"Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother."
The childish voice called for a long while before Hong Jiu finally opened his eyes groggily. The first thing he saw was half of a pale, bare arm.
"What time is it?"
Yet upon hearing the words "Mao Hour," Hong Jiu immediately woke up halfway. Disregarding the bitter cold of midwinter, he abruptly sat upright and barked an unquestionable order, "Someone, light the lamps!"
The little maid who had been waiting outside hurried in with a candle and lit the several candles in the room one by one.
In that brief moment, Hong Jiu had already grown impatient. He reached to the bedside, grabbed his clothes, and started pulling them on himself.
Just then, a fair arm suddenly stretched over and snatched the clothes from his hands.
The young woman had risen as well, wrapped in the bedding. As she deftly helped Hong Jiu dress, she pouted and complained, "Why put yourself through this? Wouldn't it be better for us to live peacefully? Why work yourself to death for some tiny little official post?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Hong Jiu shot her a sidelong glance and said sternly, "Don't let me hear you say that a second time, or else..."
He had spent over two years as the Beggar Bao Chief in Shanxi Alley, and there had been no shortage of bloodshed under his command. Whenever he grew serious, his face naturally turned vicious.
And with the little maid happening to bring over a lantern, its ghostly white light made him appear even colder and more frightening.
Yet the young woman seemed not to notice. Though she did not openly provoke Hong Jiu, her lips were puckered enough to tether a donkey, clearly showing her resentment.
Seeing this, Hong Jiu immediately regretted his harshness.
This