Pearl Su had a big dinner and felt full, while Alaric Yun cleaned up afterward.
Outside, the sky was already dark. Moonlight shone into the kitchen, making it bright and open. After feeding the rabbits, Pearl Su took out some spices and salt, stir-fried them, then started marinating the organs.
Alaric Yun offered to help, but Pearl Su refused. The bowl for the organs was too small, and there wasn't enough space for both of them to work. So Alaric Yun just stood by and watched.
Soon, Pearl Su finished marinating the organs. After she was done, she fetched some water to take a bath. She washed her clothes, hung them to dry, then went to sleep.
The next morning, Pearl Su was once again woken up by the noisy birds. Frustrated, she opened her eyes and glared at the bird that had ruined her dream.
People said that birds chirping in the morning meant good luck was coming. Lies. That annoying man still hadn't left. She told him to leave within two days. He agreed nicely, but now there was no sign of him leaving. Hypocritical man.
Pearl Su turned over and went back to sleep, ignoring the bird no matter how loud it was.
Outside, the morning mist had already faded, and the sunlight was bright. Pearl Su finally felt rested, got up, and walked out. She didn't see that annoying man doing his morning exercise. She glanced at the sun and realized she had gotten up late.
She walked to the kitchen. Inside, she saw Alaric Yun putting noodles into bowls. They looked like hand-pulled noodles.
When Alaric Yun saw her, he smiled gently and said, "Good morning, Miss Su."
"Morning," Pearl Su replied blandly, then turned to wash up.
After washing, she sat at the table and noticed the noodles were topped with chives and a fried egg. She thought to herself: this annoying man actually put some thought into it.
After a few bites, she noticed he was staring at her again while she ate. His expression looked like he was the one eating, which confused Pearl Su.
After eating noodles two mornings in a row, Pearl Su guessed this annoying man probably liked noodles a lot.
After breakfast, Pearl Su planned to hang up the meat she marinated yesterday and start smoking it, but found that the meat had already been hung up and was smoking. The fire looked just right. She checked the previously smoked meat and found no problems.
So, she went to the storage room, grabbed a basket and some tools, and went to cut grass.
Just as she stepped out the door, Alaric Yun called out, "Miss Su."
Pearl Su turned back with a confused look and said calmly, "Do you need something?"
Alaric Yun smiled slightly. "I'll go with you."
Go too? But the smoking meat needed to be watched... Oh well, she'd be back soon anyway. Should be fine.
"Then go get a knife," Pearl Su said calmly.
Alaric Yun smiled. "Alright, please wait a moment."
He quickly stepped into the storage room and then came back out. The two of them walked side by side toward the grassy slope.
They cut the grass and also dug up some wild vegetables, like dandelions and white amaranth, then returned.
Alaric Yun carried the basket into the storage room. Pearl Su didn't plan to follow him in. Instead, she went to the kitchen to check on the smoking meat.
The fire was still going strong, giving off heat and a rich pine scent. The smoke wrapped around the marinated meat. The fire was fine and didn't need more wood.
Feeling reassured, Pearl Su turned and walked out. At the doorway, she ran into Alaric Yun. He smiled gently and said, "Miss Su, I'm going out to hunt a bit. I'll be back soon."
When she heard he was going hunting again, Pearl Su quickly said, "Don't hunt too much, just enough to eat."
Alaric Yun paused, then nodded. "Alright, Miss Su."
After he left, Pearl Su took out the herbs and laid them out to dry.
Alaric Yun returned with a pigeon and a bird Pearl Su didn't recognize. It was probably a species unique to this world.
Alaric Yun said he would make lunch. Pearl Su nodded and kept working on what she was doing.
At noon, Alaric came on time to call her for lunch. He had cooked stewed meat from some unknown bird and stir-fried white amaranth with garlic.
When they were nearly done eating, Alaric spoke. "Miss Su, I'll be leaving soon. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. I'll never forget that you saved my life. When I return, I'll make sure to send payment. Please don't worry."
Pearl Su replied plainly, "Alright."
But in her heart, she thought, Wow, that annoying man is finally leaving. Now she wouldn't have to stay on edge all the time. Plus, she'd be getting a thousand taels of gold. She'd become a little rich lady. So good. So good!
Alaric added, "Miss Su, I'd like to take some smoked meat with me. Would that be alright?"
"Sure, go ahead and pick some to take," Pearl answered easily.
Alaric smiled. "Thank you, Miss Su."
After lunch, Alaric cleaned up, and Pearl Su returned to her room.
Not long after, someone knocked on her door. Pearl went to open it and saw Alaric standing there, smiling gently, looking every bit like a refined gentleman.
Before she could even ask anything, he said, "Miss Su, I've come to say goodbye."
"Oh, alright. Safe journey. Hope all goes well," Pearl replied casually.
Alaric smiled again. "Thank you for your concern. I've taken three pieces of smoked meat from the kitchen. I hope that's okay?"
"That's fine," Pearl said, not really paying much attention.
Alaric's eyes suddenly became deep and intense. He looked at Pearl closely, as if memorizing her face. Still wearing that warm smile, he said, "Thank you again, Miss Su. I'll be going now."
"Mm," Pearl answered casually.
Alaric gave her one last warm smile, turned, and walked away. Soon he disappeared from her sight.
Once he was completely gone, Pearl Su felt an indescribable sense of relief. She lay happily on her bed, completely relaxed.
Half a month passed quickly. Pearl Su returned to her usual peaceful life.
Sometimes she'd go up the mountain to gather herbs, chop firewood, catch fish or shrimp, or pick wild vegetables. She became very familiar with the nearby mountains and streams.
She knew exactly what grew or lived in each area, even the more distant hills and fields. She'd harvested a lot of good things and sold them for a decent amount of silver.
Now she had nearly five hundred taels saved up. Pearl was very pleased and content. Everything was going in a good direction.
But sometimes, she still thought about that extremely handsome jerk. After all, men that good-looking were rare.
She hadn't killed and eaten the rabbit she kept in the storage room. It had been caught by him and left for her to eat. Keeping it felt like a little memory.
Just thinking about it made her feel all warm and happy inside.
She also kept thinking about those one thousand taels of gold. She wondered when that sneaky, sly man would send it to her. With that money, her future would be secure.
One day, near noon, the sun was blazing. Pearl Su was busy inside the house when she suddenly heard a man's voice shouting outside.
"Excuse me, is anyone here? Is Miss Su here?" The loud male voice called out twice.
Pearl was puzzled but still went to check. She stepped outside and saw a group of men standing there, all with strong, imposing presences.