This Excited Heart of Mine

Holding Hinata's small, onion-white hand, Ming Jing appeared calm on the surface. If any members of the Yamanaka Clan were to enter his mind at this moment, they would find a complete mess. Hundreds of identical little figures were causing chaos in his head, and the scenery inside would likely be something like this:

"They're holding hands! They're holding hands!"

"Ahhh! The goddess's little hand is so warm!"

"What do I do? What do I do? Should I say something??"

"Quick, make a post! I'm holding hands with Hinata!"

"Mom, Dad, your son is holding the goddess's hand! We're consummating the marriage tonight!"

"Coach, I want to learn how to pick up girls!"

"Calm down, did you read all those books for nothing?! Confucius once said... No, no, I'm too excited!"

"Should I suggest we go eat mapo tofu later and pretend it's spicy so the goddess can kiss me??"

"Or maybe pretend to fall so the goddess has to kiss me to help me up?"

"Hahahaha..."

Hinata curiously observed her surroundings, completely oblivious to the perverted thoughts swirling in the mind of the man holding her small hand. They walked quietly for about ten minutes before Ming Jing finally snapped out of his perverted inner monologue.

He looked down at little Hinata. She must be tired after walking so far!

So, Ming Jing crouched down and, amidst Hinata's surprised gasp, picked her up. He then apologized, "I'm sorry. I was thinking about something important just now and made Hinata walk this far with me. My apologies!"

"N-no, it's okay... Do, do you know me?" Although little Hinata hadn't grown up yet, her shy nature was already evident. This was excellent, thanks to her father, Hyuga Hiashi's, upbringing.

"Mhm, I know Hinata! Mr. Hiashi's precious treasure, the young lady of the Hyuga Clan, right?" Ming Jing said with a smile as he carried Hinata towards the Kurama Clan's compound.

"Yes..." Hinata lowered her head and replied softly. She hesitated for a moment before asking in a pleading tone, "C-can you let me go home?"

"That won't do!" Ming Jing shook his head. Seeing Hinata's disappointed expression, he gently explained, "I'm not trying to make things difficult for Hinata! I just want Hinata to be my guest at my home. Besides, Mr. Hiashi won't be angry; I have an agreement with Mr. Hiashi!"

"Father really won't be angry?" Hinata looked up at Ming Jing with hopeful eyes.

"Of course!" Ming Jing looked back at Hinata. His future daughter-in-law was so cute! He really wanted to kiss her! No, no, he had to resist!

Ming Jing then looked ahead and continued, "That Hyuga Clan ninja from earlier will inform Lord Hiashi that Hinata is coming to my place, so Hinata doesn't need to worry. Just have fun. Oh, right, my sister Yakumo is the same age as Hinata! You might become good friends!"

"Really? Yakumo... will she dislike me?..." Hinata's voice rose slightly before falling again.

"She won't," Ming Jing shook his head with certainty. Then, his tone became a little sad, "Yakumo isn't in good health and gets sick easily. She might even need Hinata to take care of her! I hope Hinata won't mind Yakumo then!" Mhm, for my future daughter-in-law, my foolish sister will have to make a sacrifice!

"I won't!" Hinata fell for it. She quickly shook her head and said, "I, I will take care of Yakumo."

"Mhm, I'll count on you then, Hinata." Ming Jing gave a warm smile. Little Hinata didn't notice anything amiss. Her small mind was already wondering how she would face Yakumo later.

Upon arriving at the Kurama Clan's compound, Hinata felt like her Byakugan was useless. This was almost the common reaction of every guest who had visited the Kurama Clan this year. In the past year, Ming Jing had completely renovated the entire Kurama Clan's estate, inside and out.

This time, he hadn't just referenced Suzhou gardens but also the layout of the Grand View Garden from "Dream of the Red Chamber." As a result, the entire Kurama Clan compound had become the most beautiful and uniquely styled residence in the Land of Fire, and even the entire Naruto world.

"Your home... is so beautiful!" Little Hinata didn't know what words to use to describe it. Her pure white eyes darted everywhere, cheering for the surprise of "mountains and rivers exhausted, a path appears," and rejoicing in the "a spoonful of water, a fistful of mountains" layout.

"My name is Kurama Ming Jing. Hinata can call me Ming Jing Unc- cough cough... Ming Jing-niichan." He almost misspoke! Luckily, he stopped himself!

Facing Hinata's innocent gaze, Ming Jing blushed slightly. "Cough, just call me Ming Jing-niichan. This is our Kurama Clan's compound. I designed the entire house. Do you like it, Hinata?"

Hinata gave an expression that said, "I don't quite understand, but it seems very impressive." She nodded and said happily, "It's very beautiful here. I, I really like it."

"I'm so glad Hinata likes it. Shall we go greet Auntie first, and then I'll take Hinata to see Yakumo, okay?" Ming Jing smiled happily. Behind him, Tsukishiro Yuexi and Qing Yan exchanged glances, not quite understanding what their young master was up to. Even they could sense that their young master's attitude towards the Hyuga Clan's little princess was completely different from how he treated others.

By the way, will Young Master Itachi be jealous?

This thought suddenly popped into Tsukishiro Yuexi's mind, scaring her into shaking her head vigorously to banish the terrifying notion.

Yuexi's movement caught little Hinata's attention. Ming Jing also looked back at her and couldn't help but curiously ask, "What's wrong?"

"Ah! Nothing, nothing. Young Master, please continue!" Tsukishiro Yuexi broke out in a cold sweat. If her young master knew what she was thinking just now, he might go berserk!

Ming Jing glanced at Tsukishiro Yuexi with confusion, but it was time to focus on Hinata, so he couldn't be bothered with Yuexi's little thoughts. However, speaking of which, Ming Jing had previously considered selling Yuexi to Naruto. Now, Yuexi's wild imagination could be considered a form of "revenge" in a way!

The group passed through a garden filled with strangely shaped rocks and arrived at Mai Kurama's small courtyard. The mistress of the Kurama Clan was reading in the sun. Hearing the noise, she looked up and smiled kindly, "Ming Jing, you're back! And this is... a child from the Hyuga Clan!"

Ming Jing nodded and put little Hinata down, explaining, "It was a bit of an accident. I invited Hinata to visit the clan, and I hope Hinata and Yakumo can become friends. Hinata, this is my aunt, the mistress of the Kurama Clan. Auntie, this is Hyuga Hinata, the young lady of the Hyuga Clan."

"Oh my! Welcome, welcome. It's truly an honor to have Miss Hinata visit our Kurama Clan." Mai Kurama looked at Hinata happily. Kurama Yakumo, being in poor health, could only stay at home and was taken care of by Mirai Kurama every day. With no one her age around, how could she not be happy with Hinata's arrival?

"Ming Jing, stay with Miss Hinata here for a while. I'll go call Yakumo." With that, Mai Kurama put down her book and hurried away.

Ming Jing gave Hinata an awkward smile. "I'm sorry! I didn't expect Auntie to be so excited about introducing a friend to Yakumo."

"It's okay, it's okay." Hinata quickly waved her hands and asked softly, her head lowered, "W-will Yakumo... not want to be friends with me..."

"She will!" Ming Jing crouched down and looked directly into Hinata's pure white eyes, saying earnestly, "Hinata is so gentle and kind. Yakumo will definitely want to be friends with you. I promise!" Yakumo, for your brother's future happiness, you must try your best!

Looking at Ming Jing's encouraging gaze, Hinata's small face suddenly flushed. She quickly lowered her head and said softly but firmly, "I, I will try my best!"