Chapter 76 Shameless Woman!

“...”

Qin Youtian was momentarily at a loss for words. This woman, honestly! She runs off on her own, gets herself into danger, and then has the nerve to blame him with such conviction.

Looking at Hua Qinci’s indignant little face, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of tenderness.

“Yes, yes, you’re right. It’s my fault for coming late! It’s all my fault. Next time, I’ll never leave you alone again, never let you face danger by yourself.”

Hua Qinci was still aching all over, but his words made her laugh. Her cheeks flushed, and she scolded him in mock anger, “Who’s your wife!”

“Hua Qinci!” He paused for a moment, then called her name seriously.

“Hmm?” Hua Qinci answered cheerfully.

“Once you agree, that means you admit you are my wife.” Qin Youtian spoke each word with grave sincerity, his usually frosty face tinged with red before returning to its regular solemnity.

“You’re teasing me again!” Hua Qinci hadn’t expected the ever-cold Qin Youtian to have such a playful side—especially when he spoke so earnestly and stiffly. She nearly burst out laughing and reached out to punch him.

But by accident, her movement pulled at her wound, and she couldn’t help but cry out in pain.

Qin Youtian rushed over, his expression soft as he examined her, but his tone was stern as he scolded, “Hua Qinci, why are you so restless? You’re covered in wounds and still bouncing around. Are you a rabbit?”

Seeing his grave expression, Hua Qinci just found it amusing.

“All right, all right, carry me,” she pouted, coquettishly.

“I can’t walk anymore.” Seeing him hesitate, she added, raising her little hands high.

“You really are a wild cat!”

Qin Youtian stared at her for a long moment, then could only shake his head, turning around and lowering himself so she could climb onto his back.

“If only you could always be this obedient.”

“What?” Hua Qinci leaned her face close to his ear to ask, her warm breath brushing his neck, making his heart pound wildly.

“It’s nothing!” Qin Youtian paused, then carried her swiftly down the mountain.

Being carried by Qin Youtian, Hua Qinci felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and safety.

She gazed at the starlit sky, at the night slipping by like a white horse in flight.

She couldn’t help but marvel. Who would have thought the boy next door could be so formidable?

Her mind was filled with images of his dashing moves earlier, as if a god had descended to earth. Suddenly, she grew curious—why had Qin Youtian come back for her?

“Can you tell me? Why did you decide to come back and find me? Your...” Hua Qinci wanted to ask about his strange illness, but recalling how he had dashed out of the cave, she let it go.

At her question, Qin Youtian slowed his steps. “I was worried about you! I was afraid you’d get lost or hurt. It was your first time climbing the mountain—what if you wandered into a wild beast’s territory looking for me? It could have been fatal. Luckily, I arrived just in time. Otherwise, you’d have lost your life. Remember this lesson, and don’t ever run around on your own again, understand?”

“Oh, I understand!” Hua Qinci was deeply moved. She reached out and pinched Qin Youtian’s ear. Not even that person from before had ever said anything so tender to her. He’d only ever given gifts. But back then, blinded by greed and infatuation, she’d wasted her time and feelings in vain.

“Hey, do you like me?” Hua Qinci asked, blushing, and buried her face in Qin Youtian’s broad back.

Qin Youtian paused for a moment, then spoke softly.

“I like you.”

The words pulled Hua Qinci’s drifting thoughts back to the present.

“But it’s no use liking you. Soon, you’ll be the ninth concubine of that wealthy Master Qian! He’s rich and overbearing. I’ve heard there isn’t a single girl who’s escaped his grasp.”

“Haha! Ninth concubine? That old man? If he so much as dares to lay a finger on me, I’ll cripple him and make sure his line ends with him.”

Her words left Qin Youtian speechless. He couldn’t help but feel a chill in a particular place.

That, of course, made him remember the day he’d torn open her clothes, how delicate and enticing she’d looked—and his face burned.

“What are you thinking about all day? Why are you so concerned with whether a man can have children or not? You talk as if you know a lot. Do you even know what that means?”

“Uh? Well, I haven’t thought about it, but I definitely know—it’s something unspeakable.”

As she spoke, Hua Qinci nodded with certainty.

“Only you would know. Shameless woman!” Qin Youtian muttered under his breath. With that, he seemed to ride the wind, racing swiftly down the mountain.