Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 550: Lady Three's Reward

“Pfft...”

Lady Three had just taken a sip of wine when she spat it out upon hearing his words.

She had thought for sure that he would say something like he did it for justice, or for the innocent people on the island... but he simply said yes.

Yes, he’d done it for her.

Given the current situation, Lady Three had every reason to suspect he was just trying to sweet-talk his way into bed.

Yet Zhao Changhe had clearly not spoken empty words. He had thought long and hard before answering, ensuring it was his genuine sentiment.

Justice was not something to be doled out recklessly. He barely knew the pirates, and pirates were not generally the noble-hearted kind. Considering their line of work, they were not likely to be paragons of virtue. If they were not connected to her, he truly would not have had much of a reason to get involved, even nearly losing his life in the process.

So, yes, it had to be for her—this was the truth.

Originally, he had meant it in terms of loyalty, but in this moment, the meaning had shifted, becoming something that sounded far more like a romantic confession.

Zhao Changhe knew this effect was inevitable. He probably should not have said it that way. Yet after holding it back again and again, he ended up saying it anyway.

One could say his heart was already stirred. Blame it on the damned moonlight.

Lady Three coughed for a while, finding herself at a loss for words. The two of them stared at the fire in silence, both reaching out to add wood as if giving their hands something to do could somehow dispel the awkwardness.

But the sound of their heartbeats echoed in the stillness, rising and falling in sync with the rhythm of the waves.

After what felt like an eternity, Zhao Changhe finally managed to speak again, attempting to smooth things over, “Well, you are my superior, after all... Your business is my business, right?”

Lady Three stared at him for a while before giving a stern nod. “Very well. When we return, you’ll be handsomely rewarded.”

Zhao Changhe wanted to say “why not reward me now?” But those words remained unspoken.

“Well then, it’s late,” Lady Three said suddenly. “You’ve heard my story. Now, it’s my turn to meditate and rest. You stand guard.”

The story was not entirely finished—there were still questions, like how she ended up with the Mounted Brigand Brotherhood or what her future plans were. But there was no rush. For now, the storytelling had reached a natural stopping point, and the atmosphere was no longer quite right. Zhao Changhe nodded and said, “Alright.”

Lady Three eyed him suspiciously, her lips twitching as if debating whether to say something. Finally, she warned him, “Don’t try anything funny while I meditate.”

Zhao Changhe did not bother responding.

If he really wanted to do anything, he could do it now. She still had not fully recovered. He could very well take advantage of the moment.

Lady Three pursed her lips and tossed the wine gourd back to him, then leaned against the octopus carcass, closing her eyes to meditate.

It felt like everything had changed the moment he said that single word. Even closing her eyes now made her feel a touch uneasy, something she had not felt before...

Boom!

Sudden thunder crashed from the sky above.

The two of them looked up, instinctively realizing that things were about to take a turn for the worse.

The gentle moonlight had vanished, concealed by heavy clouds that had somehow crept in. Lightning flickered across the night sky, and rain seemed imminent.

Whoosh~

The coat Lady Three had been loosely wrapped in was swept away by the wind, billowing open, once again revealing her bare skin.

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Lady Three hastily pulled her clothes together, clearly flustered. “What now?”

What else could they do...

They had just managed to get a fire going, settling down comfortably to share stories, drink wine, and recover. Now it looked like all that was about to unravel because of this impending storm.

There was no real shelter on the entire island. Were they supposed to crawl inside the octopus carcass? Just the thought was revolting. Besides, it would eventually begin to rot—how could that be a solution? It could only be useful as a temporary windbreak, and Zhao Changhe had already been planning to push it into the sea by morning.

With the storm coming, what could they do? The fire would not last...

They could only blame their lack of experience. They had not thought to prepare for wind and rain nor thought to construct a proper shelter.

Suddenly, Zhao Changhe jumped up, searching frantically around them.

The downpour came quickly, crashing down in sheets, dousing the fire instantly and leaving them both drenched.

Zhao Changhe braved the rain, searching until he found an irregular slab-like rock. He drove Dragon Bird into its base and used it as a lever, prying the rock up. Then, gripping it with both hands, he heaved it upwards, placing it onto his back.

With a shout of effort, he hoisted the massive stone completely onto his back.

Lady Three stared in stunned disbelief as he staggered through the rain, carrying the slab until he reached her side. He leaned it against a nearby boulder, forming a small triangular shelter.

Zhao Changhe turned to her and smiled. “Come in.”

Lady Three, still in disbelief, bent down and crawled into the makeshift shelter. Outside, the rain continued to pour heavily. Though the stone provided some cover, it was not perfect—wind and rain still blew in from the sides, leaving a mess. Regardless, it was better than nothing.

Zhao Changhe went back out, searching for another stone, then placed it in the direction from which the wind was blowing. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Some rain still got in, but it was significantly better.

He found a few smaller stones to fill the gaps, making the little shelter more effective at blocking out the wind and rain.

Returning to the open side of their makeshift shelter, Zhao Changhe leaned in with a smile. “It’s alright now... Though it seems we won’t be able to light a fire... But you’re not as vulnerable as you were before. Go ahead and meditate, I’ll keep watch.”

After a moment, he added, “You’d best take off your clothes. I won’t look... and it’s not like I haven’t seen it already...”

Lady Three sighed, pursed her lips, and silently removed her drenched clothing, placing it to one side. Her gaze remained on him as he sat by the entrance, shielding them from the rain.

The stone slab above could only cover so much, and he sat there, half his body exposed to the relentless downpour, yet he remained still, cross-legged, unmoving, like an immovable mountain.

It was frustrating. All she needed was a single night of meditation, and she would be mostly recovered—but here they were, soaked, struggling, still so miserable just before dawn.

Yet, looking at his broad back in the storm gave her an unexpected sense of peace and reassurance.

Even with the wind making it through from all sides, as well as some rain leaking in, even in such a crude and makeshift shelter, it somehow felt like home.

What is home, really? A little place that sheltered from the wind and rain, with a little piggy for company?

Lady Three smiled to herself. She could not help but think that ever since they ended up stranded here, it was more like she was the little piglet who needed care, while he, in every way, was like the steadfast pillar of a household—someone who could do anything and everything.

Yet, she found herself longing for that feeling... The experience reminded her of her childhood; back when, despite the constant upheaval and wandering with the pirate crew, there was always a place she could call home.

But later, there was nothing—just endless waves and stretches of yellow sand.

Rain poured down, drenching Zhao Changhe’s face and body. The water traced its way along his chiseled features and flowed over his muscular, bare chest, making him look like the perfect sculpture.

Lady Three stared at him, her gaze steady. Then, all of a sudden, she spoke softly, “You could come in... If we squeeze, there’s enough space for both of us.”

Zhao Changhe paused for a moment, glancing at the stone slab.

The slab was by no means large, slanted against the boulder. It was enough for one person, barely keeping the rain off. To squeeze in... well, it would be very tight.

Lady Three shifted further inside, and her voice was more gentle as she repeated, “Come in.”

Zhao Changhe did not hesitate any further. He moved back and squeezed inside.

The two of them pressed tightly together, their bodies bare, sharing warmth in their cramped, rain-leaking refuge.

After a while, Zhao Changhe began to feel uncomfortable in his position. Naturally, he extended his arm and pulled Lady Three into his embrace.

Lady Three leaned silently into his chest. The two of them held each other lightly, without speaking.

Their heartbeats, however, only grew faster. It was as though they could hear the other’s breath becoming more and more unsteady.

Almost as if driven by instinct, Zhao Changhe slowly lowered his head, brushing his lips lightly against Lady Three’s smooth forehead.

Lady Three pursed her lips, but she did not pull away.

His courage grew, and his lips moved downward while his hands began to explore more freely.

Lady Three’s hand flashed out, grabbing hold of his wandering hand.

His movements froze, tension hanging in the air for a moment.

He realized that she was not pushing his hand away—just holding it still. Zhao Changhe felt his courage swell once again, and his lips continued their downward path, seeking hers.

Lady Three’s eyelashes fluttered, her voice soft and somewhat distant. “Are you sure about this?”

Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment, but then, gritting his teeth, he thought—Even if you’re going to hit me, I can’t hold back anymore. With that thought, he pressed his lips against hers.

Lady Three knew that his actions were driven by desire, not by true emotion. In a situation like this, it was difficult for any human to resist—unless he was truly without desire.

But what about herself?

Was she allowing this to happen simply because of basic human instinct?

When she let him into the shelter, did she not already know what might happen?

Was it a reward for him? Or was it because... something in her heart had been touched—ripples spreading, refusing to settle?

Before she could make sense of her thoughts, their lips had fully met.

Lady Three trembled as if electrified and finally spoke her last words, “This is my reward to you.”

In the next moment, her words were swallowed entirely. The Fire Pig of Shi embraced the Black Tortoise and kissed her as if the world around them no longer existed.

Boom!

The sky answered with raging thunder, lightning flashing—as though the heavens themselves were delivering judgment for this audacity.