Bai Qingqing was stunned by the very thought. She shook her head hard. No, even letting such an idea cross her mind felt like a disrespect to Ning Yan.

“Brother Wen, stop teasing me. It’s not that I think poorly of myself, but this… it’s simply impossible.”

She couldn’t even think of a reason why Ning Yan would like her. Her looks were passable, sure, but with his status, what kind of beauty hadn’t he seen?

“Since I met Lord Ning, it’s always been me troubling him, owing him kindness. He’s helped me so many times, I don’t even know how to repay him…”

“Exactly,” Wen Jiang said. “So why do you think he keeps helping you?”

“Because Lord Ning is kind and generous. He said so himself.”

Wen Jiang let out a sharp laugh. “Him? Kind and generous? Do you really believe that?”

Bai Qingqing nodded earnestly. “I do. He’s cold on the outside but soft at heart—I know that much.”

Wen Jiang felt defeated. What kind of nonsense had Ning Yan been feeding her that she’d swallow something so absurd? He was suddenly overcome with a sense of helpless exhaustion.

“Forget it,” he said at last. “Whether you believe he likes you or not doesn’t matter right now. Just don’t be so quick to deny it either. There’s still a long road ahead—maybe you’ll come to see it for yourself.”

He was tired. Let it be.

Not long after, Ning Yan stepped into the carriage. Bai Qingqing immediately offered him a cup of cooled tea, then took up a fan to gently wave at him.

“Are you hungry? We still have those pastries from Pingzhou—not too sweet. Would you like one?”

Ning Yan leaned back, utterly at ease. “All right.”

As he sipped his tea and nibbled on a pastry, Ning Yan cast a sidelong glance at Wen Jiang, a flicker of smug satisfaction dancing in his eyes. Wasn’t Wen Jiang always the one popular with the ladies? Well, look at him now—getting this kind of treatment? Not a chance.

It was so subtle it could’ve gone unnoticed—but not by Wen Jiang. The corner of his eye twitched ever so slightly. Let the bastard enjoy his moment. He was too tired to care.

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…

Everything Wen Jiang had said to Bai Qingqing had gone in one ear and out the other. She'd been carefully observing Ning Yan’s behavior toward her, and if she had to sum it up in a word—ruthless.

The way he spoke sometimes—if it had been directed at anyone else, they’d have burst into tears. But Bai Qingqing, having grown used to his manner, took none of it to heart.

Still, in moments like that, she couldn't help but glance toward Wen Jiang, her eyes silently asking: Brother Wen, this is what you call “liking someone”?

Wen Jiang would quietly avert his gaze. Fine—let her think he was talking nonsense.

“I’m talking to you. Why do you keep looking at him?”

Bai Qingqing snapped out of her thoughts and saw the displeasure on Ning Yan’s face. She sighed inwardly. “I’m listening. I was just about to tell you—I’ve worked with Brother Wen to develop a new incense blend. It’s for treating severe injuries—induces disorientation, dulls pain. Far more effective than anything I’ve come up with before.”

A flicker of surprise lit Ning Yan’s face. “Truly? That’s rare indeed. If it works, it could be incredibly useful.”

Delighted by his praise, Bai Qingqing eagerly began explaining how the blend had come together. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, her whole expression alight with excitement.

And Ning Yan, uncharacteristically, didn’t interrupt. He sat in silence, listening intently, watching her as though she were the only light in the world—something too beautiful to disturb.

Wen Jiang, whose gaze had been elsewhere, looked back again. His eyes moved between the two of them. He hadn’t been wrong, had he?

That look on Ning Yan’s face—it was unmistakable. He’d never looked at anyone like that before. And if that wasn’t affection, what was?

“You go rest,” Ning Yan said. “Wen Jiang stays.”

Bai Qingqing left, thoroughly pleased. Wen Jiang assumed Ning Yan had something urgent to discuss. But the first thing out of his mouth was, “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Bai Qingqing lately.”