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Liuzi only then came to his senses, blinking in shock. Just as he was about to thank Yi, he saw the bodies scattered haphazardly on the ground, and, with a gag, he turned his head and vomited until the sky spun and the earth went dark.

Lin Yuan, who had barely been holding back her nausea, also bent over and started vomiting when she saw Liuzi retch. It reminded her of the first chicken she had killed when she was learning how to cook, and how she had vomited just as violently.

Liuzi was so weak from vomiting that he couldn’t possibly drive the carriage anymore, so there was no choice but to let Yi take over.

Lin Yuan sat inside the carriage, already somewhat tired, and now she was even more drowsy.

However, with Liuzi constantly throwing up every other moment on the shaft outside, she didn’t feel like sleeping at all.

Fighting back the churning in her stomach, she started talking to Yi, who was driving the carriage outside.

"Did Xia Zheng send you to protect me?"

"Yes."

Lin Yuan continued to ask, "Are you one of his subordinates?"

"Yes." Yi quietly curled his lip, thinking that if the Great Commander hadn’t tricked him into coming, he would have been the Great Commander’s subordinate indeed.

Lin Yuan went on, "So, are you planning to leave as soon as Xia Zheng returns?"

Yi felt somewhat uncertain, but recalling the Great Commander’s words before he left, surely completing the mission would be enough?

"Yes."

Lin Yuan was getting unsettled and felt she couldn’t carry on a conversation with this man, "Can’t you say more than two words? Don’t just say ’yes.’ Can’t you?"

Yi thought for a moment and responded, "I can."

Lin Yuan’s face was lined with exasperation.

"Where have you been hiding? Can’t you show yourself?" Lin Yuan had never seen a Hidden Guard before—this was her first time.

Yi didn’t say a word, realizing he could have been candid if Lin Yuan was the only person around. However, with Liuzi present, it was not something he could disclose.

Lin Yuan seemed to understand this too and didn’t press any further. But every time she thought about an unknown enemy lurking and watching her every moment, she felt a chill down her spine.

It was not fear but discomfort; she was in the light while her foe lurked in the shadows, out of reach of her ability to cope.

If not for Yi’s hidden protection arranged by Xia Zheng in advance, she feared that she might indeed have been kidnapped by bandits and forced to become the Bandit Chief’s Wife.

With that thought, Lin Yuan lifted the curtain, ignoring Liuzi who was still bent over vomiting, and seriously told Yi, "I don’t care what you were like before, but now that Xia Zheng has arranged for you to protect me, you’re my man from this moment on.

As you’re one of my people, I will certainly not treat you poorly.

You might be hiding somewhere like the roof or the woods, but now as it’s getting colder, don’t hide outside any longer.

In a few days, my house will be ready, and you can choose any place in the new house to rest at night. "

Yi was a little stunned, his hand gripping the whip tensing slightly.

The young girl’s words seemed casual, but every sentence showed concern for him.

As Hidden Guards, they indeed lived in shadow every moment, for they had to remain unseen to protect their masters, unable to appear openly like guards—otherwise, how would they catch assassins off-guard if they were anticipated?

But dwelling in darkness long enough, one starts to yearn for light. Even Yi, the Deputy Commander of the Hidden Guards, felt this way.

Unexpectedly, now a young girl was offering him this opportunity.

Yi, who had initially resisted this mission, suddenly found himself anticipating it somewhat.

"Ah, that’s right, to avoid blowing your cover, I have thought of a great idea.

" Lin Yuan suddenly chuckled mischievously, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes, "Since you need to hide your identity anyway, you could disguise yourself as a long worker for my household. You could work with them during the day, and stay in the new house at night. It would keep you warm and allow you to stick to your mission, don’t you think? "