The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Xun Yu was checking the number of fields in the "Qingtian" strategy when Guo Jia burst in like a gust of wind without even knocking. He merely glanced up before lowering his head again to continue marking the bamboo slips with his cinnabar brush.

"Brother Wenruo, you truly have excellent skills." Guo Jia slammed the rolled-up bamboo slips onto the table, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

"What makes you say this, Fengxiao?" Xun Yu's pen didn't pause for a moment, his voice as steady as ever. "This is the lord's intention. The position of 'spy' requires exceptional wisdom and insight into people's hearts. Looking across Cao Cao's camp, who else is more suitable than you?"

"Don't give me that." Guo Jia walked around the desk, stood in front of Xun Yu, and looked down at him. "Whether I'm suitable or not, you know in your heart. And you know even better why you sent me away for two or three months."

Xun Yu finally put down his pen. He raised his head and met Guo Jia's gaze.

His eyes were clear and honest, without the slightest hint of evasion.

"Of course I'm doing this for Yanruo." Xun Yu slowly arranged the bamboo slips on the table. "You spend all your time with Yanruo, your words are frivolous and your behavior is improper. You have long since crossed the line between colleagues and friends. Yanruo is young and simple-minded. He respects you and values ​​you. It's inevitable that you will lead him astray."

Guo Jia laughed upon hearing this. He pulled over a seat, sat down casually, and looked Xun Yu in the eye.

"Wrong path? What is a wrong path? I want to be good to him, I want to watch over him all the time. I want to be with him day and night, is that a wrong path?"

These words were tantamount to a direct declaration.

Xun Yu felt a rush of blood rush to the top of his head. He had sensed it for a while, but he still held onto a sliver of hope that he was just being paranoid. But now, Guo Jia himself had exposed the truth.

"Absurd!" Xun Yu slammed his hand on the table, his chest heaving. "You keep Yan Ruo by your side, preventing him from contacting women. How do you know he shares your thoughts?"

"Absurd?" Guo Jia also stood up, slightly taller than Xun Yu, and his aura was equally imposing. "I love someone and want to protect her for life, and that's absurd? Let me tell you, Xun Wenruo, I will not let go! Even if you are unwilling, I will not change my mind."

Guo Jia's tone softened slightly, but remained firm. "As for this 'spying' assignment, I'll go. But remember, I'll be back in a month at most. Your attempt to separate us won't work."

After saying that, he ignored Xun Yu's unpleasant expression and turned to leave.

On the other hand, fearing that his strategists might not have a good appetite, Cao Cao specially sent some of his stored fruit to Xun Hao.

Xun Hao had plenty of energy these past few days, and his appetite had improved considerably. He finished the pear completely in just two days.

Having nothing to do today, and feeling a bit craving, I decided to go to Boss Cao's place again to "buy some more goods".

He wandered into Cao Cao's study, where Cao Cao was indeed overwhelmed by a pile of official documents. Upon seeing him, Cao Cao immediately showed a relieved expression.

"Yanruo, you've come at the right time. Come and take a look at these documents sent by the counties. They're written in a jumbled mess and they're giving me a headache."

As Xun Hao helped him tidy up, he casually mentioned, "My lord, the pears you sent a few days ago were delicious. I wonder..."

Cao Cao slapped his forehead: "Look at my memory! There are still some left, I was planning to send them to you today. Someone, go and bring the rest of the pears to Master Xun."

Having received the benefits, Xun Hao was in a good mood and processed official documents more quickly.

As the two were talking, Cao Cao suddenly sighed: "Speaking of which, Fengxiao's journey will likely be arduous. Yanzhou is not yet pacified, and there is unrest everywhere. After this inspection, it will take at least two or three months for him to return."

Xun Hao stopped arranging the bamboo slips.

What?

Is Guo Jia going to be away for two or three months?

Is his power bank about to run away from home?

This won't do! His battery is full now, but it can't withstand three months without being charged!

"My lord, you said you would send Fengxiao to inspect the various prefectures?" Xun Hao tried his best to make his voice sound calm.

"Yes, Wenruo proposed establishing the position of 'Investigator,' to inspect the prefectures and counties and issue decrees. Fengxiao is the best candidate." Cao Cao, unaware of his unease, continued to sigh, "It's just a pity for Fengxiao, he'll have to work so hard."

Xun Hao's heart skipped a beat.

Was it suggested by your elder brother?

"My lord, I just remembered I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave now." Xun Hao put down the bamboo slips, stood up, and bowed. "Yanruo, take the pear with you." Cao Cao hurriedly called to him, but Xun Hao didn't slow down at all. Pear? What pear? That name sounds ominous!

Xun Hao left the study and immediately summoned a personal guard: "Where is Military Advisor Guo now?"

"Reporting to you, sir, the military advisor just went to Magistrate Xun's courtyard."

Xun Hao's heart sank, and he quickened his pace. He had to stop Guo Jia immediately; he absolutely couldn't accept this task!

He hurried along and soon arrived at the courtyard where Xun Yu handled official business. The gate was ajar, and just as he was about to push it open, he heard Guo Jia's resolute voice coming from inside.

"I love someone and want to protect them for life, is that absurd? Let me tell you, Xun Wenruo, I will not let go! Even if you are unwilling, I will not change my mind."

Xun Hao's feet were rooted to the spot.

He instinctively held his breath, quietly moved closer to the crack in the door, and peered inside.

Guo Jia was standing very close to his elder brother, his expression serious and stubborn, unlike anything he had ever seen before.

With a loud bang, Xun Hao felt as if something had exploded in his head.

I love someone...

I want to protect him for life...

Guo Jia's beloved is his elder brother?

In an instant, countless images flooded his mind. Guo Jia lying on his lap reading a book, Guo Jia warming his hands, Guo Jia whispering in his ear, Guo Jia saying, "Being with you is pure bliss"...

He always thought it was the closeness between friends, the care of an older brother, and his one-sided dependence as the younger brother.

Only then did he belatedly realize that, in those daily interactions and in those unspoken understandings, he had already fallen for that person...

An indescribable bitterness, mixed with a trace of anger that he himself was unaware of, welled up from the bottom of his heart.

Xun Hao, who had lived two lives, was developing feelings for someone for the first time, but it ended before it even began.

Moreover, he lost to his own older brother.

What kind of nonsense is this? Is there anything more absurd than this in the world?

Sadness? Disappointment? These emotions lingered for only a moment. Judging from Guo Jia's tone, he must have been rejected by his elder brother.

Guo Jia's elder brother was an upright gentleman, a model of virtue in his family, so it was only natural that others liked him. However, he was already married with children, and his nephew Xun Yun was almost old enough to run around. Guo Jia's feelings for him were destined to be nothing but a mirage.

No, absolutely not.

Guo Jia belongs to him.

Since Guo Jia prefers men, then... changing to someone else shouldn't be a problem, right?