Stealing A Wife With Only A Piece of Candy - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Knowledge Classroom Lesson One: Report to Your Wife Promptly When Going Out.

Chu Ning was so incoherent with rage that it took a long while before she managed to squeeze out a sentence:

Lu Zhidao! You… what is wrong with you!

Thought you were ill, Lu Zhidao replied, her tone flat.

Give me a break! Where are your eyes looking?! You’re just a rogue, a total lecher!” Chu Ning hurriedly pulled her clothes down and draped them over herself.

Lu Zhidao stood up with a “shua” sound. The little grey rabbit she had been cradling was now being hoisted up by its long ears in one of her hands, its four legs kicking wildly in the air.

She was already half a head taller than Chu Ning, and now, looking down from above, the bonfire cast her shadow several times its size onto the stone wall. It looked exactly like a flailing monster, naturally carrying a powerful sense of oppression.

Seeing her cold face again, Chu Ning was suddenly a bit afraid. Setting aside whether this woman would protect her on the journey to the capital, right now, she was no match for her. Being completely under her control, Chu Ning deeply regretted offending her.

She felt just like that little grey rabbit in Lu Zhidao’s hand—no matter how hard she struggled, it was a futile effort. Her life or death rested entirely on the other’s whim.

However, after Lu Zhidao stood up, she made no further moves, merely dropping three words flatly:

“I am sorry.”

As usual, her tone was calm, without a single ripple of emotion.

Chu Ning nodded with lingering fear, not daring to question her further. She glanced at her and said cautiously, “Sit down first…”

Hearing this, Lu Zhidao sat back down, and the giant black shadow on the stone wall finally shrank back.

She looked less terrifying now.

The little grey rabbit was cradled in her arms again, but having been hoisted like that once, the rabbit was unwilling to stay. It kicked its short legs vigorously, trying to escape, but was held firmly by Lu Zhidao.

Can I hold it? Looking at the rabbit in her arms, Chu Ning couldn’t help but ask.

Lu Zhidao grabbed the rabbit by its ears and handed it over with a reach of her arm.

Chu Ning carefully took the rabbit; with a kick of its hind legs, it burrowed into her embrace.

The furry, harmless-looking little animal made one feel relaxed.

Did you catch it? Chu Ning rubbed the little grey rabbit’s head, not looking up.

“Mm.”

“As a pet?” Chu Ning asked expectantly, already seriously considering names for the little rabbit.

“Dinner.”

Chu Ning’s hand rubbing the rabbit stiffened. She lifted the bunny and looked at it closely; its round grey eyes were gazing about innocently, and with a kick of its legs, it dove back into her arms—soft and warm.

“Little Grey is quite cute…” Chu Ning murmured to herself. She didn’t dare question loudly because she felt Lu Zhidao was not only cold but had an eccentric temper. Crucially, the woman knew martial arts, and she couldn’t win a fight against her.

“Don’t give it a name,” Lu Zhidao reminded her coldly.

A rabbit without a name is a delicious dinner; a rabbit with a name easily evokes feelings, and then…

Then it becomes a dinner served with guilt.

Thus, Lu Zhidao hurriedly reached out for the rabbit. “Give it to me.”

“In a moment… I’m not hungry…” Chu Ning shielded Little Grey in her arms.

She said this, but her stomach betrayingly growled. After all, she had been running for her life all day without eating a single thing.

Still, hunger could be endured, but once Little Grey was eaten, he’d be gone.

Lu Zhidao’s piercing gaze, combined with the way she silently swallowed her saliva while staring at Little Grey, kept Chu Ning on edge.

Hurriedly using her sleeve to hide Little Grey, she changed the subject.

Are you still going to the capital?

“Mm.”

From now on, it’s just the two of us.

“Mm.”

Can you say a few more words?

“I can.”

Chu Ning felt there was nothing left to talk about with Lu Zhidao.

How did she end up with only her to escort her to the capital? It was dull and tasteless.

Everything about Lu Zhidao was flat, even the tone of her voice. Traveling with her, one might die of boredom before the pursuers even caught up.

Just as she was thinking this, she noticed Lu Zhidao opening her mouth several times only to close it again, turning her head to scratch it.

If you have something to say, just say it, Chu Ning prompted.

Expressionless, Lu Zhidao stared at the dancing flames. She grabbed a small twig nearby, poked aimlessly into the pile of wood beneath the bonfire, and added a few pieces of dry wood she had just gathered, making the fire burn brighter.

Chu Ning felt she had something to say, so she watched her, waiting patiently for her to speak.

She knew the woman didn’t talk much; otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone without saying a single word to her previously.

After waiting patiently for a long time, Lu Zhidao acted as if she hadn’t heard the prompt at all, continuing to play with the fire using the twig.

Are you going to say it or not! Chu Ning finally lost her patience.

Lu Zhidao tossed the twig aside and tilted her head to look at her. The dancing flames illuminated her face with flickering light and shadow, making her facial contours appear more distinct.

After a long while, she squeezed out two words:

Underwater.

What about underwater? Chu Ning grew nervous, thinking some mistake had been made.

Lu Zhidao didn’t dare look at her again; her gaze shifted downward, staring at Little Grey.

Poor Little Grey was terrified by the stare and burrowed further into Chu Ning’s arms.

After another long silence, Lu Zhidao spoke slowly:

Underwater… seeing you were about to lose breath, I only then…

Seeing her bring this up voluntarily, Chu Ning instinctively pursed her lips.

When fleeing for their lives, they couldn’t afford to care about much, but now that they were somewhat settled, the thought of that kiss underwater made them both feel awkward.

Fortunately, the bonfire had already made their faces flush a rosy red.

“It doesn’t count, don’t take it to heart,” Chu Ning explained hurriedly.

Oh… okay. Lu Zhidao nodded thoughtfully.

Chu Ning then felt that saying it “didn’t count” wasn’t quite right either, so she added of her own accord, “I also must thank you for saving me.”

No thanks needed.

After sitting in awkward silence for a long time, Lu Zhidao finally spoke up on her own initiative. “Rest assured, I will escort you to the capital. It is my adoptive father’s command.”

Your adoptive father is the Assistant Magistrate of Lin’an Prefecture?

“Mm.”

“He was a classmate and friend of my father’s. I must thank him for sending people to get me out this time. In Lin’an, he is the only good official left.”

Lu Zhidao nodded slightly and stopped talking.

“Going back now is definitely walking into an ambush; Lin’an is no longer safe. We can only move forward. Do you know the way to the capital?” Chu Ning asked while pondering.

“I will buy a map at the market tomorrow.”

“Any other plans?”

“Buy some dry rations.”

“Anything else?”

“Do you have money?”

The two of them pulled out their pouches to check; they only had a few bits of scattered silver.

“We can’t afford a carriage,” Lu Zhidao said flatly as she tucked her pouch away.

“I don’t need a carriage; I’m not that pampered,” Chu Ning waved her hand dismissively, then became a bit helpless. “It’s just that with this little travel money, we definitely won’t reach the capital.”

“We’ll take it one step at a time.”

Taking advantage of the moment Chu Ning was putting away her pouch, Little Grey kicked its legs and jumped out.

Seeing this, Lu Zhidao lunged forward with one stride, pounced, and snatched Little Grey by its long ears.

She turned back to steal a glance at Chu Ning, and before Chu Ning could react, she ran out with Little Grey in three quick steps.

“Eh? Where are you going now!”

Lu Zhidao acted as if she hadn’t heard and hurried away.

…

By the time she returned, Little Grey had been skinned and cleaned, its limbs tied firmly to a large branch, transformed into rabbit meat ready to be roasted.

Is this Little Grey? Chu Ning asked tentatively, looking at the rabbit meat propped over the fire.

It’s a wild rabbit.

Little Grey the wild rabbit?

Lu Zhidao shifted her gaze from the meat to Chu Ning. “Don’t give it a name.”

How could you do it! Chu Ning questioned.

A drop of fat slid down the grain of the meat, falling into the fire with a “sizzle.”

Chu Ning instinctively licked her lips, turned her head away, and said, “I’m not eating Little Grey!”

The “sizzle” could be resisted, but soon, the unique aroma of roasting meat began to waft out, filling the entire cave.

Her stomach had been growling for ages. Chu Ning kept swallowing her saliva, but she still forced herself not to look.

Lu Zhidao silently held the rabbit meat out in front of her…

The roasted rabbit was charred on the outside and tender on the inside, the meat still succulent with juices, the fragrance hitting her nose.

Chu Ning only felt that Confucius’s saying about “not knowing the taste of meat for three months” must be a lie. There couldn’t possibly be anything in the world that would make someone forget the taste of meat—especially after starving for a day.

Seeing her stubborn refusal to eat, Lu Zhidao went ahead and tore off a rabbit leg, taking a large bite. She propped the rest of the meat back over the fire.

The more delicious she made it look, the harder it was for Chu Ning to cross that emotional hurdle. She simply wrapped her clothes tightly, lay down on the ground, hugged her little bamboo tube, and prepared to sleep.

Lu Zhidao finished the rabbit leg cleanly, not even sparing the bone, licking it inside and out. Then she tore off some more meat and ate slowly until she was full.

Only then did she go to the mountain spring to wash her hands. She leaned against the stone wall at the cave entrance, cradling her sword in her arms, and prepared to sleep.

The remaining rabbit meat was still propped over the fire.

With her stomach completely empty, Chu Ning tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

She endured it silently for a long time, until Lu Zhidao’s breathing became even. Only then did Chu Ning dare to crawl up and look. Seeing that the other was indeed asleep against the wall, she glanced at what was left of Little Grey over the fire. It no longer looked like a rabbit.

It was just a large piece of roasted meat.

Chu Ning struggled internally for a long while. A chance-met “Little Grey” ultimately couldn’t compete with meat that was crispy outside and tender inside.

Stealing another glance at Lu Zhidao and seeing her sound asleep, she took down the meat, tore off a small piece, and put it in her mouth.

So delicious!

And so, sitting before the fire, she began to eat in large bites.

Lu Zhidao was a martial artist; even in sleep, her senses were sharper than average. She had woken up the moment Chu Ning moved.

At this moment, she was squinting one eye, secretly watching Chu Ning, a trace of a smile flicking across her lips.

Afraid of being caught, she turned her head away and closed her eyes, no longer looking.

After finishing the rabbit leg, Chu Ning placed the remains back on the rack.

She walked over to Lu Zhidao and tilted her head to look at her.

A mountain breeze was blowing into the cave entrance, making it particularly cold, and Lu Zhidao’s clothes were still damp and chilly. Shortly after starting the fire, she had gone out to catch the rabbit and gather more wood.

Lu Zhidao, Chu Ning tapped her.

Lu Zhidao was afraid she was going to nag her again about Little Grey, so she pretended to be fast asleep, not daring to wake up.

Lu Zhidao! Chu Ning raised her voice and even patted her face.

Still didn’t dare wake up.

Isn’t it cold at the cave entrance? Chu Ning murmured to herself. She had no choice but to take her own outer robe and roughly drape it over her.

Then she went back to curl up by the fire.

Under the garment, Lu Zhidao’s fingers secretly brushed against the fabric. The clothes, having just been warmed by the fire, felt cozy, making her a bit reluctant to give them back.

But being used to roughing it, this single garment made her feel uneasy.

I don’t need it.

Just as Chu Ning lay down, she saw Lu Zhidao already standing before her, looking down as she tossed the clothes back onto her.

Chu Ning sat up, put the clothes back on without being polite, and said casually, “Just make do for the night by the fire; it’s so cold at the entrance.”

I have to keep watch.

“You were sleeping so soundly, what could you possibly watch? You might as well rest properly.”

Lu Zhidao was left speechless by her retort. She hadn’t expected the retribution for faking sleep to come so quickly.

She couldn’t exactly tell her that she had been faking sleep because she was afraid of being held accountable for Little Grey, could she?

No! Lu Zhidao shook her head silently in her heart. Let Little Grey rest in peace; don’t bring it up again.

So, Lu Zhidao simply sat down by the fire. The crackling of the wood made the cave feel exceptionally quiet.

The two sat opposite each other by the fire, silent for a long time.

Lu Zhidao, Chu Ning spoke softly. Although her voice was small, it could be heard clearly in the cave.

Lu Zhidao looked up at her, feeling guilty for the first time because she had killed a rabbit.

In the future, tell me when you’re going somewhere.

I didn’t say anything because I went to kill the rabbit.

I’m not talking about that.” Chu Ning didn’t want to bring up Little Grey either; though Little Grey was cute, he really was delicious.

Chu Ning paused and continued, “The first time you went out, I thought you had left.”

“I am under orders to escort you to the capital.”

“I know. I’m saying, now that it’s just the two of us, don’t act on your own. Whatever you do, there should be an explanation,” Chu Ning explained.

When Lu Zhidao had gone off without a word to find food, it had caused Chu Ning a wave of panic, making her think she had to continue the journey alone. Then, after she had finally braced herself to face it alone, she saw Lu Zhidao coming back looking like a dimwit.

It didn’t matter if she didn’t like to talk, but she had caused Chu Ning to waste a lot of emotional energy.

So Chu Ning had to make it clear.

“Why?” Lu Zhidao asked seriously.

It wasn’t to be argumentative; she truly didn’t understand. Since childhood, Lu Zhidao had been required to complete tasks on time—no questions about the methods or the reasons, only the results. Naturally, she didn’t need to explain everything, and no one required her explanation.

Chu Ning was incredulous. “What do you mean ‘why’! It’s just what should be done! Just do it.”

“Okay.”

Do you really understand?

No.

Chu Ning sighed to the heavens. Perhaps chatting with a block of wood would be livelier than chatting with her.

But Lu Zhidao did as she was told.

The next day, before dawn, Lu Zhidao forcefully shook Chu Ning awake.

The cave wasn’t comfortable to begin with; she had only fallen asleep in the latter half of the night, and now she was being woken before dawn. Chu Ning was bleary-eyed and could hardly speak clearly: “Are we leaving? Let’s go…” As she spoke, she struggled to get up.

Lu Zhidao said expressionlessly, “It’s still early. You can sleep more.”

Then why did you wake me! Chu Ning couldn’t even open her eyes. She swung her hand forcefully, unconsciously letting out a large amount of morning irritability.

I am going outside the cave to practice my sword.

Ah!! Go, go, go! Hearing this, Chu Ning was filled with annoyance. she flopped back down and went straight back to sleep.