The next morning, early dawn. The late spring sunlight streamed through the window and lit the room. Xyliana walked out the door while yawning.
She saw the table in the courtyard covered with all kinds of breakfast, so full there was barely space left. She stood there in a daze. A tall figure walked out from the kitchen, holding a clay pot with pale hands like jade.
When he saw Xyliana, a gentle smile appeared in his tea-colored eyes. His eyes curved like the crescent moon in the night sky. A small dimple appeared at the corner of his lips, adding a touch of cuteness to his already handsome face.
Yavin walked toward the courtyard with the clay pot in his hands. Only then did Xyliana remember he hadn't fully recovered yet. She hurried over and said anxiously, "Yavin, your injuries aren't healed yet, be careful!"
She rushed to the table in quick steps, frowning. "Tendon and bone injuries take a hundred days to heal... You've only just gotten out of bed, you really need to rest more." The man set down the clay pot and smiled while shaking his head.
Seeing this, Xyliana angrily said, "I worked so hard to save your body. You better treat it well! If you don't, I'll really ignore you!"
She turned away after speaking. Looking at the sulking Xyliana, his lips curled into a soft smile. He slowly walked to her and gently tugged on her sleeve with his white, jade-like fingers.
When she looked up, a pair of beautiful eyes with a hint of sadness stared at her pitifully. Xyliana was stunned for a moment... Those eyes, that expression really looked far too pitiful...
She cleared her throat and pretended to be generous, saying, "Alright then, just this once, but not again. You haven't fully healed yet, so you'd better rest quietly for a few more days. If any complications remain, that would be serious."
Hearing that, Yavin nodded with a smile, his charming eyes full of soft tenderness. Seeing his expression, Xyliana quickly looked away and turned to the food on the table, exclaiming in surprise, "You made all of this?"
"And this porridge too, you made it?" She lifted the lid on the pot, and the rich aroma of rice wafted out. It was incredibly tempting.
Yavin sat down across from her with a smile and nodded. "No, wait." Looking at all the food on the table, she suddenly remembered the pine nut date pastries he brought back yesterday.
She asked in confusion, "Yavin, where did you get the money?" Her face was full of doubt. He paused, then shook his head and reached out to serve her a bowl of porridge.
"You..." Seeing her like that, his tea-colored eyes flickered. He reached into his robe and took out a jade pendant.
The smooth, translucent jade pendant was now tied with a simple string. The large bead that used to hang from the bottom was gone. "You... You pawned the bead?" Xyliana asked in shock.
She stood up, walked over, and grabbed his wrist, speaking anxiously, "Which pawnshop? Come on, I'll go with you to redeem it!" His large, cool hand gently covered the back of her hand.
He turned his head to look at her. Yavin shook his head. The determined look in his eyes seemed to change him into someone else.
Xyliana paused slightly, lowered her eyes, and spoke slowly: "Saving you was an accident. I only thought of doing something kind. You don't need to..."
"I never expected anything in return..." In front of her, the man smiled with curved eyes. His starry gaze rested on her as if comforting the slightly guilty girl.
Seeing that, Xyliana had no choice but to sit back down. A bowl of porridge was placed in front of her. The plain porcelain set off his jade-like fingertips.
Under the morning sunlight, it was hard to tell which looked whiter and more delicate. When she looked up, his eyes were smiling again. Xyliana composed herself and said quietly:
"Alright... but don't ever be so impulsive again... That bead must have been important to you..." She really hated owing favors to others.
Thinking of that delicate bead, Xyliana didn't know how to start speaking. "Take good care of yourself first. When your body and legs recover, I'll take you to Mount Qinghua to gather herbs."
"That way, you can earn a bit more income." Hearing this, Yavin smiled and nodded. The sweet and soft rice porridge went down smoothly, warming the stomach with each bite.
"This porridge is so good!" Xyliana said with a smile. She hadn't eaten such soft porridge in a long time. It was like it was made just for her taste.
Seeing her clearly still wanting more, the person beside her smiled and filled her bowl again. As she ate, she suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Yavin, where is your home?
Now that you're out of danger, maybe you should write a letter to let your family know you're safe." I can help you send it out later. Putting down her spoon, Xyliana spoke softly.
The person before her lowered his eyes slightly and shook his head. Sadness appeared between his brows, as if he was recalling something painful. Realizing what that might mean, Xyliana froze for a moment and then slowly said,
"…I'm sorry... I didn't think of that…" Hearing Xyliana's slightly apologetic words, he quickly looked up and shook his head at her. He gave a soft smile, as if trying to comfort the kind girl in front of him.
"Actually… I don't have much family either… but we can be companions from now on!" Suppressing the emotions in her heart, Xyliana looked at him with a smile. The morning sunlight fell on her cheek.
Her eyes sparkled like they were filled with starlight. The sincerity in her eyes could move anyone who saw it. He looked at Xyliana like that and nodded with all his strength.
His tea-colored eyes were clear as water. A flash of determination passed through them. A gentle breeze passed through, tree shadows danced.
A faint floral scent lingered in the air. From afar came the crisp calls of birds. Beneath the shade of the trees, the two shared a smile.
The evening sun sank in the west, with a streak of red hanging at the edge of the sky. Flaming clouds filled the heavens, and a few birds flew past now and then. Seeing how late it was getting, Xyliana couldn't help but speed up her steps.
She had wandered on the mountain for a long time today, but still didn't find the kind of fruit she had found in the forest before. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she thought of the dried fruit left at home. "I'll try searching in a different place tomorrow…" Xyliana thought to herself.
Just like usual, she stepped into the herb hall and took off the basket from her back. "Miss Xyliana, you came a bit late today." Xamun was tidying up the front hall.
Seeing Xyliana come in, he put down what he was doing and walked over. He naturally took the basket from Xyliana and squatted down to start sorting through the herbs. "Same as usual? Leave three portions for yourself?"
Xamun asked as he picked through the herbs. "Yes." Clapping the dust from her hands, Xyliana replied.
"Xamun, I don't want payment for today's herbs. I want to ask Doctor Wu to prepare some medicine for the throat. Could you check if these herbs are enough?"
"If not, I'll make up the difference with money." Hearing that, Xamun looked up from the herbs. "Miss Xyliana, your throat...?"
Xyliana shook her head. "Not me. It's a friend of mine. His throat was poisoned a while back and now he can't speak."
"But since he can't walk well, I thought I'd ask Doctor Wu to prepare the medicine for him first." "I see. No problem at all."
"Miss Xyliana, you're a regular here at the herb hall. Leave this to me." Xamun smiled, showing his clean white teeth.
He looked honest and kind. "Thank you." Xyliana smiled, her eyes curved gently. Carrying the wrapped herbs and the basket on her back, she walked along the street.
The sky was growing darker. Street vendors had set up stalls, and the place was lively with people. The lights were bright like strings of pearls.
Under the lamps, her shadow stretched longer and longer. The soft evening breeze carried the warm scent of food from the stalls. Doctor Wu's words echoed in Xyliana's ears.