"you……"
Tang Ning looked astonished, seemingly unable to believe that she had caught such a handsome young man instead of the thief who stole the pastries. However, his chubby cheeks and the crumbs of pastries left at the corners of his mouth clearly proved to her that she had not caught the wrong person.
Meanwhile, Ye Xiao, hanging upside down from the beam, only exchanged a glance with Tang Ning, who was filled with astonishment, before disappearing from her sight in an instant. Even as he vanished, he didn't forget to take the plate of red bean cakes from Tang Ning's hands, whose eyes were somewhat dazed.
"Hey, you..."
Seeing this, Tang Ning quickly followed behind him.
Tang Ning finally caught up with him when she reached a secluded corner of the villa, near a rockery. She saw him sitting with his back to her, squatting on a rock, seemingly stuffing red bean cakes from a plate into his mouth. Only then did Tang Ning stop, panting, and after catching her breath, greet him, "Hello..."
She had barely uttered two words when she saw the boy, who had been facing away from her, suddenly turn his head around. His eyes were as cold and bloodthirsty as those of a hungry, large predator. She was certain that if she dared to take two more steps forward, she would be beheaded on the spot.
Didn't you see that the boy's hand was already on the hilt of the sword at his waist the moment he touched it?
This is one of the reasons why Tang Ning was willing to cooperate with Yan Xingzhi in dealing with Fang Yunyang, and then go back to his Yangyue Manor with him to transfer the poison to Ye Xiao.
Because if she didn't do this, she probably wouldn't be able to get within three meters of Ye Xiao in her entire life.
Just like now.
After all, his title as the world's number one assassin wasn't given to him by people in the martial arts world for no reason; it was all built on human lives and bloodshed.
Aside from a few minor lapses and oversights when it comes to sweets, he is always the most vigilant and dangerous wolfhound at all times.
And perhaps because Yan Xingzhi was so bad at raising children, and his own values had long since gone astray, the Ye Xiao he raised, just as she had said before, knew nothing except killing people, Yan Xingzhi, and a sweet tooth. He didn't know how to interact with people, what pain or injury meant, and he didn't understand what a terrifying thing he had done to the original owner under Yan Xingzhi's orders.
In short, Ye Xiao embodies naive cruelty.
Upon seeing Ye Xiao's cold and indifferent gaze, Tang Ning was so frightened that she froze on the spot. After staring at each other for a long time, perhaps Ye Xiao still remembered the scent on her body from the night before, he slowly released his hand from the hilt of his sword, leaving the plate of snacks behind. With a few leaps, he quickly disappeared from sight.
Seeing this, Tang Ning breathed a sigh of relief, then walked to the rockery, took down the plate that was cleaner than a face, and looked at Ye Xiao's departing figure, her eyes crinkling.
That night, she waited for Ye Xiao in her room once again. As soon as his hand reached out to her, she grabbed it and pulled him onto the bed. Leaning against his shoulder, she sweetly said, "Brother Xingzhi, I missed you so much! I was so bored at the manor all day, thank goodness you came back tonight… Oh, right, I also met a strange boy in black today. He even stole the pastries I made for you! That was so mean! But… judging from the way he ate, it looked like he hadn't eaten in ages. Do you think I should make him some more next time I see him? Actually, besides today's jujube paste pastry and red bean cake, I can make a lot of other pastries, like steamed sugar custard, almond custard, osmanthus cake, chestnut cake, crabapple cake…"
As she recited the names of the pastries like a menu, Tang Ning finally heard a soft swallowing sound. Satisfied, she stopped talking, then her voice carried a hint of regret and pity, "He just looks so fierce. I don't dare to go near him. If he weren't so fierce, I would definitely invite him to try my cooking!"
The next day, Tang Ning, who was making desserts in the kitchen, turned around with her plate and saw Ye Xiao hanging upside down in the window again. She hesitated for a moment, but still tentatively smiled and greeted him.
The next second she saw the boy leap down from the beam and stand outside the window. He stared at her expressionlessly for a long time, his gaze almost freezing Tang Ning's upturned lips, before she saw him mimic her earlier fake smile.
As soon as the business was over, he snatched the plate from her hand without hesitation and ran away.
"Hey, wait a minute."
Tang Ning quickly called out to him.
She could tell he didn't want to stop, but perhaps because of all the pastries she had recommended to him before, he turned to look at her after hearing her voice, and didn't forget to give her another fake smile.
Seeing this, Tang Ning tried her best to suppress her laughter and gave him a friendly smile.
"Hello, are you from the manor or did you accidentally wander here from the foot of the mountain? Can you speak? Actually, I'm really bored being alone in the manor every day. Could you... could you be my friend?"
Honestly, Tang Ning really felt like she was deceiving a child, a child whose mind hadn't even developed properly and who didn't even have a kindergarten diploma.
Sure enough, the next second she saw a hint of doubt on the other person's face.
Then he gave her another fake smile and disappeared.
Having tasted success, Tang Ning pressed on with Ye Xiao in the darkness that night, saying, "I met that boy again today. Nobody in the manor can talk except you. I didn't have anyone to talk to during the day. That boy doesn't seem to be from the manor. I'm thinking of making friends with him. What do you think? He seems to really like my pastries. If he becomes my friend, I'll definitely make the most delicious and sweetest pastries for him. He can eat as many as he wants!"
Tang Ning swore she really did hear the sound of swallowing again.
So, just how harshly did Yan Xingzhi treat this child to make him act like this...?
So, when Yan Xingzhi comes back after dealing with things outside, won't he find that Ye Xiao has completely turned from a little wolf dog into a pig? After all, those desserts are all high in calories!
Thinking of this, Tang Ning quickly reached out and touched Ye Xiao's abdomen.
Thankfully, he still has an impressive eight-pack, and it shouldn't turn into one big abs anytime soon.
The next day, as soon as Tang Ning arrived in the kitchen, she saw Ye Xiao standing by the window looking at her. He stared at her for a long time before suddenly jumping in through the window, grabbing her tightly, and patting her back hard.
The slap made Tang Ning cough violently. Before she could say anything, she realized that the other person had already let go of her and looked at her seriously. "Friend."
This is a method for making friends that he asked someone about last night after going down the mountain overnight, and now the two of them are friends.
Seeing him like this, Tang Ning pursed her lips tightly, suppressing her smile, and patted his arm just as earnestly, "Okay, friend."
It must have been quite a journey for Yan Xingzhi all these years to raise such a gluttonous boy into such a tall and handsome man. Heaven knows how much effort he put into making him the number one assassin in the world, instead of the number one fattest man.
Didn't you see how much integrity he'd lose for a little food?
After making friends, Ye Xiao didn't leave. He just sat on a small stool next to the water tank in the kitchen, watching Tang Ning make pastries intently.
Tang Ning found the way the boy sat there obediently waiting to receive his share of fruit incredibly adorable.
Even the pastries exceeded expectations.
However, as soon as she finished cooking, Ye Xiao, not afraid of getting burned, wanted to take the whole pot away.
"Why!"
Tang Ning quickly stopped him, "We're already friends, aren't we?"
Friends = sweet pastries.
Ye Xiao nodded without hesitation after quickly completing the mental calculation.
Seeing him nod, Tang Ning continued, "That's right. Since we're already friends, friends should share things together."
She pointed to the pastries.
"No……"
Just as Ye Xiao was about to refuse, Tang Ning spoke up again, "Sharing is to make me happy, and if I'm happy, I'll have more pastries..."
"Give."
Before Tang Ning could finish speaking, Ye Xiao had already handed her the item in his hand.
You could say he's not stupid, yet he was completely fooled by Tang Ning over a few pastries. You could say he's stupid, but his reaction and speed are those of a fool.
She chuckled as she took the pot, picked up the pastries and put them on a plate. Carrying the plate, she led Ye Xiao, who was staring intently at the plate, to the courtyard outside. She only tasted one piece herself before watching the rest being devoured by him in the shortest possible time. Perhaps it was a habit he had developed over the years, or perhaps it was Yan Xingzhi's strict rule, but after finishing his meal, he instantly untied the gray cloth belt wrapped around the long sword at his waist, a flash of cold light.
Tang Ning then saw the other party raise his sword and begin to swing it in the courtyard.
It must be admitted that when Ye Xiao practices swordsmanship, he is like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, revealing his full sharpness. Every movement is so neat and decisive, elegant and unrestrained. The lifeless longsword seems to come alive in Ye Xiao's hands, as if it has its own thoughts and consciousness.
It was at this moment that Tang Ning finally got to appreciate the demeanor of the number one assassin in the martial arts world.
Tang Ning watched him practice swordsmanship for a full two hours. With such a high level of exercise, it's no wonder he doesn't gain weight even after eating so many sweets.
Tang Ning, who had been watching for almost two hours, immediately clapped her hands as soon as Ye Xiao stopped.
"Friend, you're amazing! Like this, like this, and like this..."
Tang Ning excitedly gestured as she spoke to him, "How did you do all these moves? I've really seen something amazing today!"
Seeing Tang Ning looking as happy as if he had eaten the most delicious pastry, the young man turned his head to look at the empty plates on the stone table not far behind the two of them, stared at Tang Ning for a while, hesitated for a moment, and then handed his sword to her.
Just as Tang Ning was wondering what was going on, he spoke up, "You... want to learn?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning, who had never imagined receiving such a gift, was momentarily stunned, then her expression turned to delight.
"Why...? But I've never practiced swordsmanship before, can I?"
"Can."
Ye Xiao nodded, then added two more words, "Friend, share."
He is exceptionally good at applying what he learns.
It has to be said that this side of Ye Xiao really surprised Tang Ning. "You mean if I share pastries with you, you'll share sword techniques with me?"
Ye Xiao nodded.
Tang Ning immediately and happily accepted the Frostflower Sword, which was said to be stained with the blood of thousands of people. Even just holding it, she could feel the faint chill and blood energy emanating from the sword.
But her happiness was only temporary. Soon after, she heard Ye Xiao say the word "stupid" with absolute certainty.
From childhood to adulthood, from the original world to this world, Tang Ning has heard all kinds of comments, such as scumbag, cheap, green tea, white lotus, shameless, and all kinds of unpleasant words, except for this one.
Because she felt that she would never have anything to do with this word, but today she heard it from Ye Xiao's mouth. The destructive power of this word was far greater than all the bad insults and ridicule she had received from anyone before, especially since it came from Ye Xiao's mouth.
She felt insulted.
He could tolerate being insulted once, but if Tang Ning's actions didn't meet his standards afterward, he would just call her stupid.
After enduring it for so long, she finally couldn't take it anymore. She shoved the sword back into Ye Xiao's arms, and then, under his bewildered gaze, Tang Ning gave him a loud snort before tidying up the plates on the stone table and walking back alone.
As he reached the corner, still feeling unsatisfied, he snorted loudly at Ye Xiao again.
Even in the evening, she wasn't in a very good mood.
"I'm very angry, really angry."
In the pitch black, she leaned against the bed and said to Ye Xiao, who had just come to her side, "I've decided to ignore my new friend from now on and not give him any more good food."
Upon hearing this, Ye Xiao's eyes widened in surprise. He was anxious to speak, but Brother Yan had told him that he couldn't speak while he was here to detoxify. He was at a loss for what to do.
Tang Ning then spoke again, "Unless... unless I receive a Jade Flower, a symbol of friendship, from my good friend tomorrow, which can only be picked on a cliff, I will consider whether or not to forgive him."
Upon hearing this, Ye Xiao's eyes lit up instantly.
That evening, he only exercised for an hour before leaving the room immediately after Tang Ning fell asleep.
The next morning, as soon as Tang Ning opened the window, she was surprised to see that her window was almost completely filled with bright yellow jade flowers, in large patches. She had always known that this flower was a very precious herb that could treat internal injuries and was very difficult to harvest. Even in their Medicine God Valley, they had only planted a small row of them.
Tang Ning was truly shocked to find such a large area here. She knew Ye Xiao would go to pick them, but she didn't know he could gather so many.
Just then, a black figure once again hung upside down from her window, the boy holding a large handful of things in his hands.
"Here you go, but don't, you'll get angry."
She heard him say that.
Ye Xiao's current favorability rating: 55.
She had never met anyone so easily gained favorability and so naive and easily deceived.
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