Chapter 87 - 86: Miss Xu, Take Care

Chapter 87: Chapter 86: Miss Xu, Take Care

At this moment, Deng Youwei also walked out, and a constable hurriedly ran up to them and saluted, saying: "Vice Minister Xiao, County Magistrate Deng, we have successfully captured Wang Daji!

When we arrived at the Wang Family, Wang Daji was packing, seemingly preparing for an overnight escape, fortunately we arrived just in time!"

Upon hearing Wang Daji was preparing to escape overnight, Xiao Yi and Xu Jing’s faces showed little surprise.

Back when Chen Hu was performing that act before them in the afternoon, Xu Jing had noticed that aside from the obvious unease of Miao Xianglan, Wang Daji’s emotions weren’t quite right either.

But clearly he was more enduring than Miao Xianglan, suppressing his emotions desperately. If it weren’t for Xu Jing’s keen observation picking up on his slightly trembling hands, she wouldn’t have noticed the issue.

Wang Daji knew someone likely witnessed him committing the crime, initially filled with anxiety, yet as days passed without anyone speaking of it, he gradually relaxed his guard.

Until Chen Hu spoke of the thorn in his heart, he sensed his crimes would soon be revealed, prompting him to hastily plan an escape.

With this, the case’s truth has been unveiled.

Deng Youwei let out a long breath, feeling somewhat surreal.

Such a complex case, and they managed to solve it within a single day?

The process wasn’t exactly smooth, yet faced no substantial setbacks!

Though Deng Youwei was new to being an official, he knew experienced officials couldn’t solve such cases within a short time. Without Miss Xu, they might still be arduously identifying the deceased’s identity.

His initial distrust and doubt toward Xu Jing had completely dissipated, leaving only admiration. He turned to Xu Jing, deeply bowed: "We’ll rely on you a lot in the future, Miss Xu."

Even if Miss Xu seemed somewhat opportunistic, so what?

A talented person, no matter the quirks, remains admirable!

At this moment, Xiao Yi approached Xu Jing and said: "It’s getting late, Miss Xu is brought out by me, so I shall escort her back."

His words caused Deng Youwei and Chen Hu to exchange a knowing look.

Indeed, Miss Xu was brought out by Vice Minister Xiao, but there was no need for him to escort her back personally! There were plenty of constables in the county government to safeguard Miss Xu, right?!

Deng Youwei’s previous belief that there was nothing between Vice Minister Xiao and Miss Xu was profoundly shaken.

Chen Hu, however, was quite excited. Ever since he noticed Vice Minister Xiao and Miss Xu being a perfect match, he would occasionally feel a surge of romantic excitement watching their interactions.

He, a twenty-year-old lifelong bachelor, found his determination and impulse to find a wife stirred by the bond between Vice Minister Xiao and Miss Xu!

Xu Jing, however, had no such thoughts.

Xiao Yi frequently used escorting her as an excuse to discuss matters, and Xu Jing recalled he’d be departing for the Western Capital tomorrow, perhaps with something to tell her before leaving, so she nodded and replied, "Thank you, Vice Minister Xiao."

In the end, Xiao Yi, accompanied by Chen Hu and Wu Xiangui, escorted Xu Jing back.

It was already past midnight, and the streets were empty. Xu Jing, seated in the carriage, could only hear the sound of Xiao Yi riding alongside her carriage.

As Xiao Yi remained silent, Xu Jing, too, didn’t speak, quietly relaxing in the carriage.

The man not speaking until the end wasn’t something new."

Seated in the driver’s seat, Chen Hu was about to explode with impatience.

Why wasn’t Vice Minister Xiao saying anything? Wasn’t he leaving for the Western Capital tomorrow?

After returning there, it would be difficult to have any chance to see Miss Xu; if there was something to say, it should have been now!

Soon, the carriage arrived at Xu Jing’s doorstep, and Xiao Yi dismounted, instinctively moving to assist Xu Jing.

Yet Chen Hu, by habit, had already extended his hand to help Xu Jing into a wheelchair.

Xiao Yi’s half-lifted hand was left awkwardly hanging, before slowly withdrawing into empty cold air.

Xu Jing and Chen Hu, focused on their own tasks, hadn’t noticed Xiao Yi’s action. Once seated stably in the wheelchair, Xu Jing looked up at the man before her, smiling slightly, "Thanks for escorting me back, Vice Minister Xiao."

She had thought Xiao Yi had something to say to her.

But unexpectedly, the man simply gazed deeply at her, his eyes darker than night, seemingly harboring an emotion ready to emerge.

Yet when Xu Jing instinctively wished to delve deeper into his gaze, the man’s eyelashes flickered slightly, and suddenly, he lowered his eyes, speaking gently, "Take care, Miss Xu."

Xu Jing was slightly stunned.

After uttering these words, the man turned abruptly, walking back to his black horse, deftly mounting it, casting her one last glance before reining the horse to move away.

The man’s upright, handsome figure in black seemed to merge with the night, yet his aura made him impossible to ignore, like a sword piercing through the vast sky, slowly vanishing from sight.

It was then Xu Jing realized his words to her, reduced only to that simple phrase.

— Take care, Miss Xu.

Just a commonplace farewell.

He didn’t even mention what would happen with Chang Xiao, though if he cared, he would send someone to speak to her.

Perhaps he accepted that there wouldn’t be opportunities for them to meet again, leaving no need for more dialogue.

Their meeting was abrupt, circumstances forced.

Departing cleanly from each other’s lives wasn’t necessarily bad.

As Xu Jing thought this, she turned her gaze inward, softly saying: "Let’s go inside."

Facing forward, she missed Chen Hu’s tearful, heartbroken expression.

Once Chen Hu and Wu Xiangui escorted Xu Jing back to her room, they headed to the room Xu Jing had arranged for them.

Wu Xiangui, seeing Chen Hu’s devastated look, scratched his head confused, "Da Hu, why are you acting like you’ve been abandoned by a woman? No need to be this way over Vice Minister Xiao; it’s rather unpleasant."

Chen Hu jumped, "You’re the one who’s been abandoned by a woman! Your whole family’s been abandoned by women! You heartless man lacking romance wouldn’t understand!"

It seemed his Vice Minister Xiao and Miss Xu had ended tragically!

Like the annual heart-wrenching drama, with love unacknowledged, they parted elegantly and coolly, yet his heart ached!

Indeed, watching dramas deeply invested is costly!

The following morning, Xu Jing had just finished breakfast when the people arriving to pick up Xiao Huai’an appeared.