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Su Che looked at the jade pendant that Mu Junze handed over, somewhat surprised. He said that this pendant was very important to him and was a personal item. Just by looking at the jade's luster, it was clear that it was carved from high-quality material.
He was actually giving him half of it, and for a moment, Su Che didn't know whether to accept it. Seeing this, Mu Junze spoke up. "There’s no other intention; just consider it a token of our friendship. This pendant is unique. If you ever find yourself in trouble and I’m not around, you can use this to find me at Duke Beiqin's mansion."
Su Che happily accepted the pendant but turned around to search for something of his own to give in return, only to realize he had nothing of value on him. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He took off a jade ring from his hand and placed it into Mu Junze's palm. "Since I’ve accepted yours, you must accept mine as well..."
He wanted to say more but decided to leave it for another time. Seeing Mu Junze agree brought him comfort as he got into the carriage.
Mu Junze watched the carriage gradually disappear, tightly gripping the ring in his hand, reluctant to return home. It wasn't until he could no longer see a trace or hear a sound that he joyfully held the ring and made his way back.
Inside the carriage, Su Che suppressed the urge to look back, constantly pondering over the half jade pendant in his hand. A smile tugged at his lips that he couldn't suppress, and the joy in his heart was unprecedented.
Xiao Tao beside him shook his head and sighed inwardly. He was all too familiar with this expression on his young master’s face; it seemed he had fallen into another emotional entanglement. However, compared to Xu Mu, this person was far superior.
Regardless of conditions, the Su Family wasn’t short on money, but just in terms of looks, comparing Xu Mu to him would be an insult to Young Master Mu. Moreover, there was the demeanor, attitude, and mannerisms of this person—Xiao Tao couldn’t help but think of a crude phrase that crossed his mind.
A person's words and actions reveal their character; even if someone tries hard to dress up nicely, they cannot hide their inherent vulgarity. Though it sounded harsh, Xiao Tao felt that for Xu Mu, this was actually a compliment.
After returning home, Su Che became lost in thought while holding the half jade pendant, unable to hide his happiness. Unaware of anything else, Xiao Tao couldn’t help but speak up. "Young Master, you’ve only had this jade for less than half a day and you’re already polishing it so much that I’m afraid you’ll wear it out."
Su Che shot him an annoyed glance upon hearing this. "What do you know? By the way, tell me everything Xu Mu did behind my back before—every detail you know."
Xiao Tao was slightly taken aback; wasn’t Young Master no longer fond of Xu Mu? How could he be so infatuated with The Token of Affection from Mu just a moment ago and then ask about Xu Mu’s past actions the next?
“Young Master, you’re not thinking of going back on your word, are you? Even a good horse doesn’t eat the grass it has already passed. You wouldn’t want to hurt Young Master Mu’s feelings, would you? Or is it that you haven’t realized his affections for you at all?”
Su Che was taken aback for a moment. When he heard Xiao Tao mention that Mu Junze had feelings for him, a flush crept onto his face, and he angrily retorted, “What nonsense are you spouting? Just because I asked you to speak, doesn’t mean I’m going to praise him. He must have something good for me to praise him about, right? If you’re going to talk about his wrongdoings, then how will your master take revenge in the future?”
Only then did Xiao Tao feel relieved and began recounting Xu Mu’s misdeeds one by one—how he frequented brothels, sought out prostitutes, and gambled away Su Che’s money. He even drank flower wine with his shady friends and slandered Su Che.
At that time, Su Che had been nothing more than their entertainment during meals and breaks. Sometimes when Xu Mu lost heavily at gambling, he would steal some of Su Che’s belongings—jewelry and trinkets—to sell for cash.
Now Su Che understood why so many of his valuables had gone missing; he had thought he simply misplaced them due to carelessness and hadn’t paid much attention. After all, he did have a habit of leaving things lying around, but thankfully they were mostly small items—valuable yet not particularly significant.
Xiao Tao knew all this so well because back then, Su Che had been like someone deaf and blind; he believed everything Xu Mu said without question. Even when items were right in front of him, as long as Xu Mu claimed he hadn’t done it, Su Che believed him.
Because of this, Xu Mu never bothered to hide his wrongdoings from Xiao Tao; even if Su Che found out, a few casual words from Xu Mu would easily resolve the issue.
Listening to Xiao Tao recount his past experiences, Su Che couldn’t help but click his tongue in frustration, wishing he could slap himself twice. “Was I really such a pathetic person before? How terrifying.”
Seeing this, Xiao Tao sighed helplessly. “Fortunately, you’re healthy now; otherwise, you might have ruined your life because of him. It’s strange though; they say children from poor families grow up fast and are the most pure-hearted. How did it turn out like this with Young Master Xu… It’s as if his mother committed some sin in her past life; even I, a servant, can’t stand him.”
At these words, Su Che recalled what Xu Mu had said to him before his death. Such a person would never remember the kindness others showed him. In his eyes, any kindness was an insult, a form of charity that trampled on his pride. He blamed heaven and earth and everyone else for his misfortunes while believing that he deserved a good life and that anyone else living well was wrong.
Such a person didn’t deserve kindness from others; this time, he would make sure Xu Mu tasted that bitterness himself.
“The wheel of karma turns; who can escape its grasp? Everything has its cause and effect; his retribution is me.”
Seeing Su Che’s serious expression filled with determination made Xiao Tao feel puzzled. “But earlier when Cousin asked for your help, you still went with him and even promised to tutor him daily. Aren’t you afraid that he…”
A glint of calculation flashed in Su Che’s eyes as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. “Xiao Tao, sometimes we still need to remember past ties. After all, we are cousins; we should help each other when needed. What do you think is the opposite of hope?”
Xiao Tao pondered seriously for a moment before responding.
"Hopeless?"
"No, it's despair, but despair must first have hope."
Xiao Tao suddenly understood, his hands gesturing excitedly to speak out, but he was interrupted by Su Che. He quickly composed himself.
"I understand, my lord. One must not wear their emotions on their face."
Su Che nodded in satisfaction; truly, he was a teachable child.
Xiao Tao trusted him completely. He mentioned that he and Xiao Nan were both born into the Su Family, but as the saying goes, "One who stays close to vermilion gets stained red; one who stays close to ink gets stained black." Xiao Nan had long been led astray by Xu Mu.
He even began to feel that Xu Mu was right, and in the previous life, the entire Su Family could not escape death, leaving only him and Xiao Nan behind, because Xiao Nan was extremely loyal to Xu Mu.
Although Xiao Tao was not particularly clever, he had a decent ability to read people. While he got along well with Xiao Nan on the surface, he clearly knew that he and Xiao Nan were not on the same path.
However, since Xiao Nan had no confidant around Xu Mu and Su Che only trusted Xu Mu's words, he would share everything with Xiao Tao. Of course, it was also because he had feelings for Xiao Tao.
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