Chapter 193 - 1931 Want to be Honest With You
She wasn’t sure what exactly Tong Sanlang knew, but she was sure not to slip up in her words.
Hmph.
Exchanging secrets, forsooth.
Like hell she would.
She was not interested in Tong Sanlang’s secrets at all.
All she wanted was to be a serene and wealthy landlord.
But…
Alright, she had to admit her curiosity.
She was intrigued about why Tong Tiehu and Tong Sanlang were helping her so much.
It was related to her peaceful life; she couldn’t help but be nosy.
Then there was the relationship between the county official, Dai, and Tong Tiehu. With Dai’s abrupt manner of dispensing justice, as one of his subjects, she had some concerns.
But if she really brought up these questions, would Tong Sanlang honestly answer her?
Nope.
If Tong Sanlang wasn’t straightforward, why should she spill the truth?
Tong Sanlang was unaware of Qiao Xiaomai’s thoughts. Listening to her response, he was torn between amusement and helplessness.
He could feel Xiaomai’s guarded attitude towards him.
Perhaps he even knew the source of Xiaomai’s wariness, given her previous enquiries about his reasons for helping her so much.
His responses then weren’t necessarily incorrect.
He really had no ulterior motives for giving her a hand. If Qiao Changshun had asked his grandfather for assistance earlier, his grandfather would have agreed.
Rebellion meant involving numerous people. If exposed, he would not be the only one to die.
He’d told her everything he could.
But Qiao Xiaomai didn’t believe him.
She viewed his actions as suspicious, thus treating him with caution and resistance.
But there were some things he really couldn’t say at the moment.
Without a sincere attitude, Xiaomai didn’t even deign to give him a proper look.
Born bearing the heavy burden of rebellion, he used to be indifferent to such a responsibility. It was given to him, so he carried it.
But now, it was seriously hindering his courtship.
He was fond of Xiaomai, but didn’t dare to deceive her.
Such an attitude could easily handle the previous Xiaomai, but the current one…
It only made her opinion of him worsen.
So, after much thought the previous night, he finally found a feasible solution: exchange secrets with Xiaomai.
Trust.
That seemed to be the biggest issue between him and Xiaomai for now.
Xiaomai didn’t trust him, assuming he had malicious intentions.
Carrying the burden of many lives, he also dared not trust Xiaomai outright, certainly not enough to share his deepest secrets right off the bat.
Thus, he wanted to exchange secrets.
In this way, he wouldn’t have to deceive Xiaomai anymore, easing his inner guilt.
On the other hand, he could also learn more about Xiaomai.
The more he knew, the more targeted he could be in courting her, avoiding touching a nerve like last time.
If both of them held each other’s secrets, wary of each other, wouldn’t their trust in each other increase somewhat?
He pondered on this question all night, sleepless. Waking up in the morning, he took to the mountains to wander.
And then he happened upon Xiaomai.
Just as she was showcasing her strength.
Strength, that was Xiaomai’s secret.
If he intended to exchange secrets, could there be a better opportunity?
Thus, with hardly any hesitation, he stepped forward.
He exposed her secret and took the opportunity to reveal his. Open and honest conversation, how great that would be.
What a lovely plan.
Unfortunately, Xiaomai did not play by his rules.
She glossed over it with a random excuse, one that sounded quite reasonable.
This conversation wasn’t going as smoothly as he’d like..