Chapter 125 - 115: Tied On, Cannot Be Untied
Chapter 125: Chapter 115: Tied On, Cannot Be Untied
Gu Shaojun was, after all, no ordinary person. Even when dealing with an adult of considerable status, he refused to be passive or let others order him around, let alone a child.
The little girl wanted to have a word with him, and he, assuming it was about Zheng Shaolian, followed her. However, he refused to do as she gestured and actually go sit on the concrete block.
"Little sister," Gu Shaojun said gently, "we have to get back to the provincial city soon, so we’re short on time. Please, just say what’s on your mind."
Xiao Man grew anxious. ’The very thing I was worried about is happening. Gu Shaojun really isn’t going to just play along!’
’What now? He’s so tall and straight, and I’m probably not even 1.4 meters tall yet. If we’re both standing, I can’t reach him!’
’Should I use my Divine Power to hold him down and force it on him? An eleven-year-old girl overpowering a twenty-year-old, able-bodied soldier... wouldn’t that be a little too violent? With several adult men watching everything, am I just asking for trouble?’
She turned and saw Zheng Shaolian’s sullen face. An idea struck her. She shot him a couple of meaningful glances, a move that successfully drew everyone’s attention. Only then did Xiao Man whisper to Gu Shaojun, "Some things aren’t meant for everyone to hear. Brother Gu, could we move a few steps over there, behind that dahlia bush?"
Gu Shaojun considered it for a moment, then nodded.
’Since it’s about my cousin, I should at least hear her out.’
And just like that, a certain elite military officer fell right into a trap set by an eleven-year-old girl!
It was a shocking and profound lesson!
Wei Zhenqing, also a military man, witnessed the entire event firsthand. From that day on, he became a firm believer that one should never judge a book by its cover. Even the most seemingly fragile little creature could pose a danger!
Take this Mo Xiaoni, for example. She looked so young and innocent, pure and gentle. Her eyes were bright and flawlessly clear, like those of a tame, harmless fawn. She cajoled and tricked Young Master Gu behind the dahlia bush. Since it was winter, the bush was nearly bare, and the other three men could see everything perfectly. Mo Xiaoni asked Gu Shaojun to lower his head so she could whisper in his ear, and he obliged. But who would have thought the cunning little thing had nothing to say at all? Her small hands shot out, wrapping something around Gu Shaojun’s neck... They couldn’t quite see how she did it, but when Gu Shaojun straightened up, a black token was hanging around his neck!
Well, to be precise, it was a rectangular, dark green... stone token, about two fingers wide and an inch long!
One couldn’t call it jadeite jade. Although national policies seemed to be relaxing, such things still weren’t discussed openly. Besides, soldiers were forbidden from wearing any jewelry!
Gu Shaojun tried to take the black token off, but he couldn’t untie it no matter how hard he tried. Wei Zhenqing, Gu Shaozhen, and Zheng Shaolian all came to help, but they couldn’t undo it either. The four men were a chaotic jumble in the middle of the street, two of them in uniform, which was highly improper. Finally, they all piled into the car to continue working on the knot.
Xiao Man tried to make a run for it but didn’t get away. Zheng Shaolian snatched her up and shoved her into the car with the rest of them.
"What kind of knot is this? Untie it! Now!" Wei Zhenqing demanded, his brow furrowed in a stern frown at Xiao Man. "Soldiers aren’t allowed to wear personal accessories. Do you have any idea the trouble he’ll be in if he’s caught during an inspection?"
’Huh? There’s a rule like that? No one ever told me! I had no idea!’
Xiao Man looked completely innocent. But it was already on him, and she had even added a secret spell to make sure it wouldn’t come off or get lost. She had no idea how to remove it, either. It would only fall off on its own after the Amulet absorbed an impact and its power was depleted!
’The thought that Gu Shaojun could be punished for wearing the pendant made her panic a little. But then she remembered the suffering he went through in her past life, and she grew calm again. It’s just a small pendant, and she’d made it to a specific size so it could be hidden beneath his collar. As long as Gu Shaojun was careful to keep it concealed and didn’t take off his undershirt during training, it would be fine!’
’In the coming years, this Amulet will help him survive three devastating attacks on the battlefield!’
’Even the comrades next to him would benefit, because it "ensures safety within a three-foot radius"!’
Thus, with a clear conscience, Xiao Man announced, "I just tied it any old way. If you can’t get it undone, I can’t help you!"
She wasn’t being difficult. It was the absolute truth!
"Mo Bunni, why would you do this?" Zheng Shaolian was frantic. He didn’t care if he got into trouble himself, but he couldn’t let his cousin be implicated. "What’s the meaning of tying this thing to my cousin?"
"Little sister, is there really no way to get it off?" Beads of sweat appeared on Gu Shaojun’s forehead; he was losing his composure now, too. A man who led soldiers was supposed to lead by example. What kind of message would he be sending if he was the first to wear jewelry and start a "bad trend"? How could he possibly discipline his subordinates?
"If it won’t come off, I’ll have to use a knife," he said. "You’d better not cry when I break your pendant!"
"Go ahead and try," Xiao Man said, perfectly composed.
Gu Shaojun was speechless.
Gu Shaozhen carefully examined the Moyu Token. He looked up, fixed his gaze on Xiao Man, and said suddenly, "Little girl, this isn’t some ordinary trinket. Tell us the truth."
Xiao Man said nothing.
Gu Shaojun froze, then turned to Xiao Man. "Little sister, please take it off. I can’t accept this token of affection. I have a fiancée!"
Gu Shaozhen and Zheng Shaolian nodded in unison. "That’s right! He’s been engaged for ages! It’s a childhood betrothal! Our two families are old friends, the elders set it up. You have to believe us!"
Xiao Man was rendered even more speechless. ’I believe you. Of course, I believe you. It’s just... this was never my intention!’
"Aren’t you all letting your imaginations run wild?" she said. "This isn’t the old society, with its childhood betrothals. I’m only eleven years old, I’m not even a teenager. Why would I be in a hurry to give someone a love token?"
Gu Shaozhen and Zheng Shaolian were left speechless.
They exchanged glances, unable to respond. She had a point.
Wei Zhenqing let out a soft chuckle. The little girl looked innocent on the surface but was actually a clever little imp. He found her quite amusing.
Gu Shaojun’s face flushed. ’Did I actually just flatter myself?’ he thought. ’But... well, it’s my own fault for being born into a family like the Gu family. I have no choice but to accept the marriage alliances they arrange.’
Wei Zhenqing asked Xiao Man, "Kiddo, if you didn’t mean anything by it, then why didn’t you give the stone token to someone else? You could have given it to Brother Zheng, Third Brother Gu, or even me, Brother Wei. Why did it have to be Brother Gu?"
"Because," Xiao Man said after a moment of thought, looking at Gu Shaojun, "I don’t have an older brother. Even though I met Brother Shaolian first today, Brother Gu feels more like a big brother. So... I wanted to give him a first-meeting gift!"
’That’s right, a first-meeting gift. Mr. Sun gave me one, too!’
Gu Shaojun gave a wry smile. "Thank you. But I’m a soldier, and military regulations forbid wearing jewelry, so I can’t accept this. I’m sorry, little sister. I’ll have to destroy it."
Xiao Man nodded again. "Like I said, you’re welcome to try."