"Master Li," after getting everything settled, Steward Ming approached Li Jingmo with trepidation.
Li Jingmo pulled Feng Bai closer and looked at Steward Ming with an expressionless face, causing cold sweat to break out on the steward’s forehead.
"How old are you this year, Steward Ming?"
"Reply... Master Li, I am fifty-two this year," Steward Ming said shakily, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his hand.
Feng Bai looked up at Li Jingmo, not understanding why she was asking about Steward Ming’s age.
Li Jingmo glanced at a puzzled Feng Bai; those eyes had been haunting him for the past few days, and seeing them today seemed to calm his heart considerably.
"Fifty-two already, indeed it’s the age when people start getting muddled."
As soon as Li Jingmo finished speaking, Steward Ming looked up with a wry smile and said, "Master Li, this fault is mine, I ask you to forgive me this once for the long time I’ve served you."
"Feng Bai, I’m sorry, it was my fault for not distinguishing right from wrong and wrongly accusing you."
As Steward Ming spoke earnestly, tears and snot streaming down his face, Feng Bai was taken aback and leaned closer to Li Jingmo’s side.
Li Jingmo was pleased with her reaction, held her hand a bit tighter, and realized how soft her hand was—so soft that he was reluctant to let go.
Feng Bai, preoccupied with Steward Ming, didn’t notice Li Jingmo’s movements, allowing him to take quite an advantage.
"Steward Ming, don’t be ," Feng Bai said, somewhat uncomfortable.
Having a steward in his fifties apologize to a small servant like herself made her feel somewhat guilty.
"Feng Bai, please forgive me," urged Steward Ming.
"Alright, alright, I forgive you," Feng Bai hastily nodded, making Steward Ming happy as he looked toward Li Jingmo.
Li Jingmo gave him an indifferent glance, "Since she has forgiven you, I won’t pursue the matter further, but there will not be a next time."
Steward Ming, wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, nodded earnestly. Would he dare to offend her again? Now that he was aware of Feng Bai’s importance to Master Li, would he dare show her any disrespect?
"Alright, go prepare dinner," Li Jingmo instructed.
Steward Ming nodded reverently and left.
After Steward Ming left, Feng Bai finally noticed that Li Jingmo was still holding onto her hand, "What are you doing, let go of me."
Li Jingmo released her hand, and Feng Bai took back her own, looking at Li Jingmo, "I want to leave this place."
She didn’t like it here, even if those servants had been dismissed, she didn’t want to stay any longer.
Li Jingmo’s expression darkened slightly, "You’re not allowed to leave."
Feng Bai pouted unhappily and glared at Li Jingmo, "Why can’t I leave this place? I don’t like it here, I want to leave."
Li Jingmo, looking at her cute and indignant expression, felt his previously angered heart soften instantly, "You think you could survive if you left here? Besides, you haven’t repaid the debt of gratitude you owe me. If you leave , I should not have saved you."
Feng Bai’s face fell; it seemed like Li Jingmo was right. How could she survive without any money if she left? And she hadn’t fully repaid the debt for saving her life.
"You stay here, and I guarantee no one will bully you again."
She looked up at Li Jingmo with a mix of skepticism and hope, "Really?"
Li Jingmo nodded, and Feng Bai’s face brightened with a smile, "That’s great."
"Oh, by the way, Li Jingmo, I heard that salaries are paid here; do I get a salary too?"
She had seen other servants getting paid in the past two days, and she knew that salary meant money, which could buy many things, such as food, daily necessities, and clothes. She wanted a salary too.
Li Jingmo looked at Feng Bai and nodded slightly, "Yes."
"Really, I get a salary! When will you pay me, and how much is my salary? How much food can I buy?"
Feng Bai’s eyes sparkled, her excitement genuine at the thought of this world’s food.
Li Jingmo’s face darkened slightly; she paid attention to nothing else, not even that he had been away for so long, and now she was only concerned about food and money.
"Li Jingmo, why aren’t you answering me? When will you pay me my salary?"
If she had money, she would buy things to eat—she really wanted to eat, especially wanted to eat.
"What do you want a salary for?" Li Jingmo asked coldly, observing her excited expression. She was so thrilled for some small change, yet she didn’t pay more attention to a far greater benefactor in front of her.
Feng Bai gave him a puzzled look, "Of course, to buy food."
What else would she do with money?
Li Jingmo looked taken aback, his handsome face turning cold.
In her heart, he really couldn’t compare to money.
"Fine, that’s great!"