Chapter 191 - 189: Do You Want to Know About My Past? (Second Update)

Chapter 191: Chapter 189: Do You Want to Know About My Past? (Second Update)

Xu Jing didn’t expect that the nearby place Xiao Yi mentioned was really less than a hundred steps from the Ministry of Justice.

She saw Xiao Yi leading her, familiarly turning into a narrow alley next to the Ministry of Justice; there was a small noodle stall there. Since it was quite late now, there was only one table of people left eating noodles.

A woman in her forties or fifties, with a kind and simple face, was tidying up a table. Seeing Xiao Yi walking over, she immediately smiled and said, "Vice Minister Xiao, working late again today?"

It was clear that Xiao Yi was a regular at this place.

Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Had some things to do."

He then turned to the somewhat dazed Xu Jing beside him and whispered, "This elderly couple has been running this noodle stall near the Ministry of Justice for almost ten years. The Ministry provides meals at noon, but the taste is quite ordinary. Sometimes, when the people from the Ministry want a change, they come here for a bowl of noodles, or when they work late, they come here too."

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow, "Seems like Vice Minister Xiao often works overtime."

Overtime regular? Another novel term.

Xiao Yi faintly smiled and said, "The Ministry of Justice has few staff but a lot of work, so working late is inevitable. The noodles here are good, the broth is made from real ingredients. Miss Xu, you might want to try."

Saying this, he found a relatively clean-looking table and sat down.

The woman immediately walked over with a joyful smile and, upon seeing Xu Jing, her eyes sparkled even more, "It’s the first time I’ve seen Vice Minister Xiao bringing a lady here. What would the young lady like to eat? Female guests usually prefer something light; our dumplings are the most common choice. Would you like to try them?"

The woman’s gaze was warm but without a hint of impropriety, clearly well-mannered in social relationships. Xu Jing’s lips curved slightly as she said, "Yes, I’ll have a bowl of dumplings."

The woman then turned to Xiao Yi, "And Vice Minister Xiao? The same as always, three-flavored noodles with a pancake?"

Xiao Yi nodded, "Yes, please."

"Vice Minister Xiao is always so polite. Please wait a moment; the tea on the table has just been changed, feel free to drink it."

With that, she left with a cheerful smile.

Xiao Yi raised the teapot on the table and filled Xu Jing’s cup, noticing her looking around unceasingly, and couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong? Is there something?"

Xu Jing couldn’t quite describe her feelings. After thinking for a moment, she said, "No, it’s just that... this doesn’t seem like a place Vice Minister Xiao would frequent."

Hearing this, Xiao Yi couldn’t help but laugh softly, his dark eyes seemingly reflecting the faint starlight of the night, "Miss Xu, what do you think is a place I would go?"

Xu Jing was stunned for a moment, unconsciously looking at the man before her, only feeling that this side of him was one she had never seen before.

"Well... I feel like Vice Minister Xiao would be someone meticulous, eating the ministry’s public meals or eating at home."

He didn’t seem like the type of noble youth who enjoyed wandering around; to her, he always felt very rigorous and self-disciplined, only occasionally showing a moment of relaxation and spontaneity.

Xiao Yi paused, wondering why this sounded so... He cleared his throat and said, "Miss Xu, are you saying I’m a very dull person?"

"..."

No, what kind of godlike understanding was that?

Although... if she had to say, that was indeed what she meant.

Xu Jing quickly composed herself, seriously saying, "Of course not, I was praising Vice Minister Xiao for being a very earnest person!"

Seeing the woman opposite acting as if faced with a formidable enemy, Xiao Yi helplessly shook his head with a smile, took a sip from his cup, and said in a seemingly lowered voice, "Miss Xu, you don’t need to worry about me; I know very well what kind of person I am."

To say he wasn’t disheartened would be false.

But even if he was a dull person, the woman before him didn’t seem to mind being with him; wasn’t that enough for him?

How did the conversation veer off like this? Xu Jing hurriedly racked her brain to salvage the situation, "I really didn’t mean it that way. It’s just... I don’t really understand Vice Minister Xiao yet. You see, if you hadn’t brought me here today, I wouldn’t have known you had such a down-to-earth side."

She was speaking the truth. Xu Jing felt the more she talked, the smoother it flowed. Finally, she smiled, "There’s really no truly dull person in the world. Like the cases I’ve encountered, every person involved has a story unique to them. Even if someone has turned into a cold corpse, they’re bound to have many pasts waiting for me to uncover. To think someone is dull, or whatever, just means you don’t know them well enough yet."

Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback, looking at the woman opposite with slightly curved eyes, clearly feeling his heartbeat getting faster and faster.

His hand holding the cup couldn’t help but tighten.

How could there be such a woman in this world?

It seemed like every part of her was just right to move him the most.

He suddenly felt his mouth go dry and, without realizing it, lowered his eyes. He took another sip from his cup and suddenly said lowly, "Miss Xu, would you like to know about my past?"

Xu Jing was momentarily stunned, unsure if she had heard correctly. Just then, the woman from before came over, carefully placing the steaming noodles and dumplings before them, saying with a bright smile, "Thank you both for waiting! Please enjoy your meal! You can refill the broth as much as you like. Just call me if you want more."

With her interruption, their previous conversation didn’t continue.

Xu Jing had eaten with Xiao Yi before and knew he didn’t like to talk much during meals, so she settled the strange feeling in her heart and quietly began to eat the dumplings.

On this night, with the fresh autumn breeze, the noodle soup was delicious, and the dumplings were small but filled generously. As they ate, a few more tables of customers arrived, seemingly all locals.

Hearing the occasional chatter among the customers and the enthusiastic greetings of the old couple running the stall, Xu Jing couldn’t help but repeatedly sneak glances at the man opposite her.

There indeed was a sense of unreality.

It seemed she really didn’t understand Xiao Yi at all.

After finishing their meal, Xiao Yi escorted Xu Jing to the carriage, watching as she left.

It wasn’t until Xu Jing sat in the carriage that she suddenly remembered something—didn’t Xiao Yi say he had some case matters to discuss with her? Which of their previous words was related to a case?

On the other side, after Xu Jing’s carriage disappeared around the corner, Xiao Yi still stood there and suddenly said softly, "Dongli, am I really that dull?"

Beside him, Dongli: "..."

Lord, if you want to make it difficult for me, just say so!

His position as the lord’s close servant was getting harder and harder; not only did he have to witness romantic moments every day but also had to endure the lord’s emotional torment!

After thinking hard for a moment, he said, "Lord... you are a man destined for great things..."

Xiao Yi glanced at him, sighed quietly, and said, "Alright, you don’t need to say any more. Madam Cen often says that young ladies like new and interesting things. Last time, Song Sanlang set off those fireworks on Young Madam Zhao’s birthday, and she seemed to like it very much..."

Hearing his lord’s words, Dongli couldn’t help but say, "Lord, I don’t think Miss Xu is the kind of lady who likes those flashy things. If the lord truly wants to make Miss Xu happy, why not help promote the medicine she makes?"

He had never seen a lady who enjoyed running a business and making money as much as Miss Xu!

Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback, and a thoughtful look came over his face.

When Xu Jing returned to the Zhou Family, it was already very late. Thinking of a certain Little Point who would secretly be displeased when she returned late, Xu Jing couldn’t help but quicken her pace toward her room.

Suddenly, she bumped into Zhou Wan and Zhou Xian.

Upon seeing her, Zhou Wan immediately ran over joyfully and said in a clear voice, "Jing! I was just about to look for you. Are you free tomorrow?"