Chapter 84: Huh? Me?
By noon the next day—
Xiao Yuan was cooking.
If it were just for himself, he usually wouldn't bother and would make do with something simple.
But now there was a woman in the house—it wouldn't be right to let her suffer through his lazy meals.
Luckily, cooking wasn't difficult, and Xiao Yuan was already quite skilled at it.
Creak...
The sound of wood creaking caught his attention. He turned his head to see Yun Yun stepping out slowly, dressed in a white robe.
She was tall and slender, and surprisingly, Xiao Yuan's robe fit her rather well.
Except for her rather prominent... upper body, which made the chest area look a little conspicuous.
Her usually elegant phoenix bun had been let down, her long hair flowing freely over her back. Her bright eyes shimmered with intelligence and grace.
"Awake? Food's almost ready."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Smells amazing. You're quite the cook."
Yun Yun took in the aroma with her delicate nose and smiled warmly.
"Hehe, it's just experience. I've practically eaten my way through the entire Magical Beast Mountain Range lately. Whether it's medicinal herbs or beast meat—if it's edible, I've tried it. The tastiest by far is the Soft-Boned Rabbit. When stewed, even the bones are tender and fragrant—though there's not much meat."
Xiao Yuan chuckled.
"Oh, and today's lunch includes spicy rabbit head. It's really good—you should try it later."
He added cheerfully.
"I'd love to. Thank you."
Yun Yun's radiant smile made Xiao Yuan lose focus for a second.
"Oh, how are your injuries? My medicine should help with internal wounds, but your Dou Qi was sealed, right? That might slow your recovery."
Xiao Yuan snapped out of it and redirected the topic, slightly embarrassed.
Yun Yun didn't mind his moment of distraction. At the very least, it meant she still had charm in his eyes.
It also reassured her somewhat about his character. During treatment, he'd been completely focused. But seeing a beautiful woman afterward still made him flustered. That was genuine.
She gave a soft laugh, then gracefully approached him. A faint fragrance trailed behind her.
"The injuries are manageable now, but the seal... it'll take at least a few more days to break."
"Oh, that's actually pretty nice. It won't delay your plans, and I get to spend a few more days with a beautiful woman."
Xiao Yuan nodded seriously.
"You little rascal—so serious while treating wounds, and now you're being so flirty."
Yun Yun shook her head in amusement.
"Mistake. The seriousness was an act. I know myself well. If the enemy is beautiful, then the crime isn't worth death. If not, then death is deserved. I'm just a regular guy who likes beautiful women.
Besides, what's wrong with what I said? With your beauty and strength, I normally wouldn't have any chance of being under the same roof as you—at least not before reaching Dou Wang. But now we are, and it makes for a rather pleasant memory on my journey.
Sure, you're a Dou Huang, but right now, you're an injured, beautiful woman. If you get better and come to scold me later for being too informal… that just means I saved the wrong person.
But I don't think you're that kind of person. Otherwise, you wouldn't have helped me."
He spread his hands and spoke with conviction.
Yun Yun was stunned by his words. This boy who looked sixteen or seventeen… how could his thinking be so mature?
Okay, maybe a little perverted.
But wasn't that just men in general?
"You! You're so young, yet you talk like some grizzled old man."
She sighed, half exasperated.
But somehow, it made her trust him even more.
After all, if he hadn't taken advantage of her at her most vulnerable, he probably never would.
"Oh right—don't call me 'Senior' anymore. Makes me sound ancient. I'm only a few years older than you. My surname's Yun. If you don't mind, just call me 'sister.'"
Her gaze softened, and she smiled.
"Sister Yun?"
Xiao Yuan raised an eyebrow.
This made three "sisters" now… Was he into older women?
"Mm."
Yun Yun's smile grew warmer.
"Food's ready. Let's eat before we talk more."
Xiao Yuan's tone shifted slightly, and he quietly began serving the food.
Seeing his expression change, Yun Yun wanted to ask about it, but when he handed her a bowl of rice, clearly trying to stop her from talking, she let it go.
She took a bite, her red lips moving elegantly, chewing slowly.
"It's really good!"
She praised him.
Slurp slurp
Xiao Yuan, meanwhile, was wolfing his food down.
"Heh, of course it is."
He nodded, a bit smug.
Seeing he wasn't planning to leave any extra for her, Yun Yun quickly picked up the pace.
Soon, they were both full, content expressions on their faces.
"Are you planning to return to the Amethyst Winged Lion King in a few days?"
Xiao Yuan asked.
"Mm. I need that Amethyst Spirit Crystal."
Yun Yun sighed.
"Be careful then. That lion king's crafty—it's a sixth-rank beast, after all. Been alive a long time."
Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Hmph, I was just careless last time. Next time, my Wind's Edge – Descent Kill won't lose!"
Yun Yun said with a confident frown.
"Heh… how do you know it won't be prepared for that move now?"
Xiao Yuan yawned lazily.
A trump card, once revealed to the same opponent, stops being a trump card.
Yun Yun was briefly stunned.
He wasn't wrong. Just as she'd watch out for the lion's sealing move, it would be ready for her ultimate skill.
"So what should I do?"
She asked instinctively.
…?
"You're asking me?"
Xiao Yuan stared at her, baffled.
A Dou Huang asking a Dou Shi for battle advice? That was a bit much.
"Well, how about this—you help me?"
Yun Yun thought for a moment, then looked at him with shining eyes.
"How?"
Xiao Yuan already had a feeling where this was going.
"The Amethyst Spirit Crystal is likely hidden in the lion king's cave. I tried sneaking in last time but got caught.
Once I recover, I'll lure it away again. You sneak into the cave and retrieve the crystal while it's gone."
Her words made Xiao Yuan's expression twitch.
"Huh? Me?"
(END CHAPTER)
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