Chapter 50: Roast Rabbit

“Want some?” Zhao Erdong raised a brow, asking the question despite already knowing the answer.

The little creature nodded hurriedly, even lifting its forepaws to wipe away its drool. It was the very definition of adorable.

“If you want roasted rabbit, go gather some dry branches and leaves.”

The moment Zhao Erdong finished speaking, the little creature vanished with a flash. What determination it had when food was involved!

Zhao Erdong stared in astonishment as the creature appeared before her again and again, only to disappear just as quickly each time. Its speed was truly as swift as lightning.

To keep pace with the little fellow’s work, she quickly drew the delicate dagger concealed inside her boot and skinned the large white rabbit, removing its entrails.

The bonfire soon blazed merrily. The plump rabbit lay atop the flames in an extraordinarily alluring pose, fat sizzling and dripping from its flesh.

The little creature drooled without pause. Judging by Zhao Erdong’s estimate, there would be at least a small basinful if someone collected it all. With such a tiny body, where could it possibly be storing all that liquid?

“I should give you a name.”

The little creature stared fixedly at the fragrant roasted rabbit. At that moment, whatever Zhao Erdong said, it merely nodded with complete obedience.

“Then you’ll be called Little Lazy.”

Zhao Erdong cast Little Lazy a sidelong glance. It showed no reaction whatsoever, only continuing to nod. Clearly, all its attention was focused on the roasted rabbit. She could have called it Little Pig, and it would have agreed just the same.

“Here you go, Little Lazy.”

Zhao Erdong tore off a rabbit leg and handed it over. With a body as small as its own, surely it could not finish an entire leg.

She tore off another leg for herself and had barely taken two bites when she saw Little Lazy toss the spotless bone onto the ground. Its pink little paw pointed toward the roasted rabbit beside Zhao Erdong, while its tiny mouth licked eagerly.

Good heavens, how had it eaten that? The rabbit leg was scarcely smaller than its entire body. How could it have devoured it clean in a matter of seconds?

She tore off another leg and handed it to Little Lazy. This time, she watched without blinking. The leg merely passed before its mouth once, and the plump meat had instantly become a clean bone.

She could not help thinking of a scene from an old cartoon: a gluttonous cat holding a fresh fish, which would sweep past its mouth once and immediately become a delicate fish skeleton.

But with a body that tiny, how could it possibly contain all that meat, which together was larger than its own frame?

Before Zhao Erdong had finished her rabbit leg, every remaining morsel had already disappeared into Little Lazy’s stomach. Now it sat beside the fire, perfectly content, its forepaws stroking its round, bulging belly with deep satisfaction. Its expression could not have been more blissful.

“What a delicious smell! Who could be so bold as to roast meat inside the imperial palace?”

Little Lazy sprang up warily and bounded onto Zhao Erdong’s shoulder. Its lively eyes locked onto the approaching figure in the distance.

That voice sounded so familiar!

Zhao Erdong slowly rose and lifted a brow toward the newcomer. In the pitch-black night, a light breeze occasionally stirred the trees, making their wavering shadows appear all the more eerie.

She casually turned her palm, secretly gathering her vital energy. If the newcomer harbored hostile intentions, she had no objection to fighting him.

“Miss Zhao, we may consider ourselves old acquaintances by now. I could overlook the lack of fine wine and delicacies, but surely you are not planning to make me dine on your fists?”

The firelight flickered as the figure drew nearer. The indistinct face gradually came into focus—that pair of peach-blossom eyes capable of ensnaring all who saw them, that peerless countenance enough to drive women into rapture. Who else could it be but him?

“You?”

She stared coldly at the man before her, an indescribable loathing weighing upon her heart. Perhaps it was because of the shameless and obscene behavior he had displayed before everyone that day.