Pearl Su gave Alaric Yun a calm glance and followed him to the kitchen. She saw several plates on the table, each filled with neatly cut pieces of meat. They were golden and gave off a delicious smell.
Roast pork! Pearl Su understood at once. She noticed there were no vegetables nearby, so she went to grab the cucumbers she had just picked, smashed them, added some seasoning, mixed them together, and placed the dish on the table.
Alaric Yun looked curious. "Miss Su, what is this?"
"This is cucumber," Pearl Su answered. She paused, then explained, "It can be stir-fried, pickled, or eaten raw. This version is a cold dish. It goes well with roasted meat because it cuts through the grease."
"In that case, allow me to try it," said Alaric Yun as he picked up a piece and tasted it. His eyes lit up. "Refreshing and delicious. Truly tasty!"
"Miss Su, you're really knowledgeable. I'm impressed!" he said sincerely.
Pearl Su remained calm. "I just happened to know a little about it."
Alaric Yun smiled again. "Miss Su, why don't I call you Pearl and you call me Alaric? No need for all the formal titles."
Pearl Su was caught off guard. She looked at his face, saw the hopeful smile, then her gaze dropped to his slightly red and swollen hands. She quickly looked away and said, "That's not appropriate. We're not familiar enough for that."
There was a short pause before he replied gently, "I was being rude. Please forgive me, Miss Su."
"It's fine," Pearl Su replied softly and lowered her eyes to start eating.
After a while, she said, "The roast pork tastes quite good."
Alaric Yun smiled. "Then you should eat more, Miss Su."
He picked up a piece with crispy skin and tender meat and placed it into her bowl.
Pearl Su was stunned. What was this man doing?
She had only said that to ease the awkwardness from earlier and smooth out the tension between them, not to encourage anything further. What was he thinking?
"Thank you, sir," she said and ate the meat under his sparkling gaze.
Now she couldn't even taste the food properly.
After the meal, Pearl Su was about to clean up, but Alaric Yun stopped her. "Miss Su, let me take care of the cleaning."
Since he offered, Pearl Su was happy to let him do it—especially since it was him doing it.
She left the kitchen and slowly walked around the courtyard to help digest the meal. After a few rounds, the sky turned dark, and she went back to her room. It was about time to draw water for a bath.
As she soaked in the tub, she puzzled over one thing: why did that man give her food with his chopsticks? She thought and thought but couldn't figure it out. Even after falling asleep, she was still confused.
Morning light streamed in. Pearl Su woke up and began counting the days. This was day twenty. Almost a full month.
She sighed, feeling a bit down. Was she really going to be stuck here?
Still feeling frustrated, she turned over in bed and stared at the ceiling for a long time. Eventually, her mind cleared, and she got up, dressed, and opened the door.
In the courtyard, a gray figure moved gracefully, fast and strong, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.
Pearl Su wasn't in the mood to watch. She turned and went to the kitchen to start making breakfast, then washed up while it cooked. When the food was ready, she went to call the dog man.
This morning's breakfast was millet porridge, fried eggs with chives, and leftover roast pork from yesterday. In her old world, she would've called it roast suckling pig.
After they finished eating, Pearl Su cleaned the kitchen, fed the rabbits, set the herbs out to dry, then packed her basket and tools to head out.
She turned to Alaric Yun and said, "Sir, I'm heading up the mountain to gather herbs today. I'm not sure when I'll return, so you'll have to manage lunch on your own."
"Miss Su, it's not safe for you to go up the mountain alone. How about I go with you?"
M—M. I always go by myself. Since when has it not been safe?
"No need, thank you for your kindness, sir. I'll be fine alone."
Alaric Yun gave a gentle smile. "It just so happens I'm also going up the mountain. Why don't we go together, Miss Su?"
You? Just so happens? Together? Pearl Su doubted his motives.
But the man simply smiled and walked ahead. Watching his figure, Pearl Su sighed and had no choice but to follow.
They walked side by side along the path. The man carried tools and a vine basket with ease, looking completely relaxed. Pearl Su glanced around constantly and stopped whenever she saw herbs, asking Alaric Yun to dig them up.
She stood nearby giving him detailed instructions. "Be careful, don't damage the leaves, and make sure the roots stay intact." They climbed halfway up the mountain and came across another herb. Pearl Su stood where she was and waved him over.
When he arrived, she said, "This herb is important. You must be extremely careful with it."
"All right. I understand," Alaric Yun replied with a soft smile. He put down the basket and crouched down to start digging.
Pearl Su stood next to him, also focused, afraid he'd damage the herb. It didn't take long before Alaric Yun had dug up half of it.
Seeing this, Pearl Su couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This kind of physical work really was better suited for men. If it were her, it'd probably take half the day just to reach this point.
Soon, Alaric Yun finished and placed the herb into the basket.
Pearl Su said, "There are still two important herbs we haven't found. They grow in shady areas. We'll have to go to the shaded side of the mountain."
She glanced at him again and added, "You also have things to do. Why don't we split up?"
"My task isn't urgent. I can accompany you to gather the herbs first," Alaric Yun said gently as he looked at her.
This annoying man clearly insisted on following her today. What was he trying to do? Pearl Su couldn't figure it out.
Suddenly, she saw him dart away and disappear in a flash. Before she could react, he came back holding a wild chicken in his hand.
He raised the chicken slightly and smiled at her. "Miss Su, I've finished my task. Let's continue picking herbs."
Pearl Su was speechless, stuck for a long moment. She didn't say anything, just glanced at him and walked ahead in silence.
The two of them walked on and finally crossed to the other side of the mountain, where they found a trace of the needed herb.
Pearl Su said to him, "Sir, this is it. You dig this one. There's another one I'll go look for."
"Miss Su, you can't go alone. It's too dangerous. Wait for me to finish digging this one, and then we'll go together."
"No, it's getting late," Pearl Su said firmly. The midday heat would be unbearable if they waited too long.
"Miss Su, this herb has shallow roots. It won't take long. Just wait a moment," Alaric Yun said seriously.
His eyes locked onto her, deep and dark like an abyss, giving the impression that if she dared to take one step away, the consequences would be severe.
For a moment, Pearl Su was stunned by his intimidating presence. She nodded reluctantly. "Fine."
Alaric Yun nodded in satisfaction. "Then please rest here for a bit, Miss Su."
Pearl Su snapped out of it and realized she had just been scared by him. Her heart filled with irritation. That annoying man actually dared to frighten her.
She glanced at him working hard and snorted coldly, turning her head away.