Ballad of the Desert

Chapter 7: Background Identity

I'm playing with the inkbrush in my hand when Xiao Tao swoops in from outside and directly lands on my hand. I tried to pull back but the ink still spills on my sleeve. Xiao Qian lightly lands on the window and gives Xiao Tao a knowing look, and shoots me a sympathetic one.

I angrily grab Xiao Tao's neck "What number outfit is this? What number? Today I'm going to turn your snowy cuteness into a black crow." I grab the inkbrush and get more ink to brush on Xiao Tao, who flaps his wings and cries desperately. Xiao Qian appears torn, not sure if he should help so he coo'd a few times, then put his head under his wings so he doesn't need to watch anymore.

Xiao Tao appears to understand that I am genuinely angry this time, so he stops struggling and allows me to brush ink on him. I painted a large part of his body black before releasing him.

The sound of clapping comes from the door "What an exciting show, picking on a pigeon." Huo Qu Bing stands by the door and is thoroughly amused.

I angrily reply "I pick on him? Why don't you ask him how he picks on me daily? Food and clothing, there is not a single item he hasn't destroyed." As I was complaining, Xiao Tao suddenly spread his wings and gave his body a big shake before flying outside. When I react and lean my body backwards, my face feels this cold splash like a thousand drops of ink sprayed on my face.

"Xiao Tao! I'm going to braise you!" My raging screams are accompanied by Huo Qu Bing laughing. Flying out the window, that "crow" has become a black spot in the sky.

I turn around and use a handkerchief to wipe my face, with Huo Qu Bing behind me still laughing "I've seen it all, trying to hide is a little too late."

I hollered "Get out! Who said you could come in?"

He laughingly walked out, and I thought he was leaving, but from the yard came the sound of water being fetched. In a short while, he comes back in and hands me a clean handkerchief. I silently take it from him. Once I felt clean, I turned around "Thanks." He looked at me and pointed to his ears. I grabbed the handkerchief and wiped there. He then pointed to his forehead and I wiped, then he pointed to his nose and I wiped. I suddenly stopped and stared at him. His shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. I threw the handkerchief at him and stood up angrily "You should go hang out with Xiao Tao, you two would suit perfectly."

He asked with a laugh "Where are you going. I haven't discussed with you the serious matters." I shot back "Going to change."

When I return to the study, he's flipping through the books on the shelf. When he hears me, he turns "Ms. Jin, are you looking to become a female general?" I snatch back my hand copied "Sun Zi War Tactics" and return it to the bookshelf. "Touching things without an owner's permission is a shady thing to do."

"I'm not a gentleman, and you're not a lady. We're a perfect match."

I'm about to retort when Li Yan arrives, but she turns when she sees I have someone with me. I ask her to come, and when she walks over, Huo Qu Bing stares at her but doesn't say anything. I give him a glance "Do you need a handkerchief to wipe your drool?" He keeps staring but his lips turn up in a smirk "I can control myself still, no need."

Li Yan gives me a courtesy but looks questioningly at me. Before I can speak, Huo Qu Bing coldly orders "Take your veil off."

She gives him an icy look while I hurry to explain who he is. The name Huo Qu Bing flows from my lips when she gives me a shocked look and turns to assess him. She gives him a courtesy and gives me one last look to see if I'm making any movements, before taking off her veil. Huo Qu Bing stares at her in an extremely rude way and then says "You can leave!" She puts on her veil, gives him a courtesy, and leaves.