Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Midnight Hungry Thief

Translator: 549690339

After the banquet, Lin Jing’s life once again settled down into tranquility.

Unknowingly, the weather turned cooler, and as the autumn days passed by one after another, the flowers and plants in Lin Jing’s courtyard changed from lush green to withered yellow, including that flourishing weeping willow that lost its leaves day by day…

Until over three months later, when winter came once again, dressing the earth in silvery white and covering it with a snow-white quilt.

That morning, Lin Jing had just finished refining Elixir Medicine and came out of the System Space, stretching himself lazily outside the house.

Looking at the snow-covered ground, he noticed that the fish pond had also frozen over with a thin layer of ice, yet the fish inside swam about as if nothing was amiss.

It was then that Lin Jing, as if suddenly feeling something, abruptly looked up at the sky.

A dark shadow appeared in the distance, flying towards this direction, getting closer and closer.

Finally, the shadow landed not far away, in Huang Qingling’s courtyard.

The dark shadow was none other than Little Sparrow, but what puzzled Lin Jing was why, today of all days, it had gone out during daylight. “Could it be that something happened? It shouldn’t be that greedy, right?”

Thinking about the recent events, Lin Jing couldn’t help but murmur to himself.

Lately, Little Sparrow had been causing quite a bit of trouble in Fang Market.

Ever since that talk with it, Drunken Immortal Pavilion started experiencing theft the very next day, losing nothing but some prepared ingredients.

Since these items weren’t of much value, no one paid much attention at first.

Only when more items went missing did people start to become vigilant.

So, after going out one night, Little Sparrow returned very early; no one knew what had happened that night at Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Since then, Little Sparrow hadn’t visited Drunken Immortal Pavilion again.

And since no one came looking for trouble with Little Sparrow, Lin Jing stopped paying attention to the matter.

Little Sparrow had been relatively well-behaved for a while.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

However, before long, it started up again.

This time, it didn’t target Drunken Immortal Pavilion but began to raid other pubs and restaurants within Fang Market.

Soon, rumors of a night-time hungry thief spread throughout Fang Market because Little Sparrow was too fast for anyone lying in wait to catch.

As a result, Little visibly gained weight during this period.

While was lost in thought. “Knock, knock, knock”

A sequence of knocks on the door echoed.

Lin Jing walked over and opened the courtyard door.

There stood Huang Qingling, fuming at the entrance, but Little Sparrow was nowhere to be seen on her shoulder.

“Hmph…”

“I’m so angry…”

Huang Qingling stood with a face full of anger, holding a bright red, glossy apple and viciously took a bite.

Then, while munching, she walked into the courtyard, and when she reached Lin Jing’s side, she seemed to pull out another equally red apple from nowhere and placed it in Lin Jing’s hand.

“What’s wrong, Daoist Qing Ling?”

“Who’s upset you today?” Lin Jing asked, puzzled.

“Who else could it be but that Little Sparrow…”

As Huang Qingling said this, her mouth was puffed out in annoyance, looking very endearing.

However, Lin Jing felt guilty inside and couldn’t bring himself to look.

“Could it have been exposed?” Lin Jing couldn’t help thinking to himself.

Then, Lin Jing tentatively probed:

“What’s happened to Little Sparrow again? Wasn’t it always fine? Look, it’s even put on weight recently, and that’s all thanks to you, Daoist Qing Ling.”

“Haha…” Huang Qingling let out a cold laugh.

“How could it not get fat?”

“I only found out today that the infamous late-night hungry thief rumored in Fang Market was none other than Little Sparrow.”

“No wonder no one can ever catch it; with its speed, unless a Golden Core Immortal makes a move, who could possibly catch it?”

“The night-time thief was Little Sparrow?” Lin Jing feigned surprise, only his expression seemed a bit unnatural.

However, Huang Qingling was too engrossed in her story to notice Lin Jing’s expression.

“Isn’t that so? I talked to you about the night-time thief just the other day.”

“Who would’ve thought that the thief was right by my side…”

Lin Jing looked at Huang Qingling and asked:

“So, Qing Ling… what are you going to do now? Are you taking Little Sparrow to apologize?”

Huang Qingling shuddered at the thought of such a scenario after hearing Lin Jing’s words.

“Forget it…”

“Let’s not. How about… I go to Old Man Bai this afternoon, and let him handle this matter.”

Lin Jing thought for a moment, and said:

“That seems good.”

“By the way, where’s Little Sparrow?” Lin Jing hadn’t seen Little Sparrow come over yet and was very curious.

Because Little Sparrow always shadowed Huang Qingling closely. As long as Huang Qingling came over, it wouldn’t be long before Little Sparrow would appear.

“It’s in solitary confinement right now, after such a big incident, how could I not punish it.” Huang Qingling took a bite of an apple and said fiercely.

“Er… okay…” Lin Jing felt a bit guilty.

He couldn’t help but think to himself:

“It’s good as long as they don’t find out it was I who instigated it. Fortunately,

Little Sparrow can’t speak; there are many things it can’t express.”

“Otherwise, I would be exposed.”

“I’m sorry, Little Sparrow…”

Lin Jing could only silently pray for Little Sparrow in his heart.

Just then, Huang Qingling suddenly turned around and leaned in close to Lin Jing, staring right at him.

Startled by the sudden attack, Lin Jing jerked in fright, looking up at the Huang Qingling who was very near, and hurriedly said: “Qing Ling, what’s the matter? Did I do something wrong?”

Huang Qingling stared at Lin Jing and said:

“Also, didn’t I tell you last time not to call me Qing Ling? It doesn’t sound nice at all.”

“It’s a habit, a habit…” Lin Jing said with an embarrassed smile.

Huang Qingling sighed and said:

“Forget it, call me whatever you want…”

“Oh right, Lin Jing, I haven’t eaten your cooking in such a long time. I’m upset because of Little Sparrow today and I want to eat your cooking, is that okay?” “Of course, no problem,” Lin Jing agreed immediately.

“After all, her mood isn’t good, and I have a part in it too, so I should make some sort of compensation.”

Lin Jing suggested: “Then shall we go out and buy some ingredients first? After all, I’m completely unprepared here.”

“Okay…”

Huang Qingling immediately put the issue with Little Sparrow out of her mind and agreed cheerfully.

Then, the two of them left the house and headed for the Inner Fang Market.

After making a round through the market, it was almost noontime by the time they returned.

Lin Jing also started getting busy in the kitchen.

On the way, Huang Qingling had gone back briefly and lifted Little Sparrow’s confinement.

During a break from cooking, Lin Jing saw Little Sparrow, who had fattened up a bit and was drooping its head,

Being scolded by Huang Qingling in the courtyard.

Even when Lin Jing walked past it, it had no reaction.

Soon enough, the meal was ready.

“Qing Ling, it’s time to eat…”

Lin Jing called out to Huang Qingling who was still in the courtyard..