Chapter 735 - 254: Jie Jingsi, Aren’t You Going to Scold Me?

He had taken in the entire scene of Qin Mei helping Qiao Wei climb the tree. The Qin Mei of the past would have never lifted a finger to save someone.

Qin Mei had thought that after her warning, Jiang Yuan would keep his distance from Qiao Wei. Instead, he just went with the flow, chatting happily with her.

Even Qin Mei could sense Jiang Yuan’s ulterior motives, yet Qiao Wei told him everything without reservation, treating him completely as one of her own.

’If the Governor Mansion had a few more pure-hearted fools like Qiao Wei, Xiangjiang would be returned ahead of schedule.’

’This is going way too far.’ Qin Mei broke out in a cold sweat for the Governor. His daughter was such a liability.

She was tempted to warn Qiao Wei, ’Stop chatting. To you people from Xiangjiang, this man is an enemy agent.’

But it was a case of one being willing to dish it out and the other being willing to take it.

Jiang Yuan and Qiao Wei were deep in conversation. Qiao Wei certainly had her ways of seducing men; she was practically hanging all over Jiang Yuan. Watching the duo move forward at a snail’s pace, Qin Mei couldn’t bear to look anymore and quickened her steps to walk ahead of them.

"Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re a couple madly in love, with this public display of affection," Qin Mei couldn’t help but mutter.

Jiang Yuan supported Qiao Wei, but his complicated gaze was fixed on Qin Mei.

Qiao Wei felt a keen sense of failure. She, who had toyed with countless men without ever getting attached, was experiencing a setback for the first time. This man had his arm around her and was chatting her up, but his mind wasn’t on her at all.

’He’s my cousin’s romantic rival. Even if not for myself, for my cousin’s sake, I have to conquer this man and make him fall at my feet.’

The more Jiang Yuan seemed distant and resistant, the more it stoked her desire for a challenge.

"Ah Yuan, my foot hurts," Qiao Wei cooed, her voice so charming it could make one’s bones melt.

’Ah Yuan?’ Goosebumps erupted all over Qin Mei’s skin. She rubbed her arms. ’Things are moving fast!’ Qin Mei had no doubt that if she weren’t present, they’d probably be using the sky as their blanket and the earth as their bed, engaging in a very "thorough exchange."

Jiang Yuan just smiled without a word, pretending he didn’t understand the meaning behind Qiao Wei’s words.

Qiao Wei cursed inwardly. Jiang Yuan was so dense. She was practically handing him an invitation, and he wasn’t taking it.

Qiao Wei followed Jiang Yuan’s line of sight and saw it land on Qin Mei, who was walking ahead and clearing the path with a long stick. ’This man is even more of a player than I am. He’s eating from his bowl, but his eyes are on the pot.’

A crafty smile touched Qiao Wei’s lips, and she raised her voice to call out, "Cousin-in-law!"

"Hm," Qin Mei answered without turning around, continuing to swing the long stick to cut down the overgrown grass blocking their path.

"My foot hurts," Qiao Wei said pitifully.

The hand with which Qin Mei swung the long stick paused. She stopped and turned around. Her clear gaze swept past Jiang Yuan’s face before landing on Qiao Wei’s beautiful one. After walking in the mountains for so long and enduring the perilous tree-climbing incident, Qiao Wei looked quite disheveled.

"And so?" Qin Mei asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

"You carry me on your back," Qiao Wei said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Me? Carry you?" Qin Mei was flustered. ’Her asking me to carry her... is that appropriate? Has she forgotten I’m pregnant?’

’I know her real motive has nothing to do with a piggyback ride. Making this kind of demand of me is going too far.’

"Mhm," Qiao Wei nodded. Seeing no reaction from Jiang Yuan, she said to Qin Mei, "Cousin-in-law, we’ve been through thick and thin together..."

"I’ll carry her." Jiang Yuan let go of Qiao Wei’s arm, took a step forward, and crouched down.

Qin Mei shot Qiao Wei a look. Seeing her gloating expression, as if a villain who’d gotten her way, Qin Mei felt nothing but contempt for her.

"Oh, but would that be proper?" Qiao Wei said, feigning shyness.

’A classic case of playing innocent after getting exactly what she wanted.’ Qin Mei couldn’t stand to watch any longer and turned to continue on her way.

"She can’t carry you. Besides, she’s pregnant, so she shouldn’t be carrying you," Jiang Yuan said. His voice was pleasant, but Qiao Wei felt he could have left that part out.

He was only willing to carry her out of concern for Qin Mei. This made Qiao Wei feel very unhappy.

Lying on Jiang Yuan’s broad back, Qiao Wei felt a great sense of security. It only strengthened her resolve. This man—she was going to have him.

For the first time, Qiao Wei felt the urge to give up the entire forest for a single tree. She, who had always succeeded in her conquests, was confident this time, too. As long as she launched a fierce enough offensive, she would eventually capture him and make him hers for the taking.

Qin Mei led the way in front while Qiao Wei and Jiang Yuan chatted behind her. Qin Mei noticed something strange. They had already walked this path three times. She had realized they were on the wrong path the second time around but had kept quiet out of embarrassment. This was the third time. If she didn’t speak up now, there would probably be a fourth.

"Leader Jiang, are we lost?" Qin Mei asked.

’Leader Jiang?’ Hearing Qin Mei’s name for him, the corner of Jiang Yuan’s mouth twitched.

"Are your feet tired from walking?" Jiang Yuan replied with a question of his own.

Qin Mei stared at him. ’If I said my feet hurt, could he carry one on his back and another in his arms?’