Chapter 6: Shangyuan (6)

“If you’ve got the guts, come and get it!”
The man refused to back down, lifting his chin and throwing out a taunting remark.
Li Kuo had intended to reason with him, but he was too unreasonable.
“Then I’ll have to offend you!”
Without further words, Li Kuo stepped forward swiftly to seize the mask. With such a person, any kind words were useless—only by showing enough strength could he earn respect.
Li Kuo was a martial artist, strong and agile. He thought a few moves would force the man to beg for mercy, but the opponent was no ordinary person either. With quick movements, he avoided all of the boy’s attacks.
“Here comes the move!”
The boy launched a swift attack at the man’s lower body, but the man lightly jumped aside to avoid it. The boy was pleased—this was exactly the moment he had been waiting for!
With a leap, he swiped lightly with his palm, removing the Monkey King mask from the man’s face.
“It’s you!”
Li Kuo was shocked upon seeing the person before him.
“Why, can’t it be me?”
Though dressed like a young noble, she couldn’t hide her beautiful face and lively demeanor. It was none other than Ni Xin, the top female courier of Xinke Express!
Li Kuo pressed a hand to his forehead for a long time, making sure he wasn’t dreaming.
“That’s not it. But shouldn’t you have returned to Shanggui City? Why are you in Chang’an on this Shangyuan Festival?”
Since they last parted, the two had not seen each other. She left in a hurry, leaving only a letter without any instructions. It wasn’t until he returned to Chang’an after the River Huang Battle that Li Kuo received the crossbow she had given him from Master Du.
To be honest, Li Kuo had a good impression of Ni Xin. Although she always seemed aloof, he knew that beneath her cold exterior lay a heart of a woman.
“We’re couriers!”
With a teasing glance at the boy, Ni Xin shook the sword in her hand to emphasize her words. “We can take your cargo from Chang’an to Shanzhou, or from Shanggui to Chang’an!”
A year had passed, but Ni Xin’s personality hadn’t changed much—she still acted like a holy maiden who wouldn’t let anything disturb her peace.
“That’s true.”
Li Kuo nodded. For a courier who traveled constantly across the land, she might have been heading to Yangguan in the first half of the year and then to Lingnan in the second.

In that case, her coming to Chang’an City to enjoy the lanterns this time should be a coincidence, and meeting him should be even more so. After this chance encounter, Li Kuo was completely sober. Meeting an old friend on the Lantern Festival is not something that happens often.
“How are Ma Biaotou and Old You?”
Li Kuo was still grateful for the help from Xinke Baoju. It was his first time leading a team on a long journey, and he was unfamiliar with many things. Without the guidance of people like You Long and Ni Xin, he would have suffered a lot.
Ma Biaotou was naturally Ma Yanshuang. That day, the young man was led by Brother Guan to Xinke Baoju, where Brother Ma immediately offered him help. The young man was very clear about gratitude and loyalty, always remembering those who had helped him. As for Old You, it referred to You Long, who traveled with Ni Xin. To be honest, You Long’s personality was even more likable.
“Uncle Ma is in good health. As for Brother You, he went to Jiannan to deliver goods in August and had his arm injured by a band of robbers. But it’s not serious; the wound has healed, and he should be able to wield weapons again in a while.”
At this point, Ni Xin frowned slightly but soon relaxed. Couriers lived a dangerous life, and it was normal to get injured. As long as they were alive, there was no need to worry too much.
“By the way, how about we find a restaurant to talk? Standing on the street like this feels strange.”
Li Kuo noticed the curious looks from the people around them and shook his head, suggesting it.
“As you wish.”
Miss Ni was also easy-going and agreed right away.
Restaurants in Chang’an City were not hard to find, and on the Lantern Festival night, the aroma of wine filled the air, tempting people to enter.
The young man chose a relatively quiet restaurant and sat down by the window with Miss Ni, a few tables away from others.
“Since you’re in the capital this time, won’t you stay for a couple of days?”
Li Kuo poured a pot of wine for her and pushed it over. Although couriers traveled all over the place, they rarely stayed in one place for long. Based on his understanding of Ni Xin, she would never be comfortable staying in a strange place for a week or so.
To his surprise, Ni Xin replied cheerfully, “I’m here in the Western Capital to have a good time for a couple of days. I probably won’t leave until spring!”
Seeming to notice the surprise in his eyes, Ni Xin smiled and said, “There’s not much business at the courier agency in winter, so I’m taking some time off. By the way, weren’t you transferred to Shule? When are you leaving?”

Logically, after delivering a shipment, the courier should return to the agency promptly to report, but given how much Miss Ni was favored, if she wanted to take some time off secretly, Head Courier Ma would naturally turn a blind eye.
“The official order from the Ministry of War hasn’t come down yet, but I guess it will be soon after spring begins.”
Li Kuo downed the wine in his cup and replied in a deep voice. This guy actually gave himself time to rest too! In the young man’s eyes, Ni Xin was always the type who insisted on being strong in everything—how could she show weakness in front of others?
“That’s great! I can pick up another shipment on the way!”
A sly glint appeared in Ni Xin’s eyes; it seemed she was already confident about winning over the young man.
“We might not have to go through Shanggui this time!”
Helplessly, the young man spread his hands to explain. Although the official order hadn’t arrived yet, logically, since they were heading to Anxi, they would take the northern route.
“What’s the difficulty? I’ll just treat it as picking up an unofficial shipment!”
Ni Xin refused to budge, slapping her chest to assure him.
She liked him!
The young man felt his chest warm as he reached this absurd conclusion.
He remembered Ah Tian had pestered him in the same way, refusing to let go at all! Now that he was married, he understood women’s attitudes better. By his judgment, Ni Xin must already like him.
“What benefits can I get?”
If that was the case, he might as well thoroughly test her!
“Benefits?”
Ni Xin looked at Li Kuo in confusion, not understanding what he meant. Weren’t it usually the clients who gave benefits to the couriers? Why was it reversed with him?