Zhang Xiaohua searched his memories briefly. Fortunately, the map Ji Xiaohua had given him really did mark this place. It seemed he was heading the same way after all, so he nodded. "Since Miss Nie knows the route, that truly is wonderful. I happen to be going the same way, so I'll accompany Miss Nie a little farther."
"The same way, Brother Ren? May I ask where you're going?"
Nie Qianyu asked in delighted surprise.
Xiao Juzi's eyes flickered from the side as well.
"Where am I going?" Zhang Xiaohua pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Forgive me, but I cannot tell you."
The two women beside him, brimming with anticipation, nearly rolled their eyes from being choked off. Was that really necessary? They had gone through hardship together, hadn't they? He could not even tell them something so minor?
Yet they had forgotten that they had not revealed where they themselves were going either. Well, perhaps they held to the jianghu principle of ladies first, but Guo Village was just as much a taboo to Zhang Xiaohua. Unless absolutely necessary, he would never reveal a single word about it—especially when so many wolves trailed behind these two.
Seeing Zhang Xiaohua tilt up his face to gaze at the countless white clouds in the sky as though they contained endless stories, Nie Qianyu could only pout and instruct Xiao Juzi to pack up and get into the cart.
Fortunately, they had never intended to stay here long. Everything was already in the shabby little horse cart, so packing was extremely easy. Before long, the two women climbed aboard.
Zhang Xiaohua went to settle the bill at the inn counter and, with considerable tact, tipped several coins. He felt rather awkward about it, but the innkeeper was overjoyed. Never mind the