Chapter 86: I, the young lady, have come to play with you!

Huh?

Miss Huang froze slightly, and the small hand gripping the blanket suddenly loosened.

After reacting, she suddenly flung off the blanket, her pretty face instantly breaking into a delighted smile as she turned her head to look over.

Indeed!

It was that debt-owing little thief who had come; at this moment he was sneaking, bent over, and crouching beside her rusty bed.

Meanwhile, the mute girl stood there holding the medicine bowl, motionless, only her eyes darting anxiously.

"Little thief, how..."

Unable to contain the delight on her pretty face, Miss Huang hurriedly sat up, craning her neck to ask in a coquettish voice.

But before she could finish her words, she was cut off, and she abruptly pulled the blanket over herself, blushing as she softly scolded:

"You-you-you surnamed Niu! Who let you in!"

"Quick, quick, quick, get out, I, the young lady!"

Having just slapped someone, he now opens his mouth to ask for food; even if his skin is thick, it's inevitably a bit awkward.

Having said that, she paid no heed to the little thief's reaction and staggered out the door.

After the two walked out of the room, Miss Huang raised her hand to close the door, but saw that the copper lock on the door was already open; she eyed him suspiciously, then her bright eyes fixed on Niu Dingtian as she asked curiously:

After the two walked out of the room, Miss Huang raised her hand to close the door, but then she saw the copper lock on the door was already open. She felt a bit suspicious, then her beautiful eyes lit up as she stared at Niu Dingtian, curiously saying:

Huh?

How is this little lass so fierce? It's just a slap, isn't it? I said I'd remember, I'd remember—what more do you want?

This little lass, how can she be so fierce? It's just a slap, isn't it? I've already said remember it, remember it—what more do you want?

Seeing the little thief's unwavering gaze, she couldn't help but slightly turn her pretty face away, yet she didn't open her mouth to demand repayment.

After a rustling of clothing sounds,

"However, you need to keep your voice down; I can't let my father find out."

After great difficulty, this debt-owing one has come to the door voluntarily; how could we easily chase him away? But to avoid startling her father and causing trouble, Miss Huang can only come stealthily.

"What do you say?" Miss Huang exclaimed in delight, then leaned forward to ask, and after a moment of suspicion added: "Really, anything goes?"

Miss Han's pretty face twitched slightly; "Is this little thief a rice bucket? He's come to beg for food again!" She then glanced away, her eyes slightly pursing her lips, and hummed dissatisfiedly:

"Hmph~ You must have forgotten something? Do you only think of me, the young lady, when you're hungry?"

After thinking, she then lowered her voice to warn:

"You are not allowed to turn around!"

He's not just a hateful little thief, but also a shameless rascal!

Niu Dingtian obeyed the instructions, walking over to the side honestly, not turning his head, closing his eyes, and relaxing his mind to enjoy the scent inside the room.

Niu Dingtian was a bit dissatisfied, but after a moment's thought he understood, and immediately continued speaking:

Pah! This little thief must be teasing me, the young lady! Miss Huang grew somewhat annoyed.

In her panic, Miss Huang's speech became indistinct, and after speaking she fiercely glared at the little thief.

Seeing Niu Dingtian turn his body, she tilted her body, lifted her chin, and began to scrutinize him with an arrogant, coquettish air.

"Um~ Miss Huang, do you have anything to eat?"

"Miss Huang, rest assured, I naturally always keep you in mind."

"Cough cough. All right."

At this time, the sky was drawing near dusk; in a lady's inner chambers, even martial youths must avoid it, so how could a strange man be allowed to easily set foot?

At this time, the sky was already drawing near dusk; in a woman's private chambers, even martial arts youths must avoid impropriety, so how could one let a strange man easily enter?

Then she quickly went to the mute girl's side, snatched the medicine bowl and placed it on the table, then shoved the mute girl sideways onto her rusty bed, and finally pulled the blanket over her tightly.

"Hehe~ All done!" After finishing, Miss Huang happily clapped her hands and triumphantly told Niu Dingtian: "Let's go!"

"Hehe~All done!" After finishing, Miss Huang clapped her small hands satisfiedly, then proudly said to Niu Dingtian: "Let's go!"

At this moment, Miss Huang had already donned a white outfit, standing primly before him; her previously messy hair had been smoothed, though a faint flush still lingered on her cheeks and neck.

With a proper-sounding light cough, Miss Huang spoke clearly; Niu Dingtian, having heard her permission, turned around.

Niu Dingtian blinked, feeling that Miss Huang's tone was off—like that of a resentful lady from the inner chambers; his eyes shifted slightly, he realized somewhat, and then spoke softly:

Niu Dingtian inquired softly, paused a moment, then with eager eyes continued speaking:

Niu Dingtian asked softly, then paused again in his speech, and with eager eyes continued to say:

"Hehe~ Let me think it over first, and I'll tell you once I've figured it out, Miss." Miss Huang replied with a smile, pursing her little dimples, then as if she'd thought of something, she beamed and said in a coquettish voice:

"Let's go! We'll head to the dining hall to check the ingredients; whatever you want to eat, I, the young lady, will make it for you today."

"Miss Huang, just tell me how you want me to compensate; if it's doable, I won't refuse, or else let me take a slap from you, Miss Huang."

Having taken just a few steps, he was stopped by a soft call from Miss Huang behind him; immediately after, he heard her lower her voice and say:

"You you. You first stand over there!"

Huh? This little thief didn't renege on his debt?

Niu Dingtian followed suit, smiling as he spoke to confirm. This little lass may have a small temper everywhere, but it's not insignificant; her pretty face changes at a whim, though there is indeed some misunderstanding.

Not only does he renege on his debt, but he also speaks flowery and insolent words—truly not a good thing! Miss Huang's chest still aches fiercely; could it be that her slap was wasted? Thinking this, she directly glared back at him fiercely.

As the two were about to walk out of the room, Miss Huang's eyes suddenly brightened, and she immediately halted her steps.

Miss Huang hummed and asked:

Um.

Niu Dingtian was taken aback, feeling a bit embarrassed; "Isn't this wearing clothes? Although it's just pajamas. I originally thought you, Miss Huang, were someone unconstrained by trifles, but now it seems you're no different—hmph! How rare!"

But after muttering to himself, he still hurriedly turned his body and walked outside; at this time he also realized he had indeed been rash.

But after muttering complaints, he still hurriedly turned and walked outside, and at that moment he also realized he had indeed been reckless.

After he spoke, his eyes still stared straight ahead, facing it calmly, without evasion.

"Hmm."

Niu Dingtian showed no hesitation, lightly nodded, his face still somewhat reserved; indeed, it was his own doing.

"Hehe~ Remember to teach me later, miss!" Miss Huang slapped the little thief's shoulder without ceremony, her eyes curved, face full of joy.

"Eh."

Niu Dingtian's expression froze slightly, then he spoke somewhat embarrassedly: "Um... that's actually very simple; Miss Huang just needs to use a bit of strength."

"Huh? Use strength?"

Miss Huang suddenly froze.

"Hmph, stubborn ox!"

After she reacted, she gave a disdainful little hum.

Thereafter she no longer paid attention to the little thief, stepping quietly out of the courtyard.

At this time the sky had gradually darkened, but night had not yet fallen; faintly, one could still see nearby objects.

The two went one after the other, deliberately avoiding the mute servants along the way, winding around for a while before reaching the kitchen courtyard.

From afar they smelled a hint of cooking smoke; looking up at the roof, cooking smoke was already rising, clearly the island's servants had begun to prepare meals.

"What should we do?"

Niu Dingtian looked at Miss Huang pressed beside him and began to ask. As for the place, it was naturally up to Miss Huang to decide; whether to be soft or hard was her call.

Although dinner was about to be ready, he would still relish the chance to taste Miss Huang's abalone seafood, even if it meant eating some stinky fish and cured meat.

"Wait!" Miss Huang whispered a sentence, then darted straight to the kitchen door.

She hid quietly outside the kitchen door, lifted her head and glanced inside, seeing a man and a woman working, apparently about to finish.

She bent down, picked up two pebbles, held them between her fingers, exerted force and flicked them—with two "swish" sounds the pebbles shot toward the man and woman, who then froze in place.

"Hey! Come over quickly!"

After greeting Niu Dingtian softly with a turn of her head, Miss Huang walked straight into the kitchen.

"Miss Huang, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

After entering the kitchen, seeing the chickens, ducks, fish, and geese, Niu Dingtian found it hard to choose; after thinking, he simply left it to the clever and skillful Miss Huang.

"What to eat? Let me think."

After scanning the ingredients on the table, Miss Huang began to ponder. After a while, she pursed her lips and then spoke in a coquettish voice:

"Mmm~ Yesterday we ate fatty duck."

"Today... let's have fatty chicken! Add a goose! Let's make tonight lively!"

"Eh~ okay!" Niu Dingtian choked a bit, collected himself, then agreed.

Miss Huang no longer hesitated, she packed the fatty chicken and goose, wrapped some seasonings, and stuffed in a few porcelain bowls.

"You carry the stuff, hurry up, follow me!"

After thrusting the bundled items into Niu Dingtian's arms, Miss Huang rushed out of the kitchen.

Is Miss Huang planning a picnic? After realizing this, Niu Dingtian clutched the items in his arms and darted after her.

"Miss Huang, where are we going this late at night?" After leaning close to her, Niu Dingtian whispered his question.

By now night had fallen; the kitchen's situation would soon be discovered. If Huang Lao Xie learned that a young lady had been abducted late at night, he would surely fly into a rage again.

"What? You still aren't willing?"

Seeing the little thief still reluctant, Miss Huang grew a bit displeased, rolled her eyes and huffed: "Just follow me! I'll first take you to get something nice, then bring you to meet someone fun!"

"Someone fun?"

Hearing this, Niu Dingtian's eyes suddenly lit up.

Just now he had indeed paid no attention to the nice thing, but mentioning a fun person stirred his heart.

On this Peach Blossom Island, besides that one person, who else could there be? He had been worried about not finding anyone, yet he hadn't expected Miss Huang to be so thoughtful.

After leaving the kitchen courtyard, the two sneaked out of the pavilion area; following Miss Huang's lead, they walked in the opposite direction of the tomb chambers, feeling their way toward another hill.

About two quarters of an hour later,

the two arrived at the foot of the mountain.

At this time the sky was completely dark, only a weak moonlight barely illuminating the path at the mountain's base.

Seeing Niu Dingtian silent all the way, the surroundings suddenly fell dead silent; the woman walking ahead, Miss Huang, unconsciously slowed her steps, drawing ever closer to him.

Walking on, she began to regret it, thinking she shouldn't have acted on impulse and come running up this mountain at night.

But having come this far, she couldn't turn back; besides, the little thief would leave tomorrow, and after tonight there would be no further chance.

"Hey! Why aren't you speaking?" Miss Huang pressed tightly against Niu Dingtian, feeling a bit scared, and couldn't help asking softly.

"Speak?"

"If you're going to speak, why cling so tightly? You're almost burrowing into my chest; seeing you like this, Miss Huang, is not easy."

However, seeing Miss Huang's timid little gaze, even his head shrank like a quail, Niu Dingtian smiled and comforted her:

"Miss Huang, why be afraid? The whole Peach Blossom Island is your home; what's there to fear?"

"Pah! You're the one who's afraid!" After hearing this, Miss Huang's pretty face flushed slightly, but she refused to concede, her voice weak yet defiant.

"Oh? Miss Huang, you really aren't afraid?" Niu Dingtian's eyes shifted slightly; while holding the items, he glanced at Miss Huang beside him, seeming doubtful.

"Hmph!"

Miss Huang's face full of proud coquettishness, after a huff, even her body pressed close pulled away.

"Someone over there is smiling at you?"

Walking on, Niu Dingtian suddenly spoke.

"Ah!"

Miss Huang gasped in an instant, then immediately flung herself into Niu Dingtian's arms.

"Miss Huang, that person isn't smiling anymore."

"Ah!"

"Hehehee~"

"You little thief, you're going to die!"

After the jokes, the two fell silent, but Miss Huang's arms remained tightly clutched, pressing and squeezing from time to time, unsettling Niu Dingtian's thoughts throughout the journey.

About half an hour later,

the two arrived at the mid‑mountain slope.

"Go this way."

When they reached a bend, Miss Huang lifted one arm to point the direction. The two kept walking for a while, and upon reaching the entrance of a cave, Miss Huang suddenly stopped.

"Are we staying here?"

After glancing at the dark opening, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but ask.

"Wait a moment!" Miss Huang replied in a coquettish voice, her tone now much softer.

She pulled a fire‑starter from her bosom, lit it, then led Niu Dingtian a few steps deeper into the cave, found a spot, and after feeling out an iron spade from a stone crevice, Miss Huang began digging, saying in a delicate voice as she worked:

"There are many caves like this along the mountainside; in past years when I was bored I'd come here to play. I, Miss Huang, have hidden quite a few good things here."

After a short while, the object in the pit began to take shape, resembling a wine jar.

"Miss Huang, do you like drinking?"

After catching a hint of wine aroma, Niu Dingtian was somewhat surprised; the scent was very familiar.

"This belongs to my father, hm! He once threatened me, so I hid a whole jar of his wine."

Miss Huang, holding a grudge, harshly explained.

After extracting the wine jar, she brushed the mud off its body, then shoved the iron spade back into the distance, and directly cradled the jar in her arms.

"Let's go, we'll head to the cave ahead."

She called out in a sweet voice, then pressed close to Niu Dingtian and led the way forward.

The two continued forward along the path, and at the second cave entrance, Miss Huang stopped again, lifted a little finger to point, then with a playful smile said to Niu Dingtian:

"He's right inside!"

She then called into the cave in a coquettish voice:

"Hey! Old Rascal! Miss Huang has come to play with you!"

(End of chapter)