3 Climb All Over My Head (1/2)

Just when Xia Chunyu was about to lose his patience, Ye Jiayao hobbled in, carrying plates of steaming food.

”What took you so long?” Xia Chunyu demanded.

Ye Jiayao resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This arrogant man!She should've just given him two cucumbers to gnaw on since he wanted a quick meal so much.

”The kitchen has run out of food and I made this at the last minute,” Ye Jiayao replied.

The enticing scent that drifted over made Xia Chunyu walk over to take a look. It was a bowl of egg fried rice that looked very pleasing to the eye. Each grain of rice was coated yellow, shiny with oil yet not greasy, the rice was mixed with meat, carrots, and cucumbers, plus fine bits of eggs and shiitake mushroom. All the vibrant colors made the dish looked very appetizing. It made his mouth water but he could not let her know that, so instead, he said, ”What is this mess? Can this be eaten?”

Ye Jiayao cursed inwardly. You ungrateful git! I make you something to eat and here you are, criticizing it! If you don't like it then don’t eat it!

She plastered on a fake smile and said, ”There are no other ingredients in the kitchen. I can only make this, so I'm afraid you will have to make do with this, 3rd-in-charge. At least, it is better than an empty stomach.”

He was already digging in before she could even finish her sentence.

Ugh, this doesn't taste bad.The meat was tender and creamy, the carrot and cucumber were fresh and crisp, and the saltiness was just right. It was actually comparable to the royal kitchen’s eight treasure rice. Maybe it tasted delicious because he really was starving? After all, how could it possibly compare to the royal kitchen?

Regardless, it wasn't bad. In fact, he would consider it as the most exquisite food he has eaten since he came up the mountain. The past half a year has been hard on his stomach.

Ye Jiayao sneaked a peek at his expression as he ate. He was still frowning! Is it that disgusting?

”How is it? Is it okay?” Ye Jiayao asked softly.

”So-so,” Xia Chunyu replied indifferently.

Ye Jiayao sneered in her head. A bandit who was a picky eater, go figure.

”What’s your name?” Xia Chunyu took a mouthful of soup. It was light, a little sweet and sour and a perfect complement to the egg fried rice.

Ye Jiayao’s face darkened with anger. Was he now only bothering to ask for her name after molesting her? Was there anything more preposterous than this?

”Ye… Jinxuan, my nickname is Yao Yao,” Ye Jiayao stumbled, almost saying the wrong name.

Xia Chunyu glanced at her and commented, ”That bridal gown is quite exquisite. They really take this seriously.”

What did he mean? ”I embroidered this myself.”

”You embroidered it yourself?” Xia Chunyu was shocked. ”I heard you are found by second-in-charge. Where exactly are you from?”

”Found? I was kidnapped! I was on my way to Ji Nan prefecture to get married! I don’t even know what the situation at home is since the bride got kidnapped. I guess it is a mess right now,” Ye Jiayao resented.

Xia Chunyu just stared at her blankly. Was she really kidnapped? This was not an elaborate ploy of the first-in-charge?

Ye Jiayao wondered why he looked so shocked. Could it be that he doesn’t know? Hope flared in her chest as she stammered, ”Third-in-charge, do some good and let me go! I am not the daughter of an ordinary family. My father is the Yang Zhou prefecture government, sub-prefect Ye Bingrong. I was initially supposed to marry the Wei family’s eldest son in Ji Nan prefecture. If they knew that I got kidnapped, they would find their way here, and it would not be good for the stockade. Let me go and I would eternally be grateful. I would even set up a longevity memorial tablet for you.”

Longevity memorial tablet my foot, he was not dead yet! Xia Chunyu laughed coldly. ”Why? Do you still want to marry the Mr. Wei?”

To think that she actually was not just some small fry! Yang Zhou prefecture government sub-prefect’s daughter and Ji Nan prefectural magistrate’s daughter-in-law; first brother was indeed generous. Though compared to the list of crimes Hei Feng Gang has committed, kidnapping the daughter-in-law of a prefectural magistrate was no big deal.

If what she said was true, then he would not be able to just leave her after completing his work. If she was still obedient, he could consider taking her in as a concubine after he leaves. Her status as his wife would be insufficient.

However, this was only her side of the story; the truth still has to be investigated.

”No, no, I am a fallen flower! How can I marry Mr. Wei? I only wish to go back to Yang Zhou and stay single for the rest of my life,” Ye Jiayao pleaded her case.

The ancient people hold honor with the highest regard. Who would want a woman who has lost her virginity? Surely, she was aware of this?

Xia Chunyu mocked, ”Do you think that if you go back to Yang Zhou your family will still tolerate you? You'd be lucky if your father does not strangle you to death just to protect the family reputation.”

Ye Jiayao felt numb. That was not possible. Even though her birth mother has passed away a long time ago, and her stepmother does not like her, she was still her father’s daughter. A tiger never devours its cubs!

”Don’t look so shocked. I did not say that to scare you.” Xia Chunyu raised his eyebrows, cleaning the bowl of its last grain of rice.

”Then… then I will not go home! I can survive on my own without the Ye family.” Ye Jiayao shuddered, heartbroken because she knew that he was telling the truth.

Her statement caused him to sneer. ”You? Survive on your own? How? Sell yourself as a prostitute or a slave? If you want to sell yourself as a slave, just sell yourself over here. A kind customer like me is not easy to find.”

Ye Jiayao flushed red with fury. She really wished that she could just pour the soup over his head and spit rice on his face. How could there be such an evil person? What does he take her for? He was a bandit and what’s more than that, he was a bandit leader. How could you talk sense to a bandit?

”I am still not full. You can’t finish yours?” Xia Chunyu snatched her bowl of rice without waiting for an answer.