Chapter 280 - 136: Aunt Shui: Xiaojiang, from now on, you belong to me.

Chapter 280: Chapter 136: Aunt Shui: Xiaojiang, from now on, you belong to me.

"It is only women and petty men who are difficult to deal with!"

...

Jiang Mu followed Shui Miaozheng out of the courtyard gate.

The night was as black as ink.

Thick, heavy clouds in the sky completely obscured the moon, plunging the surroundings into darkness. Only the scattered torches in the distance provided a faint halo of light.

But Jiang Mu, blessed by the Divine Abilities of the Earth Spirit Star, had vision far superior to that of an ordinary person.

Not only could he see the road clearly, but even the silhouette of the person leading him was perfectly distinct.

Shui Miaozheng walked on in silence.

As the night wind blew, her water-blue skirt stretched taut over her large, round hips.

Swaying with every step.

It was like watching a living hill jiggle beneath the fabric.

This unintentional allure, in the pitch-black night, was even more captivating than the hidden moon.

"Are you secretly resenting me? For transferring you here on my own authority, without discussing it with you first?"

Shui Miaozheng, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned to face Jiang Mu.

In the darkness of the night, her eyes were exceptionally bright.

Like two stars submerged in a deep pool, they stared straight into the depths of Jiang Mu’s eyes.

Jiang Mu was taken aback and quickly shook his head. "No, I’m just a little surprised. I didn’t expect the Water Director would, for my sake..."

"In front of outsiders, you call me Lord Chief. But in private, what should you call me?"

Shui Miaozheng interrupted him, her tone carrying a hint of playful reproach.

Jiang Mu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Aunt Shui."

Hearing this form of address, a gentle smile blossomed on Shui Miaozheng’s face.

She took a step forward, reached out with her slender fingers, and carefully straightened Jiang Mu’s slightly rumpled collar.

As she drew near,

the night wind shoved the warm, womanly fragrance of her skin straight into his nostrils.

Yet it came in wisps, tickling his very soul.

While tidying his collar, Shui Miaozheng said softly:

"Since I’ve acknowledged you as my nephew, it’s only natural that your aunt will protect you.

Right now, Yan City is a meat grinder, incredibly perilous. You know Elder Tian—he’s hard-headed, and his style of leadership is famous for its recklessness and aggression.

The men under his command, like Yan Fenghuo, are utterly fearless.

You’re young and full of vigor, and highly skilled. It’s inevitable you’d be influenced by this atmosphere and start fighting recklessly, disregarding your own life.

But you’re still young, with a long road ahead of you. You must always leave yourself some leeway and know how to protect yourself."

She looked up, her gaze as gentle as water:

"I went to great lengths to have you transferred here because my defensive sector is relatively safer.

Don’t worry, as for merit and achievements, your aunt will help you accumulate as much as possible. It certainly won’t be any less than what you’d earn risking your life over there."

Listening to these heartfelt words, Jiang Mu felt both helpless and moved.

Having an elder care for him so meticulously was certainly a kind of happiness.

’But the problem is, I’m a cheater!’

’I need to slay more demons to charge and upgrade my system! If you protect me like a baby in a greenhouse, how am I supposed to grow?’

’Can you grow for me?’

However, looking at Shui Miaozheng’s concerned gaze, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse her good intentions, so he could only nod in agreement.

...

They arrived at the courtyard where Shui Miaozheng’s unit was stationed.

Upon seeing Jiang Mu’s arrival, the happiest were none other than Zhu Chang and Ming Cuicui, former subordinates of Tang Guixin.

They had fought side-by-side on White Deer Peak and had personally witnessed Jiang Mu’s ability to turn the tide of battle.

With such a powerful ally joining them, they immediately felt much more at ease.

Shui Miaozheng gathered everyone and briefly announced the transfer order from the General Office and Jiang Mu’s temporary appointment.

She turned to Jiang Mu and said warmly:

"Xiaojiang, you were a Hall Master in Hu State City. Now that you’re here, I can’t let you be wronged. You can take over the Hall Master position that Sister Tang used to hold. Chang’zi, Cuicui, and the others are all old acquaintances, so it should be easy to coordinate with them."

Jiang Mu had no objection to this and clasped his hands. "I am entirely at the Lord Chief’s disposal."

Ming Cuicui cheered with delight.

After some simple pleasantries, Shui Miaozheng looked at the sky and said, "It’s getting late. Everyone is dismissed. Get some rest."

She turned her head to Jiang Mu and said:

"Xiaojiang, come with me. I’ve had a separate room prepared for you."

Jiang Mu followed Shui Miaozheng to a side room in the rear courtyard.

Pushing open the door, he found the room was exceptionally tidy. On the windowsill sat a pot of orchids exuding a faint, delicate fragrance, creating an elegant and warm atmosphere.

"I live right next door."

Shui Miaozheng pointed to the adjacent room. "If you need anything, you can come find me at any time. Get some rest and build up your strength."

"Thank you for your trouble, Aunt Shui," Jiang Mu said gratefully.

Shui Miaozheng smiled and gave him a few more detailed instructions about daily matters before preparing to leave.

When she reached the door, she suddenly paused as if remembering something, and turned back to ask:

"Look at my memory, I got carried away talking. Xiaojiang, you’ve traveled all this way, you haven’t had dinner yet, have you? Are you hungry? If you are, your aunt can go make you some noodles. It’ll be quick."

Her words made Jiang Mu suddenly realize his stomach was empty, and a wave of hunger washed over him.

From the fierce battle at Meiruo Temple to reporting back, and then being reassigned, he truly hadn’t had a single drop of water or a grain of rice.

He didn’t stand on ceremony and said with a smile, "Aunt Shui, you guessed it. I am indeed hungry. I’ll have to trouble you then, Aunt Shui."

"Why be so formal with your own aunt? It’s no trouble at all."

Shui Miaozheng gave a charming smile and turned, heading towards the kitchen in the corner of the small courtyard.

In about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn,

Shui Miaozheng came in carrying a tray, on which sat a large, steaming bowl.

She placed the bowl on the table and said, a little embarrassed:

"The conditions here are simple, and we don’t have any fine ingredients. I just boiled some greens and poached two eggs. Make do with this and warm yourself up."

Jiang Mu leaned in for a look. In the clear broth, verdant green leaves floated alongside two perfectly round poached eggs. It looked very appetizing.

He hadn’t had high expectations for Shui Miaozheng’s cooking skills to begin with.

Her culinary skills were just average.

After all, not everyone was Aunt Bai Xiang.

He picked up his chopsticks and praised casually, "Aunt Shui’s cooking is better than any mountain delicacy or seafood feast."

His words made Shui Miaozheng laugh, her eyes shimmering. She chided, "You child, you’ve also learned to be a smooth-talker to make people happy. Hurry up and eat while it’s hot."

Jiang Mu said no more and lowered his head, starting to eat with big mouthfuls.

Shui Miaozheng sat on a stool to the side, quietly watching him eat, her eyes always brimming with a pool of gentleness.

The candlelight flickered,

casting their two shadows on the wall, where they overlapped.

Outside the door, the dark clouds dispersed, and a bright moon peeked out, its clear light showering the courtyard.

The watches of the night wore on, the lone lamp’s shadow trembled, and the chirping of insects outside the window grew faint.

Inside, the aroma of noodles filled the air. The woman’s eyes smiled as she watched the young man bury his head in his meal.

An ineffable warmth and tranquility flowed within the small side room.

The bowl of noodles was quickly finished.

Jiang Mu put down his chopsticks and let out a satisfied burp.

Once he was full, the discomfort on his body became more apparent.

He had spent the entire day crawling through caves and killing demons, and his body had long been soaked in sweat. Now that it had dried, it was sticky and gave off an unpleasant, sour smell.

He asked, a little embarrassed:

"Aunt Shui, is there a place to bathe here? I’d like to take a bath."

Shui Miaozheng paused for a moment, then slapped her forehead in annoyance.

She had been so focused on preparing the bed for him that she’d completely forgotten to prepare a bathtub in his room.

This courtyard was remote and far from the city.

It would be difficult to find a suitable one on short notice...

"Why don’t you wash up in my room?" Shui Miaozheng blurted out.

After saying it, she suddenly felt a tinge of regret. It was her own bathtub, after all. Letting a man use it... felt a little...

But considering he was just her junior, it seemed there was no need to be so squeamish.

"In your room?"

Jiang Mu was taken aback.

"What? Are you disgusted by something your aunt has used?" Shui Miaozheng deliberately put on a stern face.

"No, no, how could I be disgusted?" Jiang Mu quickly waved his hands. "I’m just worried it would be inconvenient..."

"What’s there to be inconvenient about..."

Shui Miaozheng didn’t give him a chance to refuse. She stood up and said, "Alright, you sit here for a while. Your aunt will go heat up some water for you. I’ll come get you when the bath is ready."

With that, she picked up the tray and walked out.

Jiang Mu felt strange.

’Taking a bath in a beautiful, single woman’s private chamber?’

’Why does this feel a little... off?’

Jiang Mu shook his head, casting aside the messy thoughts swirling in his mind.

’It’s just a bath, not a couple’s bath. Why am I overthinking this?’

’I, Jiang Mu, am an upright gentleman with a clear conscience!’