Chapter 234: I Want to Spend a Little More Time With You

Bai Wei immediately took it and lowered her head to flip through it.

Xiao Moting took off his outer robe, stepped into the river, and bent over to slaughter the chicken in the water.

Suddenly, a splash rippled across the surface of the river.

Splash!

A large fish, startled, leaped out of the water.

"There's a fish!" Bai Wei's eyes lit up instantly; she threw down the account book and ran to the riverbank.

Xiao Moting immediately asked, "Bai, do you wish to eat fish?"

"Xiao Moting, can you catch a fish for us to roast?" Bai Wei had sharp eyes; by the firelight, she had already seen that there were quite a few fish in the river!

These ancient river fish were completely free of any hormones and were entirely natural.

They must taste delicious!

Xiao Moting rolled up his sleeves and bent down to catch the fish.

But the fish in the river were very nimble; before his hand could even reach them, they would immediately flick their tails and escape.

Seeing that Xiao Moting had tried several times without catching a single fish, Bai Wei was terrified that they would all be scared away, so she hurriedly picked up the Repeating Crossbow she carried with her.

"Come ashore quickly, I'll catch the fish."

After saying this, she immediately raised the crossbow and aimed at the largest fish in the river.

Whoosh!

An arrow shot out, piercing through the body of the large fish.

Seeing that she had hit the mark, Bai Wei beamed with joy, "Xiao Moting, hurry and fish out my spoils."

There were still many fish in the river, and she didn't want to miss the opportunity at all; she picked up the Repeating Crossbow and fired several arrows in quick succession.

The Repeating Crossbow transformed into a harpoon cannon, one arrow per fish, all of them striking their targets.

"Bai, your archery is truly excellent," Xiao Moting couldn't help but praise, "You must have practiced for many years, right?"

Bai Wei squinted her eyes and smiled, simply refusing to answer.

She wouldn't tell Xiao Moting that she had just started practicing shooting.

The fish that had been shot floated to the surface of the water.

Xiao Moting grabbed one in each hand, hauled all the floating fish up, pulled out the arrows that had pierced their bodies, and began to clean them.

He picked up his Long Sword, squatted by the river, and deftly chopped off the fish heads, scraped the scales, and gutted the bellies... his movements in slaughtering the fish were extremely skillful.

Although Bai Wei could also slaughter chickens and fish back in the countryside, when it came to proficiency, she felt inferior to Xiao Moting.

"Xiao Moting, I didn't expect you to be so good at slaughtering fish? You are the Fourth Prince, yet you can actually do this?"

Xiao Moting was squatting by the river cleaning the fish, his tall frame turned away from Bai Wei, and he spoke without even raising his head.

"I came to Beijiang when I was young. This place is bitter and cold, and the army lacked clothing and food; every day we could only eat one meal made of wild vegetables."

"Sometimes when I was truly too hungry, I would sneak into the river to catch fish or catch wild chickens on the mountain to roast and eat; it counted as a treat."

His voice was very calm, without a hint of complaint.

But Bai Wei felt a sharp pang of heartache.

In her mind, a scene emerged.

In the icy, snow-covered Beijiang, a small child in thin clothing, freezing and starving, had to stand barefoot in the frozen river to catch fish just to fill his stomach.

While feeling sorry for Xiao Moting, she cursed the dog emperor in her heart.

The dog emperor himself huddled in the palace in Shengjing, holding beauties and eating and drinking well, while his young son was in the cold Beijiang, like an unwanted orphan, not knowing where his next meal would come from.

"Dog emperor, one day I will help Xiao Moting drag you off the throne and let him ascend."

Bai Wei muttered a curse under her breath and stood up to run to the riverbank.

"Xiao Moting, I'll help you slaughter the fish so it goes faster."

On the riverbank, there were still several fish lying there that hadn't been processed yet.

But as soon as Bai Wei reached out, Xiao Moting reached out to stop her.

"Bai, the river water in early spring is very cold; let me do it."

"The sword is also very sharp; be careful not to cut your hands."

Bai Wei's fingers touched his palm.

Both of them were stunned for a moment, staring at their touching hands, neither saying a word.

The atmosphere suddenly went quiet.

Bai Wei's face turned red, and she hurriedly tried to pull her hand back.

But just at that moment, Xiao Moting closed his palm and held her hand in his.

Bai Wei froze.

The man's palm was broad and large; because it had been soaking in the river water, it was wet and a bit cool, but a warmth radiated from the center of his palm.

Her face felt hot, and she looked up at Xiao Moting.

Upon looking, she realized that Xiao Moting was also looking at her; his pitch-black starry eyes were exceptionally bright, and deep within his ink-colored pupils, there seemed to be a cluster of flames burning.

Bai Wei's heart raced, and she let him hold her hand without pulling it back.

Xiao Moting gazed at her and spoke in a low voice.

"Bai, can you stay in Daliang for a few more days? I... I want to spend a little more time with you."

His voice was deep, faintly carrying a breathy quality that made one's whole body tingle.

Bai Wei's heart fell into disarray, "I..."

Suddenly!

A head popped up between the two of them.

Xiao Lujing looked up at Xiao Moting, then stared at the palms of their hands held together.

"Dad, why are you holding Sister Bai's hand and not letting go?"

"Lu... Lujing?" Bai Wei snapped back to reality, startled, her face flushing bright red as she hurriedly pulled her hand back.

Xiao Moting raised an eyebrow imperceptibly; he shifted his gaze and asked in a cold voice.

"Lujing, do you have something to see me about?"

"Dad, I'm not looking for you." Xiao Lujing was expressionless.

Although this father and son had no blood relation, they were not much different from being biological; both of them had the same temperament, usually keeping a cold face toward everyone, neither liking to talk, and both exuding a cold aura.

After Xiao Lujing finished speaking, he lifted a small cage like he was presenting a treasure and eagerly handed it to Bai Wei.

"Sister Bai, I caught a little rabbit for you."

Only then did a hint of warmth appear in his eyes.

Inside the cage was a snow-white little fur ball, only the size of a palm.

"A rabbit?" Bai Wei's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly took it, "It's so cute, thank you, Lujing."

Xiao Lujing revealed a shy smile.

"I'll come help grill the fish too."

Before Bai Wei could answer, Xiao Moting spoke up,

"No need, Lujing, go back to sleep quickly."

Bai Wei also hurriedly said, "You should rest early and exercise more so you can grow tall."

"I'm already very tall," Xiao Lujing said, "I'm also exercising; a few days ago I killed over a dozen bandits, and I even worked up a sweat."

"The exercise I'm talking about is for you to work out."

Xiao Lujing looked at her earnestly, "I worked out; I killed those people all by myself."

Bai Wei changed her way of asking, "Then do you usually practice martial arts? I mean, not the kind of exercise that involves killing people."

"Not killing people?" Xiao Lujing thought about it, puzzled, then his eyes suddenly lit up, "Yes, I've beaten a tiger to death."

Bai Wei was helpless.

This child!

Look at what Xiao Moting has taught him to be; he's a young killer through and through!

Seeing that as soon as Xiao Lujing arrived, Bai Wei only focused on talking to him, Xiao Moting's eyes darkened, and he coughed drily.

"Lujing, go back and do your homework."

"The Military Advisor told me to read books today."

"Then go back and read your books..."

Before he could finish, Xiao Lujing pulled an "Extracurricular Reading" book from who knows where and placed it neatly on his knees.

"Dad, I brought the book; I'll read it right here."

After saying that, he squeezed in next to Bai Wei.

"Sister Bai, once I finish reading, I'll help you grill the fish."

"Alright, don't tire yourself out too much." Bai Wei touched his head, her eyes full of pity.

This child is too sensible.

Xiao Moting was left aside, completely unable to get a word in.