Fine! She had to admit, he really could cook. The food tasted great, and she enjoyed eating it. She didn't compliment him, but did he have to keep staring at her like that? It made her feel awkward.
After thinking it through, Pearl Su didn't bother arguing. She happily finished lunch.
That annoying man hadn't finished eating yet and said he'd clean up the dishes. She gladly acted like a hands-off boss and went to the storage room to keep sorting her herbs.
Once she got busy, Pearl Su didn't stop the whole afternoon.
The sunset burned red across the sky, making it feel like the whole world was wrapped in heat.
Pearl Su stood up, stretched her back, went to her room, and changed her menstrual cloth. She planned to rest for a bit, but then decided against it.
As soon as she stepped out of her room, she ran into Alaric Yun returning with a basket full of fresh grass on his back and two pigeons in his hand.
Pearl Su couldn't help but feel impressed. Having internal strength and martial arts really made life easier. Hunting wild game? That was nothing for him.
Honestly, she did want to learn too. But considering their current relationship, she thought it was better to keep that idea to herself.
So she stood under the corridor, waiting for him to come over. When he got close, she said softly, "Let me feed the rabbits."
Alaric Yun felt a ripple in his heart. He thought she'd still be ignoring him because of what happened at lunch.
He didn't expect her to take the initiative to talk. His face lit up with a pleased look and he said, "Alright. Thank you, Miss Su."
Pearl Su mentally rolled her eyes. If the rabbits got fat, she'd get to eat them too, right? What was there to thank her for?
Alaric Yun carried the basket and went into the storage room with her. Once he set it down, Pearl Su picked up the fresh grass and started feeding the rabbits.
She noticed two cucumbers in the basket and her eyes lit up. She didn't expect to eat cucumbers again today. She liked them.
Seeing her eyes sparkle while staring at the cucumbers, Alaric Yun smiled and said, "Miss Su, you feed the rabbits. I'll go make dinner."
Pearl Su replied with a light "mm" and squatted down with the grass to continue feeding the rabbits.
As she fed and played with the rabbits, time passed quickly. Her legs started to go numb, so she stood up, rubbed them a bit, and walked outside.
When she got to the kitchen, she smelled three delicious scents: the rice steaming in the pot, the fragrant pigeon soup in the small pot, and the mouthwatering roasted pigeon meat in Alaric Yun's hands.
She went over to help tend the fire under the two cooking pots.
Time passed while the flames crackled and popped. Once the rice and soup were ready, Pearl Su pulled out the rest of the firewood.
The roasted pigeon was already done. It gave off a rich meaty smell. Alaric Yun chopped it up and placed it on the table.
He was now preparing the cold cucumber salad. Once everything was ready, they sat down to eat.
Pearl Su took a bite of roasted pigeon, then a spoonful of pigeon soup, then another bite of pigeon, and a forkful of cucumber. She was completely satisfied.
She had to admit, the annoying man was a fast learner. His cucumber salad actually tasted better than hers.
During the meal, she noticed him watching her eat again. This time, she didn't avoid him. Pearl Su just ignored it.
Let him stare all he wants. She wasn't going to praise him. No matter how good the food was—hmph!
After dinner, Pearl Su wandered slowly around the courtyard. After two laps, the sky had gone completely dark.
The bright moon appeared and lit up the world, pushing away the shadows. Pearl Su strolled another round and was about to go back to her room when a glowing dot flew in front of her, flickering on and off.
She was startled at first, then smiled. She reached out and quickly caught it in her hand, making a fist.
Once she saw there were no more flickering lights nearby, she slowly opened her hand.
The little light began glowing again inside her palm.
"A firefly," Pearl Su whispered, gently touching the tiny insect with her finger, delighted.
Seeing that it wasn't afraid and didn't fly away, Pearl Su was even more delighted and kept playing with it.
"Little firefly, did you fly here alone because you got lost? Or were you just playing around and ended up here with me?"
"Sis will tell you something. Little ones shouldn't run around by themselves, or bad people might catch them."
"Just like how I caught you just now, then locked you in a dark cage where you'd never be free again."
As she spoke, Pearl Su gently tapped its head with her finger again. Seeing that it still didn't fly away, she tapped it once more. It just stayed in her palm, blinking softly.
Pearl Su smiled again and raised her hand, tossing it into the air. The little firefly blinked in the air and then, as if it found the right direction, it flew back toward her.
Pearl Su smiled and waved her hand at it until it flew away. Then she finally went back inside.
She didn't notice the figure standing silently by the kitchen door, watching the whole scene with dark, deep eyes.
In the early morning light, Pearl Su woke up from her deep sleep. The pain in her body was completely gone, and she felt great.
She got up quickly to check and found only slight discomfort. After changing her period cloth, she opened the door.
The soft morning light filtered through the mist. Everything looked peaceful and calm.
She stepped outside and stretched lazily. As she turned her head, she saw a tall, graceful figure moving like a flying bird. His presence was powerful and bright.
She squinted slightly and quietly stood there watching him, enjoying the view. When he was almost done, she turned and headed to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, she added millet to the pot. Today's breakfast would be millet porridge. She washed the millet, added water, and started cooking. Then she went to wash up.
After washing, she came back and lit the fire, planning to fry two eggs. Just as the fire was starting, a figure stepped into the kitchen doorway, blocking the sunlight.
Pearl Su glanced at him and said, "Young master, could you help watch the fire?"
Alaric Yun answered with a simple "Alright," and came over to help.
Pearl Su fried exactly two eggs. She didn't plan to make any extra.
She wasn't going to feed an unknown possible enemy too well, only to give him strength to hurt her. That kind of self-destructive kindness wasn't her style.
Besides, she fried one for him and one for herself. That was fair.
If he needed more food because he was a man with a bigger appetite, that was not her concern.
Once the eggs were done, she plated them. Then she added a small dish of pickled papaya strips. Breakfast would be ready once the porridge cooled down.
After breakfast, the morning mist had cleared and sunlight shone across the land.
Pearl Su took out the herbs that needed drying and laid them out in the sun. Then she went to feed the rabbits.
After finishing her chores, she saw Alaric Yun walking out from the kitchen. She spoke, "Young master, today I'll check your pulse."
Hearing that, the relaxed look on Alaric Yun's face froze for a moment. Then he replied seriously, "Thank you, Miss Su."
Pearl Su replied lightly, "No trouble. Come here, I can check it from here."
"Alright." Alaric Yun walked over and held out his hand.
Pearl Su didn't hesitate and placed her fingers on his wrist.
Alaric Yun lowered his head to look at the small, pale hand resting on his. Then his eyes shifted to her delicate face, soft as a pink lotus, and his eyes grew darker.
In his heart, it felt like the little deer that lived inside was suddenly jumping around again, restless and lively.
At that moment, he noticed Pearl Su glancing at him with a puzzled look. He quickly gathered his energy and calmed his blood flow.
When Pearl Su gave him another curious glance, Alaric Yun's face remained calm, and so did his heartbeat.