit his lip, gave an awkward smile, and forced a topic of conversation: "Are you finished with your business, Your Highness?"

"Mm." came a cold reply.

"You must be tired, Your Highness."

"Mm." Still cold.

"Just... suddenly very hungry. Can we go now?"

Qin Jiao was indeed a bit hungry, so even though he was forcing it, there was real feeling behind it.

Xie Nai glanced at him. The young man with delicate features spoke softly, his eyes full of hope—it was hard to refuse.

After a moment of silence, Xie Nai said, "Get up, I'll take you back."

"Great, let's go home!" Having successfully dodged the topic, Qin Jiao gave a sly smile.

The next second, he and He Zhao exchanged a look and stood up to leave.

The others didn't think anything of it, but Luo Bei was a bit taken aback: These two seem to have gotten close pretty fast...

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