Fan Zehao was clever this time. "I saw you two chatting quite well, and that little thief didn't do anything to harm you, so I didn't go down, for fear of disturbing you while you were gathering information!"
Besides, his wife had people protecting her nearby. He had made all preparations; how could he let her fall into danger!
When it came to safety, Fan Zehao was now making sure everything was perfectly in place, and there would never be another incident like Bai Li Kai'en's.
His mouth was becoming more eloquent by the day. Zhao Jiaqi pulled away from his embrace and recounted Qiu Xiaodong's experience.
Fan Zehao was silent for a moment. "If that's his experience, this child is truly pitiful. It's not impossible for us to take in another smart bodyguard like him!"
"Later, I'll have the Chief Executive investigate. If it's true, let him go with the Chief Executive to temper his disposition and correct his bad habits. If he passes the Chief Executive's test, he can stay by your side as a driver!"
But being a personal bodyguard was out of the question. Later, he'd have the Chief Executive assign those two women from the special forces to be dedicated maids for his wife!
When his wife went out, wouldn't it be cool to have martial arts-practicing maids? What other family had such treatment? Only his princess consort!
Thinking of this, he felt the idea was excellent and immediately picked up his brush to write a letter to the Chief Executive.
He explained Qiu Xiaodong's situation and, in passing, asked for two women skilled in martial arts. After finishing, he called out the hidden guard lurking in the shadows and had him send the letter to the Chief Executive through his own channels.
When he finished writing, he looked at his wife and saw that she had fallen asleep. So, he had been busy bustling about by himself!
Not daring to wake her, he obediently took off his shoes and socks, got into bed wearing his inner clothes, took her little hand, and also drifted off to dreamland.
Outside, a cold wind howled, and the window paper creaked rhythmically. The man who had been busy all day was now snoring.
In contrast, lying on a soft mattress, covered with a thick cotton quilt, with smokeless charcoal burning in the room, after a fragrant bath, he felt full of strength.
Qiu Xiaodong's eyes darted around excitedly. He lay on his side, then on his back, then sat up and added more smokeless charcoal to the brazier. The room was heated by him until it was warm enough to sweat even without clothes!
Since his parents had passed away, he had never slept under such a good quilt, let alone in such a warm room. Accustomed to the wind and sun, he was truly unaccustomed to such good living conditions.
The night passed by silently.
In the morning, Zhao Jiaqi didn't oversleep. It hadn't snowed yesterday, and after a day of thawing, although the roads were difficult to travel, it was at least passable at a slow pace.
The two tidied themselves up and went downstairs to have breakfast before setting off. They intended to ask the innkeeper to call Qiu Xiaodong, but the young man was already downstairs, devouring his meal from a basin with great relish!
Seeing this, Zhao Jiaqi couldn't help but laugh. This person was truly uninhibited and knew to find food when hungry.
Fan Zehao also liked children with such a temperament. Not shy, doing what they should, without affectation. It was good!
Seeing the couple come down, Qiu Xiaodong immediately stood up and, imitating the people he had seen outside, bowed to them: "Greetings, Master, Mistress!"
Fan Zehao's feet stopped, and Zhao Jiaqi, who was following behind him, bumped into his back, hitting her nose directly.
"I say, you! You didn't even call out when you stopped. If my nose gets crooked, I'll be disfigured!"
Countless periods flashed in Fan Zehao's mind. Did one need to give advance notice to stop? He hadn't had this habit before!
Qiu Xiaodong grinned and leaned closer. "It's okay, Mistress. I learned massage from an old man. Forget a crooked nose; even if your arm or leg is dislocated, I can fix it with a few clicks!"
He had to add actions to his words, putting on a lively performance for the couple. This made Zhao Jiaqi not feel her nose hurt anymore, but she wondered if he was reliable.
If it was fine before, and he made it crippled with a few clicks, it would be a joke!
"Well... let's eat. We'll hit the road after breakfast!" Zhao Jiaqi urged him to eat.
However, when she looked up and saw Qiu Xiaodong's face beneath his long hair, she gasped and stared at him foolishly.
Qiu Xiaodong didn't know why she was looking at him like that. He touched his face. He had deliberately washed his face this morning and it was definitely not dirty.
Fan Zehao also noticed his wife's dazed state and was displeased. He stood in front of her, blocking her view!
"What are you looking at? Eat, and then we'll leave!" His curt words, coupled with the jealousy on his face, indicated his mood at the moment.
Zhao Jiaqi frowned and pushed him aside. "Don't get in the way. I want to look at this kid again!"
Fan Zehao was truly unhappy now and stood in front of her again, pointing out her mistake. "I am your husband. You're not looking at me but staring at another man. Do you think what you're doing is right?"
"No!" Zhao Jiaqi replied curtly. She then turned his body around and made him look. "Don't you think Qiu Xiaodong resembles someone?"
Fan Zehao knitted his brows and examined him closely, his eyes full of confusion. "I don't think he resembles anyone. He's just a bit fair-skinned; he's just a pretty boy!"
Zhao Jiaqi was speechless. She waved at Qiu Xiaodong. "If you've finished eating, check the carriage in the backyard and add some fodder to the horses. We'll be leaving soon."
Qiu Xiaodong answered and quickly ran off. Only then did Zhao Jiaqi speak. "This Qiu Xiaodong looks a lot like you. I didn't notice before when he hadn't washed his face. Now that his face is clean, I was stunned!"
"If I hadn't heard about your character from others, I would suspect he was your child!"
She wasn't exaggerating at all.
Fan Zehao froze and gave her a pair of exasperated eyes, displeased. "Sixteen years ago, I was still a minor. I spent my days hunting, hunting, and hunting. When would I have had time for other things? Besides, you lost your memory, not me!"
"In this life, I've fallen for you. My heart and body belong only to you. How could I dare to think of anyone else!"
The vow of "one life, one partner" now echoed in his ears. If he failed to uphold it, his fate would be either divorce or for his wife to become a widow. He chose neither.
Zhao Jiaqi blushed and playfully chided him, then lowered her head to eat, sighing inwardly that there were indeed many people in the world who looked alike!
After the meal, the three set off again.
In the carriage, Fan Zehao taught him how to drive step by step. Qiu Xiaodong learned earnestly and quickly grasped the essentials. Although the journey was slow and bumpy, at least he could drive himself.
Fan Zehao was happy, and Qiu Xiaodong was also happy. Now he would have time to accompany his wife and chat in the carriage.
They drove from morning until night. Qiu Xiaodong became more and more proficient, but his hands were frozen stiff!
Fortunately, following Fan Zehao's instructions, the carriage reached the village. It was already dark outside, and only a few households had oil lamps lit. Most people were asleep, and only the village dogs barked a few times.