Zhao Xiang, following Mu Anxiao's words, fell into deep thought. During this process, a figure from his past inevitably surfaced in his mind, and spurred by Mu Anxiao's words, he gradually recalled his memories of that person.
After a period of recollection, he remembered that the person he knew was a woman.
Thus, he exclaimed excitedly, "It was a woman."
"What was her name?" Mu Anxiao felt it necessary to clarify.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's question, Zhao Xiang blurted out a single word without hesitation, "Mai."
"Mai?" Mu Anxiao couldn't believe it. If it were indeed such a coincidence, looking at Zhao Xiang, she suddenly didn't know what to say.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's thoughtful expression, as if she knew something, Zhao Xiang asked, "Did you meet her?"
"What is your relationship with her?" Mu Anxiao inquired again.
"She... she is my benefactor, in a way, but not really. Did you encounter her somewhere?"
"Yes, I did."
"Can you take me to see her?" Zhao Xiang was impatient.
Mu Anxiao frowned. "I'll give you two choices: your parents, or her. Who do you choose?" She didn't know if she would be able to meet the woman named Mai again, so to avoid disappointing Zhao Xiang, she didn't give him false hope. She knew that faced with a choice between the two, he would pick one.
As expected, the moment Mu Anxiao posed the question, Zhao Xiang chose one without hesitation.
Feng Qishi observed Mu Anxiao's evasive demeanor and then glanced at Zhao Xiang, remaining silent.
After Zhao Xiang made his choice, Mu Anxiao also fell into thoughtful silence.
Zhao Xiang disliked this kind of situation. After a few seconds, he spoke again, "Can you tell me where you met her?"
"Where did you last part ways with her?" Mu Anxiao countered.
Zhao Xiang thought for a moment and said, "It was in my hometown. However, she said at the time that Ouyang Ye had assigned her other tasks, and that where we were going was not the same place." His eyes darkened. "I truly didn't expect she would be here."
"Is that so?" Mu Anxiao said, after pondering for a moment, she continued, "Your relationship wasn't very good, was it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, was your relationship very ordinary, so ordinary that it was like two strangers suddenly striking up a conversation?" Mu Anxiao stated calmly.
Conversely, the moment Mu Anxiao finished speaking, Zhao Xiang shook his head.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao asked curiously, "What does your shaking your head mean?" She knew she had guessed wrong and was merely asking out of curiosity, hoping he would reveal some useful information.
Zhao Xiang replied, "My relationship with her was quite good." He then looked up at Mu Anxiao. "Of course, that's how I saw it. I don't know what she thought."
"Are you disappointed in her?" Mu Anxiao asked directly.
Zhao Xiang gave a bitter smile. "She lied to me, do you think," he said, meeting Mu Anxiao's gaze, "I could still trust her?"
"That's true, but..." Mu Anxiao said, pausing to think, "I might have to tell you some news that you won't be able to accept."
"What?" Zhao Xiang was taken aback.
Mu Anxiao continued, "Actually, I saw her at the thatched hut. I suspect..." Fearing Zhao Xiang couldn't handle the reality, she reached out and gently patted his shoulder. "I suspect your parents are there, and Mai is the one guarding them."
"What?" Zhao Xiang was astonished.
Mu Anxiao, seeing Zhao Xiang's stunned expression, averted her gaze and said, "I also didn't expect such a coincidence." She then turned to Feng Qishi opposite her and got straight to the point. "Originally, that Ouyang Ye fellow found only some demons for you, but because the demons were not up to par, he gave up. Those demons are now at an inn. They..."
"Ouyang Ye lied to me," Zhao Xiang suddenly interrupted Mu Anxiao.
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao temporarily paused and turned to look at the dejected Zhao Xiang, remaining silent.
Zhao Xiang lowered his gaze, recalling the scene of his parting with Mai before he came here, and gave a wry smile. "So, I was deceived."
Mu Anxiao, seeing Zhao Xiang's 'deranged' expression and reflecting on the truth she had just revealed, felt a pang of guilt. "Zhao Xiang, are you alright?" she leaned forward and peered at him. "I didn't mean to tell you all that." She was self-conscious, worried Zhao Xiang might misunderstand her intentions.
Zhao Xiang replied, "It has nothing to do with you." He sighed lightly, then looked up at Mu Anxiao and said, "I was too foolish, thinking of her as my best friend. I never imagined she would deceive me. It's unforgivable that I confided everything in her." He clenched his fist.
Mu Anxiao, recalling Mai's secretive demeanor, remarked, "Perhaps she was sent there temporarily."
"She definitely lied to me," Zhao Xiang stated with firm conviction. "She had deceived me before, but I didn't pay attention. Now that I think about it, her behavior is truly beyond the pale."
"..." Mu Anxiao, not wanting to incite his hatred, remained silent.
Feng Qishi, interested in Mu Anxiao's unfinished sentence, said, "Mu Shazi, can you finish what you were saying?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao turned to look at the curious Feng Qishi opposite her, her brow furrowed. She suddenly couldn't recall what she had been talking about.
"..."
Feng Qishi understood Mu Anxiao's expression and said helplessly, "You said he gave up."
"Gave up..." Mu Anxiao repeated, her mind suddenly sparking. "Ah, those demons were not qualified to be your wives, so he gave up. Now he has placed all those demons in the inn."
"They are all women?" Feng Qishi asked.
Mu Anxiao nodded. "Yes. In any case, that Ouyang Ye fellow is quite concerned about your marital affairs." As she spoke, she looked down at the empty teacup, then stood up, picked it up, and handed it to Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi took the teacup and, picking up the teapot, poured water for Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao remained silent, then looked at Zhao Xiang again. On impulse, she said, "You like Mai."
Hearing this, Zhao Xiang suddenly came to his senses and shook his head.
Mu Anxiao replied, "If you don't like her, why do you care so much?" She smiled slightly. "Speaking of which, I suspect your parents did indeed stay at that inn before."
"How so?"
"This is just my speculation for now," Mu Anxiao said, pausing. She frowned. "Speaking of which, you've been inside before, haven't you? What was it like?"
"It was just a thatched hut. The environment inside was decent, with a kitchen and guest rooms. I suppose my parents were quite comfortable there," Zhao Xiang said, thinking of Mai once again.