Chapter 726 - 722: News of Jiang Baishu’s Return Spreads

Gu Jiaojiao didn’t immediately accept what Jiang Baishu offered, so he quickly spoke up.

"Sister-in-law, please take it! When we were kids, Chen JianShe and I were always tagging along with Brother Leng. We were all really close. Besides, I still haven’t even thanked you two for what you did for Sweet Girl and Xiao Yang!"

At his words, Gu Jiaojiao couldn’t help but look toward Leng Yuan.

"Take it."

Only after Leng Yuan spoke did Gu Jiaojiao take the things into the kitchen.

Jiang Baishu hadn’t been back in five years. His family’s situation had changed drastically in his absence, and he never imagined that his undercover work would have him in hiding for three of those years.

When he thought of his parents’ deaths and the terrible conditions his younger sister and brother had been living in, Jiang Baishu’s face filled with guilt and gratitude. If it hadn’t been for Leng Yuan and Gu Jiaojiao, he might not have had a brother or sister left.

"Brother Leng, thank you."

Jiang Baishu spoke those two words with sincerity and gravity.

Recalling the news he had managed to gather, it felt like a knife was twisting in Jiang Baishu’s heart.

"If it weren’t for you and Sister-in-law, who knows what would have happened to Sweet Girl and Xiao Yang! This is a debt I can never repay, but I can promise you, Brother Leng, if you ever need anything, I will do everything in my power to return this kindness."

The words "thank you" might have seemed weightless, but Jiang Baishu etched this debt of gratitude into his heart. From now on, no matter what happened, as long as it didn’t involve betraying his country, he would unconditionally help Leng Yuan to repay this kindness.

When Gu Jiaojiao came out, she saw the tall man standing before Leng Yuan, his expression earnest.

’Although Jiang Baishu is the second male lead, his role in the novel isn’t very large because of his profession,’ she thought. ’He always appears whenever the female lead is in danger. And since the female lead helps Sweet Girl later on, he becomes grateful to her, leading to them interacting more and more.’

’The female lead is gentle, generous, kind, and resilient. Jiang Baishu is slowly drawn to her and falls in love. But even after she gets together with the male lead, he continues to act with honor and integrity. He buries his feelings deep in his heart, content to be the knight protecting his princess from the shadows.’

’But now, Yun Hao, the male lead, is completely washed up, and Jiang Baishu, the second male lead, has just made his entrance. What’s more, the plot is already going off the rails—Xu Wenwan divorced Yun Hao and married An Dongyang.’

’In the original novel, An Dongyang never appeared at all.’

’The plot did, however, mention the An Family, a rather influential clan in Beijing.’

’In any case, from what I remember of the novel’s plot, Jiang Baishu is the type of person who always repays his debts of gratitude.’

So, Gu Jiaojiao wasn’t surprised to hear him say such things.

’I just wonder if he’ll lose all reason once he meets the female lead.’

News of Jiang Baishu’s return spread like wildfire throughout the entire brigade after work let out at noon. Even the brigade leader heard and came directly to the Leng family home.

The moment Gu Jiaojiao opened the door and saw what looked like half the village gathered outside, her eye twitched.

Chen Beiguo was the first to speak.

"Is it true? Is Jiang Baishu back?"

Gu Jiaojiao nodded and stepped aside, and Chen Beiguo walked straight inside.

Everyone outside was overcome with curiosity, so Gu Jiaojiao decided to just leave the door open.

Seeing that Gu Jiaojiao hadn’t closed the door, a few of the bolder villagers followed right into the courtyard.

They had come to see Jiang Baishu, but the moment they stepped inside, they were dumbfounded by the sight of the yard. It was paved with smooth pebbles, flanked by wildflowers, and even had a grape trellis.

’Good heavens, this yard is gorgeous! Look at these flowers, this greenery, and the grapes! Everything is growing so well.’

Many others, peering through the gaps in the doorway, also caught a glimpse of Gu Jiaojiao’s yard and let out gasps of amazement.

"Gu Zhiqing really is from the big city, just as you’d expect. She lives with such refinement."