There were only two rooms on the island, clearly not enough for eight people. After dinner in the Small Courtyard, Qiu Tianhe and the others returned to the ship to rest.
After putting away the dishes, Ye Jingtang came out and saw Yunli making the bed in the room opposite, with Ice Lump helping beside her. He glanced around the courtyard, then turned and went to the Main House.
An oil lamp burned in the Main House. It was already late, and Qingzhi was also making the bed.
Entering the room, Ye Jingtang saw Qingzhi, dressed in a young lady's skirt, kneeling on the plank bed and leaning forward to smooth out the sheets and bedding.
Although Qingzhi had a slender figure, she was not thin where she ought to have flesh. With her bottom facing outward as she leaned over, her pale green skirt traced a full, rounded curve behind her waist, swaying gently with her movements. The sight of her from behind was indescribably alluring.
Ye Jingtang instinctively slowed his steps, crept up behind her, and placed both hands around her slender waist.
Hua Qingzhi knew no martial arts, so how could she have heard Ye Jingtang's footsteps? Suddenly held in place by the waist in a vaguely familiar position, she shrank back slightly in surprise, then turned to look behind her.
"Young Master Ye, what are you doing?"
"Hehe~ Just teasing."
Hua Qingzhi was only assertive in front of Xue Baijin. At heart, she remained a refined young lady from a scholarly family. How could she handle teasing like this? She meant to get up and twist away.
But remembering that Xue Baijin was outside and would certainly hear them, Hua Qingzhi's heart stirred. She suppressed her shyness, turned back to continue arranging the bedding, and subtly